3 Winnie And Orunmila In Mortal Form.
Years had past Mae had grown to womanhood and had two children of her own.
Now Winnie, and her brother Davis, with his wife Agnes and sickly father.
It was during a full moon night that the God Orunmila would take Winnie to be his wife and in doing so make her a demigoddess.
Though in the mortal form he took the name, Jobe.
"Daddy, how are you feeling?"Winnie asked.
"Oh child, I'm feeling like anybody my age might.just tuckered out," Jack said.
"I know Daddy, you worked hard your whole life nothin wrong with getting some rest," Winnie replied.
"We did for your children, we knew this was a hard life to live. not being able to live the life you choose but are forced to live it as the white folks dictate."Jack said.
"Come Winnie you still must train, "Orunmila replied.
"Alright what training is this?"Winnie asked.
"You must get used to using your new abilities, "Orunmila replied.
"Yeah, this feels different compared to the abilities I already have," Winnie said.
"As it should you will feel somewhat differently, "Orunmila replied.
Winnie had found herself to be a bundle of nerves when it came to being near this god who was also her husband.
"What troubles you?"Orunmila asked.
"I'm fine, I'm just thinking about what's in store for future generations," Winnie said.
"A great many things my love, "Orunmila replied.
"Yes, I imagine so," Winnie said.
"You see, a whole new world is opening up for you, "Orunmila replied.
"You would know far better than I.," Winnie said.
"You will see for yourself, Winnie, "Orunmila replied.
"I don't know if I'm going to like this," Winnie said.
"Everything will be just fine you never have to fear with me, "Orunmila replied as he stroked Winnie's cheek.
Just that act alone sent a shiver down her spine.
"Why are you trembling?"Orunmila asked.
"You have such faith in me only family has ever done that," Winnie said.
"The fact is the racist, white folk only ever showed you that the value of black folks was in service to them and their children keeping their homes in operation, "Orunmila replied.
"That's true," Winnie said.
"Yes, but they have no idea they have power amongst them, "Orunmila replied.
"No, they would be afraid if they did, "Winnie said.
He wraps his arms around Winnie's waste and caresses her stomach knowing there is a life growing in her womb one that will be the start of their family's future.
"Winnie, Jobe, come back to the house," Agnes shouted.
"What's the trouble, Agnes?"Winnie asked.
"I got lunch ready," Agnes replied.
"Yeah, and Jobe we gotta fix the wagon you know it helps with the heavy lifting," Davis said.
"I didn't forget, "Orunmila replied.
"Alright, I'm gonna give Daddy his lunch," Davis said.
Davis took the tray into his father seeing how worn and tired he was made his heartbreak but he knew that his father would be reunited with his mother again someday and he wouldn't suffer anymore.
Winnie and Agnes were as close as sisters even conceiving at the same time.
Winnie Davis Orunmila and Agnes sat at the family table eating their lunch.
Holding hands they said the blessing and prepared to dig in.
"The meal was wonderful as always, "Orunmila said.
"That's what happens when you have two top-notch cooks in the family," Davis replied.
"Are you complaining Davis?"Winnie asked.
"I'm a lot of things crazy isn't one of them," Davis replied.
"Come on these dishes won't wash themselves, "Agnes said.
They gathered up the dishes and took them to be washed.
"Agnes was the daughter of one of the slaves Mae helped and Davis fell for her almost instantly.
"You alright Winnie?"Agnes asked.
"Yeah, I was just thinking, "Winnie replied.
"About what?"Agnes asked.
"You know, I never thought Mama wouldn't be alive to see her grandchildren born," Winnie said.
"The life of a slave ain't an easy one Winnie you're Mama worked hard, "Agnes replied.
"Yes, she did all of us do, "Winnie said.
"Yes, Winnieboo, that's true," Davis replied.
"You haven't called me that since we were children," Winnie said.
"Better late than never right," Davis replied.
"Nice to see your humor is intact," Winnie said.
"Yes, I have much to be happy about as do you, Winnie," Davis replied.
"Yes, like Grandma, used to say white folks would take everything from you and you're powerless against it the one thing in life we can keep as our own is joy.
"Don't let nothing steal that from you."She would say.
"And Davis has taken that sage advice to heart, "Orunmila replied.
"Yes, we all have, "Winnie said.
"Come on you two being on your feet is not good," Davis replied.
"Ain't no rest for the weary," Winnie said.
"Normally no, but Daddy is as weary as can be and he is in his bed right now," Davis replied.
"I know Davis," Winnie left.
Just as Winnie and Agnes went to sit down there was a knock on the door.
"Who is it?"Davis asked.
"It's Ruth we got trouble coming, "Ruth said.
"What kind of trouble?"Winnie asked.
"Hunters, they questioning the slaves on the whereabouts of the runaways," Ruth said.
"Don't fret they can't get past the protection's, "Winnie replied.
"Are you sure?"Ruth asked.
"Take a look," Winnie replied.
Ruth looked out toward the edge of the slave shacks and sure enough, the catchers were in a rage because they couldn't get any further.
"Them white folks, look mighty angry," Ruth said.
"Yes, they are very angry but their anger changes nothing, "Orunmila replied.
"That's true," Winnie said.
They continued to watch as the catchers raged cursing and yelling for the slaves to come out of their homes.
"What's all that noise?"Jack asked.
"Some catchers trying to get information on runaways," Davis replied.
"Ha ha ha, they came to the wrong plantation.
"Oh, I wish your Mama were here to see this."Jack laughed.
"Oh, she sees it, Daddy," Davis replied.
"Yes, she does, "Winnie said.
"They are losing and it scares them, "Orunmila replied.
"Yes, we can surely see that, "Ruth replied.
"That man's face is as red as wine," Winnie said.
"Yeah, not a good look for him, "Ruth replied.
"He'll try to take it out on whomever he catches, "Davis said.
"Yeah, but the world is not how it was, "Winnie replied.
"Yes, but he won't have an easy time of it, "Ruth said.
"No, he certainly won't, "Orunmila replied.
They could hear the catcher and his men raging on for a good long while.
But they continued to do what needed to be done that day.
Meanwhile, Winnie and Agnes started to sing Go down Moses.
(Go down Moses
Way down in Egypt land
Tell all Pharaohs to
Let my people go)
When Israel was in Egypt land
Let my people go
So the God sayeth, "Go down, Moses Way down in Egypt land
Tell all Pharaohs to let My people go"
So Moses went to Egypt land
Let My people go
He made all Pharaohs understand
Let My people go
Yes The Lord said, "Go down, Moses Way down in Egypt land
Tell all Pharaohs to let My people go"
Thus spoke the Lord, bold Moses said
Let My people go
"If not I'll smite, your firstborns dead"
Let My people go
God, The Lord said, "Go down, Moses Way down in Egypt land
Tell all Pharaohs to let My people go"
Tell all Pharaohs to let My people go."Winnie and Agnes sang.
"You two have very angelic voices, "Orunmila replied.
"Thank you."Winnie and Agnes say in unison.
"You know, you two can sing at the church services," Ruth replied.
"No, we can't we don't like the attention," Winnie said.
"Come on we gotta get the dishes done," Agnes replied.
"Yeah, let's go, "Winnie said.
They finished, the dishes putting them back then Winnie and Agnes began working on their knitting woven with magically enchanted yarn.
"These will keep the babies safe," Agnes replied.
"Yes, we can't be too careful," Winnie said.
"Yes especially in these dark times, "Orunmila replied.
Outside the singing voices of the slaves could be heard.
Steal Away.
Steal Away.
Steal Away.
Steal Away to Jesus.
Steal Away.
Steal Away home.
I haven't got long to stay here.
Steal Away.
Steal Away.
Steal Away.
Steal Away to Jesus.
Steal Away. (steal home)
Steal Away home.
I haven't got long to stay here.
My lord, my lord, he calls me. (calls me)
He calls me by the thunder. (thunder)
The trumpet sounds way down in my sanctified soul.
I haven't got long to stay here.
Green trees are bending. (are bending)
Sinners stand a-trembling. (a-trembling)
The trumpet sounds within my soul.
I haven't got long to stay here.
Steal Away. (in the midnight hour)
Steal Away. (when you need some power)
Steal Away. (when your heart is heavy)
Steal Away to Jesus. (steal away to Jesus)
Steal Away. (steal away home)
Steal Away home. (haven't got long)
I haven't got long to stay here.
My Lord, he calls me. (calls me)
I can hear him calling me by the lightning.
(lightnin')
The trumpet sounds within my soul.
I haven't got long to stay here.
(it's gonna be over after a while)
Steal away to Jesus. (oh)
Steal away. Steal Away Home
Steal Away to Jesus.
I haven't got long to stay here.
I haven't got long to stay here. (hallelujah steal away)
I haven't got long to stay here.
As the slaves finished singing an overwhelming peace could be felt all around.
"Hey, Winnie, Hey Agnes," Jasper greets.
"Hey, Jasper," Winnie greets.
"I'm still working on your bassinets. I just was coming to get the fabric you wanted in them."Jasper replied.
"Well, here you go," Winnie said.
"I'll be on my way," Jasper replied.
"See you later bye," Davis said.
"Daddy, what are you doing out of bed?"Winnie asked.
"I need to take care of some business," Jack replied.
"Alright just be careful," Winnie said.
"Child I'm an old man not made of glass I think I can handle this," Jack replied.
"We know Daddy," Winnie said.
"Good I know, you all worry about me but babygirl I'm fine," Jack replied.
"Winnie, come here a minute," Davis said.
"What Davis?"Winnie asked.
"We both know, Daddy is set in his ways we can't be treating him like he is a helpless baby," Davis replied.
"I know," Winnie said.
"Come on my love you must train, "Orunmila replied.
"So what's it to be?"Winnie asked.
"The child in your womb is just as powerful the connection of mother and child allows you to draw from each other, "Orunmila replied.
"I don't understand, "Winnie said.
"I mean you will have the advantage of our child's growing abilities as well, "Orunmila replied.
"I never knew such a thing could be possible," Winnie said.
"That's why I'm making you aware of all the things you never knew possible," Orunmila replied.
"Yes and that worries me as well as excites me, "Winnie said.
"I know this is overwhelming but if I didn't believe you couldn't handle it I'd protect you from it, "Orunmila replied.
"Your mother trained you well but she could not teach you what I am teaching you."Orunmila continued.
"Mama kept us all safe, if I could be in any way like her I'd be blessed, "Winnie said.
"Winnie, you and Davis, are just like both your parents, "Orunmila replied.
"How so?"Davis asked.
"Because your mother and your father are fighters and that is who you both are, "Orunmila replied.
"Alright then let's get to training," Winnie said.
"Remember you are not limited in your power nature's power is just as much yours as the power I gave you and Davis, "Orunmila replied.
As Winnie and Davis practiced they started to hum as they went.
"Takes me back having this old place filled with music again," Jack said.
Jack sat in his chair smiling thinking back to the days Mae was alive and her smile that had captured him made him fall deeply in love with her.
"Your Daddy's, woolgathering again, "Agnes said.
"He's thinking about Mama he does that when he remembers her, "Winnie replied.
"Our children will be free and be able to live without fear, "Orunmila said.
"That's a dream worth fighting for," Winnie replied.
