I promise. “It’s our job to be sure she has what she needs too. It’ll be okay if we ask.”
He nods, hopefully satisfied enough not to push the subject until Papa’s happier.
When we get back in the kitchen, Nicolette is bent over the kitchen table while Papa whips her bare ass with a switch. I halt Elijah from taking a step further. We can’t stop him. She’s his to punish as much as ours. Though, once she’s our wife, he says he’ll leave all that to us.
“Wasted the whole day like a lazy bitch,” Papa seethes, lashing the leather across her legs. Beads of blood form on her calves and thighs. He’s not even aiming, lost to his anger.
Elijah pokes me. This is my fault.
My throat dries. She’s my responsibility.
“Papa.” I take a small step. Nicolette’s sobs crack through the air, but she’s not fighting him. “Papa, I had Nicolette with me all afternoon. It’s my fault. I had her show me something to surprise you and…it’s my fault.” I roll my shoulders back.
Papa stands straight, his hand staying splayed across her back, holding up her dress. Her ass is torn up from the switch. Angry red welts crisscross over her creamy skin, beads of blood forming where the lash broke through.
“Did you make sure her chores were done first?” he demands.
I swallow to wet my throat. “She said they were,” I answer. I’d been clear with her to make sure she was finished with her chores before she came up to my room.
“Well, she wasn’t. The sheets are still on the fucking line outside and the back porch never got swept this morning.” He brings the switch down again hard, and Nicolette screams from the fresh cut.
“I should have checked.” I square my shoulders.
Papa’s lips are thinned out and pinched together as he stares at me. She won’t be the only one with a sore ass tonight.
He yanks her up by the dress and shoves her toward Elijah. “Put her away,” he orders with a pointed finger. “Do it right, Elijah.”
Elijah grabs her shoulders, holding her away from him, but I can sense how much he wants to cradle her to him.
“I will, Papa.” He grabs her upper arm, dragging her toward the door. Her sniffling flicks at my raw nerves. I shouldn’t have trusted her to do what she said she would. I should have checked. This is on me.
“What have I told you about women, Mark?” Papa drops the switch to the table. The pot on the stove bubbles with water, and he reaches over to turn off.
“You can’t leave them on their own. If you give a direction, be sure it’s followed. She lied to you. Never trust the word of a woman. They’ll say sweet things to get what they want.”
“Yes, Papa. I’m sorry.”
He takes a deep breath, like the rage has finally passed through him.
“Where’s my surprise?” he asks, his hands on his hips.
I lick my lips. I know exactly what he needs right now, and it’s the only way to make this better.
I sink down to my knees in front of him and reach for his belt. I’ll have his forgiveness before I have my dinner.
“I swear, I swept it. I swept it,” Nicolette whimpers as I haul her across the yard to the shed. The sun’s hidden behind the trees, making the night air crisp.
“It doesn’t matter, Nicolette,” I say. It won’t comfort her, but there’s nothing that will make her next twenty-four hours comfortable. Hopefully, it’s just a day. If Mark can soothe Papa, it will help her.
“Please,” she whispers as I remove the padlock and yank the wooden door to the shed open. The smells immediately hits me through the pitch black. It’s the one building we aren’t allowed to clean. Years of piss and shit have stained the air in the enclosure.
“Nicolette, remove your dress.” I let her go and grab the small flashlight hanging outside the room, needing to see what I’m doing.
“Elijah.” The way she says my name crushes me. Like she wants me to save her. But we both know that can’t happen.
“Your dress.” I swing the flashlight to her face. The light shines against her wet cheeks, her eyes wide with pleas that have to go unanswered. Papa will think I’m weak if I don’t go through with his order. He’ll think she has me wrapped around her finger. “Now!” I bark out. Doesn’t she understand how bad things will get for us both?
She rushes