The Wedding Gift by Marlen Suyapa Bodden Read Free Book Online Page A

your family to stay with him, and I will take you to Charleston and New York.”
    I pushed him away from me. “Do you really think that because you promise me a journey that I am going to condone what you are doing, that I actually believe that you are with her for my benefit?”
    “Theodora, I am the master here, not you or anyone else. I decide what is best for you and everyone on this estate. You will keep these insubordinate thoughts to yourself. If you cannot abide by my rules, when my son is born, you will leave him here and you will return to your family.”
    I was silent. He put his hand on my shoulder and applied pressure.
    “Do you understand me?”
    “Yes, I do.”
    The physician arrived at about seven in the morning, and my husband went to his apartment. Dr. Atlas, with Bessie present, performed an examination.
    “Ma’am, I will speak with you and Mr. Allen when you are ready.”
    “No, you will not. You will speak to me first. What is your finding?”
    “Mr. Allen instructed me to speak to him first…”
    “I do not care what he has said to you. If you do not tell me your conclusion now, I will have you dismissed and we will retain a physician from Montgomery or Talladega.”
    “Mrs. Allen, it appears that all is normal. However, I prescribe bed rest. If Mr. Allen concurs, I will establish residence until I am assured that you are well.”
    The doctor’s daily examinations made me uncomfortable, but I believed that he knew what he was doing. One day, during my afternoon nap, I felt a pain stronger than the prior time and called Bessie to run for the doctor. By the time he arrived, I had expelled two thick clots of blood. He ordered Bessie to get hot water and cloths and to tell the overseer to send for my husband, who was in the fields. Dr. Atlas said that there was nothing he could do because he had to wait for the bleeding to end before he could examine me. Cornelius came to see me that evening.
    “I am worried about you. What may I do for you, darling?”
    At my request, he read Keats to me until I went to sleep. When I awoke in the morning, I realized that he had stayed with me. The bleeding did not end until the next day, and when it did, I closed my eyes and said a brief prayer. Then I summoned Dr. Atlas.
    “It is obvious that I have lost my child. Do you confirm that?”
    “Yes, I do, Mrs. Allen.”
    “Why did you not tell me before?”
    “I wanted to be certain by examining you first.”
    “Or perhaps you wanted to remain on retainer.”
    “Madam, that is not true. I…”
    “That is all that I require from you. Your services are no longer needed. Please take your leave and speak to my husband about your compensation.”
    “Mrs. Allen, you are in the midst of a grave event and you are not thinking clearly….”
    “My mind is functioning well, and I will not engage in further discourse with you. Good day.”
    “Mrs. Allen, perhaps….”
    “I said that you are dismissed, Dr. Atlas.”
    When he had departed, Bessie asked if she should call for my husband.
    “No. Not at this time. Mr. Allen is in the fields, and I do not want him to be disturbed. Bessie, do the field hands and servants trust Mary, the midwife?”
    “Yes, ma’am. They say she never lose no babies or mothers.”
    “Without telling anyone else, I want you to go to the fields and tell Mary that I need to see her. Do not tell anyone else that you are going to get her. If an overseer asks, say that we need remedies for one of the servants. Dottie can stay here with me.”
    “Yes, ma’am. But, ma’am, can I say something?”
    “Of course.”
    “Ma’am, Miss…uh…Emmeline…everybody say she know a lot about women’s troubles. Miss…uh…Mary teach her all about medicines and such. Since it’s going to be some time before I can come back with Miss Mary, maybe you can talk to Miss Emmeline.”
    Bessie was loyal and knew me at least as well as my family. With regard to my well-being, I decided to accept her