On To Richmond

by Ginny Dye

  At the sound of her name, Fannie managed to open her eyes just a tiny bit in spite of the swollen, charred condition of her face. She struggled to raise a hand. Opal bit her lip to keep from crying out. Both of Fannie’s hands were missing.

  Opal groaned at the confused pain on her cousin’s face. Choking back her sobs, she rested her hands lightly on Fannie’s shoulders. “I’m here, Fannie. I’m here.” That was all she could think of to say. She knew there was nothing she could do. There was nothing anyone could do.

  Fannie managed to nod slightly. Her lips opened, and Opal leaned closely to hear what she was trying to say. “My children... my children...” The words were slurred and gargled, but Opal understood. Fannie’s lips continued to move, but nothing else would come out. Tears edged down her charred face as she cried in agony.

  Opal moved back far enough to gaze into Fannie’s eyes. “I’ll take care of your children, Fannie. I’ll take care of them. I’ll treat them just like they were my own.” Her voice broke as she choked back her sobs. “I promise you. I’ll take care of your children.”

  A measure of peace settled over Fannie’s face. Then she opened her lips again. Opal could barely hear the words she struggled to say.

  “Ed... die... love... him...” she managed.

  Opal nodded. “I’ll tell Eddie. I’ll tell him you love him.” She could no longer control the sobs racking her body. “I love you, Fannie. I love you!”

  Fannie gave one last faint nod and then her eyes closed. Moments later, Opal felt her go slack beneath her hands. She didn’t know how long she knelt sobbing hysterically next to her cousin before she felt hands reach for her.

  “It’s me, Opal. Jamilla.”

  Opal gazed up, the words barely registering in her mind. Jamilla... Fannie’s closest friend at the Works.

  “She went quick, Opal. It’s best this way. There would have been too much suffering.”

  Opal stared at her. She heard the words, but they weren’t penetrating. Fannie... Fannie, her only family, was gone. One minute she had been laughing, waving at her. The next minute she was dead.

  Eventually, Opal let Jamilla lead her back to the two-story home she had shared with her cousin. Numbness had begun to set in. Along with the numbness was the realization she would have to be the one to tell Eddie and the children what had happened to their beautiful mother. Her grief thickened as she thought of the children.

  “When is Daddy coming home, Opal?” Amber asked in a lost voice.

  Opal shook her head and drew the little girl closer. None of the children had left her side since she had gathered them together and broken the horrible news. Amber had refused to leave her lap all day. Susie was holding Carl close, soothing the little boy’s broken cries.

  Opal exchanged a long look with Susie. “I don’t know, Amber. I’m sure he’ll be home soon.” Actually she wasn’t sure of any such thing. Where was Eddie? He was always home by five o’clock in the evening. It had been dark for at least an hour. It had to be close to seven o’clock. Where was he?

  Opal tried to swallow her fears. She had to be strong for the children. In the midst of their grief, they were looking to her for strength and comfort. She had to control her desire to scream out her own pain and anguish. She looked around at them now.

  Little Carl had begun sobbing immediately when Opal had carefully told them of the accident. She had left out the details that would have haunted them the rest of their lives - the details she knew would never leave her mind. Carl simply knew his mama was never coming home again.

  Amber had said not a word - just listened wide-eyed. Then she had walked quietly to Opal and snuggled close to her. The question about her daddy was the first words she had uttered.

  Sadie had asked a few careful questions and then had withdrawn into her own shell. Opal was most worried about her. Sadie’s look of sorrow had gradually turned into a gaze of hardened defiance. What was she thinking?

  Susie had cried quietly when Opal had told her. She had told Susie first. They had clung together for a long time as Opal tried to answer the questions Susie asked. There hadn’t been many. Opal expected more later. Then they had gone to find the rest of the children.

  Outside, a slashing rain beat at the house. Opal shuddered and drew Amber closer to her side. She wasn’t hungry, but she knew she would have to get the children something to eat soon. She was sure no one would feel like eating, but they must keep their strength up.

  Again, Opal gazed at the windows. Come home, Eddie. The rain will hide your movements in the night. We need you, Eddie. Please come home, she pleaded silently.

  None of them heard the back door open. Opal almost screamed when she heard a noise and looked up to see a man standing in the doorway. She gasped and clutched Amber to her side. “Frank! What are you doing here? You scared me near to death.”

  Frank, a friend of Eddie’s who had often been at their meetings, moved forward. “I’m sorry, Opal. I had to make sure no one saw me come in here.”

  Opal looked at him more closely. There was stark fear in his widened eyes. Quickly she turned to Susie. “Why don’t you take the children in the kitchen and fix them a bite to eat?” She tried to keep her trembling voice casual. “Frank and I will join you in a minute.”

  Susie stared long and hard at Frank with knowing in her eyes. Then she rose and took Carl by the hand. “Come, everyone. We’ll fix something hot.” Woodenly, the children followed her.

  Opal turned to Frank as soon as they were out of the room. “Eddie?” she whispered.

  Frank frowned, his face a mixture of pain and worry. Then he shook his head. “I’m afraid Eddie won’t be coming home, Opal.”

  “Why not?” she asked quietly, amazed at her own control.

  “They been watching him, Opal. Somehow they got wind of what we was doing.”

  “The police?” Opal breathed.

  Frank nodded. “They was waiting when he left the shop this morning. They took him to jail. Him and the owner of that shop.”

  Opal groaned and lowered her face in her hands. She heard a slight noise and looked up. Susie was standing in the doorway, staring at Frank with a hard, set face.

  “How long?” Susie asked.

  Frank started at the sound of her voice and then shook his head. “I don’t know. It could be a right long time. Once they put us niggers in jail they ain’t in no hurry to let us out.” Then he looked around quickly. “Fannie. Where is Fannie? I need to tell her. I promised Eddie a long time ago I would be the one to tell Fannie if something happened.”

  Tears filled Opal’s eyes. “I’m afraid you won’t be telling Fannie, Frank.”

  Frank stared around. “Why not?”

  “My mama is dead,” Susie announced quietly. “Killed in an explosion at the Works today.” Tears filled her eyes, but her voice was even.

  Frank groaned and shook his head again, tears filling his own eyes. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry,” he moaned.

  Silence filled the room for several long minutes.

  Then Frank looked up. “The children...? What is going to happen to the children?”

  “I’m going to take care of them,” Opal said firmly.

  “But how?” Frank asked blankly.

  Up until that moment, Opal had had no idea. Suddenly the answer was there. Her voice was strong as she spoke. “I’m taking them back to the plantation. They will be safe there.” The plan began to take shape in her mind as she spoke. Then she thought of something. “Am I safe here for now? Are they coming for me, too?” Suddenly she was seized with a new fear. What if they came and put her in jail, too? Who would take care of the children? Would she have enough time to get them out of Richmond?

  Frank shook his head. “I heard the men talking from where I was hiding in the shadows of some of the buildings. They are just after the men. Don’t think the women can do much.”

  Any other time, Opal would have laughed. They had no idea how much women could do. Now she was simply grateful. It
would give her time to contact Carrie. She looked up. “Can you send someone to Cromwell Plantation with a message? Can they get back into the city?”

  Frank nodded slowly. “It’s risky. But, yes, there are still ways to get past the military blocks. I’ll send someone tonight. The rain will help them.”

  Opal nodded and then moved over to where she kept her paper and pen. Quickly she wrote a letter, folded it, and handed it to Frank. “Thank you,” she said softly. Right now she was under control, thinking clearly. Later she knew she would grieve. Right now she had four children to care for.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

  Carrie stooped down and gathered up a handful of fresh dirt. Slowly, she let it sift through her fingers and fall to the ground as she looked out over the freshly plowed fields. Spring had finally returned to the South. Birds sang gloriously and trees sported their new clothing in myriad shades of green. Limbs swayed in response to the warm wind bathing her body. Carrie gave a sigh of delight and knelt to gather up another handful of dirt.

  She had loved to do it since she was just a little girl. She had claimed then it was like feeling God because only God could put all the magic things in dirt to make plants grow. She still felt that way. Dark and soft to the touch, the fertile soil was ready to do its job. Planting would begin tomorrow. The largest part of her father’s plantation would be replanted in tobacco and corn. But over three hundred acres would be planted in food crops. Carrie knew it was a tremendous undertaking. Even with all of her father’s original slaves, it would be an incredible amount of work to maintain and harvest the crops, not to mention transporting the produce to Richmond. The food crops were incredibly labor intensive. She would simply do the best she could with the slaves that remained. They had performed amazing feats so far. But without Moses to supervise them...

  Carrie shook her head to push away any negative thoughts. Even if half the crops rotted from lack of care and harvest, she would have tried her best. And there was no real loss. Unless things changed dramatically with the war and the blockade, her crops of tobacco and corn weren’t going anywhere either. They would simply rot in the barns or fields. She was determined to feed as many people as she could from the fields of Cromwell Plantation. If she could have managed it, she would have planted the whole plantation in food.

  Just then Carrie heard someone call her name. She looked up expectantly.

  Jubal ran up to her, panting from his dash down the road. “They be here, Miss Carrie!”

  She had asked Jubal to come to the fields as soon as Opal arrived with the children. She knew they were to arrive in a day or so - she just wasn’t sure how much the rain-soaked roads would slow them down.

  “Wonderful!” Carrie exclaimed. “Do they look well?” She wasn’t sure why she was asking a twelve-year-old boy.

  Jubal shrugged. “I reckon they look all right.” Then his face broke forth in a huge grin. “There for sho be one that look mighty fine!”

  Carrie laughed. “Sadie caught your eye, did she?”

  Jubal nodded. “That be her name? The one looks to be my age?”

  Carrie nodded. “Yes. Her name is Sadie. I believe she’s thirteen.”

  Jubal continued to grin, his eyes shining brightly.

  Carrie swung into her saddle. “Come on, Jubal. You can ride up here with me.” She reached down to help him swing up behind her.

  Jubal gasped and looked up at her, his eyes even wider than before. “You’s gonna let me ride on Granite with you, Miss Carrie? Why, I ain’t never been on a horse before!”

  “It’s high time you started,” she replied. “Put your foot in the stirrup here.” Jubal sprang to obey. “Now swing up behind me.” She reached down her hand and helped hoist the boy behind her. Then she urged Granite into an easy canter.

  “Great Jehosophat!” Jubal breathed from behind her. Then he wrapped his arms around her tightly and made not another sound.

  Opal and the children were standing in the clearing when Carrie rode up. Quickly she dismounted and then helped Jubal swing down. He stared at Sadie for a moment and then ran off to brag to all his friends. Carrie moved quickly to where Opal was standing. “Opal! It’s so wonderful to see you.” They embraced warmly. There was still sorrow pooled in her eyes, but she had a determined air about her. “I’m so sorry about Fannie,” Carrie said sympathetically. She knew how much Opal had loved her cousin. She also knew Fannie had been the only blood family Opal had had left.

  Opal merely nodded and looked down at the children for a moment, then looked back up. “Thank you so much for having us back on the plantation.”

  “It will always be your home if you need it,” Carrie said simply. “At least while I’m here.” Then she knelt down to put herself on level with the smaller children. “Hello,” she said quietly. “Welcome to Cromwell Plantation. I’m glad you’re here. It’s good to see you all again.” Her heart twisted at the pain locked in their eyes and on their faces. She remembered so well their happy exuberance the last time she had seen them. She stood and reached out her hand to Susie. “I’m so sorry,” she said. There were no other words.

  Susie took her hand and gazed into her eyes for a long moment. She seemed to be trying to bring her emotions under control before she spoke. “Thank you for having us here. The children needed to get out of Richmond.”

  Carrie nodded and smiled. Then she looked at Opal again. “I am letting you and the children have Rose and Moses’ cabin.”

  Opal nodded. “Sam told me on the way that Rose and Moses are gone. I will miss them, but I sure am glad they’re free.” She paused. “But putting us in their cabin… We don’t have to have a place so grand. Any of the cabins will do.”

  “Good. Rose and Moses’ will do the job just fine, then,” Carrie responded cheerfully and then looked at Susie. “Could you please take the children into the cabin? We will bring your things in soon. I’d like a few minutes to talk to Opal.” Susie nodded and took Carl by the hand. Sadie took Amber’s hand and followed her. Once they were inside the cabin, Carrie turned to Opal. “Did you have any trouble leaving the city?”

  Opal shook her head. “I showed your letter to the guards. They let me right by. That is, once they saw your last name and I told them who your daddy was. Seems like your daddy must be pretty important around there.”

  “I believe he is. It has helped me out several times, too.” She allowed herself a brief thought of Matthew. Was he still in prison? “Have you heard any more about Eddie?”

  Opal shook her head again. “All I know is he’s in prison.” Tears filled her eyes.

  “I’m so sorry,” Carrie said again. “I have written a letter to my father asking him to find out whatever he can. I don’t have much confidence he can do much, though. Nor, I’m afraid, will he be very motivated once he discovers the charges are treason.”

  Opal nodded. “Thank you for at least trying,” she said softly. “Your daddy knows I am back on the plantation?”

  Carrie nodded. “I didn’t say anything about the children. I didn’t see a need. I simply told him you had been very ill and could no longer work at the Armory. I told him you would be of great use here once I had nursed you back to health,” she said wryly. Lying to her father seemed to have become a habit.

  She looked up to see Opal staring off into the distance. “Opal?”

  Opal continued to stare, but she slowly answered. “All that thinking about being free. All that work to try and help... I’m right back where I started from.” She paused for a long moment. “Life seems kinda funny sometime, don’t it?”

  Carrie didn’t know what to say. She knew what it was like to have big plans changed by life’s circumstances in the wink of an eye. Finally something Sarah said came back to her. “Sarah told me once that you can’t look just on the surface of things. She said you had to search deep underneath and inside. She said it takes time to really see something for what it is.” She paused for a moment, remembering. Then she finished softly. “She said that a lot of
times the things we think are horrible really turn out for the best.” She moved forward and slipped her arm around Opal’s waist. “I guess we’ll both have the chance to find out how the bad can turn out for the good.”

  Opal nodded. “Thank you, Miss Carrie.” Then she squared her shoulders and lifted her head high. “I’d better go look after my children,” she said as she turned away.

  Carrie watched her go. Opal would soon discover the food she had left in the cabin and the bunks Jupiter had built into the wall for the children. Warm blankets were folded on each one. It had been all she had time to do on such short notice. She remounted Granite then trotted swiftly up the road.

  Sam was waiting on the porch for her. “Your daddy sent back a letter.”

  “You saw my father?”

  Sam shook his head. “I ran into the fella bringing it here. He gave it to me to deliver.” Then he looked down. “Got one more here for you, too.”

  Carrie nodded and reached for the letters, her eyes brightening in excitement when she spotted Janie’s name in the top corner. “May I have my lunch on the porch today, Sam?” She waited for his nod then walked over to the porch swing and sat down to read her letters. She turned to her father’s first.

  Dear Carrie,

  It is with great anxiety that I write this letter. I have just been informed of a massive buildup of Union troops at Fort Monroe. There can be but one purpose for their presence. The North is finally ready to make its assault on Richmond! Their position will bring them in your direction unless they can be stopped. General Johnston has moved closer to Richmond and will be sent to stop them if indeed they make a move to prove the capital is their objective. It is time for you to come to the city. I cannot bear to think of your life being in danger. I will expect a letter from you soon informing me of your plans.

  I fear what will become of my glorious plantation if indeed the Union succeeds in their plans. I am enclosing a letter for Ike Adams. He is to be in charge of things until the time comes when it is safe for you to return. I have given him instructions to occupy the plantation as long as possible but to flee if Union troops actually come there. I am sure the slaves are in no danger, though I fear I will lose all I have worked so hard to accomplish. The North seems to treat them very well! I have heard of whole plantations of slaves being carried behind lines and sent off to contraband camps. The Yankees will stop at nothing to destroy us. They will not succeed!