From Ogville to Titleburk all the hotels were full. Those who had motorhomes stayed in them, others had tents, Ogville park and amphitheater was being used for seating and a stage for the performers, MacCall beach became the campsite.
By ten o`clock on Saturday morning, a little under thirty-nine thousand people were crowded in Ogville, with the expectancy of thousands more to attend the festivities. Lunchtime Blake Sheldon was going to sing only two songs. Eight o`clock that evening, his concert was going to be a show. Fog lights, strobe lights, the stage was going to sparkle and glow, Blake Sheldon’s people were setting up Hollywood style. It was estimated that fifty thousand people planned to attend the night show. He was going to sing two songs with his girlfriend, Gwen Stefani. Donovan said to a committee member, “tonight is going to be an overcrowded exciting hullabaloo.”
When the Ogville mayor heard what Titleburk mayor was trying to do, the two men got into a heated argument. Barbara loved country music. Charles brought her to hear her favorite crooner, he arranged for her to meet him and his girlfriend backstage after the concert. Nonetheless, before the program began, he stood listening to the two mayors argue.
Charles Brown, grandson of Harry Victor Brown, and Donovan Victor Bright, grandson of Paula, Harry’s slave. During the Juneteenth Celebration, the two men were only a few paces from each other, separated by a crowd of people, when the mass dispersed, Donovan and Charles's eyes met. The men had never seen each other, yet they knew exactly who the other was. They froze as they stared in each other’s eyes.
Donovan noticed that Charles appearance was commanding and in charge, he was an aristocrat, his movements were exact, not normal. He looked like a man with a dark secret, Charles emotionless eyes made Donovan shiver. Charles smiled as he observed that Donovan was a chivalrous strong-minded young man, he was what he hoped his son would be but failed. Charles looked in Donovan’s determined eyes and thought, I have to watch him, or he’ll destroy me.
When their momentarily paralyzed gaze ended, Charles found his wife, he took her to the two Mayors that was quarreling. Donovan watched the stranger go over to the Mayors, he wanted to hear him speak, so in a distance followed Charles and his wife. Donovan smiled when he heard Charles unique voice, it was a baritone soft imposing, smooth velvet tone. Charles said, “MacCall is between these two towns, we have the biggest space by the river that will hold twice as many people that's currently here.” He looked at Ogville mayor and asked, “which I believe I heard close to forty thousand is in attendance, correct?” [RL108]
“Yes.” Ogville’s Mayor answered.
“Then it's settled, MacCall will host this event yearly by the MacCall River.” He looked at the Mayors and asked, “do you agree?”
Both Mayors and several members of the planning committee said, “yes.”
Donovan walked away but kept a close watch on Charles, he called Theenda and said, “stay home, the Browns are here.” Donovan left whispering to himself as he went to his car, he said in a matter of fact tone, “he’s gotta go.”
Charles looked around to see if Donovan was still in the area, he did not see him, Charles exhaled and continued speaking, he said, “I will sit on the committee with you.” He looked at the partial committee members that were around him and said, “you did a splendid job. He and his wife left.
Charles and Barbara strolled around, they purchased things from several vendors and ate, Charles got his blood pressure checked, it was high, the nurse suggested that he go to his doctor. On their way to the concert, Charles said to Barbara, “Sunday morning we’ll be gone.”
Barbara asked, “how are you going to sit on the committee.”
Charles said, “it’s once a year, how hard can it be, those sorry looking ragga muffins did it. Can’t be that hard.” He and Barbara laughed. They sat in the VIP section, Charles said, “I got a glance of Mr. Bright. He stands out from the rest.” Charles looked around at the people and the decorated stage.
The announcer got on the stage and introduced the first performers and broadcast that Blake Shelton was performing in about an hour, the crowd went berserk with cheers. Everyone knew he was there because he was in the parade on Friday. Barbara enthusiastically said, “all this is that young man’s doing,” she stood applauded and cheered with the crowd.
Charles beamed with satisfaction; his wife was having a good time. But deep within, he felt that something was wrong. When Barbara sat down Charles whispered, “we may have to take him out before we leave.”
“Who?”
Charles answered, “the planner, Mr. Bright, I got bad vibes from him.”
Barbara said, “tomorrow after you preach,” they both laughed, she continued, “on our way to Canada, I’ll call Stevens.”
Charles put his arm around Barbara and said, “one last job.”
Donovan stood and watched wall to wall people, the park was so crowded it looked like a cluster of ants scurrying about. Standing there watching, he flashed back to the meeting with KayKay and the other Ogville black residence, a woman said, “white people will not come to a Juneteenth, thing.”
Donovan smiled, about eighty-five percent of the attendees were white. He left.
*******
Beginning June twelve through the sixteenth, Glaidous had been holding midnight revival. Charles allowed him to have the services, however, the disclaimer was he would end the revival by preaching on Sunday morning. Holding church service at midnight was the brainstorm of Donovan, it was his suggestion to Lee in a note left by the gate. It was the only way to get the slaves together and out of their cabins.
Since the slaves work in the field ended early on Saturday, Glaidous was in Lillie and Lee’s cabin, he said, “let’s git’ everybody to da’ church after work, feed them. We’ll start everythang’ early.”
Lee said, “dat’s right unk, we make sho’ we leave on time.”
“Lawd a’ mercy we’s talkin’ bout’ bein’ a walk-about,” Lilly said as she paced the floor.
*******
Ten Fifteen
Tess returned to Haze house when she moved into the hotel, she left most of her things behind. She was back in the house to pack a few items of clothing, mementos her mother had given her, and a picture of her mother. Tess father killed her mother, first he strangled her then pushed her down a flight of stairs. He claimed she stumbled. Being a police officer, at first, Tess father got away with the murder. But the coroner pulled the fingerprints from around her neck, her father was put in prison. He wrote Tess an apologetic letter, that claimed her mother accidentally fell to her death. In the letter, he asked her to come to visit him, because life was hard in jail for a police officer, and to tell his lawyer that he was innocent.
Tess set the letter on fire in the kitchen sink, she said, “there were finger marks around moms’ neck.” She looked around the house and was satisfied she had taken all she wanted; she took nothing for Haze.
She took her wedding ring off and laid it on the coffee table. Before getting in her car, she put the key to the house in the mailbox, then drove to the Juneteenth celebration. Unfortunately, Tess strategy to humiliate Haze in front of Mrs. Paddleton, and get Donovan from Theenda, failed. She was put out of the Paddleton’s home and ignored by Donovan, Tess was fuming. [RL109]
*******
During spring break Donovan and Theenda flew home to New York. While there, Theenda visited her sister, who was attending a secretarial school. Since their mother was hung, and father was nowhere to be found, her sister cleaned up her life, her six children, and the apartment she lived in. While Theenda was at her sister’s home, a courier delivered a letter from their dad. He wrote stating, “your brother ran to Paris France, where he worked for a construction company. Earlier this year, I returned home, I was broke and struggling in Paris, your mother wrote saying she had a guaranteed way to get lots of money, in a southern town. After your mother’s death, I left again for Paris, a few months after my return, your brother was killed instantly
when a scaffold he was on, broke and fell to the ground. Shortly after his accident, I was diagnosed with cancer. For three years I knew something was wrong but did not go to the doctor. When I went, cancer had aggressively spread throughout my body. I apologized girls I always knew where your brother was, I apologize for not being there for you.”
He ended the letter saying, “if you’re reading this letter, I have died. There are three checks in the letter, one from your brother’s insurance and his compensation for a faulty scaffold. The other is my Insurance. I saved the money for you two, I pray this makeup for my negligence.”
Staring at the checks Theenda said, “sis, between these checks, there are eight hundred thousand dollars we can split.” They jumped up and down like children outside playing. Theenda stopped and asked, “wait, aren’t we supposed to be crying?”
Her sister said, “girl please, let’s go to the bank now before you return home.”
While Theenda and her sister read a sad letter, Donovan sat with his parents and told them all about the Brown plantation, and how he, Thee, and four buddies were freeing the slaves. Sara said, “son be careful.”
James sat deep in thought and said,” you can’t do this alone, with just a handful of people. That don’t sit right with me.”
“Nor me,” Sara agreed with her husband.
*******
Ten Thirty
Theenda took their packed luggage down the steps and set them next to the door. To rest, she sat down, ate a pickle, then fell asleep. James and Sara had flown to Ogville to help with the escape. A cab dropped them off in front of the Bright’s home. The doorbell rung, Theenda answered, she was surprised and happy to see them, even though she nor Donovan knew they were coming. They wanted their visit to be a surprise.
James walked in saying, “there is no way we could sit at home knowing what you two are trying to do.”
“That’s right,” Sara agreed. “And you being pregnant and all, hum’um, I had to come.”
Theenda said, “we appreciate it.” She gave them a hug and said, “Donovan is at the Juneteenth celebration. I’m packing things in my car, meet Donovan there, I’m not coming back home,” and then it hit her. She stood next to the sofa her mother had chased her behind, she said as tears rolled down her cheeks, “our first home together. I’m going to miss my class, I’ve made friends.” She cried.
Sara wrapped her arms around Theenda, and said, “it’s going to be alright Thee.”
A very uncomfortable James said, “I’ll pack the car.” He grabbed two bags and took them in the garage where Theenda’s car was parked.
When he entered the house Sara asked, “Jay, did you pay the cab?”
“Yes, you jumped out the car so fast it startled me and the driver.”
As Theenda reached for her suitcase Sara said, “child put that down. Carry you and my grand-babies out to the car, Jay and I got the bags.”
Sara agreed. Theenda had texted Donovan, to let him know that his parents were in town and they were on their way. He texted back stating he was at Mrs. Paddleton’s, he was coming home after the visit. As they waited, Theenda said, “I am about to be a cook at the Brown family house, then free the children”
James said, “you're not going out there alone young lady.”
Theenda showed them the map of the Brown mansion and plantation. She had copied the map of the different gates. James continued saying, “I’ll open the gates and help with the children escape.”
Theenda asked, “how long are you staying, we’re leaving at midnight.”
Sara said, “as long as it takes.”
Eleven O`clock
In Mrs. Paddleton’s home was Mrs. Paddleton, Phillipa, Phillip, and Haze. He had a deep scratch from his forehead to the top of his lip. Donovan looked at Haze and asked, “what did you do?”
“I told you, it’s not me.”
Phillipa said, “in front of us, she was kind and gentle. And then…”
“Yes,” Phillip said, “upstairs away from us, she turned into a loud boorish rough idiot.”
Haze said miserably, “this is why I want the divorce. I was fine, no cuts, no bruises, now look at me.”
“Okay, you three.” Mrs. Paddleton said as she handed Donovan the letter that Charles had written long ago. She continued by saying, “Donovan this young man has been roughed up enough. Get that wild child to sign those divorce papers. I am against that but in this situation, I realized there are times when my belief, needs to be put aside.”
Phillip said, “that’s right grandma.”
Getting back on track, Phillipa surprised Donovan with the news that the Paddleton's knew they were related but the Browns had no idea. Phillip said, “they are a murderous common lot.” He pointed to Haze and continued, “his wife belong with them.”
Phillipa said, “not because we think we're better, simply we like people, so we have nothing to do with them.”
Mrs. Paddleton said, “back in the 1800s, any distance more than ten miles could take a day or more to travel. To get away from the family Charles came to Ogville which was days away. We know we’re related to them because of Charles memoir and this letter.” Mrs. Paddleton pointed at the letter Donovan was holding then continued, “put it in the black case, now our cases match seamlessly.”
Donovan said, Thank you Mrs. Paddleton.” He looked at Haze and said, “man, I’m sorry.”
Haze said, “no prob.”
“Good,” Mrs. Paddleton began then said, “you two remain, friends, through this adventure your about to do, you’ll need each other.”
Phillipa asked Donovan, “is there anything I can do to help?”
When Phillipa asked the question, an answer to Theenda's suggestion popped in his head. Donovan zoned out for a minute, he remembered Theenda’s text saying his parents had come to town. He would ask if his dad would help drive across the country since they were in town.
Mrs. Paddleton asked, “Donovan are you with us?”
“Yes ma’am, I just figured out a solution for something.” He looked at Phillipa and said, “thank you for asking but for now all is well, it’s kind of you to offer.”
Phillipa said, “your wife has my number if you need anything…”
Donovan smiled and said, “you’re so kind, the whole family is unbelievably great.”
Mrs. Paddleton walked Donovan to the door, and said, “Chief Gideon is quietly helping you, all he can. It’s Stevens the Chief of MacCall and Titleburk that’s in the Browns pocket. Go with care young man.” She handed him a briefcase filled with cash. “I'm giving you cash again and not a check. For quick use.”
Donovan took her hand in both of his and said with a big smile, “thank you Mrs. Paddleton. Without you and your family, I’m not sure we could pull this off.”
Haze, Phillip, and Phillipa joined Donovan and Mrs. Paddleton by the door, Phillip said, “I’ll bring Haze this evening to the junkyard.”
Donovan said, “Mrs. Paddleton maybe you can explain, how did Thee’s mother know about the slaves.”
Phillip, Phillipa, and Mrs. Paddleton laughed, she said, “It was all planned, one of your church members heard your wife talking to the pastor about her evil mother, pushed down steps, beatings, the list is long. We don’t know who in that church enticed Mrs. Carboy here by dangling money. You didn’t know she was here because she was supposed to stay for two weeks, then receive hush money. We all knew she would go looking for her daughter. We were right, she went banging at your door. Unknown to you and Mrs. Carboy, she was being watched closely, by us.”
“How did your group get Mrs. Carboy address?”
Phillipa laughed, “the address from the birthday card, Theenda mailed it from the Post Office. They are all about catching criminals.”
Phillip said, “your wife spoke with the pastor a week before the card was sent, that’s when a plan went into motion.”
Mrs. Paddleton said, “every time you went out to that plantation you were followed, for your
protection. When you took Haze to the airport, how do you think he got a seat so quick?”
Donovan said, “I don’t know.”
Mrs. Paddleton said, “Felix, who is Chief Gideon’s right-hand man, called Thee and told her what to say. Then he called the airport and gave them your name, instructing them to give what you wanted.”
Phillip said, “man, you and your boys went out there a lot, delivering stuff.”
Donovan said, “digging tools, food, medicine, all black clothes.” He stopped talking for a moment then continued, “I saw Mr. Charles Brown today. He’s a well-dressed scary looking man.”
Mrs. Paddleton answered, “It’s because of keeping a secret that’s so big. You can’t fix him so save them.”
Donovan said trying to figure it out, “Mrs. Paddleton, you’re like the Underground Railroad.”
“Exactly,” Mrs. Paddleton confirmed.
Donovan said, “one last question, did my wife know her mother was coming?”
“No, that would have frightened her,” Phillip answered.
Haze said to Donovan, “it is such a blessing to be a part of this. Think I’ll start going to church.”
Donovan asked Haze, “you’re becoming a Christian?”
“Naw man, I’ve had bad dealing with those people. They are mean.”
Phillip said, “yea, I’ve run into a lot that’s like that. There is a handful that’s nice.”
Haze said, “I haven’t run into a needle full of good Christian.”
Mrs. Paddleton said, “yes you did, Donovan and his wife.”
Haze paused in mind and soul before he said in a whisper, “that’s right. He’s my first and true friend.”
Donovan said, “group hug.”
They laughed as they group hugged.
Twelve O`clock
Donovan was on his way home; his heart was pounding fifty miles a second.
*******
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