Caroline Wilson's Diary

A Chapter From The Deception of Sadie Burrrell

This is a test chapter.  What do you think?  It's copyrighted.  Remember this is set in 1938, Sadie's home from college and there's work going on at the Mason-Billingsley Plantation.

The noise of the town’s busyness faded into peaceful sounds.  Sadie strolled along for nearly a mile and a half until she came upon the lane leading to the old Walnut Hill Plantation.  The flurry of activity surrounding the home peaked her curiosity.  She walked past the six mature black walnut trees on both sides of the lane; their husks sprinkled on the coarse sand.  The old expansive, white federal style mansion sat snuggled between two graceful weeping willows.  The fluted columns were stained from years of neglect, while the cracked wrap-around porch splintered from the pressure of standing for more than one hundred and fifty years.

 Sadie used to dream that she was the lady of Walnut Hill, a once beautiful plantation that once boasted pride and elegance with its gleaming black shutters, brass door knocker, and manicured lawn.  She’d own no slaves, but the house would be full of servants, and she’d be known for throwing lavish parties.

Men, black and white, busied themselves stripping aged wood from the structure, repairing the broken windows, and applying a fresh coat of paint.  Her gaze settled on the ten small shanties just one hundred yards behind the house, swallowed by high grass and hanging trees. 

 “Slave quarters,” Buster Luke said, walking up behind her.

Sadie nodded and looked into his paint splattered face.  “My grandmother lived in the third one,” she muttered.

“My grandpa lived in the last one,” Buster Luke offered.

Sadie backed away from their grandparents’ place of bondage, and focused on Buster Luke.  “What are you doing here?” she asked.

“Making a few dollars before I go back.  What about you?”

“Just came from visiting Mrs. Freeman.  I saw the house, and the workers. What’s going on here?”

“I heard one of the Mason children is coming back to live.  They’re paying good wages to fix the old place up.”

Sadie ducked a shingle that was tossed from the roof.  “My grandmother hates it.  She used to tell me that when she was a little girl, she prayed every night that it would burn down.”  She conjured up the best imitation of Lu Dell.  “‘But them Yankee boys, they come and take care of it for us.  Made sure I never had to set foot on that plantation again in my life.’”

Buster Luke wiped sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand.  “Yeah, my grandfather is probably rolling over in his grave, thinking about me fixing it up.  You ever think about what life was like for them?”

“Grandma said Mr. Mason wasn’t as bad as some of the other slave owners she’d heard about.  She said Mrs. Mason was meaner than a mongrel dog fightin’ for food.  Said sometimes she’d have to make her lemonade or ice tea over and over again if it had too much of this or not enough of that.  Finally, Mrs. Mason would give her a good slap across the face. ‘Seem like dat the only thing dat make her food taste good,’” she mocked again.

Buster Luke dipped a paintbrush in a bucket and began to swipe it across a dull black shutter.  “I see your father has started moving already.”

Sadie tore her gaze away from the house.  “What?”

 “Your father and your Uncle Hillen are moving some of your furniture.”

 “Hey, I’ve got to go.  I’ll catch up with you later,” she said, and raced away from the plantation.

Celebrating 25 Years In The Pentagon

My office surprised me with a celebration.  It was my 25th year working in the Pentagon.  I've worked the Office of the Secretary of Defense; the Departments of the Army, Air Force and Navy.  The room was crowded with those I had worked with for so many years and those that I'd just met.

Of course I didn't want a celebration.  I just wanted my 25 year pin, and the knowledge that I'd seen things that others could only imagine.  My boss, Under Secretary of the Navy Robert Work started out by saying, "Caroline started here fresh out of high school on January 5, 1985..."  I look out into the crowd and I see the minds rolling, and then I hear snickers.

The pride in me wanted to believe that people really didn't believe I was that old.  Yeah, but we know about pride, right?

After the ceremony, the tears, well-wishes, and "you're such an inspiration" comments came.  I made my tearful speech, hugged everyone and rushed back to my office to work.

Later on a group of young'uns come into my office, and said, "You know, I was only 3 years old when you started working here."  Or "I wasn't born when you started working here." 

I chuckled and then realized that it was one of the young'uns that snickered when my boss stated the date I started working.  Something in me sank.  "I'm old!" my mind screamed.  I looked at their 20 and 30 something year old bodies and thought, just wait 'til you turn 35.  Once you smack it, it doesn't stay in place.  It keeps rolling like thunder clouds, and jiggling like jello.

And then another young'un asked, "Tell us some stories."

At that moment, I saw myself in them.  I was once young and curious about the workings of the building, the people that had been met, the strange things that happened.  I told these youngsters the stories:   

    - Of my first day in the Pentagon when I walked around in a circle for more than an hour because I couldn't find my office.     

    - I experienced my first love and first heartbreak.

    - The time that I walked out of the bathroom with my polyester/rayon blend skirt tucked in the back of my pantyhose, and Marvin, the supply guy stopped me.  His words, "Girl, I had to stop you."  He choked on his laughter and finished with, "the only thing I saw was big black behind."  (I was 200lbs then).  I was mortified.      

- The time that I wanted to kill my boss.  He was the offspring of Satan.  I swear!       

- The time that a guy purchased a hammer from supplies, and beat the stew out of his boss that he thought was Satan.  (I'd have to argue him that one).      

    - The time that Donald Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, introduced me to Chris Tucker, Robert DeNiro, and then, Senator Barack Obama.  

    - The time that the Secretary of the Air Force introduced me to Al Pacino (The Godfather), Joe Montegna (Criminal Minds), and Gary Sinise (Lt. Dan).    

    - The time that a plane flew into the building, and the horror I still experience on September 11.   

    - The time I ministered to President George W. Bush.

We shared a great moment of laughter, and I showed them pictures of me shrinking from 200lbs to 135lbs, to where I am now -- 1XXlbs.

They'll be my age soon enough, and they'll be able to tell their own stories. 

At the end of the day, I'm thankful for my 25 years, and every experience.  It was worth it.  God has truly been good to me.

What Does Jesus Say?

I'm sitting here watching the devastation that has taken place in Haiti.  It brings horrific memories of September 11, 2001 and Hurricane Katrina.

"Father," I said.  "What if that were me or my family?  What if it was my country?"  The response came so clearly.  "It did happen to your family and it did happen in your country.  What did you ask me for?"

My response, "Help!"

I leave you with Matthew 25:35-40:

³⁵For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:  

³⁶Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.  

³⁷Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?  

³⁸When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?  

³⁹Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?  

⁴⁰And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

I know that some are skeptical about giving because the scam artists are lurking, waiting to steal, kill and destroy, but remember what we suffered during 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina.  We needed help.

Please visit these official sites :

U.S. Department of State

http://www.state.gov/

The Red Cross
http://www.redcross.org/

What's New With Sadie?

  My novel is with my editor again.  But I did want to share this chapter with you.  It's copyrighted!!!

1943

    The spacious room at the Waldorf Astoria resembled something that Sadie had only dreamed about.  Silk draperies hung from nine foot windows.  The white art-deco furniture was accented with coco and red colored pillows.  Pauline walked to the telephone and dialed room service.  She slid off her mink stole, and black leather gloves. “Please sit.  We have a lot of catching up to do,” she said, smiling at Sadie. Pauline sat regal, yet commanding. 

          Sadie was unnerved by Pauline’s demeanor.  She shimmied off her coat and draped it over her arm.  As she was taught years ago by Alma Freeman, Sadie lowered herself into square backed wing chair.  She cleared her throat, and said, “Mrs. Billingsley, I didn’t know that I’d run into you or Talbot.  I came here with friends, and…”

          “Now dear, don’t worry.  I’m glad we ran into each other.  How is Leona?”

          Sadie’s hopes rocketed.  Maybe Pauline had changed.  Maybe she’d learn to accept that Leona was her granddaughter.  “She’s two now, and she keeps me busy.”  Feeling a bit comfortable, Sadie added, “She looks like you, and she’s…”

          A knock on the door drew Pauline away.  A white-gloved butler pushed in a serving tray, and prepared the white-linen table for lunch.  “Thank you, Richard.  Well, Sadie I hope you’re hungry because this hotel serves some of best food I’ve ever tasted.  Come let’s eat,” Pauline said. 

Richard helped them settle into their seats, and placed white, gold-rimmed saucers of cream of celery, and olive toasties in front of them.  Sadie eyed the French bread with its creamy, white, black and green topping.  “This looks delicious,” she offered.

 “Richard, why don’t you leave me and my guest alone.  We can serve ourselves.”  Richard stared hesitantly. “It’s okay.  I’ll call you when we’re finished.”  He nodded and retreated out the door.

Pauline rolled her eyes in delight as she crunched on the dish.  She dabbed the corner of her lips with a napkin and took a sip of water.  She removed the silver cover from the main course, and Sadie followed suit.  They sat quietly as they tossed crisp greens, apples, celery raisins, and walnuts on their plates. 

          “Mrs. Billingsley, thank you for inviting me to lunch.”

          “So how are the accommodations where you’re staying?”

          “They’re fine.  The house we’re staying in belongs to a friend of…”

          “…Dr. Nathaniel Cookman.”

          Sadie stopped chewing, and stared at Pauline.  “How do you know that?”

          Pauline flashed a sugary smile.  “Surely you’re not that foolish.  I figured that if you were brazen enough to shame your family; and brazen enough to tell me that you bore my son’s child that you’d do anything to destroy him.  And I told you before I would never let that happen.  Alma Freeman contacted me after you left.  She, along with the people that love you are desperate to find you.  I figured you’d come to D.C.  So from the moment I heard of your visit to my son at the school board, I’ve had you followed.  I know you’re staying in the home of that wretched Nelson woman.  It’s also where you and Talbot have been meeting while I was in Europe.”

          Sadie gulped down a glass of water.  Her voice quivered as she spoke,  “I’m over Talbot.  He made it perfectly clear that he wants nothing to do with me or Leona.”

          Pauline took a sipped of tea.  “I know that too.”  Her thin smile chilled Sadie.  “The money that’s provided to keep you from dirtying your already soiled hands comes from my bank account.  Oh, don’t look at me like that.  I confronted my son about his continued indiscretion with the likes of you.” 

Suddenly, Sadie felt like a dirty whore.  Her heart sank as she listened to Pauline. 

“But I didn’t have to convince Talbot to end the affair, because once his wife informed him that he would be a father, my son knew what had to be done.”

          Heat rose to Sadie’s face.  She didn’t deserve Pauline’s venom.  “If my hands are soiled, it’s because of your lying son.  I’m not afraid of you Pauline Billingsley.  You know the more I think about it, I believe you have more to lose than me.  What would it do to your precious name if I changed your granddaughter’s name to Billingsley?  What if I told all of your high-society friends, and your precious daughter-in-law about Talbot’s black daughter?”

          Pauline released a deep throaty laugh.  “You’re foolish, but not stupid.  Sadie, let me enlighten you to something that you should never forget.  My money and name reach far beyond Washington, D.C. and Bishop County.  If you ever breathe a word that Leona is Talbot’s daughter, I’ll make sure that you end up right back in the tobacco fields, and shack where you belong.”

          It was Sadie’s turn to laugh.  She stood and paced the room.  “That will never happen because I see things differently. I was the young silly girl that believed Talbot Billingsley wanted my help in educating our poor Negroes.  I followed him because I believed in him.  And…and then he raped me leaving me in shame and with his half white daughter.” 

          Dishes clanked as Pauline rose from the table.  She walked past Sadie to the telephone, snatching it off the hook.  Within a few seconds of tapping the hook and connecting with the switchboard, Pauline had made her connection.  “This is Pauline Billingsley.  I’m well.  Thanks for asking.  The reason for my call is that I understand George Reynolds is looking to buy seeds, and equipment on credit.”  She was silent for a moment.  “Yes, I know he’s been a long-time customer, but I don’t believe he’s credit worthy, and we do have to be careful who we offer credit.”

Sadie rushed to the phone and slammed her hand against the hook.  Staring into Pauline’s menacing eyes, she said, “How can you be so cruel?  That’s my family you’re trying to destroy.”

“It’s up to you how this plays out.”

Feeling defeated, Sadie sighed, “Okay, I won’t ever tell.”

Pauline grabbed Sadie’s coat and wrapped it around her shoulders.  “I’m glad we’ve come to this understanding.  By the way, if you think that maybe you should contact my daughter-in-law, I’d advice you against it.  As all the women in our family have, she’ll find out about Leona eventually.  And like the other women in our history, she’ll forgive Talbot because she likes the power of the Billingsley name.  To show you that I’m not as mean-spirited as you may think, I’m going to increase your monthly stipend for Leona’s care.  Now, hurry dear the car is waiting to take you back to Harlem.”

Luke 1:37-38 -- Question of the Day

Recently, I've been spending so much time being busy that I haven't been spending quality time with my Lord and Savior.  Oh, and I've been suffering the consequences.  As much as I like to keep you updated on my novels, ventings, and just things in general, I'm reminded that I must feast on the Word of God.  And because I like to share, I'd like to share Luke 1:37-38 with you this morning.

When God speaks something into our lives will we be like Mary?  There's no doubting, no questions.  It's simply, Be it unto me as you have spoken.