A Man and His Wife

By Ronald Kuykendall

This is the remarkable story of a consensual, loving, respectful, romance between Leon and Marie Louise, an enslaved man and enslaved woman, whose slave marriage survived under the brutal conditions of slavery.  "Their world of slavery, though harsh and cruel, was no impediment to their love, affection, and devotion to one another; their marriage was their priority, and not even slavery could change that."  However, when a plan to sell Leon is discovered he runs away, but he promises Marie Louise he would return for her.  As fate would have it the Civil War intervenes, and it would be a twenty-five year odyssey before the two, who remained faithful to their marriage, are miraculously reunited.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ronald Kuykendall
• Release date: Aug 12, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201472696

Ronald Kuykendall

Ronald A. Kuykendall is a retired academician; this is his first work of literary fiction.

Book preview

A Man and His Wife

Ronald Kuykendall

Published by Ronald Kuykendall, 2022.

This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.

A MAN AND HIS WIFE

First edition. August 12, 2022.

Copyright © 2022 Ronald Kuykendall.

ISBN: 979-8201472696

Written by Ronald Kuykendall.

Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright Page

A Man and His Wife | A Novella | by | Ronald A. Kuykendall

About the Author

A Man and His Wife

A Novella

by

Ronald A. Kuykendall

ALONG THE RIGHT BANK of the Mississippi River just opposite the city of New Orleans, the atmosphere on this beautiful late spring Sunday afternoon was festive around the slave quarters of the usually very busy sugar plantation.  Several women were arranging food on a makeshift table, and the men were building a campfire for cooking while a few young children ran about playing.  This was a relatively unusual sight given the very harsh, time consuming, back breaking, and often deadly nature of the labor required for sugar production.  However, there was always a bit of a work lull just before the planting season which began in early summer, and Sunday was always a day off except during the boiling season when work was twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.  There was rarely, if ever, time for festivities especially among the slave laborers.  However, this day was different.

George Haydel, a short, pudgy, elderly white man in his sixties, and the owner of this relatively small sugar plantation, and his tall, slender, white, sun-beaten overseer, John Perez, arrived at the slave quarters, which were just a row of one room huts with dirt floors near the cane field behind the big house, and began looking over the arrangements and preparations as they were being set-up.  Haydel spoke to one of the women placing food on the table.  Where’s Marie Louise and Leon?

She responded, Marie Louise with Delphine and Leon over there helpin’ with the fire, suh.

George Haydel and John Perez walked over to where Leon, a handsome, young, light tan complexioned mulatto, slim but muscular, and the other men were tending the fire upon which sat a large pot of okra gumbo seasoned with river shrimp and thickened with sassafras leaves called file.  Haydel patted Leon on the back. Well Leon, this is your big day, he said.

Yes suh, replied Leon enthusiastically.

Now you boys be careful with this fire, said Haydel.   I don’t want no accidents.

Suddenly attention was drawn to the women clapping as Marie Louise, a pretty, young, dark brown complexioned petite woman, and Delphine, a chocolate-brown middle-aged heavy-set woman, and the best friend, but also a motherly figure to Marie Louise, emerged from one of the cabins.  Marie Louise had on a one-piece white cotton daydress she made herself and a floral wreath Delphine crafted adorning her head.  They made their way to the center of the yard just in front of the slave quarters.

Well, don’t you look nice, said Haydel.  Y’all ready to get this underway?

Yes, suh, said Marie Louise smiling from ear to ear while looking at Leon who simultaneously replied, yes suh, with a big grin on his face.

Everyone formed a circle around Marie Louise, Leon, and George Haydel.

Haydel began to speak.  When Leon asked me could he marry Marie Louise, I was a little hesitant being Marie Louise lost her first husband, Sam, only a little over a year ago.  I didn’t know if she was just ready yet given the tragic nature of Sam’s death.  But she told me this is what she wanted, so I said okay.  I explained to Leon the responsibility of marriage and how marriage has a way of settlin’ a man down; it domesticates him.  But that’s a good thing.  So, folks, let’s get this underway, I have some other business to tend.

Haydel then began the ceremony.  We are gathered here to join this gal and boy in matrimony, and let me be the first to extend my blessing to the two of you and wish you both well.  Marriage is a good thing, a holy thing, ain’t nothin’ better than marriage to bring folks together, to make them happy, and keep them from sinful fornication and devilment.  Now, Leon do you take this gal, Marie Louise, to be your wife?

Yes suh, I do, responded Leon looking directly into Marie Louse’s eyes.

And do you Marie Louise take this boy, Leon, to be your husband, asked Haydel?

Yes suh, I do, responded Marie Louise starring into Leon’s eyes.

Now before I make the pronouncement, is there anyone who objects to this marriage, asked Haydel?

There was silence.

Haydel continued.   Well, being nobody objects, and with my authority, I pronounce you husband and wife.  Now, where’s the broom?

One of the women in the circle passed the broom to Haydel.  He laid the broom in front of Marie Louise and Leon, and he instructed them to jump over the broom as the final act completing their marriage ceremony.

Marie Louise and Leon held hands, jumped over the broom, and then, starring into each other’s eyes, hugged, and kissed.  The circle collapsed around them; the women hugged and kissed Marie Louise, and the men hugged and shook hands with Leon.

George Haydel and John Perez turned to leave the gathering and make their way toward the plantation big house.  However, Haydel stopped, turned around, and reminded everyone tomorrow is a workday. 

Why you go along with these niggers and that marriage shit, asked John, as they continued toward the plantation big house?

"Well, I tell you John, it makes good business sense.  Marriage keeps these niggers content; it gives them a reason to keep their ass on this plantation as opposed