♢♡Craig♡♢

I thought about that all day. I mean, I don't quite get it. Sure, it's not like I hate my slaves but I certainly don't love them. And I love my father, purely because he's my father. That man is living a life of sin and he has no plans to change it... why in the world would he do such things? I simply don't understand.

I go home that night, the second I step out of the carriage, I see the slaves. Most are in the fields, though some are thrumming around, carrying baskets and bags. I see some I do not know, or have not seen before. Are they new? Intresting. I walk to the door and it swings open. "May I take your jacket sir?" Ah, one of the new slaves. "No, this is part of my uniform" I explain. "Oh, sorry sir"

I chuckle a little and Brian approaches me, smiling at the slave. He looks back at me when I raise an eyebrow and cross my arms. "Your father requests your presence in the den, Mister Craig" He says softly. The slave closes the door suddenly. "Yes, of course" I say, walking into the room with the fireplace and the books.

"Son" My father says, watching the fire crackle. Mother is reading, a slave is making them drinks. "How was your day at school?" He asks slowly, the slave depositing a drink in his hand. "It was quite alright, sir. I met the Headmaster and his sons, I came became friends with the youngest and his own friend, and we went into town" I say quietly, jumping when the fire cracks. The slave flinches and scurries off. Brain sighs softly.

"Good. Mr. Dennis is a fine man, I'm sure his boys are quite the same. Do you have any work to do now? Any studies?" My father never stops asking questions. He quite likes them. "No sir" I reply, he likes it when I talk quickly, summarize things. "Good. I'll speak to you at dinner, but now go to your room. I had Brian bring books for you to read. I'd say you could explore the cotton fields but it is raining. Have a nice night" He says, lowering his tone to speak to my mother.

I frown and go upstairs, sitting on the bed. The cabinet nearest to me is stacked with books, at least ten. Brian appears in the doorway. "Your father has been busy today. Many other business men stopped by" He tells me, slowly coming further into the room. "Sit by the fireplace, Brian" I tell him, so he does. "He was talkin' to a Mr. Richardson, a Mr. Wilson, a Mr. Wilde-" I huff and Brian closes his mouth.

"Read to me Brian" I request, curling up on my bed. I feel quite childish doing so but this is more comfortable then the wicker chairs. "Mister Craig. I know Master Thompson don't go out in the rain but do ya think we could? Just to look around, sir" Brian pleads, and it makes me remember he's no older then me. Maybe younger. Wow, I've never cared to ask. I just remember him playing with me since I was child.

"Father said no" I say strictly, I won't disobey father. "Just read to me Brian, we have time to pass" I murmur, picking a a thread on my uniform. "I'm sorry if I've upset you Mister Craig" Brian apologizes quietly, rising to gather a book. "You haven't. Tomorrow, I'll bring back with me some friends with school we can walk with, does that sound alright?" Brian's eyes light up and he smiles. "Of course, sir"