Before climbing down the hole, Glaidous looked around the church and said, “God Almighty, thank You’s foe’ feedom.” He put his hat on, then turned the light on.
*******
March 22, 2017
Theenda and Donovan met with Mrs. Paddleton and Becky Lou for the first time. He and Theenda's drive was not far because the Paddleton's lived north on the outskirts of Ogville. Theenda said as she got out the car, keep one eye on Becky Lou, she may be working for Mr. Brown.”
“I'm not a kid Baby Girl, everything is covered.”
“Sweetie, be safe.”
Mrs. Paddleton lived in the castle that Charles Brown built when he ran away from his brother Drew, and son Duke in 1800. Her husband died of cancer and never told his family that he was sick. Donovan had no idea that he was meeting the offspring of the family for whom his ancestors were a slave. Donovan walked up on the porch, his heart thumped faster than a newborn baby, his nerves were as fragile as crystal, turbulent thoughts tread out of pace like an unrehearsed marching band. “Is this a trap,” he asked himself. He looked at Theenda and asked her, “are we about to die.” He reached for her hand and held it tight.
Donovan was nervous as he stood in front of the gigantic mahogany double doors. He looked at the golden lion that was holding a great big round golden knocker in its mouth. Donovan stared in the lion’s eyes, and said, “I'm a dead man.”
Theenda used the hand that Donovan was not squeezing and knocked when the door opened, Becky Lou said, “hello, I'm Becky Lou, and you are?”
“Donovan and Theenda Bright,” Theenda answered.
“Come in, Mrs. Paddleton is waiting for you.”
Becky Lou and Mrs. Paddleton were related, though Becky Lou had no idea.
Donovan, Theenda, and Becky Lou entered the library, two walls had bookcases that ran from the high ceiling down to the floor. Mrs. Paddleton was a well-dressed, friendly ninety-seven-year-old woman. She remained seated in a chair next to a beautiful antique desk. Donovan and Theenda went to her, she held out her thin-skinned hand that had big blue veins roaming up and down, like a roadmap. Brown liver spots sprinkled from her elbow down to the back of her hand. “It's a pleasure to meet you Mrs. Paddleton,” they each said.
She responded, “Mr. and Mrs. Bright, the pleasure is all mine, please, have a seat.” She looked at Theenda and said, “you are as beautiful as I have heard.”
Donovan sat in the antique love seat that matched the desk, he looked around at the rest of the room, the furniture dated back to when the house was built. The furnishing, the walls, the woodwork, even the pictures on the wall were meticulously cared for. Donovan remarked, “your home is lovely.”
Theenda sat next to Donovan. Becky Lou had seen Donovan and Theenda pull up, sit in the car, and slowly drag up the walkway to the house. She said, “you hesitated out there.”
“I thought about the many others who were killed,” Donovan said looking at Mrs. Paddleton.
Theenda elbowed him and gave him a stern look.
Mrs. Paddleton caught the look but asked, “What others?”
Donovan said, “I know about Phil and the Stacy family, my student and his family, Breeze.”
Becky Lou said, “that’s not half the people the Browns have murdered, to keep their precious plantation hushed. In the 1800s, Harry V. Brown killed his wife and best friend. His youngest son Drew killed his dad, then years later he killed his brother, Charles, and one of his nephews, and raised the other nephew. One ran away when he was sixteen, the other stayed and became Massa of the plantation, he killed a cousin that got in his way. Between 1875, and now, that's way over a hundred years, the Brown's has killed hundreds.”
Partial of Becky Lou recollection about what exactly happened was missed screwed. Back in the 1800's Charles son, Duke wrote an apologetic letter as to what happened to his father and brother Cody. In the letter, he wrote in detail the events and how he was involved. Charles burned Duke’s letter and rewrote that segment of the family history as Becky explained.
Donovan’s eyes paused on a picture of a man with two boys, and the same man in a picture all alone. Mrs. Paddleton said, “that’s Charles, my husband’s great-great-grandfather.” Mrs. Paddleton studied Donovan's face, and said, “When Becky Lou informed me about your dealings with the Browns slaves, I had to meet you.”
Donovan said, “I read about your family’s activities on the Underground Railroad stations, you have two rooms in your basement that housed runaways until it was safe for them to leave.”
“The man in the picture built this house, it is a smaller replica that Harry V. Brown built. Mr. Charles used the same contractors that constructed Mr. Brown's castle. He turned his home into a station for runaways. His name was Charles Paddleton, he said that there were white Massa’s who would not let their slaves go free, so they ran. Slavery is supposed to be over Mr. Bright. It isn't, is it? You see Mr. Bright, the most brilliant slave Massa in this country, Harry V. Brown, set up an unbreakable steel house. Out of all ninety-seven years of my life, there have been six people who discovered the Browns secret, none found the exact location of the plantation, and they are all dead, because of greed.”
Donovan interrupted and asked, “greed?”
“Yes, they wanted money to keep their mouth shut. You, on the other hand, discovered the plantation, been to the plantation, spoken with the slaves, and promised to get them free. Not once did you bribe the Browns or the police for money, as did the others.”
Donovan looked questioningly at Mrs. Paddleton. He was amazed at her freely giving a stranger an overabundance of information. It flowed easily from her elderly lips. He wondered if she was stalling, or telling the truth, will he walk out alive. “How do you know all this?' Theenda asked.
“All this what? My dear.” Mrs. Paddleton asked.
Theenda said, “about the plantation and Donovan.”
“Please, let this old woman rattle on a bit, is that okay with you two young people?”
“Yes ma'am,” both Donovan and Theenda said at the same time.
Mrs. Paddleton asked, “What is your motivation?”
Donovan answered, “if it were me trapped as a slave, whether I knew about freedom or not, I'd want somebody to be doing all they could to help. The slaves are prisoners who never committed a crime.”
Mrs. Paddleton looked at Theenda and asked, what’s your motivation?”
Theenda said, “now that I know for a fact that there are people held as slaves, it is our God-fearing responsibility to set His people free. I feel very strong about that.”
“Mr. and Mrs. Bright,” Mrs. Paddleton said, “I am going to help you with money, you have to get the slaves far away from here, and I will see to it that you will not be harmed. You cannot afford to make any mistakes. When Beck told me about the memoir, it was I who told her to give you a copy.”
“Thank you.” Donovan said, “they were very helpful.”
“Do you understand that when you save them, they cannot stay here.”
“We have a place to stay, it's a trailer camp that's up for sale, we need money to purchase that.”
“You got it.” Mrs. Paddleton said joyfully.
“Mrs. Paddleton.”
“Yes, Donovan.”
“How do you know so much about the plantation?”
“I read the memoirs. You see they hid them under the floorboards in the children cottage. Beck found the memoirs when she became the relief for the slave girl that watch the children.”
“No, I mean before you received the memoirs.?”
“Ah,” Mrs. Paddleton said, “you are clever. So, you picked up on that I know about the slaves.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Donovan answered.
Mrs. Paddleton looked at Becky Lou and nodded. Becky Lou said, “I am related to those people.”
Theenda jumped, she grabbed Donovan's arm.
“No need to worry Mrs. Bright, the plantation owner is my brother.”
“Y
ou mean to tell me, you lured us here to have us killed?” Theenda asked.
“No.” Mrs. Paddleton said, “not unless they are coming here to kill me as well.”
“No one is getting murdered anymore,” Mrs. Paddleton said with confidence.
“What do you mean?” Theenda asked.
“My brother is tired of the plantation; he wants to travel and see the world. His first stop will be in Nova Scotia, he and his wife want to visit someone named Jeff. But before they leave, the slaves will be killed.”
Donovan, Theenda, and Mrs. Paddleton gasp in shock and discuss. “What are you talking about Beck,” Mrs. Paddleton asked. She looked at Donovan and said, “Mr. Bright, if you are planning on freeing the slaves, now is the time to do so.”
Becky Lou told Donovan that back in the day, four men policed the outer gate, but several years ago that stopped.
“So that's why we've been able to come and go at will,” said Donovan.
Mrs. Paddleton asked Donovan if he had paid close attention to the map of the plantation?”
Donovan replied, “not really, how would anyone know the exact setup.”
Mrs. Paddleton said, “think about it. The nurse is stolen from her family. She’s brought to the house, lied to about her position inside the house. She’s taken down the path, past the forest where bodies are buried, I’m sure not six feet under. I believe anyone would know what a dead body smell like. She’s taken to the children’s area. To deliver a baby she’s escorted to the slave area. She must walk past the slave town, the tobacco fields, to the front of the gate to the opening, into the cabin.”
“I see, Theenda said. “I can only imagine,” she continued, “when they saw the magnitude of the house and the richness of the inside. I’m thinking the nurse may have thought, they had died and gone to heaven. Then said, yes I’ll take the job.”
“And then locked in for years,” Donovan said.
“Not years.” Becky Lou said.
“For the rest of their lives.” Mrs. Paddleton said.
Confused, Donovan said, “you lost me.”
“You see Mr. Bright, the forest they walked past, becomes their grave.” Becky Lou explained.
Theenda said, “you said only a nurse, the memoir has where a teacher entered notes.”
“Oh, that’s right. The nurse got to go to the slave quarters and back to the children area with the baby. The teacher stayed in the children compound.” Becky Lou explained.
“Have either of you notice that there's a dark stillness in this area?” Mrs. Paddleton asked.
“Yes ma’am, I’ve noticed that we drove through MacCall, the darkness and smell is thick,” Theenda said.
She looked at Theenda and asked. “That was your mother they hung, right?”
“Yes, ma'am.”
“You were smart not to try and find out what happened, they would have eliminated you. Murder and those slaves are the dark clouds that hover over these three towns. You’re right Mrs. Bright, that smell is stronger on the west side of MacCall.” Mrs. Paddleton stood and continued, “I have something for you.” She went over to a desk, pulled out a checkbook, as she wrote she said, “Beck go get the cases.”
Mrs. Paddleton gave Donovan a check. She said, “the first of many.”
“This is enough for the down payment for the trailer homes,” Donovan said with excitement.
“You fill in the name of the real estate company.”
Donovan stared at the check and said, “this is overly generous of you, I wasn't expecting anything, he asked, “how did you know the cost of the trailers?”
“I didn’t, I prayed to ask the Lord, how much? Then wrote down that amount.”
Theenda said, “bless you.”
Mrs. Paddleton said, “I have cash that I am going to give you.”
Becky Lou entered the library and sat two black cases in front of Donovan, Mrs. Paddleton said, I’ll walk you out to your car,” she looked at Becky Lou and said, “Beck, please fix me something to eat, I am hungry.”
Becky Lou said, “yes ma’am.” She turned and left.
Mrs. Paddleton got her cane and walked the Bright’s to their car, standing next to the car she explained the briefcases content, she said, “one has cash, and in the other case, my husband's great-great-grandfather recorded everything, from the beginning of H.B. Metropolis, to when he ran for his life. I have a black case filled with the original documents; you have the copy of those same documents. I believe Mr. Bright that you will enjoy the content. Keep it safe.”
Theenda asked, “why did Mr. Paddleton write about the plantation.”
Donovan put the briefcases in the car, Mrs. Paddleton said, “Harry V. Brown was Mr. Charles father. Becky Lou has the story about the Browns wrong.”
Donovan saw Becky Lou coming towards them, he quickly asked, “you’re related to her? Does she know?”
“No, she does not.”
Becky Lou walked up to them and said, “Mrs. Paddleton, I will take you to that Japanese Stake House you like. I’m paying.”
Mrs. Paddleton said, “that sounds delicious.”
Donovan asked Becky Lou, “how do you know Mrs. Paddleton?”
Becky Lou looked over at Mrs. Paddleton, then said, “on weekends I clean her home, cook enough meals to last throughout the week. I fill her in on what's happening on the plantation. Plus, her granddaughter got me out a jam.”
He looked at Mrs. Paddleton and said, “Thank you Mrs. Paddleton. I am lost for words at your generosity.”
“Thank you, Mr. Bright, I have always wanted to see the slaves become fugitives during my lifetime.”
“Why didn't you help them escape?” Donovan asked.
“My husband used to say, it’s not time, it will happen on God’s time.”
Donovan shook his head and said, “I was nervous about coming here.” He looked at Theenda, and continued, “I thought maybe it was a setup, my thoughts were on my wife, how much I would miss her and she would miss me, I sat in my car thinking leave, run. I'm glad I didn't. Thank you both.”
Theenda said, “yes, thank you.”
Becky Lou said, “you haven't seen the last of me yet, I have to go with you, or brother will have me killed.”
Donovan said, “If your life is in danger, let me know, I will help you escape to someplace safe; you can leave now.”
Mrs. Paddleton asked, “how did you come by the name Theenda.”
“My mother wanted one child, a son preferably. I'm the youngest of three when I was born, she said I am through having children, this is The End of this, pronounced, Thee-End-Da. She never had another child.”
Becky Lou turned to Mrs. Paddleton and said, “I believe in this, I can't stop.” She looked at Donovan and said, I have more information at the bus station.”
Mrs. Paddleton said, “you said train station Beck.”
“I did? Oh, I did.”
“Be careful Beck.” Mrs. Paddleton said frowning, “you cannot be careless, child.”
“Will do,” said Becky Lou. She looked at Mrs. Paddleton and asked, “do you mind if I stayed the night and leave in the morning.”
“Don't mind at all, but first take me to that steak house.”
Becky Lou looked at Donovan and asked, “How are you getting them out?”
“Don't ever tell anyone that info.” Mrs. Paddleton said to Donovan, then looked at Becky and said, “that is none of your business.”
Donovan looked at Mrs. Paddleton and said, “again, I cannot thank you enough.”
“You are welcome.”
“Why are you doing this?” Donovan asked.
“My family approve of what you're doing. Beck gave me two keys to the gates; they are in the case with the money.”
Theenda hugged Mrs. Paddleton, she said, “you are a wonderful lady.” She hugged Becky Lou and said, “thank you for introducing us to Mrs. Paddleton, and helping.”
Mrs. Paddleton and Becky Lou watched them drive off, she whispered, “God be wi
th you.”
Becky Lou said, “they are very young.”
“They are chosen, by God.” Mrs. Paddleton said.
“Amen,” Becky Lou agreed.
Mrs. Paddleton said joyfully, “I’m going to wash up and change clothes”
Becky Lou asked, “why?”
“You’re taking me out to dinner.”
They laughed as they entered the house.
Donovan had driven his sports car with the top down to Mrs. Paddleton, he said, “I’ll have to leave my car behind.”
Theenda said, “this is happening. Sweetie, we’re abolitionist.”
“Leaving my truck, this car, your car behind. Everything behind Baby Girl.”
“Sweetie, we are saving lives, we’ll buy more things. I’m sure on the other end of the world there are stores.”
Donovan reply, “new car and truck. Okay. I like that.”
Theenda said, “we’ll have to pay our cars off and leave only the car manual in the car.”
“Good idea, let’s clean the cars out when we get home.”
XXXVI
Haze Return
Early one school morning, Donovan had already left for work, Theenda was moving a little slow that day because she was not feeling well. She leaped out of bed and ran to the bathroom and regurgitated, this was her third morning dashing to the bathroom. Before going to work she stopped at the drugstore and purchased a pregnancy test. The cashier who was friends with Theenda asked, “are you having a baby for our town?”
Theenda thought before answering, she knew that Haze was returning in one week which would be just in time to help slaves escape, she answered the cashier laughing, “I’ll know tonight.”
The cashier replied, “stop past in the morning and let us know.”
Another employee joined the conversation and said, “I hope you have a boy, too many girls were born this year.”
The three women laughed, Theenda said, “until tomorrow ladies.” She left and drove to the school, in the parking lot she asked herself, “how am I going to be an abolitionist, expecting?” She bowed her head and prayed, “Lord, please be in total control of the abolitionist, slaves, our escape, and this child. In Jesus name, amen.” As Theenda entered the school Donovan flashed in her mind, if he learned that she was pregnant he would stop the escape. At that moment, Theenda decided to not tell her husband, until it was too late.
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