Sacrifices of the Soul, Chapter 46
 

When Eve got up the next morning, she felt as if a burden had been lifted from her shoulders. She slept so soundly,  that the only reason she did rise from the bed, was the smell of bacon.

Eve put on her robe, and when she got into the kitchen, TC was running around the kitchen, trying to handle eggs, bacon, toast, and the coffeepot. Eve thought that he looked adorable in the kitchen, so, she just stood there, watching him. After he had scrambled, and things looked like they were settling down, he noticed that Eve was there.

" Eve! I wanted to surprise you."

" You did. I thought you’d be gone this morning."

" Actually, no. I’ll only have to go away for one more morning. But, the rest of the time will be spent together."

" May I help you, TC?"

" Nope. The only thing you can do is go sit on the porch. I’ve set the table. I’ll call you when it’s all ready. "

Eve did as she was told, and when she got back inside, to the breakfast nook, the table was all laid out. She sat inside of the booth that TC's mother had built there in the corner, full of sunlight. TC sat next to her.

" TC, this is terrific!"

" I'm glad you like it."

They began to eat his breakfast.

" I still can't believe how good a cook you are.", Eve complimented.

" My mother would thank you. She tried. She's a traditionalist in every way, except for that she thinks that men should know how to cook."

" So….what are we going to do today?"

" We're going to explore other parts of the island, and you're going to go to one of my favorite places."

" I can't wait. "

TC and Eve eat the rest of the time in silence. Once finished, they do the dishes, and then Eve goes upstairs to shower and change. Eve comes downstairs, and TC looks like he's fixing another meal.

" TC, we just ate breakfast."

" This is our lunch. This will last in the cooler until the afternoon."

" TC, I was thinking. Do you think your mother would mind if I took Nannette one of those beautiful orchids that she has."

" Actually, no! My mother called this morning, and wanted her to get one. Will you take it over to her?"

" Sure."

Eve went into the little greenhouse that TC's mother had, and picked out a beautiful orchid. She was feeling on top of the world, as she walked from TC's house to Nannette's. She went up the stairs, and was about to knock on the door, when she heard the voice.

" Yes, Penelope. The father was a doctor. He murdered his wife, and then himself. Do you remember the story?"

Eve felt her knees weaken. She couldn't believe it. She knew that it was too good to be true. That she wouldn’t get away with it. She didn't breathe as she listened further.

" So, you do remember the story? Yes, tragic. Definitely a scandal. Do you remember anything about a child?"

Eve's hands were trembling. She almost lost grip of the plant, but, held onto it for dear life.

" I see…there was a child. A daughter. Do you know what happened to her?"

Eve waited with baited breath. The answer at the other end of the phone could destroy her life. Why wouldn't she say anything. The seconds seemed like hours.

" A daughter….who went to live with relatives out of town, but, nothing further. Well, thanks Penelope. You've given me all the information that I need. I'm satisfied now."

Eve began to breathe once again. She made her way back down the stairs, and began to run back to TC's house. Once back there, she sat on the steps. Her heart was beating wildly, and so loud that she could hear it.

Nannette had 'checked out' her story. And, it seems, she had gotten the answers she wanted. Eve's story had 'checked out', and things were fine.

Eve was still sitting on the porch, when TC came out with the cooler. He was smiling coming down the stairs, until he saw Eve. He put the cooler down, and sat down next to Eve.

" Eve? Eve? Are you alright?"

Eve hadn't heard TC come out.

" TC?"

" What's wrong, Eve? Why are you crying?"

Eve didn't realize that she was crying. She held onto the plant. " I…I was thinking about……my..my mother. Today is her birthday.", Eve lied. " She always wanted me to be happy, and to meet someone like you. I know…I know that she would have adored you."

TC smiled at Eve and took her hand and kissed it. " And, I'm sure that I would have respected her too. If you don't want to go.."

Eve shook her head. " No. I need this day with you, TC. Let me go freshen my face first. " Eve looked down at the orchid. " I didn't deliver it to Nannette."

" We can do that later."

Eve smiled. " I'll be ready in a few minutes."

Eve went to the bathroom, and splashed a little water on her face. Though it was a shock that Nannette used the Granny Network on her after her convincing performance, all that Nannette found out was that the story that Eve told her was true. Everything that Eve had said was confirmed by the person on the other end of the phone. Eve had to think positive about things. Of course, it wouldn’t be as easy as Nannette believing her right off the bat. That would be too easy, and nothing in her life had ever been easy. But, now that Nannette had confirmation, there was nowhere else for her to go. Eve looked at herself in the mirror.

" I deserve some happiness. I do!", she said outloud to herself. " And, I'm going to get it!"
Eve fixed her face, and put on her best smile. When she got outside, TC was waiting for her by the car.

" Are you sure that you want this? We can stay here."

" No. I want to spend time with you. You have something wonderful planned, so, let's go."

TC smiled and opened the car door for Eve. He got in and they drove off. They took a back road, and wound up at a place that looked like a country store. TC made sure to park the car in a place where it wouldn't be bothered, and they walked to the store. They went inside. Eve saw shelves of what appeared to be homemade jams, preserves, and fruit. The smells of homemade bread filled the store.

" Mrs. O'Neal?"

" T.C.!", an elderly White woman said, in an Irish accent. " Good morning."

" Good morning to you too."

" So", she said, turning to Eve, " Is this the young woman that you've been telling me about?"

TC smiled. " Yes. Eve Wharton, I'd like for you to meet Mrs. O'Neal."

Eve extended her hand, " Nice to meet you."

" You can call me Constance. I've told TC to call me that for years, but, he won't."

" Nice to meet you, Mrs. O'Neal."

" So, are my friends ready?"

" Absolutely. You go get them ready, and I'll talk with Eve."

TC leaves, and Mrs. O'Neal turns to Eve, " Come, talk with me, while I take my muffins out of the oven."

Eve follows her into the kitchen.

" You have a wonderful store, Mrs. O'Neal."

" Thank you. It's been my dream, really. I've always done canning. Never thought it could be a business, but, it is. This store has totally helped with our retirement."

" Have you known TC long?"

" Almost all of his life. His father used to do repairs for me years ago,  and then, TC kept it up. I had gotten spoiled by his father, who was so good at what he did. When he died, it was such a shock. It was  hard on TC - they were so close. He had stayed away from the Vineyard for a couple of years, so I was totally surprised when he showed up on my doorstep, offering to fix things, in exchange for certain services. I could tell a difference in him. The light had come back to his eyes, and I think it's because of you."

Eve blushed.

" No need to blush, my Dear. He's a wonderful young man, and any girl would be lucky to have him."

" I know. I think the same way."

" Well, I think that you should take a few of these.", she said, handing Eve a bag full of muffins.

" Thank you. "

" I bet TC is ready now."

" Ready for what?", Eve asked.

" You'll see.", she said with a smile.

Eve and Mrs. O'Neal went out front. Outside waiting, was TC and two horses, ready with saddles.

" TC!", Eve exclaimed. " How did you…"

" I learned how to ride here, many years ago. "

" I love horses.", Eve said. It was one of the few things that Julian had taught her that she absolutely adored.

" Well, pick one."

Eve went over to the white palamino, and TC helped her on. He got up on his horse, and they went off.

" Enjoy yourselves!", Mrs. O'Neal yelled as they trotted off.

Eve and TC spent the rest of the morning and most of the afternoon, riding around the island. TC would tell Eve the history of all the different sections of the island that they were passing through. They stopped once, at a stream, to let the horses take a drink.

" Mrs. O'Neal seems very fond of you."

" I've known her ever since I was a little boy. I wanted to take riding lessons, but, they were a) so expensive, and b) nobody really wanted to teach little 'Negro' children, as we were back then. Mrs. O'Neal and her husband were new to the island, and my father traded his services as a craftsman for lessons for me. I think I was about 4 at the time. Seeing my joy with the lessons, Mr. O'Neal saw that this was a way for this new business to find a new, untapped customer base, and so, he started giving riding lessons to the Negro children. Sure, it upset others, but, we were a loyal customer base, and our money was as green as anyone else's and helped him pay off the loan for the business. Plus, anytime we saw anyone who wanted to rent horses, we made sure to steer them to the O'Neal place. Her husband had a stroke a few years ago, and is now an invalid, so she's running the place all by herself now."

" Sorry to hear that."

" But, she's a nice woman."

" I can tell."

" I hoped that you liked to ride. I didn't know if this surprise was going to be a disaster or not."

" I love riding. There's a sense of freedom when you ride."

" I know what you mean."

" TC, this is one of the best days I've ever had.", Eve says, leaning in for a kiss.

" Well, I'm glad you've enjoyed it.", TC says smiling. " We should be getting back. We have a lunch to eat.

They rode back to Mrs. O'Neal's place, and then, she and TC found a secluded spot where they ate their lunch. TC read to her poems by Phyllis Wheatley and other Black poets. As they drove up to the house, Eve's head was on TC's arm.

" Penny for your thoughts.", TC asked.

" I wish that we didn't have to go anyone else's for dinner."

" Well, this is one that I don't think you're going to mind. This isn't a big party. Actually, we're going to be one of two couples."

Eve sat up and looked at TC. " Really? Who is the other couple?"

" A friend of mine from college. He and his wife are hosting us."

" What should I wear?"

" Something comfortable."

Eve went upstairs, and changed into a comfortable dress. TC looked so handsome in his blue shirt and khaki pants.

" You should bring a sweater. It might get cool."

Eve did as she was told, and they got into the car. They wound up at the dock. Once there, they went to a boat called the 'African Queen.'

" Yo, Perry. We're here."

A Black guy, dressed casually came from down below, and gave TC a bright smile.

" TC! My man! Good to see you, and welcome aboard.", he said, pulling Eve up to the boat.

" Perry, this is Eve Wharton."

" Nice to meet you, Eve. You've certainly brought a smile to my man's face." He yells down below. " Maxie, company is here."

A beautiful Black woman with a warm smile greeted both of them. " Hi TC", she said, kissing him.

" Maxie, this is Eve.", Perry told her.

" Hi Eve.", she said, kissing Eve on the cheek. " Well now that you're here, it's time to pull anchor. I want us to have a wonderful evening. "

TC helped Perry with the boat, and they set sail. Eve went downstairs with Maxie.

" This is a beautiful boat.", Eve complimented.

" It's Perry's pride and joy. He loves this boat. "

" How long have you two been married?"

" Only 3 months. But, we've known one another for years."

" Oh."

" Yes.  We were engaged before, but, then he broke things off when he met this 'other woman'. It was temporary insanity. She turned his head, but, then, he found out WHAT she really was."

Eve's mind began running a mile a minute. Perry…Perry…NOW she remembered him. He was the friend who dumped the girl for earning her degree ' on her back'.

" I think I remember TC telling me about that unfortunate incident."

" Yes, well she was ferreted out, and once he realized the error of his ways, he returned to where he should be."

" I see."

" I hear you're at Harvard Medical School. Then, of course, you've had my father."

Eve looked at the woman and realized that she HAD seemed familiar, but, hadn't quite figured out the connection. " Dr. Yancy is your father?"

" Yes, he is."

" I had him this past year. He was tough."

" He usually is. Did he invite you to work in the Clinic?"

" I begin two weeks after I get back."

" Well, then you must be impressive. Daddy just doesn't let ANYONE work in the Clinic."

Eve didn't say anything, but, just nodded appreciatively. She'd had two out of the three tenured Black Professors at Harvard Medical School this past year. Both of them had been unrelenting and downright overbearing. She knew that they were tougher on the Black students than the White ones, but, she sucked it up. These men could be her mentors if she did well. So, she had busted her ass and gotten the top grade in the class from both of them. Eve knew that it WAS an honor to be invited to his Clinic. Though it served the poor, it had been lauded for years, for the kind of community service that it provided, and would look terrific on her resume.

Once she found out about Eve's invitation to the clinic, things seemed to get easier between the women. It was like Eve had a 'seal of approval'. They talked about the Vineyard, and relationships. Eve found out that she already had her MBA and CPA, and was  now getting her PhD in Economics from the University of Chicago, and that Perry was an attorney. Eve discovered that she was also an amateur chef, and they discussed their love of Mediterranean cooking, and the new cookware that was out. She gave Eve hints about which hospitals to apply to next year, because she knew which ones had a Black doctor on the selection committee.

Once they had finished with the appetizers, they went up on deck. Eve was stunned. They had gotten away from the coast, and they were out in open waters. Eve went over to TC, holding his glass of wine.

TC kissed her as he took the glass.

" Thanks, Eve."

Eve nestled in TC's arms, and just enjoyed the sail. Perry had put on a cassette tape of the new Miles Davis record, and the four of them just enjoyed the peacefulness of the water.

After awhile, they set anchor, and dinner was brought up. It was so enjoyable for all of them, and they sat, ate, talked and even argued, as the sun set. Eve loved it all. They picked up anchor, and sailed back to shore. Once back, they went to a little café, and had dessert and coffee together. Eve loved this. These moments with TC, where it seemed so 'normal'. She was with a man who wanted to be seen with her. She was doing what other women her age were doing. There was nothing odd. THIS was the kind of life that Eve wanted for herself. This trip was convincing her of this, more and more. It was within her grasp…all she had to do is maneuver some more.