***This is an Antebellum Story***
Although accustomed to the heat of August, Nancy still dripped with the sweat of a day's work in the fields. The summer was going to be just as brutal as last year, and the work load seemed almost fruitless as she heard about the value of cotton not being worth what it used to be.
Nancy had not worked in the cotton fields since she was a child, before moving inside to care for the house and her owners. Working in the house was both rewarding and trivial, but still better than working in the fields. It only took but a few hours to do the menial chores for the house too.
The Jacobs did not have any children of their own which made for even less to clean. Some days needed more time to clean while others had her looking for something to do. Although with fewer field hands, Nancy was forced to work a few hours in the field to help out.
The true reward of working in the house was from being removed from Mr. Williams' supervision. Like Master Jacobs, he was far removed from youth, but his age had not diminished his stern hand. His love of the whip was well known and had been used for even the smallest offenses.
As Nancy looked up, she could see a few carriages rolling to the big house. Just as the dust from the road was being kicked up Henry stepped over to her. "Massa selling us Mamma."
Henry was her only living child, and Nancy felt her heart drop at the thought of his separation. She also knew he could be right as well. Cotton did not demand as high a price as of late, and the only thing keeping away Mr. Jacobs's debtors was his slaves. The number of hands on the plantation had dwindled just like the value of cotton.
"We be fine...just you go back to work and keep your mind to yourself."
She recalled a time when the fields were packed with hands, and now only a handful remained. She knew Henry was prime for sale as he was young and strong. She also knew she was a prime candidate to be sold off if someone wanted a house slave that was still able to bear children. She had Henry ten years ago, and a daughter five years ago. Although she did not survive just a few months, Nancy knew her ability to have more was a value to Mr. Jacobs.
Nancy looked up blocking the sun with her hands as Mr. Williams came by. His old gruff voice called out like she was in trouble. "Needs you inside for a spell. Guests are coming and the Misses needs help."
Walking towards the house, Nancy saw Charles, and Victor being loaded up into the back of the wagon. She wanted to say goodbye and choked back the few tears she had as she saw their new owners near them. She kept her head down and walked to the back to help prepare drinks.
As the guests strolled by, Nancy could tell they were here only to buy more slaves from Mr. Jacobs. Their wealth was more prominent in both their dress and mannerisms. Fear took hold and Nancy did all she could to swallow it and act like nothing was wrong. The only hope she had was that they would buy her and Henry together. Some owners like to keep families together, but Mr. Jacobs was not one of them. He loved his wealth more than any slave.
Like a fly on the wall, Nancy did what was told of her when it was told. She did listen to the prospects of what was to come. Mr. Jacobs was having another good harvest year, but it did not matter to anyone as the price of cotton was still falling. The guests even joked about the value of picking it to the value of the land being used for cattle.
One of the gentleman that she served drinks to offered a solution though. Nancy stepped out to fetch more drinks and was keen to hear how her home and family could be kept together. She hurried with the drinks, almost spilling them as to not miss a word of what was to come with her and Henry.
She wondered if the gentleman was going to offer money for her, or even her son, just hoping they would be together. When he offered to lease his slaves for a year, it confused her. The only thing she wanted to hear was that she and Henry would not be separated.
The older man then offered his plan and Nancy moved closer as to not miss a word. Mr. Jacobs was to lease his male slaves out for a year to the men in return for paying off most of his debts. The meager profits from the cotton harvest would be enough to keep the plantation going and pay for the next year's planting. When the price of cotton increased, Mr. Jacobs could get his slaves back and not have any debt to worry about.
Mr. Jacobs nodded his head pleased that he could keep his plantation and his slaves. He even made a comment that cotton prices would be back in a year and that he wanted reassurances his slaves would be looked after on the men's plantation. Both of the men agreed and a deal was struck for Mr. Williams to go with the hands for the duration of the agreement.
Nancy swallowed hard knowing her boy was going to some rice planation by the coast. She thought her master was right that cotton would rebound and he would be back in a year. She knew he was going to leave her, but refused to give up the idea of it only being temporary.
Nancy did what was told of her the rest of the night and went back to her meager cabin instantly kissing her son Henry as he slept. She knew he was going to be sent off for a year, but it could be forever if things did not go to plan and cotton did not come up in value.
The next day Nancy was back in the fields and the men's wagon was still there. They stayed the night and she knew those wagons would soon be loaded up with slaves from her plantation. Before she began to fill her cotton sack she walked over to the Big house in preparation for what was going to happen. Her heart beat with fear as her hand gripped her son's hand. He was going to be torn from her grasp and there was nothing she could do about it.
The men came out of the house with smiles on their face. There were two other white men that came around and began pointing to all the male slaves. The men of the plantation began to be loaded in the wagon without an incident. Henry kissed her goodbye and was soon off to the coast for a year.
Nancy let go of her emotions and began to let the tears drop from her eyes. The dust from the wagon kicked up and Nancy lost sight of her son; he was gone within the span of a few minutes.
She looked around to see there was almost nobody around. The plantation was not large, but it had enough slaves to make it look large before today. There was always something being worked on or fixed, and the eerie silence of nothing being done hit her hard. The fear of loneliness manifested in tears that ran down her face.
Nancy knew it was going to be a hard year as only ten slaves were left, and all were women except for old Monday. Mr. Jacobs said he would never part with Monday as he was his childhood friend growing up and the son of his nanny.
She looked up to see Monday walking up to her. With a quick wipe, her tears were now disguised as he came close. His arms opened and his hug was needed more than she knew as she felt he was worried for her.
"Promise to tell Massa to gets him back for you. Just need to be getting those fields looked after so that we can be selling cotton."
She finally broke his embrace to see his expression of love and faith as she knew he wanted what was best for her. He was always the one to bring cheer and good spirits to everyone around him.
The chores in the house needed to be done and Nancy was inside quickly cleaning up before needing to be outside. Although her heart felt like it was being ripped out, the day's work still went on.
The men had left and Nancy assumed Mr. Jacobs would be in his study working. Mrs. Jacobs was in the kitchen and made no mention that her husband was still sleeping. She walked in to change out the pans and was surprised to see her owner still in bed. His eyes were open and his face was flushed.
