Selling This White Girl

My mind reeled with questions.  Once I realized that William was finished talking, I decided I could start asking for some answers.

“Will I have any say about who buys me?”

“Did Vera have any say?”

“When will this happen?”

“As soon as you’re ready.”

“Where will it happen?”

“In a place much like the place tonight.”

I took it all in.  It was a lot to take, but I needed to really get to the big questions and I was a little scared.  And excited.  The situation was beginning to swallow me whole and I was enjoying it.

“Will I ever see my children again?”

“Perhaps.  It depends on your new owner.  He will decide those things from now on.”

“Will you buy me?”

“No.”

“Can I ever undo it once it’s done?”

“No.  Once you’re sold, you belong to your new owner.  It cannot be undone except by him, and I’ve heard of no instances where a black man emancipated a white woman.”

I turned away from William and looked out the window at the passing street lights.  The road was deserted and the houses were all dark.  The sun would be rising in a couple of hours.  I felt very alone.

I was also incredibly turned on.

“Do I still have a choice?” I asked. 

“No.”