The Revelation of Tituba

The small kitchen was warmed by the morning sun. The white sewed curtain were tied up so the sunlight could saunter in and brighten the dark area. The countertop was made of wood and so was the dining room table. The hardwood floor was steal clean after I tiredly cleaned the whole house the day before.

My room was in the basement of the three bedroom woodened colonial. My medium size bed was in the right side of my room and the window was at the left. I stared at the mustard colored sun with peace in my heart. Despite it being small and hidden from all the other rooms, it felt like my secret hiding place. It almost felt like home with my souvenir from Barbados. I had only one hazy picture of me, my parents, and little brother grinning from ear to ear. We were so happy at that time living together as a family. I was 20 years old and working by selling the vegetables my mom grew in her small grassy garden.

Suddenly my happiness came to a complete halt. Slavery divided me and my brother and killed my parents for disobeying their master. Life as a slave was a total mental breakdown I always felt fatigue, lonely, and unloved. But I knew the beginning of my life story just began, when I met Mr. Parris.

Mr. Parris was working as a blacksmith in Barbados, trying to save up his job earnings to start a new life in Salem, Massachusetts as a Puritan minister. I knew these so called Puritans were up to no good when Mr. Parris participated in the slave auction and bought me. He was a respectful, handsome, young man. About 28 years old 6 foot 1 with tanned silky bronze skin, his hair was thick and brown just like his exotic eyes when he looked me into my eyes I blushed his shoulders were broad, and he was very muscular. He told me he was married for two years with his wife and how he loved and cherished her. They had a little girl together named Betty. But then something tragic happened, his wife died of an unknown disease.

When Mr. Parris told me this I felt pity for him and his daughter, he would have to raise her by himself. He told me it’s a small chance of him ever remarrying. Mr. Parris said to me “Tituba I know you’re my slave now but I promise to respect and take care of you if you’re willing to be a mother figure for Betty. I hesitatingly agreed only because. I started to feel attached to innocent little Betty.

I drifted from my day dream when I remembered I had to make breakfast for the family, I quickly hid the picture under my drawer and went upstairs. As I was going upstairs, I could hear someone calling my name it was Mrs. Putnam. When I got to the top of the stairs she grabbed me violently and took me upstairs to Betty’s room. I saw Mr. Parris and Mr. Hale standing over the bed where Betty laid inactive. Abigail was standing across from Mr. Hale and Mrs. Putnam was behind me blocking the door way.

As I stood in the room, every eye was on me and I realized that something was wrong, I looked everyone directly in the eye as if asking them what’s going on because I was truly confused. Cruelly Abigail pointed at me and screamed “Witch! Witch! She’s with the devil.” I was bamboozled by Abigail’s false statement. I said “Abigail you dare not lie” I blared out in anger. Mr. Parris grabbed me painfully by the wrist and dragged me to Betty bedside and said “Take your evil spirit out my little girl. Then Mr. Hale asked me with a compassionate voice if I had anything to confess I said with audacity “I do.”

“After living in Salem for all these years and trying to please this family, I feel rejected. How dare you accuse me of being a witch”, looking directly at Abigail. “ I took care of this family for so long I cleaned, cooked, and washed. And when you were sad Abigail because you felt like no one loved you, I was there to comfort you and cheer you up. I also remember the times when I was in the same predicament and Abigail you were there to make me laugh with you silliness and wit.
As I was talking my anger built up to rage I roared like a lion “And you Mr. Parris! Your surely malice, on the outside your like a sheep but in the inside you are a poisonous snake. Everyone in this village is out to get one another while the innocent are accused for no wrong doing. Many lives are going to be lost while the evil ones enjoy life and the land of the hanged for their own pleasure.” After letting out all my anger I dashed to my room, I could see Mr. Parris chasing behind me but I made it to my room before him. I quickly locked the door then pushed my drawer in front of the door.

I pulled the picture that flew out under my drawer. I grasped the picture like I found gold. I then scampered to the corner of my room, I positioned myself on the brittle floor with my knees bent to my chest rocking back and forth like a scared little child hiding from monsters. I could hear the drumming on my door Mr. Parris saying “Open the door now! No matter what you do you’re going to be hanged!” Boom! The drumming gets louder. I keep rocking back and forth, then looked at the picture and remembered when I used to be happy. Tears began to fall from my red swollen eyes the I began to laugh with joy as Mr. Parris ripped the door open...