Sally of Monticello: Founding Mother the story continues...

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After the show we strolled the short distance to Nancy’s home.The town fathers had ordered the installation of street lanterns, so itwas a safe walk.David was still up, reading. He rose as we entered and bowed tome. Nancy was right. I’ve seldom seen him in any other role thanstorekeeper, but here, relaxing at home, he seemed a treasure of a man.She went to check on their youngest, Agnes, and returnedapparently satisfied. “I’ll fix tea.”“The kettle’s ready,” David said with his characteristic accent.“Miss Sally, come sit by the light. Tell me about Animal Magnetism.Something to do with the disputed theories of my countryman, HerrMesmer. Isn’t that so?”We sat. “Yes. I had just arrived in France when a royalcommission discredited Mesmer’s theory. Nobody oozes a mysteriousfluid that captivates other people.”“You reject the concept of charisma?” David asked.“No, I reject that charisma has a physical quality. I’m noauthority, but I’ve spent the better part of my life in close companywith a scientist. Thomas fears that charlatans may use Mesmer’s ideasto exploit their patients.”Nancy rolled in a cart carrying tea service and a tray of littlecakes. “You two are turning a funny play into something serious.David, buy tickets. Take Tommy and Jane. You’ll laugh your kishkasloose.” As she poured tea she said, “Sally thinks we’re meshugge,living together openly, inviting the law down on us.”David looked at me and raised his eyebrows.“I know what the word means, David. Yes, the thought crossedmy mind.”“Crossed your mind?” Nancy said. “You came right out and saidit. But I told you I have a plan.”“You promised to startle me. What sort of plan?”The cakes were apple strudel, but with more flakiness and a bitof honey.“The census taker was here,” she said. “We declared David to behead of the household. Now it’s official—we’re a family after morethan thirty years of maintaining two homes. But we’re nowunacceptable.”Hearing that distressed me. “There’s never before been a protestabout you two,” I said, “maybe because, living apart, you avoideddrawing overmuch attention. There are others in town who mix butstay inconspicuous.”Mentally I counted my niece Sally Bell and grandniece BetsyFarley, each living with a white man in Charlottesville. And Nancy’sbrother James had actually married a white woman here, SusannahHarlow—legally.From nervous stress and confusion I found myself biting intoanother strudel. Truth be told, I was the last person who should havebeen talking about remaining inconspicuous. By now the entireEnglish-speaking world has learned my name, if not also the Frenchspeaking. I was thankful Nancy didn’t remind me of that.She said, “It’s because David and I are prospering. For that theysee us as flaunting our relationship. There’ll be a grand jury.”“Oh, my God.” I almost choked on the pastry. I set down mycup. “A grand jury.” I covered my face with both hands and shook myhead.David said, “Nancy, you’re frightening her. Tell her the goodpart.”“The good part? Sally, stop screwing your face up like you’reready to cry. They’re not—going—to win, hear? We’re going toprevail.”“But the law—”“The law, the law,” she said, mimicking. “The law be damned.”“How can you say that?”“You put your finger on it when you said ‘never a protest.’ Wehave seven children. Tommy’s thirty-one, Jane’s twenty-four. Acouple of the younger ones have even attended white schools. If Davidand I behaved so offensively, why didn’t somebody step forward andcharge us with a crime before now?”David said, “We consulted lawyers. Even if the grand jurycharges us, we’re confident the courts will throw it out. They let it gotoo long.” He shrugged. “Nancy’s right. We’ll prevail.”I returned a polite smile.I wasn’t going to say it, but lawyers were often wrong.I’ve been the companion of one for thirty-two years, startingsoon after I told him a few things he was wrong about.