A man’s center of gravity, the substance of his being, consists in what he has executed and performed in his life. The young man was the master of vast acres of sugarcane fields. He had married his childhood love. They grew up together and knew each others deepest secrets and most angelic prayers. As she lay dying, her last request to her young husband was to raise their daughter to be a Southern Lady. He whispered, “I promise.”

Although the ache lay deep in his heart, his reserve lay in his little girl. He gave her the name Isabelle Louise, the name he and his wife had decided on. He did love little Ishy. He showered her with the best of everything. She worshiped him. He hoped that by treating her like a Southern Lady, it would be his best effort to keep his promise to his wife. Ishy matured quickly likely because her father spoke to her like she was an equal. She had the beauty of her mother and the vigor of her father.