Wylanda James

Beyond the Day of Freedom Wylanda James

Saard was convinced Mechach believed in his heart what he was saying, but was baffled by the reference he sometimes made regarding his mammy. She had often compared the love he and Matilda shared with one another to those of animals, and likened their reactions to the instincts a mother bear would have to her cubs or a female dog to her suckling pup. She couldn't envision them having the same mutual feelings of love experienced by the whites. Her comprehension of them having hopes and dreams of their own away from the plantation was far-fetched indeed. His dreams and aspirations were far from what she believed. He imagined himself in the same aspect of the young men she spoke about in her stories bowing at the ladies at various galas. How proud he would feel sitting with the wealthy plantation owners smoking his fine cigars, discussing the business of the day for hours in lavish drawing rooms. To him, his mother Matilda, was as beautiful as any of the white women who retired away to the dainty parlors with their tea, allowing the men some time alone. At other times, he could just envision the slaves bustling about to and fro, obeying her orders and granting her wishes without any resistance at all.