“Shackles Across Time” – CHAPTER 7: Chester L. Simmons, the author of “Ori”, a fictional/historical novel, is invited to dinner by members of the family he has chronicled in his book.
“Cornish rock hens, wild rice, asparagus, a wonderfully tasty salad (‘We grow these greens in the backyard’), a beautifully complementary French wine, cognac and brandy with grilled cherries for dessert.”
Frank Johnson, professor, African-American history, 40 odd years old, down to Earth, hip, warm. Dr. Mary Quist Johnson, ethnomusicologist, gracious, lovely, full of wit and sauce, 40 years young.
Donald Johnson, an 18 year old budding novelist, fond of Scotch whisky (already) and esoteric plots. Kojo Johnson, Capoeirista, 17 years old, community activist, — “All African-Americans are black belts, no matter whether they know it or not.”
And the daughter, Tabula, a lovely name, a beautiful picture on the wall. Where was she?
Chester L. Simmons is persuaded to attend the family reunion in Chicago. How can he resist the opportunity to be near the relatives of the people he put in his novel, “Ori?” It’s goin’ on.
CHAPTER 8: Robert Quinn, the CEO of Quinn Products, Inc. looks forward to the reunion enhanced by the announcement that Chester L. Simmons, the author of “Ori” will also be on the set. It was all in place, thanks to the brother’s Executive Secretary, the intensely efficient Ms. Simms.
The one snag in the fabric was their daughter Bella, whose behavior might mess up everything. The family had a meeting and agreed to Bella’s participation in the proceeding, as long as she stayed within certain perimeters.
“O.K., Bella, no wild’n crazy shit. O.K.?”
The Undergroundmaster begins a more fervent mixture of people in this chapter. We see Bella and what that’s about. He cuts to the Quarles, in Augusta, Georgia, and their concerns about their son, Benjamin, the boy with the super large head and the seal flappers for hands and feet.
And Tabula and her nymphomania. It’s a potent mix and the Undergroundmaster is stirring it slowly and well. Chapter 9 is coming.
[Just a lil’ p.s-ing here. In this day when people become brutally impatience when their computers are not flushing out results in record beating boots, the Undergroundmaster, Odie the writer, gently asks us to slow down, take a nap, maybe, but to be aware that there are always twists and curves ahead. Always.]
