Jess (7)

Jess and Theo become intimate. As Jess prepares to fix dinner, she thinks about how the two of them had visited the American Art Museum. Theo had shown her all his favorites and focused on a Black servant in one of them, an element that has long been overlooked. He also pointed out a work by Kehinde Wiley, who put a Black man in a traditional scene of Napoleon. What happened when they got back to Jess’s apartment was spontaneous.

Over dinner, the two discuss their chosen professions. Theo explains how he got started in art, and they have their first argument over John Berger, an art critic. Jess feels irritated and defensive and wonders if Theo is a snob, but they end up laughing.

The next day, Jess and Theo return to the Natural History Museum, and she shows him her projects. When she returns to work on Monday, she cannot stop thinking about Theo. He is different from her previous lovers, most of whom had been activists and adventurers. Jess decides she had better work and examines the horse’s skull. As she does, she notices a malformation in the bone beneath the eye that indicates something horrible happened to this horse.

Ten Broeck’s Jarret (6)

The Post Stakes race day has arrived, and Jarret must help Meichon with his nerves. Only four horses will race. Twenty thousand people are packed into the Metairie as Lexington, Lecompte, Arrow, and Highlander prepare to take the track. Abe Hawkins, called the Black Prince, will ride Arrow. White jockey Gilbert Watson Patrick will control Highlander. Lecompte, however, is Lexington’s primary competition, and he is owned by General Thomas Jefferson Wells, Ten Broeck’s main rival.

Lexington quickly takes the lead as the race begins. Abe lashes Arrow as Lecompte noses past. Highlander falters. Lecompte draws up to Lexington, and they are neck and neck. Then Lexington slides forward and takes a narrow lead. Lecompte leaps forward with a burst of speed, but Lexington takes the challenge and dashes to the post, the winner.

The second heat will be between Lexington, Lecompte, and Highlander. Arrow has been distanced. Jarret cools Lexington down, and Meichon regroups. Jarret thinks of the jockey as a young colt broken too soon.

Lexington takes the rail as the second heat begins, but Lecompte soon manages the lead. Highlander comes up even with Lexington, but Lexington suddenly lunges ahead. He gains on Lecompte and then leaves him behind to win the second heat and the Post Stakes title. Ten Broeck meets Jarret in the winner’s circle and tells him that he can choose fifty dollars, a month of time off, or a tutor as his reward.

After Jarret has cared for Lexington, he goes up to his quarters only to find Mary Barr there. He is embarrassed and tells her to leave. She, however, wants to warn him. The tensions between North and South are growing, and she worries about Jarret. She only leaves when Jarret promises to visit her the next day.

Jarret brings Lexington to a nearby farm so that the horse can rest for a few weeks. Then he goes into town to meet Mary Barr. Again, she warns him of the problems the country is facing and the threat her father received. She wants Jarret to come back to the Meadows, where he will be safe, but Jarret will not leave Lexington. Jarret tells Mary Barr to leave him alone.

Later that night, Ten Broeck calls Jarret to him. He knows about Mary Barr’s visit and Jarret’s meeting with her, but he is not...