Hope and Hate

Gabriel Loveman was enjoying a leisurely day off, a rare and much-needed break that hardly ever happened for him and everyone else who labored in the fields of the Peterson Plantation when, suddenly, his life changed forever again.

The knock at the door was so loud that he awoke from his nap with a start. Given the pleasure of a pastime as precious as an afternoon nap and especially the sheer relief that particular nap was providing him, Gabriel was confident in his decision to ignore the knocks. He was maintaining the most comfortable position possible on his makeshift bed when he was disturbed again, this time by rapid pounding even louder than the knocking before. He jumped to his feet, thinking that if he quickly told whomever it was banging on the shabby door that whomever he or she wanted to see was not there, perhaps he could return to his nap before he was too awake to fall back asleep. But as soon as Gabriel saw the somber expression on his elderly neighbor’s face, Gabriel knew his afternoon of rest was over. Robert Peterson had sent for him. Eli knew that the more time that passed between Mr. Robert’s beckoning and Gabriel’s arrival, the more likely they both would suffer a harsh and cruel penalty from the man who ruled over the lives of everyone living on the Peterson Plantation. 

Gabriel’s poor neighbor had run all the way down the long, winding path from the big yellow mansion on the hill overlooking the fifty-acre farm and had knocked as hard as he could, all the while fearful that no one would be home at Loveman cabin. He pounded on the door, knowing that most of the laborers had gone off to one of the remote fields for a worship gathering, another rare instance that only occurred when, for whatever miraculous reason, Robert Peterson allowed them to take time off from the fields. By chance, this particular afternoon, Gabriel had decided to remain behind. Pushing the door open, he could not help but notice the look of relief on his neighbor’s face. The older man stepped into the front room of the tiny cabin, and Gabriel paid close attention as Eli drew a deep breath and relayed the demand.

“Gabriel, you gotta get up to Mr. Robert’s right away now. He says for you to come right directly. Don’t waste any time. He says he got something for you. And you know what it is.”

Out of breath from running so fast, he paused for a moment before continuing. “Get up there right now, Gabriel, as fast as you can! I don’t want any trouble out of that wicked rascal. Not for you and certainly not for me!”

Before he responded, Gabriel cleared the sleep from his throat. Gabriel Loveman always spoke clearly. Any word spoken by him was always accompanied by deliberation and precise diction. He looked his neighbor straight in the eye to show his respect and appreciation for the man’s plight.