Many weeks went by before she woke one morning. Lifted herself out the bed, even though she still so weak. Leant on me as she walked up the back steps of the Great House. Went straight in. Sat on a chair, started giving orders. In a few days, she was right back to slapping and bossing everybody bout. Everything going settle down now that Stella found her way back from dying.

When Stella better, a few more seasons had to pass before she big with child. And after she go through all the moaning and heaving and screaming, she have a baby girl. Stella just love her up. You should see how happy Massa was when him come look pon her that first time. Another little breeder to add to him collection. Him even let Stella have a hand in naming the pickney. Come up with three names and was Stella decide she like Eliza best.

At first Eliza was a skinny, sickly little thing. Must be because of Stella sickness, but as she start to grow, she come to be like a colt. All legs and belly running this way and that. Her skin the colour of sugar when baked in the sun. What a sweet smile, lit up her whole face. Made everybody smile right along with her.

Eliza just turn six and Stella don’t let her out of her sight. She have plenty plans for her girl pickney. Plenty big plans she going lay out for her future.

Must be not too late, because I can still hear the slave women getting ready to go to market. They always grumbling and carrying on bout how heavy them load is. Knowing full well the heavier the load, the greater sales them going make.

Reminded me how Sunday used to be, before my brothers and sister came into the world, pushed me out of Stella life. I was the one that used to help her load up the big basket she carried on her head. Walked with her to the market in the nearby town. It was always a happy time them market days, when Stella, far away from the eyes of Massa, her face would turn soft and she treated me kindly.

Now Stella, she one good higgler. Her produce always good, always fresh, and she not pretend otherwise. Used the coins she got to buy saltfish, rice, flour, a little more rum.

Once in a while, specially close to Christmas when she wanted to sew a new dress, we visited the Jew stall, the one that belonged to Mister Jacob, to buy some cloth. A little crowd would gather when Stella entered him shop. Stood outside to listen, to point and giggle when she and Mister Jacob higgled. I come to see was a game they both enjoyed.