*******
Far away in the most North-West town in America, Donovan and his caravan drove from New York to the State of Washington. the freedmen and women were learning trades. Located a few miles from their dwelling place was a glue factory, several of the men were hired there, to do heavy labor. Many of the women were hired to work on the assembly line. The freedmen and women had to get used to working beside White Americans. Due to the brainwashing, they endured behind the iron gates they have limited people skills. Nonetheless, each evening the faithful abolitionist taught them how to respond and enter act with other humans.
At first, the slave children attended the city school with other children, but environmentally, socially, and academically they were behind. The elderly women made quilts, and the elderly men continued to make beautiful wood furniture, Theenda landed a deal with a furniture store that wanted full rights to sell their furniture and quilts. Donovan's mom worked up the paperwork to make it legal. The store purchased the wood and equipment, and built a warehouse, to make furniture and quilts. The freedmen and women loved getting up every morning catching the bus to work.
In the beginning, several city folks were leery about so many blacks being in their neck of the woods. Others were happy for their craftsmanship and their desire to work hard and thorough.
Timpkin, Theenda, Tess, and KayKay joined Donovan who was standing under a tree reading the newspaper from Ogville. Mrs. Paddleton had sent him an article regarding Jeff's death. Theenda said, “we did it, we got away. No more plantation owners.”
Donovan looked up from the paper and asked, “what about your sister?”
“She decided to stay in The Big Apple, with mom dead, she and the kids are safe.”
Donovan said, “good for her.”
Thee said, “with the money, dad left us she attended secretarial school and is an administrative assistant for the FBI in New York Office.” She kissed Donovan on the cheek and said, “thank you for talking John into selling sis his home.”
“You wouldn't let me give her mom and dad's house.”
“Taxes are too high in that Rochester neighborhood.”
Changing the subject Timpkin said quietly, “all three of my children are talking about moving here, how do you feel about that?”
Donovan said, “are you kidding me, my whole family is here.”
James and Sara had gone to town to get the mail out of their Post Office Box. They had a key to Donovan’s box. When they arrived at the trailer’s, James saw Donovan and the others, he walked over and handed Donovan a letter from The Office Of The Inspection General.
After reading the letter he said, “they want all the abolitionist and the same freedmen and women to return to the plantation. He looked at his dad and said, “we just came from there, why they want us to come back?”
James said, “I don’t know, I’d like to go back.”
Donovan replied, “okay, I’ll call a meeting and let them know.”
*******
Donovan asked the church pastor if they could use their recreation room, to meet with the freedmen and women, the pastor granted Donovan permission.
Before the meeting began, Lillie said, “I want to confess.”
Glaidous asked, “what did you do, Lillie?”
Lillie stood and came clean when she announced, “Helen is my child when I gave birth to a baby girl, I asked the nurse to name my child after her. The nurse said I can't do that, I will name her, Helen, after my mother. I said thank you when she’s given to someone else, I will know she’s my child.”
Helen stood next to her and said, “the nurse told me about the agreement. Even though I was given to another couple, I knew Miss. Lillie was my mom.”
Lillie said, “the nurse could have been killed for doing what she did, she said to me that I cain’t tell, I told her I won’t. Now we be free, I’m telling.”
Glaidous said, “Lillie told me about Helen after Massa Tom beat Lillie’s husband to death.
Lee said, “my mom wants me to come and live with her. I can’t do that. I would like to visit her, get to know her, Miss Lillie be my mom.”
Donovan said, “I thought she was moving here.”
Lee said, “my uncle won’t let her.” He looked at Donovan miserably and asked, “can you save her Mr. Bright?”
And ex-slave named Peter said, “my psychologist said we cain’t leave each other cause we be brainwashed. That be why Lee cain’t live with that woman.”
KayKay’s daughter stood and said to Donovan, “he’s right, on the plantation they were taught to believe, that their life belonged to their Massa.”
Faye said, “Massa say, slave cain’t take care of dey’ baby, cause we too stupid and dumb. Massa smart, dey care fo’ our babies. We be too dumb and stupid.” As Faye spoke her voice sounded teary, her shoulders slumped.
KayKay’s daughter went to Faye, put her arm around her and said, “the children from age, I’d say eight or nine will never leave the compound structure. It’s really a blessing Donovan, that you found a place for all of them to stay together.”
Donovan said, “God through Haze got this place.”
Theenda said, “They can't leave each other because they are emotionally and mentally depended on each other. Due to brainwashing, they received from the Browns.”
Donovan said, “I have the parents phone numbers that kept their child. The children that are six years and older are having a hard time adjusting. One of the parents called me and said, her eleven-year-old daughter killed herself. Her daughter told her that she had to find the nurse and teacher, or Massa would be mad. While everyone was sleeping, the girl left and started walking, she got confused when a truck was rushing down the street, he hit her, she was killed instantly.
Theenda mention, “the children confusion is happening across board, Donovan and I searched and found psychiatrist near their homes. The children needed to stay with everyone else. We didn’t know, nor did the psychologist in New York prepared or knew.”
Lillie said, “when the houses be built. Rita says she be moving in one. Rita tried to leave, she pretends she’s happy.”
Donovan looked at Lee and said, “flying to H.B., we’ll take a detour to Philadelphia, rent a car and go see your mom.”
Lee’s wife said, “I don’t believe they will fly. Jethro and Ben’s fiancée and I will drive down, we’ll talk to them.”
Lee said, “I’m taking drivers lessons, Rita gave me the number to the company that taught her how to drive.”
Donovan looked at Lee’s wife and said, “that’s if you have the baby, the agents want us there in a few weeks.”
Lee’s wife looked at Donovan and said, “please make it four weeks, the baby is due next week.”
One of the freedwomen said, “Helen be watchin’ yo’ twins Mr. Bright, I’s watch Lee’s baby.”
Lillie said, “that sound like a good plan.”
Donovan said, “I’ll call the agent, see if I can stretch it to five weeks.”
Timpkin went to the front and stood next to Donovan and said, “I looked up on my phone, the Crime & Law Enforcement number of people shot to death by the police in the United States in 2017 and 2018. In 2017 White shot and killed four hundred fifty-seven, Blacks two hundred twenty-three. In 2018, White three hundred eighteen, Blacks one hundred fifty-eight. Though an essay written by a judge discusses the “missing or nonreported police cases, it talks about the inaccuracy of officers involved in the fatal shooting.”[RL121]
Donovan scrolled through google on his phone and said, “a number of hate groups explained over two, three, and this one reads five thousand blacks were killed by police due to our inability to…”
Theenda looking at the expressions on the freedmen and women faces cut Donovan off and said, “we need to withdraw from this conversation it’s making some uncomfortable.” As she spoke, she discretely used her hands to get Donovan and Timpkin to look at the expression on the freedmen and women faces.
&nbs
p; KayKay’s daughter caught on and said, “I believe Thee is right, let's change the subject.”
XLIII
Freedom Home
Within the trailer camp the slaves wanted to congregate with each other, but outside was too cold. Every time they had a meeting, the church charged a fee, for that reason, Donovan used his brother’s skills to build a place big enough for meetings, have social events, or just congregate to talk. John contacted a company that had steel building kits, with heat and electricity. By February 2018, the building was up and ready to use, it sat in a corner of the trailer park. It had bathrooms, huge kitchen, cloakroom, and a large recreation hall. Donovan purchased two hundred fifty chairs and sixty tables that his wife and mom chose. There was enough space to have a party and dance. Theenda and Sara designed the building’s interior from the floor to the ceiling, they chose all the appliances, pots, silverware, and dishes.
Donovan chose a white metal roof to coincide with the snowcapped mountains. He had the men to paint the shutters around the windows glossy black, the building was a metallic gray. When Theenda and Sara finished, the inside was elegantly ornamented and furnished. The metal building was spectacular on the outside and breathtaking inside, so much so, the townspeople held social events in the building.
*******
In their trailer, Glaidous was reclined next to his wife, they each had a lazy boy. He said, “I's likes my new life, in this world, I would have children.”
“Me to Glaidous,” she asked, “does it ever bother you that after I was beat till I lost our child, we killed our babies before they were born?”
“Yes, but I look at the cuts and scars on my body, I's thank, I's won't no child of mine ta' go through what we did.”
“I's look at my beat-up body,” Sophie said, “I's feel the same, I's remember Cush first beatin,' I felt every lash,” she looked sorrowful at Glaidous. She continued, “we would not be allowed to raise our baby.”
Glaidous said, “ain’t no tellin which child we’d receive. Thank God Donovan came when he did,” Glaidous looked over at Sophie and continued, “what bother me, is how you got rid of the baby.”
Sophie smiled back and said, “I’s still miss Massa and da’ pantation.’ Sometimes I’s cry cause I’s wonts’ ta’ go back, Massa smarter den’ you.”
Glaidous got up, looked down at Sophie and said, “I’m going to sis, I may never be back.”
The mountain group had their Thanksgiving Day dinner with church members in the black church fellowship hall. Normally on the plantation, the freedmen and women did not celebrate the holiday. The members fixed a huge meal, with several different cakes and pies. The meal was delicious and beautiful.
Children laughter filled the air with joy, as gospel and Christmas music from the C.D. player enhanced the mood.
At sunset, they all gathered around the piano, and taught each other their songs and shared stories of hardship and good times. Everyone was on one accord, Lillie said, “this day will go down in history as a good and perfect day.”
*******
Two days after the feast, Lillie was resting in her living room with the television on, her favorite shows were the soaps. She gathered her quilt about her as she laid back in her lazy boy. Outside was cold and blustery, inside her home was hot.
Rita walked up to Lillie's door and rang the doorbell, Lillie yelled, “come in.”
“Miss. Lillie, how are you?” Lee, Cush, and Lillie's trailer home was long wide and roomy. The front door opened to a small hallway on the right was the living room and the kitchen to the left. Miss. Lillie said, “I'm staying out the cold and watching my soaps. Rita entered the exceptionally clean trailer, she sat on the couch. “Good morning Miss. Lillie,” Rita began and then continued, “I came to check on you, I got a job at the hospital, they are going to train me to be a nurse aid.” Rita beamed from cheek to cheek.
Miss. Lillie sat up and said with joy, “oh baby, that is wonderful, you's gonna' be a nurse likes' Miss. Tess.”
“Not quite like Miss. Tess, she went to college for four years. My training is for a few months at the hospital.”
“But you still gonna' be learnin.' I am so proud of you young folk.” She laid back grimace in pain and held her stomach.
Rita went over to her and said, “I think you ate too much Thanksgiving dinner the other day.”
“Child, we all ate too much, I's neva' seed' so much food in all my life, I neva’ knew there was so many different types of meat, I’s neva seed a bird dat’ big.”
Lillie frowned this time in serious pain. “I'm going to get Miss. Edna.”
Lillie said, “get Mr. Bright brotha,’ he be a docta. Miss. Enda need da’ rest, I’s thank she goin’ ta’ have does’ babies early.”
Lillie grimaced in pain and passed gas. Rita said, “Miss Lillie, please let me call someone to take you to the hospital.” Tears rolled down Rita's cheeks.
“Hush up child, hush yo' cryin,' I don't won't ta' go ' ta' a horse-pillow,’ dem’ nurse wake me up to give me a pill, wake me up and ask how I’m doing. Cain’t git no rest.”
Rita laughed and said, “okay then,” she sat on the couch and continued, “Lee and I's getting hitched, we need you.”
“I be there child,” Lillie smiled she reached out for Rita's hand, she gave it a gentle squeeze. Lillie stared at Rita and said, “I love you child, I love my son, I love everybody here.” She frowned in pain.
Rita ran out and got Donovan, Lee, and Cush. Paul Bright came as well, carrying his doctor's bag.
When they all came inside Lillie’s trailer she said, “Dr. Bright, thank you for making my last days bearable.” She looked at Lee and said, “son he kept me alive ta enjoy freedom.” She looked at Cush and continued, “Cush come here baby, it's time for me to go, but I won't you to grow to be a good man like yo' daddy.” She reached out to Donovan, “Mr. Bright, thank you.” She squeezed his hand, then said, “thank you foe’ my freedom.”
“It's time foe’ me ta’ go now.”
Dr. Bright sent everyone out the trailer when they were gone, he said as he laid her lazy boy back, “Miss. Lillie, I am going to palpate your stomach.” When he finished, he continued, “Miss. Lillie, you’re going to live, you have a bad case of gas.” He gave her Gas X extra strength soft gel.
He told them to come back in, Glaidous had come to see his sister, he was told that she was going to die. Paul said, “no, she’s going to live.”
Lillie was laughing and passing gas, Glaidous said, “she’s smelling up the place.”
Paul said, “she has gas.” He left.
Glaidous laughed so hard he could not breathe. Lee said, “I am going to leave you at it mom.” He left.
Glaidous and Lillie laughed even harder, and then he cried.
Lillie asked, “what be wrong?”
He said, “I’s neva be happy wid’ Sophie.” They talked until midnight.”
*******
January 5, 2018
Mrs. Paddleton and Timpkins parents died the same month, their funeral was held on the same day two hours apart. Donovan returned to Ogville with Timpkin, to attend portions of both funerals. After the funerals, Donovan met with Phillipa and Phillip.
Timpkins mother died first, instead of calling Timpkin’s sister, their dad took both bottles of sleeping pills, seventy in all. He went to sleep and never woke up. They were found lying in bed side by side.
Phillipa told Donovan Mrs. Paddleton left Harry’s castle to him. She said, “a buyer offered fifty million.”
“Fifty million, that's more than enough to build houses,” Donovan asked her about the plantation.
Phillipa said, “The government-owned that, they are setting up offices on a small portion of the land. Harry had over twenty miles of land. The Government is baffled.”
“I can only imagine,” Donovan said.
Phillipa and Phillip took Donovan to see the castle, he said, “it’s just like Mrs. Paddleton.”
Phillip said, “
yes, it is, and it’s yours.”
Phillipa commented, “that’s the reason great gran gave the house to you. She knew you’d do the right thing.”
Phillipa drove Donovan and Timpkin to the airport, she handed Donovan a black attaché case, she said, “grandmothers last donation.”
Donovan said, “but the castle. That's more than enough.”
“This is your pay, for doing an extraordinary thing. Enjoy.” Phillipa said.
Donovan asked her, “what about your grandma’s house?”
“The government is allowing us to turn it into a museum, about the Paddleton's and Brown’s complete history from 1865 to 2017, how you found the slaves, and the history of Timpkin, Haze and your wives gave up everything for a group of people you never met.”
As he and Timpkin got out the car, Donovan said, “thank you for Everything, come visit us.”
Theenda did not meet them at the airport, she was sick, KayKay picked them up instead. She asked Timpkin about the funeral and how he was holding up. He said, “they lived a long good life. I’m okay.” He, his kids, nor sister told KayKay that their father killed himself.
Donovan entered the house to tell Theenda the good news. She said, “we could use some of the money to buy a house.”
“No, my sweet, Mrs. Paddleton gave us a case of money just for us.”
Theenda smiled weakly and said, “good, I’m ready to get out this trailer. It’s too small Sweetie, we have two little people coming.”
Donovan said, “yes we do,” he paused before continuing, “when you're better, send a letter to the US Government and one to the Paddleton twins, thank them for the money to help build homes for the freedmen and women.”
“Sweetie I did already, I made a copy of the letter, I saved it on the disk for you to edit. I sent each twin two cards, a thank you card, and a sympathy card. I’ll send another for the castle.”
All But One Page 55
