Free Tell Me I'm Dreamin' by Eboni Snoe Page B

known all over the world for its rum and its sugar. The ones you are looking at belong to the Sharpes. They own the largest sugarcane fields on Eros. Some of their fields are hundreds of years old. But it has not been all good for them, the Sharpes I mean.” She pulled her head wrap further down upon her forehead until it nearly covered her eyebrows. “Through the years they have been accused of stealing land from innocent people. Madame Deane says their entire northwest field used to belong to Sovereign.” She whispered conspiratorially, as if she could be overheard. “There have been similar stories passed between the workers from other estates as well.”
    â€œDo you believe it?” Nadine inquired, concerned.
    â€œIt does not matter what I believe. People like me have no power here. I only feel sympathy for madame. Her word along with the word of a few field hands or house servants carries no weight.”
    â€œWhat does Ulysses think?” Nadine asked with contrived nonchalance.
    â€œUlysses believes in evidence. He says there is no proof to back up the stories, but if he had proof there would be hell to pay.” Catherine raised her head haughtily. “But as it is they remain just that, stories.” Reaching the top of the knoll she pointed at the view below. “Ah. There are some of the workers headed for the still.”
    Several donkey carts filled with sugarcane were methodically making their way toward a large building. Bunches of men, women, and children followed on foot, some carrying bundles and baskets, others musical instruments. Unlike the carts filled with sugarcane, the workers and several other carts continued toward a clearing where a few islanders were busy near what Nadine assumed was the rum still. She took in the scene with appreciation.
    A magnificent azure sky framed the backdrop of countless blossoms of red, yellow, pink, and white. She could hear cheerful voices carried toward them on the wind. Nadine was bewildered by the apparent joy generated by the group. “Are they always so happy about going to work?”
    â€œBajan people are merry by nature. But our emotions can run high no matter what the direction. Yet I believe happy music and dancing are our first love. See there,” Catherine pointed to a small group of men walking together, “some of them are carrying instruments. That is because we always look for a reason to have a festival. Running the still gives us a good reason.”
    Descending the hill, Nadine enjoyed the wind whipping through her hair. The weather was breathtaking, and she wondered how Catherine and some of the others kept their heads bundled up beneath the head wraps. But she did not ask.
    Greetings passed back and forth between Catherine and several of the workers as they merged with the crowd. They cast curious looks in Nadine’s direction, along with low welcomes. She met them all with an enthusiastic nod of her head and a smile. As they reached their destination the men and women began to split up. The women and children situated themselves near a group of trees growing close to the still. Nadine couldn’t help but notice the group that had gathered were all white people with hair that varied from straight to semi-wavy. Somehow they did not reflect the ethnic blend she had expected.
    The women went straight to work, transforming their bundles into blankets to sit on. Once done, they put out baskets and containers of food and drink, buffet-style. Several yards away pots over open fires were being tended.
    â€œMiss Nadine, do you like the black pudding?” a smiling Catherine inquired. She was helping another woman tie what looked like sections of intestines on both ends with string, then suspending them over waiting kettles of boiling water.
    Curious about the white cylinders that she recognized as stuffed pig intestines, Nadine felt squeamish when she realized the black in black pudding was blood. But