Libertie

Libertie and Emmanuel have a private cabin aboard their ship to Haiti. Unlike other ships, accommodation is not restricted to white people. Cathy does not bid them farewell from the pier. At sea, Libertie becomes seasick. She spends the days in agony, but each night Emmanuel comes and sits with her, drawing botanical sketches on her bare back with his finger. He lays down naked beside her, and she watches as he touches his body. They repeat the pattern each day and night until Libertie is strong enough to walk around the ship. Emmanuel begins to teach Libertie the French Creole language that is spoken in Haiti, and one night they have sex for the first time. Before Libertie left, Cathy gave her a batch of homemade contraceptives. However, Libertie throws them away as a demonstration of her love for Emmanuel.

The couple arrives in Jacmel in Haiti. Though Emmanuel describes it as “the most beautiful city in the world” (170), Libertie sees little more than a typical town. She feigns delight for her husband, but as she begins to understand how far from home she has travelled, Libertie cries. They stay at an impressive house belonging to Emmanuel’s father.