"Ruin and Redemption"

Burning the Evidence

Thankfully, Derrick seemed content to go slowly. He sat holding her hand, and stroking just the top of it for at least ten minutes.  The sky was a little cloudy tonite, and it obscured the points of light which intrigued Lizzie. Derrick looked over at her from time to time, then back at the stars. It was difficult, but she tried to have a smile for him. It had never been a chore before; now, it seemed all she could manage to keep from pulling her hand away. What he was doing felt very pleasant, but she wasn’t so sure she wanted him to be the one doing it.

“You must be tired,” she heard him say. 

“I’ve been up since early this morning,” Lizzie answered, grateful for the excuse.

“We could turn in early tonite if you like,” Derrick suggested.

She didn’t seem eager to have sex. If she really was a virgin, as she claimed to be, then that was understandable. Derrick wasn't so sure he was up to dealing with a virgin at this late hour. And he needed to be up early if he wanted to take a look at the papers before Lizzie arose in the morning.

Lizzie was relieved by the suggestion to go to bed early. It would be difficult to sleep with Derrick after the conversation they had recently concluded. She wasn’t sure she could make it through the without giving away how she really felt. Lizzie had thought marrying Derrick would improve her life, giving her more companionship and greater security, and she had resolved to enjoy sleeping with him. Now, she felt as if the window in her prison had been fastened shut, and Derrick was her jailer. She could just see a last little ray of light through a tiny chink. Hopefully, that little bit of light and hope would stay with her… she didn’t know how she would make it through the rest of her life with Derrick without it.

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Derrick lay in bed and napped fitfully, pretending to be fully asleep. Lizzie became still, and Derrick assumed she had fallen asleep. He listened to Lizzie's breathing for a full half hour to make sure; It was even and unhurried. When he was absolutely certain her sleep was sound, he took a chance and reached over her, grasping the key she had placed on the windowsill.  Derrick sat up, trying not to disturb the covers, or bump into Lizzie on his way out of bed.

He needed to take a look at the papers; Maybe the will didn’t really say what Lizzie thought it did. Perhaps his lawyer could find a loophole and the Manumission Certificates could be invalidated. He had to get rid of the children somehow, or at least get them onto the plantation working. He had no intention of living out the next fifteen or more years with children in his house that were practically African. A man needed to keep his wife happy, and Derrick especially wanted Lizzie to be happy… but this was asking too much.

The key made some noise going in the lock. Lizzie rustled a bit, but she slept on. Derrick turned the key and pulled the drawer out a bit, where it got stuck. This was all he needed! The damn drawer was stuck, and he’d have to make noise trying to loosen it enough to get it out! He reached down and put his hands inside the partially open drawer. The certificates were right there on top--- at least he thought they were. 

Derrick took the lantern and moved it closer to the drawer.  He managed to get his hand inside, and pull two sheets out. He could see the signature on the bottom. The last name was clearly Henderson. The first name appeared to be Theodore. That was probably it; It must be Lizzie’s father. The other signature was his own lawyer! Darnit! His lawyer wouldn’t be able to take the job!