Page 94 - Fever 1793

“I’m going to open the coffeehouse for business. Tomorrow.”
“More the fool you, then,” replied Joseph. “You’ll never run it on your own.”
“I don’t have to,” I answered. “I’m taking on a partner.
“A partner? Who?” asked Eliza. She glared at Nathaniel, who shook his head.
“Not me,” he said quickly.
“What do you know about taking on a partner?” Eliza asked.
“Plenty,” I said. “My partner has to be someone I can trust. Someone who knows how to run a
coffeehouse and isn’t afraid to give me a kick in the backside every now and then to keep me on the right path.”
Eliza set her fork down. “Speak plainly, child. I’m not fond of riddles.”
I swallowed.
“Eliza, I want you be my partner. There’s no one better suited to it, no one I can trust. Or who will put
upwithme.”
Even Nell sat quietly.
“Mattie, I don’t have the money to buy a partnership from you. It’s kind of you to ask, but I can’t.” “No, oh no, you don’t understand. I couldn’t take your money. I’m sharing it with you. It’s the right
thing to do, and it’s good business.”
Eliza started to speak, but the words wouldn’t come.
This was not what I had expected. She was supposed to say yes, and then we would dance a jig.
“It won’t work,” Eliza said.
“We’ll make it work,” I countered.
“It wouldn’t be right,” Eliza answered.
“Don’t . . . don’t you want to work here?” I asked. “I know Joseph needs you to help with the boys.
They could stay here with us. And Nell. This way Nell can stay with us, too. It’s the perfect solution.” Crack!
Mother Smith banged her cane so hard on the floor that it dented the board.
“She’ll take it,” said Mother Smith firmly. “And no nonsense from you,” she added as she wagged her finger at Eliza. “It’s an opportunity, one you deserve, one offered from the heart. I know you, Eliza, you’ll worry about shillings and pence. So save from your share of the earnings and pay out of that. She’ll take it.”
“You’ll need a lawyer to write it out,” said Joseph gravely.
“No, we don’t,” I said. “I couldn’t cheat Eliza, I can barely sneak a piece of cheese from the larder without feeling bad.”
Joseph smiled. “I wasn’t thinking of you. I was thinking about others. Some folk will say Eliza took advantage of you. They don’t like to see black people move up.”
“Josephs right,” said Mother Smith. “People love to talk. So you’ll do it by the law, with lawyers and wax seals and all. Say yes, Eliza, so I can eat my pie.”
Eliza looked around the table.
“It doesn’t seem I have a choice,” Eliza said. I leaned over and wrapped my arms around her. Nathaniel lifted his cider mug to toast the two of us.
A rapid knock at the front door broke up the celebration.
“I’ll get it,” I said. “Eat up, everyone. There’s more in the kitchen.”
A messenger stood at the door, hat in hand. “Excuse me, Ma’am,” he said. “I’m to ask for the
proprietor of Cook’s.”
I cleared my throat and smoothed my skirt.
“I am one of the owners. What can I do for you?” The boy held out a bulging sack.