Eliza, Stella and me set out early, just before the dawn, dressed in our Sunday best, following winding leafy trails, pass hibiscus bushes in full bloom, some pink, some yellow, some red. Pass ravines filled with ferns and tumbling streams, enjoying the cool breeze on our skin, before the sun wake up and bring him heat. Is the first time in a long time we walk together. I notice Eliza, how she no longer keep to childish ways. She growing tall, broad-faced, still have a sweet smile, seem strong like Stella, maybe stronger, but have a gentleness that come straight from the kindness in her heart. And as we get further from the plantation, the bitter grief wrapped tight round Stella shoulders start to lift. Her face soften and she start to look round, not hang her head, always looking down, hoping the ground going swallow her up.

And far away from Massa eyes. The shadow let loose him grip, our insides stop trembling, our minds become not so fretful. We become like me hawk friend William the Second, our spirits circling free. Been a long time since him moved out of the valley where I found him, must be mate and have a family.

Walking up the hill that early morning, we can hear that rickety old church organ pumping out all the note them. Calling out, saying come feed and drink from the soothing words of the Lord, to get strength to rise another day, no matter how hard the day before.

As soon as we get there, the deacon put me to work, setting up tables and stools and logs so people can stand and sit and talk. While helping out, I notice how some of the young women stroll past. Come in close, make chatty-chatty with Stella.

‘Morning, Miss Stella.’

‘How you doing, Miss Stella?’

‘You going market next week, Miss Stella?’

‘What a nice dress, Miss Stella.’

‘Is new?’

‘Make it youself?’

But I see how they circle, looking and looking pon me. Stella notice it too. She pull me aside, cuff me bout the ears. ‘Dem women not for you,’ she say. ‘You must stop you dreaming ways. Is time you grow up, Willy. Be a man. Plant you feet solid on the earth. This is the life you born into, no escaping that. You must work, work hard, no time for fooling around with young women.’

The deacon come up just then. Ask me to go inside the church help move the organ, make space for all the people. Lucky for me, because once Stella get going, sometimes it take a long time before she wind down, let you escape. She may be drowning in sorrow, but Stella still strong like stone.