Jubilee

Freedom Dawn Press This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and events are the product of theauthor’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. Jubilee Published by Freedom Dawn Press Copyright 2016 Jesse M. Simmons Freedom Dawn Press Private Edition, License NotesThis ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or givenaway to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchasean additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, pleasepurchase your own copy or show your support by purchasing another title by this author. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Jubileeby Jesse M. Simmons Freedom Dawn Press

The fly had burrowed so deeply into Kessi’s sweat-soaked bodice that she had to stop whatshe was doing and dig it out. The fool insect had no doubt been fighting desperately to free itselfyet had only managed to dig further down between her aching breasts, ensuring its death. Kessiwas prepared to rip the whole thing off, the thought of maggots erupting from her nipples beingfar from welcome. She took a deep breath and bent deep from the waist. The fly, smothered byher sweat, managed to fall out of her clothes onto the ground. John snuck toward Kessi and unwittingly stomped his heavy foot on the stunned fly. “You see?” he said trying to quiet his booming voice to something like a whisper. “What’s that?” Kessi followed his gaze toward the big house. Men were nearly frantic as they nailed boardsover the windows. Kessi looked heavenward but saw no signs of rain. At that time, the mistressElrod, whom Kessi called Jaundice, was climbing into the coach with the children and heryoung, red-haired mulatto. Master Elrod did not get in with them. He paced outside of the coachwith his rifle in his hands. Then, the horses pulled them away down the long dirt road towardanother long dirt road. The men with boards began working on the doors. “Jubilee,” John replied with eyes that glittered brighter than diamonds. “T’ain’t no Jubilee,” Kessi said later as they headed toward their quarters. “You ever seen Jubilee?” “Naw. Mistress got sick and carried me with her to her pappy’s land where she died. I ain’tnever seen inside that house again.” She looked back at the big house, all boarded up but regal with a smoldering globe behind it. Kessi continued, “T’weren’t no magic. Master Elrod took and killed or sold thems that theyclaim got freed by Jubilee. T’weren’t no beast nor creature came and done nothing no time.” John smirked. “How you know?” “Got me a baby to worry about,” Kessi replied. “Knowing about Jubilee never done me nogood.” John laughed heartily. “Soon,” was all he said. Inside the tiny shack was Minnie, the orphan child, and Isaac, the baby. Minnie handed thegurgling infant to his mother. Kessi immediately began nursing and both mother and child feltrelieved. Meanwhile, Kessi checked the marking on the post. John was right. It was the year forJubilee, every seventh year. Jubilee, however, was just a story, one Kessi had heard from herearliest years. During Jubilee, spirits came to slaughter the masters and free the slaves and sheknew there was no truth in it. Kessi had been too young to remember the first one and while shehad been away during the second, her family had been sold or killed. Jubilee would last for no more than a few days. The stories did not all agree. That night,Kessi bedded down with Minnie and the baby huddled away from the door. The next day, Kessi noticed immediately that some were gone.»»Do you like this beginning? Share this with your friends and be sure to visit fdpreads.tk