Chapter 45: The spiteful.
Commune means a group living together. The slaves shared all that they could and tried to make their living conditions as homely as possible. It meant taking turns and duties cooking for everyone. This had been an advantage Faith had taken to ill-treat Thomas. Thomas removed his hat as he greeted some of the elders and the people he lived with here and there sharing laughs. The line of food was long but not too long. Faith smirked when it was finally Thomas turn.
"Turf luck, the corn is finished." She told him. "So is the gravy and potatoes." Faith muttered closing the big pot and tying her apron.
"Oh, I don't mind sweet potatoes... if there is." He told her, trying to be civil.
"I'm surprised you'd want to eat anything that I have prepared..?!" She laughed.
"This is after all where the food is served, but why wouldn't I?" He questioned a little confused.
"I thought you said when we were kids you'd pretend to like the food I cooked."
"That was mud Faith, I thought we had resolved this.."
"Oh, Uncle Eddie I have a plate saved just for you!" Faith said cheerfully at the man who stood behind Thomas. When she was done she turned to look at Thomas, her lips in a thin line. "Sweet potatoes are finished too."
"Oh, Alright, I suppose good night then."
"Good night Thomas." She replied sternly. Thomas only hoped Miriam or anyone else would be the one serving the food tomorrow. He did not want any problems for himself. He felt horrid as it is, he felt disgusted with himself when he saw Faith... all he could recall was the deed that they had done. He felt rueful, the thought of it ate him up. How would Merri react? Would she forgive him? He missed her so much. When would she return. It was in these little moments that Thomas realize how much he adored that girl... no that woman. He had forgiven her or maybe he missed her an awful lot to make him forget about her betrayal. He told himself, it was not her fault. Austin had been adamant on having her from the word to go. The way he asked of her innocence and so on. Thomas felt that his eyes had finally been opened.
Laughing out loud, he could not believe he had ever even convinced himself that he could live without Merri. It was anger that had been speaking on his behalf. Now that she was not here he thought of her often, every second. What was she doing in this very moment? Was she thinking of him too? Did she miss him?
"...Oh...Merri...my...love..." He sighed under his breath.
He could not wait to show her all the love that he felt for her. He could not wait to make love to her once more. Thomas wanted to remove the repulsing thought of Faith and what they had done. They needed a new start, together. Without any distractions or people wanting to ruin their relationship. They had never spent so much time apart from each other. A different kind of pain and misery.
"Thomas?" He heard his name being called.
He quickly removed his hat when he saw whom it was. "I noticed you did not get a plate, is everything alright?"
"Yes, ma'am!" Thomas grinned as he took the iron plate from Mrs Brown. "Thank you."
"Ofcourse." She replied.
"When will Merri return? Is everything alright, I hope that monster did not sell her off. He could be spiteful at times."
"She will return soon, do not worry yourself too much."
"I miss her." Thomas said softly.
"I miss her as well, she could be dramatic at times but she is definitely one of a kind. I love her like my own."
"When she returns, we will get married. It should have been the first thing I did before all this havoc occurred."
Mrs Brown furrowed her eyebrows. "Did you ask for her consent regarding the issue?"
"She loves me. I know she does and she'd want this as well."
"Uh alright child." Mrs Brown replied, a bit unsure... she held her tongue.
"Thank you again."
"Ofcourse, try to stir away from Faith. She is trouble."
"I hope it is not too late. I did not realize she was this unbalanced and holds so much resentment."
"...mhm..."