“Sophie, Sophie”, hollered Bess as she rushed through the kitchen. A muffled sound came from the front room and Bess grabbed a kitchen knife and proceeded there. As she flung open the door the sight she beheld took her breath away. Young Mayfield was astride Sophie pulling at her clothes with one hand clamped over her mouth. The room was wrecked, with tables and lamps broken or overturned. When the door opened Mayfield looked up and his eyes revealed madness. Bess rushed at him with a yell and the knife held high in a stabbing position. Mayfield released Sophie’s mouth and flung his arm out to fend off the blow. He hit Bess’ arm and the blade clattered on the wooden floor. Bess kept coming and hurled herself into Mayfield knocking him off Sophie onto the floor. Sophie scooted up and away while Bess scrambled for the knife. Mayfield rolled until he was near the door Bess had just entered and jumped up and through the door. He turned back with insane eyes and said, “You two nigger bitches aint seen the last of me. Nobody cares what happens to you and I’ll get what I came for another time. And you, you old black bitch, pulling a knife on a white man can get you strung up. I’ll be back, I’ll be back!” With this he slammed from the room and seconds later they heard hoof beats tearing down the street.
Bess was blowing like a fireplace bellows from her exertions, Sophie was balled up in a knot and crying by the fireplace. As Bess got back her wind she asked, “What happened Sophie? How did Mayfield get in? When did he come back?” As her questions went unanswered Bess looked over at Sophie and saw a wretched ball on the floor. She came over and cradled her in her arms and Sophie started heaving heavy, heart wrenching sobs. “Aunt Bess , a little bit after you left he came back as I was bringing in the empty baskets from the wash , he was real polite and nice and asked if he could help me carry them inside. Before I could answer he had grabbed the baskets and came inside. I offered him a cup of coffee and he said yes and sat down at the kitchen table. He started telling me how he had first seen me on the riverfront while I was waiting for Nate. He said I had set his heart on fire and he wanted to know me better. I was getting scared as he was looking kind of crazy as he talked. I told him I had to get something from the front room, so I could see if you were coming back, and I told him I would be right back. He followed me into the room and closed the door. We sat on the sofa as he told me how he loved black women and only went out with white women to please his family. He talked a long time but I wasn’t listening to him, I was listening for you to come back. All of a sudden he grabbed me and started kissing me all over my face. I fought him but he had a grip like iron and all I could do was kick at the furniture. Then he dragged me off the sofa and got on top of me and started pulling at my clothes. I really fought him then and screamed for help but he clamped his hand over my mouth and continued to rip at my clothes. Just then I heard you calling my name but he didn’t even seem to hear you, he kept tugging at my dress. Sophie ended her narrative there and buried her face in Bess’ bosom and sobbed. Bess soothed her by rubbing her hair and said, “That man has gone clean out of his mind. Thank God he didn’t git what he was after. “ Sophie cried,” Oh if only Nate had been here he would have torn him in half for abusing me,” “ Don’t wish that Sophie , answered Bess, cause iffen Nate had been here we’d have somebody dead here now. You got to realize that you ain’t in France. If a Blackman kills or even hurts a White man here he’s a dead man. I’m thinking now how to keep this mess from Nate but I don’t see no way. Mr. Finestein is a sending Nate to Chicago tomorrow to keep him from being found out or killed. Spect I’d better send word to him bout this latest trouble sos he can keep Nate at work til tomorrow then send him off.” “What fer am I being sent off, said Nate from the door. And what in tarnation happen to this room, Sophie you alright? Mr. Finestein told me to come home early as you had something portent to tell me. Well I’s here now so what is it?” Bess moved to push Nate back into the kitchen but when she did he then had a full view of Sophie holding her torn and tattered dress. “Sophie, he roared as he dodged around Bess, what happened to yo clothes?” As he got closer he saw the bruises turning black and blue on her face and arms. “How you get dem marks on you? Tell me whos hurt you!” The last words were said as he reached her and gathered her in his arms. Sophie could smell the sweat and river odor on him but clinged to his strong arms feeling safe for the first time in hours.
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