March 1777
Gabriel is a slave on Brookfield Plantation. His ma and pa always believed that once the Revolutionary War was over, their children would be free.
What Ma believed was this: her youngest son would grow strong and grow free. He would run pick an apple anytime he pleased, even if only to taste the good fruit given by the Lord, and see, from this spot, the amber sunrise painted by His hand.
After Pa was dragged away from Brookfield for wanting freedom, Ma tried to carry on as best she could. Gabriel tried to make sense of things, believing that he could be free. The master and his foreman saw things differently.
"Idle African hands are no good for Brookfield, Mr. Prosser. Negroes that can read and write are dangerous. I expect ones the size of him, 'specially so. Considerin' he got his father in him, you might take some action, sir."
Gabriel is sent away from everything he knows. He's sent to the capital city to be a blacksmith's apprentice. Gabriel realizes that he can find solutions while he's working metal.
"When I bend over the anvil with my hammer, our people, our worries, and our river all melt together, and all my questions come out like a plan."
Gabriel is faced with a decision: earn money to buy his soul mate's freedom, or fight for freedom for all slaves.
Interwoven with authentic original documents, Come August, Come Freedom was inspired by the trial documents related to Gabriel's Insurrection.
Rating: 6 out of 10 stars
