She Was Deemed Unmarriageable—So Her Father Gave Her to the Strongest Slave, Virginia 1856

The logic was terrifying and flawless.

“Did you ask him?” I insisted.

“Not yet. I wanted to tell you before.”

"What if I refuse?"

At that moment, my father's face aged ten years. "Then I'll continue to look for a white husband, we'll both know I'll fail, and you'll spend your life after my death in boarding houses, dependent on the charity of relatives who consider you a burden."

He was right. I hated that he was right.

"Can I meet him? Talk to him before making this decision, for both of our sakes."