Spring 1987
Huguenot Island, South Carolina
As the sun set over Huguenot Island, the ancestors of the Singleton family began to gather on the lowest sitting cloud over the Singleton house. Winter, the youngest ancestor, found a place to rest first. She was always anxious when dinner time in the Singleton household commenced. Winter died in 1968 in the Orangeburg Massacre. At the age of 21, she had not yet had the chance to enjoy a full life or raise a family of her own. When God summoned her and presented the opportunity to stay in limbo and watch over and guide Isata and Isaac, Winter jumped at the chance to live out a new purpose. Little did Winter know; she would sit on a council with other ancestors. Either God left out so many details in her assignment or she was so thrilled to stay behind that she had not paid much attention. There were so many rules to follow and unfortunately, she learned all of them the hard way.
“Moobe obuh gal-chile. Yuh uh is.” Winter rolled her eyes and made space for Stepney Singleton. He was head ancestor and the council followed his every command. Stepney was the first and oldest ancestor chosen by God to guide the Singleton family. He died in 1739 during the Stono Slave Revolt and he never let a chance pass to remind Winter that he was in charge. Winter quickly learned that because Isaac was the head of household, the male ancestor always took lead. Stepney was head strong and had a direct line to God. Sibby was second in command to Stepney. She died in 1822 during the Denmark Vesey Slave Rebellion. Sibby also had a direct line to God but she believed in order and she and Stepney worked in perfect harmony. They trusted one another and had successfully guided Isaac and Isata since their union. Even when the council grew with Thunder, Moon, and Arrow when Isaac and Isata started having children, Stepney and Sibby still led with no issues. It was not until Winter joined them that they all began to squabble and second guess decisions.
Winter was a progressive thinker and very outspoken. She was also convincing when it came to swaying the other council members to see things her way when she disagreed with Stepney or Sibby. “Lawd hab mussy! Moobe gal-chile.” Winter scoot over one last time to make room for Sibby. She knew that Stepney and Sibby sat at the head, but Winter always tried their patience. The rest of the ancestors finally joined them on the cloud. They watched as the Singleton children set the table. The oldest and only boy was Duck, then there was the second born, Sparrow, and the youngest, Little Dove. Ancestor Moon beamed with pride as she watched the children. When Isaac and Isata decided they wanted to start a family, Stepney and Sibby tasked Moon with naming the children. During Isata’s pregnancies, Moon would spend time guiding her through walks in the woods and along the water. She would make sure Isata was greeted by birds and she would use the wind to whisper to Isata. Whenever Isata was asked by the children whey they were named after birds, she would simply respond, “We didn’t want either of you to forget that the sky is the limit.” Moon loved all of the children like they were her own; she considered Isata’s pregnancies a joint effort and made it her duty to make sure her voice was heard anytime the council discussed parenting decisions.
Each ancestor, except Moon, had a favorite child whether they openly admitted it or not. Stepney and Arrow doted on Duck because he was so much like Isaac and they knew he would carry on the Singleton legacy like Isaac did. Thunder and Sibby liked Little Dove the most. She had the best qualities of both of her parents. Her spirit was pure and she kept the Singleton house from falling apart. Sparrow, on the other hand, was a problem child and no one advocated for her like Winter. Sparrow often challenged authority, did not hold her tongue, and openly denounced the Gullah way of life at every turn. The ancestors considered her to be destructive and lately, most of their meetings had been about something she had said or done. Winter came to her defense every time and saved her from the wrath of the ancestors on many occasions.
“I wonder what’s for dinner tonight. Lord knows I miss food.” Winter could feel her mouth water.
“Silly girl, it doesn’t matter, you can’t taste it.” Arrow often had to remind Winter they were not of the world anymore.
“I know, Arrow, I’m just saying I miss good cooking is all.”
They all looked on as Little Dove helped Isata carry dishes to the table. Moon couldn’t help herself and applauded Little Dove. “Look, she helped Isata with the perloo tonight. She’s just growing up so fast.”
Sibby nodded in agreement, “she helped with the cornbread too. Watch what I tell ya, Little Dove is gone be a good wife one day.”
Winter chimed in, “Sparrow made a sweet potato pie for dessert.” As usual, everyone ignored her; some of the ancestors were still getting over Sparrow’s latest lashing out.
Sparrow was a senior in high school and was set to graduate in two weeks. The plan was to work in the family restaurant for a year before she left to go off to college. She wanted to be a lawyer and was in the top of her class at a special academy on the mainland. A month ago, she demanded that she no longer be addressed by any of her family in their Gullah language or called by her nickname. She took the stance that the Creole would prevent her from being successful in the future but was too prideful to admit that non-Gullah speakers at school had been bullying her. Isaac and Isata argued every night for a week along with the ancestors that watched from above. Winter was able to convince everyone it was a phase and that Sparrow would learn to appreciate their culture in her own time. Stepney fed this excuse to Isaac when he prayed for guidance. Isaac was able to convince Isata that Sparrow would come around and it was time to stop treating her like a baby.
*****
Isaac rubbed his hands together in satisfaction as he watched his wife and youngest daughter set dishes down on the table. Isata removed the lids off the pots before sitting down. “Everything looks delicious as always; you girls are showing ya Mama up in the kitchen.” Little Dove beamed with pride as she clasped hands with her mother and sister. They all bowed their heads in prayer. Isaac began to say grace, “gee we food wa we need dus day yah an eby day…” Sparrow cleared her throat and interrupted him. Isaac opened his eyes and lifted his head to see that Sparrow was staring him down. He finished, “thank you Father. Amen.” Isata began fixing Isaac’s plate. “So your father can’t say grace in Gullah either?” Sparrow ignored her mother and asked Duck to pass the cornbread so she could cut it. She was not in the mood to argue tonight. “Thank you for respecting my wishes, Daddy. One day, when I’m a successful lawyer, it will all make sense.” She served slices of cornbread to her father then her brother before placing slices on her mother and sister’s plate.
They ate in silence. Isata was visibly annoyed with Sparrow and Isaac was too busy enjoying dinner to notice. Duck and Little Dove learned early on to stay out of anything between their sister and parents. After dinner, Little Dover wrapped up the leftovers for Isaac and Duck to take across the way to their grandmother, Mama Maggie. All of Isaac’s siblings still lived on the island and they usually ate dinner together but Isaac and Isata were off from the family restaurant tonight. Mama Maggie wasn’t feeling well earlier and wasn’t able to join them for dinner. But Little Dove and Sparrow insisted Mama Maggie test taste what they cooked. They were always trying to one up each other in the kitchen; in a friendly competition of sorts. Mama Maggie was their teacher and judge. Duck called out as he and Isaac walked out the door, “we be back!”
The girls helped Isata clean the kitchen until it was spotless. “I’m gonna have another slice of pie on the porch, ya’ll care to join me?” Isata began slicing the pie and placed it on a napkin. Little Dove opted for more. As Isata fixed another slice, Little Dove broke out into a coughing fit. While Isata tended to her, Sparrow removed a strainer from the cabinet and hid it behind her back. She knew it was going to be another one of those long nights when Little Dove broke out into a coughing fit. “No pie for me Mama, I’ll be in my room.” Isata was too busy trying to calm Little Dove down to notice Sparrow grab the broom on her way out the kitchen. Stepney and Sibby looked at one another with concern as they watched Sparrow tip toe to her room with the strainer and broom. Stepney dismissed everyone but Winter. “Watch her. Sibby and I have some where to be. Don’t leave your watch until Sparrow is asleep. We don’t need any trouble tonight. Understood?” Winter sighed, “yea, I got it.” She knew when Sparrow snuck out the kitchen she would be in for another long night.
*****
Duck and Isaac were back from Mama Maggie’s and Duck’s room was right across from the room she shared with Little Dove. Sparrow closed her bedroom door as not to draw attention to herself. She didn’t want Duck to catch her with the broom and strainer or he would pick on her and call her crazy. Sparrow plopped down on her bed and laid the broom on the floor. She placed the strainer on her makeshift nightstand. She sighed as she surveyed the modest room she and Little Dove shared. “I can’t wait to leave this place and experience civilization. Why can’t we just live normal lives?” Sparrow often spoke aloud to herself, venting her frustrations in the open. Winter watched Sparrow from above, doing the same. “She is so misunderstood. She just wants to experience life outside this island.” Moon suddenly appeared and sat down next to Winter. “So, you’re on Sparrow duty tonight? I can watch her if you have something to do.”
Winter sighed out of frustration. “No, I can watch her but I resent the fact that Stepney and Sibby look at her as a problem. Sparrow is special.”
“Believe me, this I know. I was with Isata during every pregnancy. All them children something special. Little Dove be everyone’s favorite, but Sparrow gone save this family one day.”
Winter glanced at Sparrow to make sure she was okay before turning her full attention to Moon. “What do you mean by that, save us from what?”
Moon’s kind eyes smiled at Winter. “Now you know me can’t tell you that.”
Winter gently corrected Moon. “You have to say ‘I,’ not ‘me.’ Stepney said we have to speak properly now, remember.”
Moon rolled her eyes at Sparrow below. “I forgot about that silly girl’s new rule. But you know what I mean; we aren’t allowed to share prophecies from God.”
“Do Stepney and Sibby know?”
“Of course not; God give it to me when I watched over Isata. I can’t say what it is, I can only provide guidance when it is time.”
“Wow. That’s big Moon. I can’t remember the last time Stepney or Sibby had a prophecy. I’m still waiting on one.”
“It will happen when God thinks you’re ready.”
“I can’t tell; I feel like He doesn’t trust me. It’s not like I can summon Him and I know Stepney doesn’t vouch for me.”
“Nonsense; if God didn’t trust you, you wouldn’t be here. And don’t mind Stepney, he’s always been the way he is.”
“You’re right, I shouldn’t let doubt creep in. I need to be strong for Sparrow. I always feel like she’s going to need me, especially lately.”
Moon stood up and gathered her things. “It’s just growing pains. You have to stop living through Sparrow; it’s her life, not yours. I’m headed back, don’t stay out too long.”
“I won’t; goodnight Moon.”
*****
When Little Dove entered their bedroom, Sparrow was sitting in the middle of the floor counting money from a mason jar. It had become Sparrow’s nightly ritual lately and Little Dove always joined her although the amount only changed by a few dollars every other day. The Singleton children spent their evenings after school and their summers working at their family restaurant, Singleton’s Kitchen. They were paid in home-cooked meals and tips. Sparrow had been saving her tips for the past year in preparation for college. The plan was to take introductory courses at a community college before heading north to a university of her choosing. “One thousand, two hundred and forty-five dollars and sixty-five cents and counting. If only Mama and Daddy would let me work more shifts instead of making me stay home with Mama Maggie.” She started stuffing the money back into the mason jar. Little Dove gathered all the loose change. “You will have enough before school. Don’t worry about it. You can even take some of my shifts, I don’t mind staying with Mama Maggie.” Sparrow kissed her sister on the forehead. “And that’s why I love you so much. I see you had another coughing fit earlier, how are you feeling?”
“I’ll be fine; you don’t have to worry about me. Mama and Te Ola think I have asthma. Can you believe Te Ola suggested Mama take me to a doctor on the mainland? Te Ola the most talented medicine woman I know and she say go to the doctor.”
“You and I both know you don’t have no asthma. When you gone tell them the truth?”
Little Dove put her hand up to silence Sparrow. “What truth is that? Ain’t nobody ever seen the hag but you and no offense sis but everybody think you do and say things out of spite these days. What I ever done wrong for a hag to be leeching on me?”
Sparrow turned down her sheets and climbed into her twin bed. “I don’t know what you ever done. All I know is what I feel and see. I’m not crazy and I’m not making it up to spite the family.”
Little Dove climbed into her bed and fluffed her pillow before turning off the lamp on the nightstand between their beds. “It’s asthma, Sparrow. Don’t make it into a big deal. Goodnight.”
Sparrow rolled over with her back to her sister. “Goodnight Dovey.”
Sparrow waited until she could hear a light snore from the other side of the room. Little Dove was finally asleep. Sparrow got out of bed and grabbed the broom and strainer. She placed the broom in the corner by Little Dove’s bed and she quietly hung the strainer off the doorknob. She admired her handy work. “Not tonight, bitch.” All she could do now was wait. She grabbed a flashlight and book and returned to bed to read. Winter yawned as she watched on. “Why can’t you just go to bed, Sparrow?” Winter decided she wouldn’t mention Sparrow’s mischief to the other ancestors; she was not in the mood to hear Stepney’s mouth.
For the past two years, Sparrow claimed that a hag had been creeping into her bedroom at night and feeding on Little Dove. It wasn’t an entirely crazy notion. Everyone knew hags existed; the issue was that no one could see or feel this particular hag but Sparrow. The ancestors couldn’t even see the accused and when Sparrow prayed for guidance, the ancestors turned the other cheek. Sibby chalked it up to being another form of lashing out on Sparrow’s part. Stepney even suggested that no hag would leech on a sweet spirit like Little Dove when Sparrow was the one who needed to be punished. Winter felt bad for Sparrow and although she couldn’t see the hag either, she didn’t disregard Sparrow’s prayers. One night, while on watch, Winter answered Sparrow’s call for help and guided her to confide in Mama Maggie. Winter soon regretted that decision when Mama Maggie told Sparrow not to interfere with ‘God’s plan.’ Winter never told anyone about her interference and Sparrow never confided in another adult about the hag again.
