Spirit Ran Free
Chapter Two / Page Five

Miss Josie put her baby in her arms and Lyakena's son was still dripping wet from the tinctured rain. And she just softly cried. A spiritual meaning had touched her life. Her son gave her a purpose to live.

Later that evening Master Paul came. "Looks like you've birthed a healthy child. Well, when my son Jack was born, I preferred the name Marcellus. But then Christina insisted on giving the child her own father's name. So, I do think I'll allow this here little Colored child you've birthed to have the name Marcellus."

"No, sir. I want my son to have his own African name."

"I suppose you didn't hear me. This boy is my property, nothing more than a slave. Marcellus is the name I favor," Paul said, intimidating the young mother. "You hear me?"

"Yes, Master," she spoke calmly. "That be just fine. That don't really matter. But then, I ain't afraid of you, Master, and my son ain't gonna be afraid of you neither. He is gonna be a great warrior just like his father. My son is an African prince."

"Well, African prince or not, you best teach him that he's here to serve my family as you and any other darky that I own."

"Mmm-hmm. Yes, sir, that be just fine," she responded softly without relenting her pertinacious posture. "But ain't no White man own me. Ain't no White man own my baby neither. My son is always gonna be an African prince 'cause that's who he is."

"Persistent African woman! God, I love you tremendously."

Lyakena slowly rolled her eyes and just glared at the White man.

Cont. / Page 6

the author


Forest Hairston