Leonardo da Vinci

Leonardo da Vinci, one of the leading artists from Italian Renaissance, was talented to say the least. Even so, I want to share some really interesting facts about him.

First, let us get the basics down:
Leonardo was born on April 15, 1452, in Vinci, Italy to a poor momma and a well to do father that had relations on the down low. Because of this his father raised him. When he was old enough to begin learning a trade he began an apprenticeship with a local artists named Verrocchio.

When he was in his early twenties, he had learned enough to be considered Master Artist. From there he was commissioned by the Due of Milan for work. It was during that time that he painted some of his most famous masterpieces such as "The Last Supper" and "Mona Lisa". 

Most of us also know about his scientific studies, sketches, and books. He designed things way before their time such as the airplane, guns, tanks, ball bearings, diving suits, a self propelled cart, robots, and even the helicopter.

Leonardo da Vinci died at his country house given to him by the French king on May 2, 1519.

• Now what you may not have known:
• Leonardo da Vinci was charged with Sodomy in his early twenties but he beat it.
• He could paint with his right hand and write with his left at the same time! Now my friends, that is talent.
• He was a man truly obsessed with water.

Check out these famous paintings and see for yourself.

He also predicted the end of the world would come with water. He studied everything he could about water. Now sit there and tell me this man was not preoccupied with water!

• It is said that "Mona Lisa"is actually a self portrait of himself... tell me what you think?

Strikingly similar, I do not disagree but I like to think that this is a lady he saw from a distance and fell in love with myself. Only he knows the truth.

So that is what I know about our dear old friend Leonardo da Vinci and I hope you learned something new in this post. If not, I am sorry that you are a know it all!

 Sources:
http://www.biography.com/people/leonardo-da-vinci-40396#humble-beginnings

http://www.notablebiographies.com/Ki-Lo/Leonardo-da-Vinci.html

Art Work Credit goes to our Main Man of the day: Leonardo da Vinci!

Nikola Tesla

Nikola Tesla

One of the greatest men in American history was Nikola Tesla. As of recent his name is coming to fame but I feel like it is 128 years to late. Still, I am glad that we are recognizing this mans accomplishments at last! For those of you that may have heard of this man, some of this may sound repetitive. For those of you who have not, get ready to find out some amazing truths!

Nikola Tesla was born in Austria on July 10, 1856. It was said that he was born during a lighting storm but whether or not there is any truth to that is left in history. I like to think it is true because it makes him much more awesome. Anyways... lets not get off topic here. He went to school in 1873 for physics and mathematics but quickly grew to have a passion for electricity. This is where the magic began.

After he began working as a electrical engineer for a phone company he started thinking of different ways to create electricity. He came up with the idea of a rotating magnetic field, which in turn enabled him to create the Tesla dynamos. Now, at the time they had been using dynamos that used contact points to create a direct current but Tesla envisioned something better. He seen that the current dynamos sparked a ridiculous amount and was maybe even somewhat dangerous. So he made a prototype and surprise... surprise, it worked!

Thomas Edison

Now Tesla made the decision to go and work for Thomas Edison in 1884. At first he did so in Paris but then he moved to New York and worked side by side with him. While working this closely with this great man of science, Tesla tried with all his might to get Edison to look into his idea of alternating current instead of direct current. Edison would not hear of it and so after a long while of working with Edison, Tesla ventured off to do his own thing.

George Westinghouse

He eventually found investors by the name of Charles Peck, an attorney, and Alfred S. Brown, a superintendent at Western Union. It was then that he began his serious work on creating his polyphase induction motor and after some time he was successful. It was time to patent his creation and he filed for seven U.S. patents. Some of these included generators, transformers, lines and lighting. It was then that he caught his biggest investor and true supporter George Westinghouse.

This sparked a war between Edison and Tesla. Who could blame Edison for becoming so angry about this new invention though. If Tesla's AC generator took off it would put Edison as well as J.P. Morgan out of business. As it should have to be honest. I mean, as we all know for sure now, DC current can be very dangerous and not very productive. It took a huge generator to produce only a small portion of electricity. In fact, Edison had to put a generator house about every two miles just to produce electricity for that area. As for AC current, well it took less to produce more so to say. Tesla could produce twice as much electricity for much longer distances using lines and that magical little thing called the polyphase principle. Basically, Tesla was going to recycle energy by sending currents back and forth through lines. Alright, enough with the science aspect of things... let us talk war again.

The Elephant Edison Electrocuted

So Edison launches a smear campaign to discredit Tesla's idea. He actually went around to different places across the Atlantic killing animals such as horses and elephants to prove that AC current was dangerous. Eventually Edison invented the electric chair hoping that it would deter people from using AC current. Try as Edison did, Tesla eventually won the battle because AC current was clearly better. City by City, he began lighting up the United States.

 

 

Tesla invented much more than just AC current electricity however. Here is a list of some of his inventions:

• Tesla coil
• Disk-Turbine Rotary Engine
• Spark-Gap Oscillator
• Magnifying Transmitters (AKA) Wireless
• And my most favorite of them all...Radio!

This great man died on January 7, 1943 pretty much forgotten by the world and completely broke.

Some unknown and really interesting facts about Nikola Tesla are:

• He was actually a really funny guy. He had an extraordinary sense of humor.
• One of his finical backers was killed on the Titanic
• After his death, all of his papers were confiscated by the FBI and labeled TOP SECRET.
• One of his best friends, which is one of my favorite authors of all time, was Samuel Clemens...AKA Mark Twain.
•  He could not stand Pearls.
• He was a germaphobe.

Sources:
www.teslasociety.com/biography.htm
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/5-things-you-didnt-know-about-nikola-tesla/
http://science.howstuffworks.com/innovation/famous-inventors/famous-nikola-tesla-inventions.htm

Some really awesome videos to watch:
http://www.history.com/topics/inventions/nikola-tesla/videos
http://news.discovery.com/tech/videos/nikola-tesla-was-a-badass-inventor-video.htm
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x11eom2_my-inventions-nikola-tesla-autobiography_lifestyle

Maddie and Luke... The Story Must Go On!!!

Okay, I have had so many emails come in about wanting to read more... I thought... why not! So here is some more. This is getting to a point of craziness because I have yet to fully proofread and edit the rest of this book. So far, you all have been so helpful with advice and tips and I absolutely love the compliments that I am getting. It is kind words like that, that makes me strive to keep going with my writing. I even love the few negative comments I have received because it teaches me... I am in the frame of mind that I am changing the title of this book now... I want something that fits better so for now, I am going to keep posting this clips under different titles. Any suggestions on a title???? Oh, and if you catch my mixing up the name Luke with Henry it is because I did a last minute name change... point this out if you would like.
And the story continues...

 

A month had passed since, what had become known as, the Bean’s Station battle had occurred. It was a decided victory for the Confederacy but did little good in the whole. The dead had been buried including Maddie’s brother Elliott. The wounded had been tended to and most had left. Of the three men and one woman that Maddie had kept in the hunting cabin only two had survived. One of the men whose name was Jack had left two weeks after that night. It took Maddie and her mother a lot to get him back to good health but his mind was not right anymore. He was discharged and sent home. Luke, was the other man to survive, but he kept a pretty bad limp and his wounds were still healing. They had moved him back to their farm and set him up in the barn. He had also been discharged and was waiting to heal a little more before he returned home.

Over the course of that month, Luke and Maddie had grown to be close friends. Maddie read aloud to him and they talked for hours while Henry was bed ridden. He told her stories of the war and his life before. She shared stories from her childhood with him. They had come to realize that they had much in common. He was 25 and she was only 19 but still it was as if they had the same mind. Then when he was able to get up and about with a crutch he helped her with her chores.  He was now using a cane to get around and Maddie knew the time was near when he would be leaving. She would miss her new friend a lot. It did not hurt that Luke was a handsome man either. She had only began to notice that fact; still, she tried to push that thought away as she had no time for such silly and idol thoughts. Try as she may, however, she could not help but remind herself that she had permanently etched every detail of his appearance in her brain. He had dark brown hair and crystal clear blue eyes. He had a lazy smile, and if she had to pick her favorite thing about him, that was it. It was perfect. When he had his shirt off it would make Maddie loose her breath for a spell. It was a good thing that she only caught that a few times since he had been there.

One day the two decided to go hunting. When they reached one of Maddie’s favorite spots they settled in for the duration and all was silent for a while. Maddie was bundled up well but could not help the shivers from coming. Luke reached over and pulled her closer to him.

Whispering as low as he could Luke said, “If we huddle we will stay a bit warmer.”

“I am not sure anything will make it warmer out here.” She replied trying to keep her distance. “It is freezing.”

He did not give her time to argue, just continued pulling her closer to him until he had her just where he wanted her. Silence came once again as Maddie soaked up the heat coming from his body. She could feel each time he took a breath and every muscle in his chest and arms. She took a deep breath in so she could drill his smell into her memory. She knew her time with him was almost up. She was falling in love with this man and her heart broke every time the thought of him leaving crossed her mind. He held her tight and she was in heaven. She was not at all concerned with watching for a deer as she was consumed with everything Luke and could not resist the temptation to rest her head on his chest for just a second and could not resist counting the beats of his heart. She closed her eyes and stayed like that until she noticed the sound speeding up. She thought he had spotted something and was getting excited so she sat up and looked around but saw nothing. She looked back at Luke and he was staring at her.

“What is it?” She was starting to worry now that something was wrong. The look on his face scared her.

“Maddie, I have to leave tomorrow.”

“Why so soon? You’re still healing.”

“I have to go now or I will never leave.”

“Why?” Now her heart was racing. She did not want him to leave so why did he think it so bad to never leave?

“I fear I am falling in love you with Maddie and I know I am not right for you. I have nothing to offer you.”

She wanted to jump up and scream her joy to the world when he said this. She did not care that he had nothing to offer her, she loved him too and they could be happy here. She needed to tell him this. She needed to make him stay. She tried to speak but the words did not come out. He was starting to get up and before she could think about her actions she grabbed the collar of his jacket and pulled him to her. She kissed his lips softly and slowly. He did not kiss her back. She pulled away and looked into his eyes. She seen the fear in them. She felt her own fear but pushed it back.

“Luke, I am in love with you too. I do not want you to leave me. Please stay here with me or take me with you.”

“I cannot take you from your mother. She needs you and you know that.”

“Then stay here with me. Please Luke, do not leave me. Do not break my heart.”

He said nothing. He pulled her to him and hugged her tight. She held onto him for dear life. She thought if she let him go he would leave her right then and there.

“Maddie, I cannot do this.”


© [Desirae DeVon Bennett] and [Entertaining Thoughts and Ideas], [2013-2014]. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to [Desirae DeVon Bennett] and [Entertaining Thoughts and Ideas] with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Robin Williams...1951- 2014

I understand that there is tons of information going around the internet about the death of Robin Williams so I will for-go that bit of information. Instead I would like to share with you some of my favorite quotes by him.

 

This is one of my favorite stand up bits by him..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbHJ0KNYEoA

It truly saddens my heart that this astoundingly funny and great man is gone... I send my thoughts and prayers to his family and loved ones.

Maddie and Luke... The Story Continues

So I am posting my last little bit from my book. I am considering turning this into a short story... tell me what you all think about that idea. Oh yeah, for all you history buffs out there, let me know if any of this sounds familiar. I have a feeling that if you all know much about the civil war then you will be able to point out some facts from fiction!!!

Maddie drug Luke and three other men that she found alive but seriously wounded into the cabin. She knew she it was safe to light a fire and the candles because just before she came looking for Elliot she had heard that General Longstreet had gone to finish the fight that morning but decided it better to retreat and headed on to Russellville that afternoon. The battle was over and now it was just a matter of picking up the pieces afterwards. One long day and night of gun fire and dead bodies had taken its toll on the town. The tavern had taken most of the damage and there were many Union men lying dead on the tavern floor. Still, there were so many wounded men left in the care of the women of the town like Maddie and her mother.

She settled the three men on makeshift beds made of the few blankets left in the cabin on the floor by the fireplace. Then she set to task on building a fire and lighting the candles. She went straight to the place where she kept the matches and lit the only two candles in the small one room cabin. Then she built a big fire in the hearth with the remaining wood she had stored for the year. She sat there by the fire with her arms stretched towards its warmth in an attempt to regain the feeling in her hands. She would be of no use to these men she had brought in if she could not use her hands correctly. A few minutes passed and at last she started to feel human again as her fingers and feet soaked up the warmth. She turned and looked at the four men lying on the floor and wondered what she was supposed to do with them. She noticed the older of the four had blood coming from his stomach. The one lying beside him had a head wound. There was one man who looked as young as her brother Elliot and he seemed to be the one in the worst condition. He was trembling all over and was covered in blood from his face down to his feet. She realized he was missing one of his boots. Then there was Luke. He seemed fine, all but his leg. He had no use of his right leg at all. She tried to see if there was blood anywhere on him but all she could find was the blood stain her brother had left on his lap. She hatched a plan right then. First she would tend to the worst of the three and then move on to the next in order of severity. When she had them stable or did as much as she could she would go back to town and get help. She fretted having to see her mother and tell her the news of Elliot but she had to do it.

She set to work on the youngest man first. She found that he had been shot several times. She had nothing to pull the bullets from the wounds so she decided to wrap them up and try to stop the bleeding as best as she could. She lifted the shirt from the boy to get a better look at the wounds on his chest and was shocked at what she found. This was no boy or man. This was a woman. She had wrapped her breasts up tight and disguised herself as a man. Maddie had thought about doing the same thing when talk of war started but her mother needed her here at home. So she had stayed. Now she was thanking her lucky stars for that decision. This lady had six bullets in her stomach and chest and Maddie knew that she was not going to make it.

 She leaned down close to the girls’ ear and whispered, “I know you are a woman and I will keep your secret. I would like to know your name, your real name, so if something were to happen I can get you home.”

“Laura Stoker,” was all the girl could manage to say before blood starting coming from her mouth.

Maddie whispered a prayer in the girls ear, covered and tucked her in with the warmest blanket she had left and moved on.

 Maddie moved fast from one to the other. All the men were half conscience and the only thing that came from their mouth while she was working on them was groans and mumbles that she could not catch. She talked non-stop about random things besides the war. She introduced herself and began telling stories that her father had told her. Then she told them about the cabin they were in and stories of her, her father, and her brother, hunting here. She told them about her last kill, a massive buck. She was very proud of that kill because she had finally outdone her brother. She pointed to the wall closest to the door to the cabin and said, “See there are the antlers. My Brother said it would be good luck to keep them and so we did.” Of course, none of the men looked in the direction of the antlers or gave any indication that they were even listening to her at all. Nonetheless, she continued with her ramblings. When she was finished with the three men that were in much worse shape than she had thought to begin with she moved on to Luke. She looked at him and he gave her a little smile.

“You talk a lot,” he said through his smile but Maddie could hear the pain and weakness in his voice.

“I normally do not but I feel like you four men deserve a bit of normal conversation after such an experience. I would think that if I was lying here like all of you, I would enjoy having someone talk to me. If I am bothering you I can stop though.”

“You are not bothering me at all. I do like it.”

“I am going to wrap your leg as best as I can; just as I did with the other three men and then I am going to go for help. I haven’t got the right stuff to tend to these properly here.”

“I can see that. You have ruined your dress and apron.”

Maddie looked down and seen that she had ripped and tore most of her dress, and her apron was nothing more than a string tied around her waist now. She couldn’t help but smile at the sight of herself. Her mother was going to be furious but Maddie was sure she would understand. “This was my only dress, my mother is going to be livid I’m afraid.”

“I can buy you a new one.”

“Oh, I cannot allow you to do such a thing. I will manage.”

“I insist, after all you have done, it is the least I can do to repay you.”

“I am not looking for a reward or recognition. I am doing this because it is only right.”

Maddie ripped Luke’s pant leg as to get a better look at the wound. It was on the upper half of the thigh and it was bleeding badly. She had not realized that he had lost a good deal of blood just lying on the cabin floor. She found the last clean edge of her dress at the bottom and tore it off all the way around. It needed to be long enough to wrap around a few times and still tie. She wrapped his leg and stood.

“I have done all I can do here. I am going to fetch some help. I have no more wood for the fire but I should be back not to long after it burns out. Are you comfortable enough?”

“We will be fine. Thank you for your help.”

“I will see you soon then.” With that Maddie made her way to the door. Before she opened it to leave she turned back around and said, “Luke, thank you for being there with Elliot when he passed. Thank you for listening to him and saying a prayer with him. At least I know he did not die alone and that gives me some peace. I will always be grateful for you and your kindness.”

“No need to thank me. Just be careful. There may still be men lurking about in these woods and it is dangerous for you to be out there alone.”

“I am well aware of the dangers and I will be. Try to get some rest while I am gone.” And with that she left.

 

© [Desirae DeVon Bennett] and [Entertaining Thoughts and Ideas], [2013-2014]. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to [Desirae DeVon Bennett] and [Entertaining Thoughts and Ideas] with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Introducing Maddie

Another peek inside my book in progress... again; any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Freezing did not describe what Maddie felt at the moment. She was beyond freezing but kept pushing herself onwards into the dark of night in the deepest part of the forest. She had a job to do and nothing was going to deter her from the task at hand. She had spent all day nursing the wounded men from the battle already and her mother had told her to go get some rest. If it had been any other day and any other circumstance she would have obeyed her mother; but not this time. She was determined to find her brother. She recalled her fears of the day. Every solider that she happened upon throughout the day she had made sure it wasn’t Elliott. If the man’s face was unrecognizable she would look to his belly for the undeniable birthmark Elliot bore. So far in her quest to find him she had failed. Still, she did not give up. She had overheard people talking about soldiers flanking the sides of Union forces in the pass and prayed her brother had been there.  Anger boiled the blood in her veins now. Elliot never listened to her, never took her advice and this time he had really done it. He was only a boy, thirteen years old, and felt he could be as good a soldier as any other man fighting in the war. She had told him he was too young and inexperienced for the job, but of course he did not listen. When news of the attack came, her mother had readied the family for the certain jobs they were meant to carry out. Maddie’s was to assist her mother in nursing the wounded. Elliott and Maddie’s three younger siblings were to stand guard at the farm and make sure nothing happened there. He seemed excited about his job. He stood brave, musket in hand with three children at his back as Maddie and her mother left for town. It was only an hour later that twelve year old Layla came looking for mother and found Maddie instead telling her that Elliott had run off to help the soldiers fight. What was he thinking? After getting her three siblings in a safe place, Maddie had continued her duties until she was sent to rest. Now she was on a mission to find her younger brother no matter what the cost.

 She had just about to reach Cherokee Lake when she heard voices. She knew she was close to the place where there was a hunting cabin and she and her brother had spent much of their time growing up. All she had to do was get to the water’s edge and follow it east a bit to get to her destination. However, when she heard the voices the she thought maybe she had happened across a bit of luck. She ran to the closest tree and squatted down by the base of the trunk in an effort to hide herself from sight. She was not going to take any chances on getting caught out in the dead of night alone by just any man. No she was to vulnerable right now alone and unarmed, and she chastised herself at that moment for not bringing her gun with her. Woman she may be, but her daddy had taught her well on how to defend herself and survive if need be before he died. She was better with the musket that her own brother and never failed to win at every game of hide and seek with her siblings. She was not afraid one bit right now, but recognized the importance of staying out of sight. She listened again carefully so she could figure out which way the voices were coming from.  She heard a man say something about blood. The sound was too far to catch every word said. She cupped her hands and held them to her mouth and blew softly to warm them a bit. She could no longer feel the tips of her fingers or her feet now. Her warm breath helped only a little, still not regaining any feeling in her fingers what so ever. She rubbed her hands together one more time and then wrapped her arms around her legs for extra warmth. She listened for a while longer and until the voices had stopped all together. She could tell that there were at least two different men out there by the pitch of their voices but neither resembled her brothers at all. After a long spell of not hearing any voices or sounds of feet walking along the forest floor she decided to be on her way again.

 It did not take her much longer to reach the lake and turn east. The wind blowing off of the water made it much colder, if that was even possible. Maddie reminded herself she was almost there now, not much further and she continued on. When she reached the big oak that marked the path to the cabin she heard voices again. Her heart skipped a beat. She knew it had to be her brother at the cabin. She started to run now and as she came closer to the cabin the voices got louder. She heard her bothers voice and relief swept over her. He was here, he was alive. She thanked the good Lord as her legs carried her even faster now towards the cabin.

“Help.” The voice was right beside her then. She could see the cabin now, but it was just the outline of the structure against the trees surrounding it. It was dark, no fire and no light inside. She stopped and turned to her right where she had heard the man’s voice come from. She seen a body of a man propped up against the trunk of a tree.

“Who are you? What side do you fight for?” She was not about to help a Union Soldier and she was not really in the mood to help anyone right now. She had to find her brother. She had heard his voice, she just knew it and yet he was nowhere to be found. Still she could not allow herself to let another man die because she was being selfish.

“My name is Luke Conner and I am a Confederate Soldier. I am wounded bad and need to get help for my fellow men. They are only few yards away up the hill there just beyond that cabin. Can you help?”

“I can but I am trying to find my brother. Do you know if he is with your men? I thought I heard his voice.”

“Is he a young man?”

“Yes Sir, he is only thirteen. He should not have been out here today but he never listens to anyone.”

“He is here.” With that Henry pointed down to his lap. Maddie followed with her eyes and seen the body of a boy laying there. Henry was holding the boys head in his lap and the body and limbs of the boy was against his legs. Her heart dropped. She fell to her knees beside Henry and the boy and looked to his face. It was her brother Elliot. Blood was drawing a line from his mouth and down his chin. His eyes were closed and she could see wet lines making their way from the corner of his eyes and down his cheek. He had cried, and that thought made Maddie cry. Silent tears flooded her eyes as she tore her apron and began to wipe the tear streaks and blood off his face. She was not going to let Henry see her cry no matter how bad she was hurting.

“I did not realize he was so young. I came across him on my way for help. He called out to me and I found him here. He was brave and spoke of a girl named Maddie. He looked up to this girl, I think. Said the two of them hunt here at this cabin. He came here wounded knowing she would find him here. He did not quite make it. I sat with him and listened to him and then we said a prayer together right before he… he went peacefully at least. Do you know this girl he spoke of?”

Maddie gulped back more tears and replied as best she could, “I am Maddie.”

                                                                     By: Desirae Bennett



© [Desirae DeVon Bennett] and [Entertaining Thoughts and Ideas], [2013-2014]. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to [Desirae DeVon Bennett] and [Entertaining Thoughts and Ideas] with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Photo Credit:
http://shirleymanson.pblogs.gr/tags/neoclassicaldarkwave.html
Winter Dark Forest (id: 72176) | WallPho.

http://civilwartalk.com/threads/union-field-hospital.25502/

A Boy Who Loved His Mammie

This is an excerpt from my book. Tell me what you think and what I should change...

 

    He sat by the bed in the dim candle lit room watching closely while the small elderly lady occupying it slept. This was his Mammie, and the only mother he had ever truly had if had a right to his own opinion. No she was not blood kin, nor did she have the same color skin as he, but she was important to him no matter. Memories flooding his mind and worry kept him from falling asleep from pure exhaustion at this early hour in the morning. He could not recall a single day of his entire twenty three years on earth when this sweet lady was not present.  He could not remember when she first came to the Plantation owned by his father but she had once told him that he was just a baby the day she came to be his Mammie.

       When he was only a small child he once avoided a beating by his father because of her. She insisted that it was her fault that there was ink splattered all over his father’s books in his study when in fact it was he who decided to take on the role of his father and try to do the books as his father did every evening. He had never been graceful but as a small child no more than four years old he was even less so. So when he dipped the pen into the ink sitting atop his father’s desk and he heard the dog in the hall outside the door bark precisely at the same moment it was inevitable that he jumped. As he did so his hand instinctively pulled back, the pen catching and spilling every last drop of ink all over the desk and the books. Within a few seconds of scrambled thoughts and grief he heard his mammie’s voice sounding through the outside door calling his name and panic had struck. He knew he was in trouble and that fear made him dart for cover. The door opened and her head peeked around the door just enough to check to see if he was in the room and just in time to catch his leg slipping under the desk. He could hear the smile in her voice as she approached the desk saying, “come out, come out where ever you are.” Then her footsteps froze and her voice went from cheerful and playing to stern and upset.  “You come out from under that desk right now. Hiding aint gonna change this mess.”

       He hated that tone in her voice and hiding would not keep him from getting in trouble so he slowly pulled himself from behind the desk. Mammie had the most worried look on and was taking her apron off as she scrambled to the desk and pulled him up. She gave him her look of boy you are in some trouble now and simply said “stand here and don’t move while I clean this mess up.” He did as told and watched her try to clean the ink with her most favorite apron she owned. As the ink soaked every inch of the off white fabric tears began to roll down his cheeks. Even at such a young age he knew the sacrifice she had just made for him and it made him love this woman more than ever. She had spent hours sewing this simple piece of clothing and only wore it when guest were coming to visit the house. He wanted to hug her and tell her he loved her but just as he made his way to the desk to do so his father came into the room. His face immediately turned blood red and the look of murder in his eyes told his anger without a single word. He glared at her and asked what had happened.

In that moment, his sweet Mammie hung her head and said, “Sir, I am so sorry. I came in here to get the boy from hiding and bumped the desk spilling the ink. I was tryin’ to clean it sir I swear.” “And what of my books, those are irreplaceable and the ink you spilled cost money. How do you plan on repaying me for that loss?” was his father’s reply. She just bent her head down further and said, “I can’t sir.” “Well I can tell you one way to repay me.” The look on his father’s face was pure evil and a little of something else that he was much too young to understand.

       With that Mammie gave a look of fear and sorrow and told him to go to his room. She then stood as tall as she could while he made his exit. He did not see her again until the next morning and she was just as cheerful and bright as the evening before and spoke not a word about her punishment. He knew she had been punished though because he had heard her screams. He did not go to his room as he was told to do; no instead he stayed in the hallway right outside the door listening to everything. He heard her screams, he heard his father’s whispers, he heard her sobbing, and he heard his father’s moans. Again he did not understand those sounds then but he knew what they were now. He also noticed as she opened the curtains and the sunlight hit her face that she had a small cut on her right cheek and at that moment he had so many emotions going through his heart at the same time. Love and respect for this woman who raised him practically and red hot anger that boiled his blood towards his father.

       He heard her slight whimper and it brought him back to the here and now. He glanced up and seen her son, Willie, scrambling out of a nearby chair to be at her side. He looked around Willie so as to see her face and seen the beads of sweat across her forehead in the candle light. In his heart he knew that her fever had returned. He stood himself and eased to be by her side just as Willie was and watched as she barely opened her eyes. She looked at her son and gave the best smile she could manage as she said, “Never forget who ya are in life and that I raised ya to be a good and honest man. Do as you’re told and all will be right. I love ya and wish I had mo time wit ya home. But that is not what tha Good Lord has in mind, no it is time for me to go home now son.” He watched Willie’s face and instantly felt as though he was intruding on an intimate moment. He began to step back and out of the room when she glanced over at him.  She reached her hand out to him but he looked to Willie’s face. Willie gave a half smile that welcomed him to his mother’s side. Sadness swept over him as he looked back to Mammie. She was pouring sweat and you could see the pain she carried written all over the face of a once beautiful woman. Now her face held wrinkles and age and her hair was no longer solid black but stripped with white stands as well. She was old, sick,  and she was going to die. The thought made his heart drop deep into the pit of his stomach and he took her out stretched hand in his. He gave her the best smile he could put on and watched as she did her best to return the favor.

       “Mammie, How can I” was all he could get out before his voice cut off and he fought back the sobs trying desperately to escape his body. “Be the man I raised ya to be just as I told Willie. Be a good and honest man and treat everyone as equal no matter what background they come from or what the color of their skin is. You’re a good man Lucas and I could not be more proud of who you are. I have been so blessed in this life of mine. I have lived a long life and God has blessed me with two sons, one I made own my own and one that I have raised with my love.”  With this last sentence she had to pause to cough. When she finally caught her breath she reached over and grabbed Willie’s hand and looked between the two men standing on each side of her. “You two look at each other.” The two men did as told and looked at each other knowing full well that they had no other choice. “You two boys come from my blood, sweat, and tears. I gave all of myself to making sure that ya both will make it in this corrupt world. I gave ya both the strength I had to take everything that will come your way and keep going. Again, she had to pause to cough this time longer. When she resumed speaking her words were much rougher and her breathing was raspy. “Promise me that ya both will take care of each other. To me, both of ya are my sons no matter the color of your skin. I need to know that you both will watch over one another.”

     Now she had tears in her voice and all Willie and Luke could do is look at one another and back at the frail lady who was asking a favor on her dying bed. Luke had always thought of Willie as a brother but had no way of taking care of him or assuring his safety. His father was the master and no one not even Luke went head to head with him. But how could he deny his Mammie her dying request. He could see that Willie was thinking the same thing that he was. All at once they both responded the same answer at the same time. “Yes mam.” And with that his sweet Mammie, his only security in life gave a small smile and took her last breath. One single tear rolled down her cheek because at last she had no strength or will left to hold them back. She was gone and he knew that this life of his would never be the same.

                                                                      By: Desirae Bennett

 

© [Desirae DeVon Bennett] and [Entertaining Thoughts and Ideas], [2013-2014]. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to [Desirae DeVon Bennett] and [Entertaining Thoughts and Ideas] with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Photo Credits:
 http://www.gutenberg.org/files/35380/35380-h/35380-h.html
http://usslave.blogspot.com/2013/02/we-are-literally-slaves-early-twentieth.html