He thought I gave in to him. I was ready, though, to fight for my baby girl. Once I birthed the new baby, I figured I’d go to Mam. Freddy owed me a trip. I’d say, “Let me take the children to Mam this one time. Then, Rosetta go to school.” How could he say no? And once I was with Mam, in Baltimore, I’d stay. Just say “no” to returning, regardless of how he frighten me. He’d have to call the law and oh, how embarrassing that would be for ex-slave man. ’Specially in the same state his old Master live. But I never got to win. Never got my choice. I took to bed for several days. Freddy called in a woman to do the work I did. I didn’t care. I was worn out, tired in spirit. This baby had me feeling poorly too. How could I let Freddy love—no, use me again? He’d have to call on Miz Assing. The children, bless their hearts, tiptoed softly. Tried not to shout. I laid in bed, thinking about how everything about me was slowing down. Thinking I’d die before Freddy. Knowing Mam would die before me.
