Chapter 9 Tabitha
Georgetown, South Carolina
April 1915
Heavy gray clouds blanketed the sky with darkness that wouldn’t lift until the sun came up tomorrow. The wind rustled the trees down the way, their limbs bobbing with each light gust. A storm was coming. There was no doubt about that.
Tabitha decided to close the store. She always did when there was a threat of heavy rain. She had not remembered her umbrella or even her bonnet.
Tabitha put the Closed sign on the door and turned the lock. She turned when she heard horses approaching. Although it was unlikely, she hoped it was Papa’s wagon coming to fetch her in the rain, but there was no mistaking Joseph’s carriage, even from a distance. Still, she walked toward home.
The carriage rolled to stop. Joseph stepped out. “Miss Cooper. I feel lucky to have caught you. I gather you’re on the way home in this weather.”
“Church. It’s Bible study tonight.”
“Why yes,” he said. “What church do you attend?”
“What church do you attend?” Tabitha asked.
Joseph hesitated for a moment before answering, “NorthStar.”
“I’ve never heard of it.”
“It’s in Annadale. It’s a church my former pastor suggested to me.”
“Annadale is almost in Charleston County.”
“I guess he wanted to keep me close.”
The sky opened up and drops of rain came down—large ones that made a loud splash against the tin awning on the store.
“Let me give you a ride.”
Tabitha shook her head. “I can’t.”
“You can’t walk in this weather.” He opened the door.
She heard a pop and looked up to see that Joseph’s driver had opened an umbrella for his own head.
Tabitha hesitated but then felt the rain droplets on her hair and shoulders. She stepped inside and sat with Joseph following her in.
“It’s not proper for me to be in here with you.”
“It’s not proper for you to get soaked either.”
Tabitha had not entered Joseph’s carriage when he had taken her to dinner. She had ridden on the back because inside she would be unchaperoned. Now that she was inside, she noticed how fancy it was.
“May I ask you something?” she asked before she realized how rude her next question was going to be.
“You may ask me anything,” Joseph replied. The gentle quality of his voice sounded genuine.
“What do you do to own a carriage and driver?”
“I have investments in many things. My family has always been in sugar, and I have interests in lumber. That’s why I’m in this county.”
“I thought only white men owned the lumber mills.”
“My family owns half of a mill in Sumter County, and I have interest in the Gardner Mill here in Georgetown.”
The rain became heavier, and the carriage stopped. Tabitha looked out and saw they were off the road, near the woods.
“It’s raining too hard,” Joseph said, answering the question that was on her mind. “We don’t like to drive the horses in it. It’ll stop soon.”
“What about your man?”
“He is prepared.”
Joseph leaned forward. “I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you.” He planted his elbows on his knees and reached for her hands, cupping one in each of his. “I hope you thought about me some.”
He set her heart to fluttering. The scent of rain and aftershave made her warm all over. “I have.”
“Good.” Joseph let go of one of her hands and crossed to her side of the carriage. “I’m going to Sumter for a few weeks for business. I won’t be able to see you.”
Tabitha hesitated, thinking about how much she’d miss him if he was to be gone for weeks. “Maybe you could call me.”
“You have a phone?”
“Yes.”
“Well, that’s good to know. We’ll have to be exact about it. I’ll call when you’re expecting me to. You can make sure to be waiting by the phone.”
“That sounds fine.”
Joseph stroked her forearm with his index and middle finger. “I want to hold off on you asking your Papa about me.”
Tabitha looked down at his fingers and then back up into his hazel eyes. “Why?”
“Because if he says no, I’ll be upset, Tabitha. The way I feel about you is special. I don’t know that I felt this way about my first wife.”
“Don’t say that.”
“It’s true. Our marriage was an arrangement between our families. I want a love match this time, but I’d like to be sure we are... compatible.” He emphasized the last word.
Joseph leaned in and put his lips on her cheek and then moved to her lips. The sound of the hard rain on the roof of the carriage was drowned out by the beating of her heart. She liked everything about how her heart and the rest of her was busting with feelings.
Joseph did not linger long on her lips. He whispered, “You are as sweet as a peach in late July.”
Tabitha was in love when she stepped out of that carriage. Joseph and she decided he would call at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday. Papa and Mama weren’t home from work on most days at that time. Tabitha never worked on Thursdays, so she would be in the kitchen preparing dinner.
The next week, Tabitha hovered over the phone from 4:55, and it rang at 5:00 exactly. She picked it up before the ring finished sounding. “Cooper home. This is Tabitha.” Joseph had told her to identify herself in case he didn’t recognize her voice.
“Hello, Peach.” His voice was as smooth as the butter in the bell crock.
She got warm on the inside just hearing it. “You have made a name for me.”
“I can’t get the taste of your lips out of my head.” He was quiet for a moment before saying, “I’ll be back by tomorrow night. You didn’t mention me to your parents, did you?”
“No, you told me not to,” she said, gripping the phone.
“Good. I wanted to make sure we agreed. It’s important for a couple to have the same ideas about things; otherwise they quarrel,” Joseph said. “I don’t like asking you to keep a secret, but I couldn’t stand for your father to say no to me.”
“You shouldn’t be so sure Papa will say no.”
“I’m sure he wants you to marry someone he’s already got in mind for you.”
“He doesn’t have anyone in mind for me.”
“He does. All men do, even if they don’t tell you.” Joseph laughed. “I’m sure he doesn’t want some city boy from Charleston taking you way. I plan to move back to Atlanta. He’ll hate that all the more.”
Tabitha looked out the window. She could see Mama coming up the road.
“I have to go.”
“I’ll be in town on Saturday for a haircut before noon and then at BeBe’s Diner for lunch, if you can meet me.”
“I’ll see. Bye.” She hung up the phone and went back to stirring her pot as Mama entered the door.
“Who was that?”
“Someone looking for peaches.”
“Peaches?”
“The operator connected the wrong number, Mama.” Tabitha walked to the ice box and took out the deer meat. She didn’t like deceiving Mama, but Mama didn’t keep secrets from Papa. If she wanted to keep seeing Joseph, she had to keep their relationship to herself.
Saturday came, bringing Retha and Clifford to town in an automobile Clifford had purchased. Everyone on their street gathered to see it. Retha invited Tabitha to lunch. Clifford dropped them in front of BeBe’s Diner. Alarm filled Tabitha. Joseph was planning to come here.
“Maybe we can eat somewhere else,” Tabitha said.
Retha frowned. “What’s wrong with here?” She didn’t wait for Tabitha’s reply. She pulled the door open and walked inside.
Tabitha spotted Joseph immediately. He sported a fresh haircut, which enhanced his looks. He read the newspaper and sipped from a coffee cup.
The clinking of silverware against glass and conversations at tables filled the crowded restaurant with noise. The scent of coffee, bacon, and grease wafted from the kitchen pass-through. Excitement teemed in Tabitha’s blood. This outing made her feel less like a country girl and more like a grown woman. She liked that feeling. She liked the freedom of moving about in the world instead of wondering what other people were experiencing. Even if Retha and Joseph were in the same place.
They were seated. Before they could order, Joseph was at their table expressing a warm greeting. He introduced himself to Retha, the rich timbre of his voice drowning out the competing noise and causing heat to spiral from Tabitha’s throat to her lower belly.
“Good day,” Retha said, looking from Joseph to Tabitha. “I’m Retha Donovan.”
“Nice to meet you, Mrs. Donovan. Tabitha has told me quite a few complimentary things about you.”
Tabitha thought her eyes would fall out of the sockets. She had not told Retha anything about Joseph. She couldn’t believe he said that.
Retha’s smile tightened. “I wasn’t aware that you knew my sister so well.”
Joseph cleared this throat. He seemed to catch his folly. “Not well at all. I’m new in town, and I frequent the store.”
Retha inspected him from his polished shoes to his handsome, expensive suit. He did not look like someone who shopped at the store, and Retha saw that plain and simple. “Will you sit and have another cup of coffee with us?”
Was it her intention to interrogate him? Tabitha would die if she did.
“I wish I could, but I have some business down the street with the tailor.” He opened his billfold, removed a five-dollar bill, and put it on the table. “But please enjoy your meal.”
Tabitha fought to breathe through this entire conversation. If it didn’t end soon, she was going to faint. She stuck her clasped hands between her legs.
“Why thank you, Mr. McCoy,” Retha said. The tight smile from before was still held at the corners of her mouth.
Joseph’s eyes moved from Retha’s to Tabitha’s. Retha was so much prettier than she was. She considered he might think he had the wrong sister, but then his lip ticked up in the corner like it always did when he said something sweet to her, and Tabitha melted into a puddle right there in her chair.
“Tabitha,” he said, nodding.
“Thank you for lunch,” Tabitha replied.
Joseph pressed his eyes into hers one more time, put on his summer fedora, and disappeared through the door.
“Well, that saved us five dollars,” Retha said, picking up the menu. “I’d like to know why.”
“I can’t say I know.” Tabitha took a deep breath. She hated lying, and she was no good at it.
“Does he come to the store often?”
“Sometimes.”
Retha looked curious. “He appears to be interested in you.”
“He didn’t sit with us.”
“Of course not,” Retha said as though Tabitha was silly for thinking he should. “Inviting him was a courtesy. He wasn’t going to say yes. I’m married, so I can’t be seen with him. You’d be the only other attraction, and that would get back to Mama and Papa.”
“Or maybe he had business to attend to.” Tabitha inspected the menu, but she’d already decided on what she wanted.
Retha pushed her back into the padded cushion of the seat and asked, “Have you spent some time with that man?”
“You promise not to tell Mama and Papa.”
Retha’s eyes widened. She hadn’t expected a yes answer. “I don’t know.”
“Retha, you’re not much older than me.”
“Which means I remember how foolish I was at your age. I remember very clearly.”
“I had dinner with him when Mama and Papa came to see you.”
Retha pulled back her head. “Well, I can’t say I expected that.”
“I wanted to see what it was like to be out with a man.” Tabitha pushed the nervous tickle out of her voice. “It was just the one time.”
“It only takes one time for many complications in life,” Retha said. “That man is much older than you, Bitta.”
“I know.”
“Was he a gentleman?”
“Very much so.”
Retha sighed. “I won’t tell Mama and Papa, but if you want to go out with him again, you must ask Papa’s permission. You are a lady, and if he has honest intentions toward you, he will behave like a gentleman should and do things properly.”
Tabitha agreed, but she was also swept up by the romantic secrecy. She wanted to hold on to Joseph and the private moments she had with him. The waitresses attended their table. They ordered and ate their food. When they were done, Retha went to the ladies’ room. While Retha was gone, the waitress dropped off the bill. She handed Tabitha a paper. “The gentleman that was here before asked me to give this to you.”
Tabitha nodded and accepted it. It read: Meet me. My carriage will be on the street.
Tabitha folded the note just as Retha came out of the restroom. “I swear I should have waited to use the one at Vera’s shop. That one needs tending.”
Tabitha sat there staring, so shocked that he’d gotten the note to her.
“Why are you looking so odd?” Retha asked.
“I was just thinking, you’re right about Mr. McCoy. I need to talk to Papa about him. I don’t know how to begin.”
“You just tell him. You’re near eighteen. Papa knows you’re going to want to be courted.”
“Do you think he has a man in mind for me?”
Retha laughed. “No. He didn’t have a man for me, but he’ll try to hold on to you as long as he possibly can. You are the cook in the house.”
The waitress came back with the change, and Retha left a tip for her and pushed the other dollar to Tabitha. Tabitha’s mind had not let go of thoughts of Joseph for a moment. For the first time in her life, she wondered what was beyond courting.
“What’s it like being married?”
Retha pitched an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”
“I mean between you and”—Tabitha blushed—“at night.”
“I can’t tell you anything about that.”
“It must be something special. No one wants to talk about it but the boys at school.”
Retha was thoughtful for a long moment. “It’s special, but it’s meant for marriage. You come together in a way that’s a gift from God.” Her sister twisted her lips into a smile before adding, “A gift for being married. You need to talk to Papa if you have this kind of curiosity.”
“Don’t tease me.”
“I’m glad you’re growing up, but be careful around him. Don’t make me regret keeping your secret.”
They stood and walked out of the restaurant. Retha stopped just on the other side of the door and raised a hand to clutch Tabitha’s chin. “You be careful. There are some things a man can’t put five dollars on the table for.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Tabitha said, forcing herself to look into Retha’s eyes.
They walked until they reached Vera’s Beauty World. Retha always let Vera do her hair when she was in town. Tabitha picked up a magazine and busied herself with it for a few minutes. Once Retha’s hair was wet, she said, “I’m going to the Five and Dime.”
Retha nodded, and Tabitha left. Once Tabitha was on the street, she looked for the dark brown carriage. She spotted it on the side of King Street and walked down. The street was busy but not at that end. She turned the corner and Joseph’s driver said, “Mr. McCoy is inside.”
He tapped on the hood, and the door opened.
Tabitha looked around, making sure she saw no one before climbing inside.
“Hey, Peach,” Joseph said.
She liked her nickname. “I can’t stay. My sister is always curious.”
“I’m sorry to put you in an awkward position. I assumed because we agreed to meet that she was your chaperone.”
“She came to town and offered to take me to lunch. I couldn’t say no.”
“Will she tell your parents?”
Tabitha shook her head. “She promised not to.”
Joseph crossed the seat, and once again she was in his arms, with him crushing her lips for a few seconds. The heat from outside was on his suit and her dress. Their bodies were hot from the outside in.
“I miss you,” Joseph whispered.
The words on his lips vibrated against her ear and added to the jackhammer that was her heart.
Tabitha pulled back from him. These feelings were too much all at once, and his body felt too close.
“What are you thinking, Peach?”
She loved when he called her that. Everything in her loved it.
“I... we can’t meet this way. It’s not proper.”
“Attraction to each other is human. Affection for each other is natural.”
Tabitha’s eyebrows knit together. Her emotions were confused. “I know it’s natural, but—”
“God gave us these feelings.” Joseph raised a hand and stroked her face. “Read it in the Bible... in the Song of Solomon. Your pastor probably skipped talking about that book at church.” He ran a hand down her arm and clutched her hand.
“I’ve read the whole Bible for myself. That text is for married people.”
“How do you think people get to marriage? They first have to have that hunger for each other.” He stroked her face, this time with his eyes. “I have it for you.”
It took Tabitha a moment to speak. He’d stolen her voice. “You have to meet my father.”
“Charles Cooper?” He chuckled. “I think we both know that man is not your father.”
Shock stung Tabitha and glued her lips shut.
“I would think you’d be glad to get out of that house. I know he drinks, and he’s not nice when he does.”
“How do you know about—”
“This is a small county. Small town.” Joseph took her hand, but she pulled it away. “I have made some inquiries about your family.”
“Why would you inquire about my family?”
Joseph sat back. Removing his hat, he said, “I have money, and people with money make inquiries.”
Tabitha shook her head. “I’m embarrassed that you would say such hard truths about my life like you’re talking about nothing.”
“I don’t care about your family situation. That should tell you something... that I care for you regardless of your parentage or the drunk who raised you.”
Tabitha was still ashamed of what he’d said. Her parentage, as he called it, stung more than the fact that he knew Papa drank.
Joseph put a finger under her chin and tipped up her head. She hadn’t even realized she’d dropped her eyes so.
“Peach, I’m too old to be meeting daddies. I seek no man’s approval, especially not one who gives in to strong drink.”
“So, you don’t want to...” She paused, considering her words carefully. “I have to ask Papa to take up.”
“You’ll be eighteen soon. You don’t have to ask anybody anything. You are not a piece of furniture or land.”
Joseph tapped on the roof of the carriage. “My man will make sure it’s all clear for you to step out.” Seconds later, his driver opened the door.
Feeling the heat between them cool, she asked, “When will I see you?”
“I have business in Charleston. I’ll call again, same as last week.”
The tightness in her belly eased some. She nodded and turned to step down. Before she was out, Joseph said, “Give me a little more time. I need to get used to the idea of having to ask for you when I already feel like you’re mine.”
Tabitha stepped out of the carriage and hurried back up the block to the hair salon.
Weeks went by with Joseph and her meeting in the same way. Tabitha’s birthday came and included a large celebration with her family and church members. She’d invited Joseph, thinking this would be a good day for him to meet Papa, but he didn’t come, even though he said he would.
Tabitha could not hold her secret anymore. Asking Mama about Joseph made sense to her. Tabitha approached Mama while she was in her flower garden. With the sun burning down on their necks and sweat on their foreheads, Tabitha remembered Joseph’s words about being grown, and instead of asking the question, she made a statement. “Mama, I plan to take up.”
Mama craned her neck to look in her face. Her expression was complex. She stared at Tabitha like she’d just said there was no Jesus; then she turned back to the plant she was working on and snipped four long leaves. “Take up with who?”
“A man I—”
“A man.” Mama’s eyes were back on Tabitha. “He’s not from school?”
“No, ma’am. His name is Joseph, and he comes to the store.”
“Joseph who?”
Tabitha got down on her knees so Mama didn’t have to keep twisting her neck. “McCoy. He’s from Charleston and Atlanta, but he’s here in Georgetown now.”
“Atlanta. Charleston.” Mama shook her head in disbelief. Tabitha had not said he was from another planet. “What kind of business does he do?”
“Lumber.”
Mama looked at her again before returning her attention to the ground. “He works in the mill... with your father?”
“No, ma’am. He owns part of it.”
Mama stabbed the earth with the hand shovel she’d been working with and pulled a rock out of the soil. “Owns part of it.” She chuckled bitterly. “Colored men don’t own none of the mill. He’s lying to you.”
“He has his own carriage and his own man. He has money.”
Mama slowed her movements. She seemed to be considering that.
“I like him,” Tabitha added.
Mama paused from her digging. She wiped sweat off her brow and sighed. “That’s plain to see. You come here telling me what you gonna do rather than respectfully asking.”
“I’m sorry, ma’am.”
Mama continued to ask her questions about where he lived, worshiped, and more that Tabitha couldn’t answer.
Mama dropped her head back and rolled it, trying to loosen the tension Tabitha had no doubt brought on. She didn’t know how any of this worked. She didn’t know she was supposed to know these things before. “Aren’t these questions I’ll have answers to when we court, ma’am?”
Mama stood, and Tabitha stood with her. “These are questions your father will have the answers to before Mr. McCoy sits down good.” Mama wiped her hands on her dress and used the towel over her shoulder to swipe her forehead. “How old is he?”
“I’m not sure. I think about thirty. I didn’t ask.”
“But he knows your age. He knows you’re just now eighteen, and I’m sure he was more than happy about that.” Mama looked Tabitha up and down. The beads of sweat burst and spiraled down her face. “Why doesn’t a man that age already have a wife?”
“He’s been married before. His wife died.”
Mama considered that too. It seemed to be a reasonable answer to her. “Does he have children?”
“No, ma’am. He didn’t mention any.”
“Bitta, you can do better than these answers.”
“Mama, I like him. I never liked anyone before, and no one”—Tabitha swallowed against the painful words—“no one has ever liked me.”
“You are my last daughter.”
“I’m aware. Are you aware that you used all your looks and pretty hair on the older ones?”
Mama truly looked shocked.
“I’m lucky someone wants me. I’m the giant one with my real father’s skin.”
Mama sighed and did not meet Tabitha’s eyes at first. “When did those two things start bothering you?”
“Always. I just don’t talk about it, and I didn’t much care because I didn’t think anyone would like me anyway, but now that someone does, I care.”
Mama put her hands on Tabitha’s arms. “And you’re sure he hasn’t said something to you to make you feel this way.”
“No. He’s only said kind words.”
She released Tabitha’s arms and let out a long breath. “I’ll talk to your father about inviting him to supper, but I cannot promise he will allow it until he knows more about his family in Charleston.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Tabitha wasn’t sure Papa would care as much as Mama thought. She was someone he tolerated. Tabitha knew that, even if Mama believed differently. She hesitated before adding. “Please make sure he’s in a good mood when you ask him.”
“I don’t need your advice on the when or the how, Bitta.” Mama grabbed a hoe. “You go and start supper. I need a minute to gather myself.”
It was plain to see Mama was not up for more testing. Tabitha wiped the dirt off her skirt and walked into the house.
Days went by. She kept waiting for the when and the how to happen between Papa and Mama, but then a telegram arrived, and Papa left early to catch the train. Again. As always, Mama fell apart emotionally when he left, so when she asked Tabitha about Joseph, Tabitha didn’t want to burden her. She told her she was no longer interested in him.
By the time Papa was due to return, Tabitha realized she’d missed her time. She’d gone farther than she meant to in Joseph’s carriage. Tabitha had so many voices in her head... Mama’s, Retha’s, God’s, but still Joseph’s was much louder. Joseph made her feel special, and she wanted the happiness he gave her.
When she told him she was having a baby, he looked satisfied. Tabitha couldn’t imagine why. They’d dishonored themselves, the Lord, and her family.
“All that can be fixed once we marry, Peach,” Joseph said. “We can do that in Charleston.”
Tabitha thought that was a fine plan when he first suggested it—or at least that’s what her mind told her—but for some reason she did not understand yet, her heart was not in agreement.