by Ginny Dye
Laughter and loud voices reverberated through the building. Rose watched the children dashing around excitedly. A wide smile brightened her face as adults laughed and sang, their happiness a tonic to her own loneliness. The smell of greenery pervaded the building, mixed with the aroma of turkeys and ham cooking just outside the door. Tables groaned under the weight of vegetables, biscuits and sweet potato pies. Everyone had brought something. This was the first time in the months Rose had been in the camps that everyone was celebrating together. The building bulged at the seams as people swarmed in and out, but no one seemed to mind. They were free. And it was Christmas Eve.
Tonight there was nothing but goodwill. The white teachers mingled easily with the inhabitants of the camp, led games for the children, and talked with the adults. Even some of the soldiers had asked if they could take part in the festivities. Rose smiled as she spied one soldier playing horse and laughing harder than the children as they piled all over him and shrieked as he bucked them off.
“Miss Rose! Miss Rose!”
Rose turned quickly and caught Annie up in her arms. “What’s wrong?” she asked in sudden alarm then relaxed as she saw the excited gleam in the little girl’s eyes. There was no hint of trouble.
“Ain’t nothing wrong,” she insisted as she squirmed out of Rose’s arms. “I got a surprise for you!”
“What kind of surprise?” Rose asked, smiling again. Her students had plied her with gifts in the last week. Last night she had told June she might not have to cook again for a month.
“You got to come outside for your surprise,” Annie announced importantly.
Rose followed her willingly. She was ready for some fresh air after the closeness of the building. The sun had barely been up when she had arrived to help the other teachers finish the preparations. She took deep breaths, instantly revived by the cold, crisp air. “Okay. I’m out here. Where’s my surprise?” she cried, entering into the game.
Annie clapped her hands in delight. “Your surprise be right there!” she giggled, pointing into the shadows underneath a spreading oak tree.
Rose looked in the direction she was pointing but couldn’t see anything. “Where?”
“You got to walk over closer, Miss Rose. You’ll see it!”
Rose was mystified but did as ordered. She was almost to the tree when a towering form stepped out from the shadows.
“Merry Christmas, Rose.”
“Moses!” Rose shrieked wildly, not caring who heard. “Is it really you, Moses?” Dashing forward, she threw herself into his arms. “Moses!” It was all she could think of to say.
Moses held her close just for a moment then pulled back. “Rose... What...?”
Rose understood instantly. She took hold of his hand and laid it gently on her stomach. “I’d like you to meet your child,” she said softly, tears gathering in her eyes at the stunned look on his face.
Moses stood motionless for a long moment; then a wide grin conveyed his happiness. He cupped her stomach with both hands. Just then the baby gave a strong kick. His face lit with wonder as he stared down. Finally he looked up, his expression one of awe. His hands left her stomach and moved up to caress her face. “I love you,” he whispered. Then his lips came down to meet hers.
Rose had just pulled back to gaze up into his face again when another voice split the darkness.
“I guess this means I’m going to be a great-aunt. I kind of like the sound of that.”
Rose gasped and spun around. “Aunt Abby…? Aunt Abby?” she asked incredulously. “How...?”
“Oh, we’ll have time for questions later,” Aunt Abby chuckled. “Right now I’d settle for a hug if you can tear yourself away from your husband long enough.”
Rose gave a glad cry and rushed to wrap her arms around the smiling woman. Tears were streaming down her face when she pulled away. “Right now I don’t care a bit how either one of you got here. I’m just so happy you’re here!” Moses moved over and wrapped a protective arm around her shoulders. “How long can you stay?”
“Three days,” Moses replied.
Rose looked toward the building when she heard a distant cry. “Moses!” June was running down the stairs.
“I think June just saw you,” she laughed. “Let’s go in. I imagine you both are hungry. We’ll have plenty of time to talk later, and I’d like you to meet everyone.” From within the warmth of Moses arm, she reached out and encircled Aunt Abby with her free arm. “There is so much I want to show you, Aunt Abby.” She shook her head, still trying to believe they were actually there. “How...?”
Aunt Abby merely shook her head. “I said there would be time for questions later. I have plenty of my own, you know. It’s Christmas Eve. Let’s go celebrate.”
Just then, June raced up to them, her joyful laugh ringing through the cold air. Moses released Rose long enough to give June a big hug then turned immediately back to his wife, his eyes traveling to her stomach. “What...?”
Rose held up her hand, laughing. “You should at least introduce your sister to Aunt Abby.” She laughed harder at the instant remorse on his face. Quickly she made the introductions, glad to see Aunt Abby immediately encircle June’s waist.
“Why don’t we go inside and leave the lovebirds together for a little while?” Aunt Abby said in a conspiratorial tone. “Will you introduce me to some of your friends?”
Rose watched the two women amble inside then turned to Moses. He was still gawking at her stomach, his eyes wide with wonder.
“I’m really going to be a father?”
Rose reached up to touch his face tenderly. “This is going to be the luckiest baby in the whole world.” She gave way to tears once more as she moved into the arms he held out. “I’ve missed you so much. I’ve wanted so much for you to know we are going to have a baby.”
Moses frowned suddenly. “I should be here with you,” he said fiercely.
Rose put a finger to his lips. “We’ll be together in time. We’re together right now. That’s what is important. I will be fine here in the camps. You have a job to do.”
A look of great sadness shadowed Moses’ face. “The war... It’s so terrible.” He paused. “I have so much to tell you.”
Rose blocked out the sound of the party. Her husband needed her. Pulling her coat closer, she pulled Moses back into the shadow of the tree then pulled his head down to give him a long kiss. When they finally pulled apart, Moses just looked at her. “What is it?” she asked softly, alarm beginning to ring in her heart. She had never seen him look so lost.
Haltingly, he began to tell her about finding Robert on the battlefield. “I took him to that black family I’d met earlier that day. When I think about it now, it seems like the most ridiculous thing in the world. At the time, it was all I could do.”
Rose listened carefully, her heart going out to Moses. It was hurting equally for Robert and Carrie. “I wonder what Carrie must be thinking? Do you have any idea whether Robert is dead or alive?”
“None. I was hoping I would be able to get back there, but the army has been stationed around Fredericksburg. When I got leave, I had to go through Philadelphia on army business. When Aunt Abby found out I was coming here, she asked if she could join me. I knew you would be thrilled.”
Rose was still thinking about Carrie and Robert. “Poor Carrie.” Tears sprang into her eyes as she envisioned the agony her friend must be feeling.
“Robert could be back with her,” Moses said unconvincingly. He pulled Rose back into his arms. “We’ll keep on praying. That’s all we can do.”
Rose nodded, snuggling into the comfort of his arms. Moments later June appeared at the door.
“They’re holding dinner for y’all,” she shouted merrily. “You’d better quit kissing in the shadows and come in.”
Moses tilted Rose’s chin up until her eyes met his. “It’s Christmas Eve. God performed a mighty big miracle when he sent Jesus down here. I imagine he’s still in the miracle business.”
Rose drank
in the strength radiating from him. Taking a deep breath, she forced a smile. The very act of smiling somehow restored some of the magic of the evening. She smiled again, this time knowing the smile reached her eyes. “I love you,” she whispered.
Carrie was up before dawn on Christmas morning. She still held the glow from the night before. Quietly she eased to the window and looked out on the cold, stark winter morning. A brisk wind rattled the frozen branches outside her room. Millions of stars twinkled and blinked in the clear sky and faded slowly as the sun began its greeting on a new day.
Early morning had become Carrie’s favorite time of the day. It was here that she found the quiet she needed to make it through each day. She settled down on the window seat, pulling her robe closer to ward out the frigid air. Her room wasn’t much warmer than outdoors. Fires were only built during the day in order to conserve wood. And those were only built in the main rooms of the house. Carrie didn’t mind. Everyone was making sacrifices. She knew that from now on every time she felt the need to complain, she was going to think about the basket of sweet potatoes her patients and their families had given her.
As she watched the sun rise on a new day, Carrie allowed herself to think about Robert. “Merry Christmas,” she whispered. She knew all logic said Robert was dead. But as long as he was alive in her heart, she would not give up hope. She pressed her face against the window pane, not minding when her warm breath created a sheet of fog between her and the outdoors. She could still see the misty shape of the sun just peeping over the horizon.
Carrie allowed her mind to travel back to the days, just a couple of years ago, when she had been so eager to grow up, to test her wings of independence and soar into a new world. She had indeed soared into a new world – one full of fighting, darkness, and the fury of men’s passions. Why had she ever wanted to grow up? A sudden longing to be protected on the plantation surged up. Unbidden, Elvira’s face floated into her thoughts. Following close on its heels was an image of her patients’ singing then presenting her with the sweet potatoes. She could see Pastor Anthony’s caring eyes as he bent down over a sick patient. She could see Dr. Wild bending over a collection of wild herbs and studying them until he understood how they could be used to help his patients.
Carrie leaned back from the window and thoughtfully rubbed the condensation away until once more the sun shone in brightly. She could no longer afford the luxury of looking at the world through immature, clouded vision. Yes, there was darkness. There was also much light if she opened her eyes and allowed herself to see it. It was her choice.
Just then a tiny rock bounced off her window. Carrie smiled, tugged the window up, and leaned out. “We’ll be right there,” she called softly. When she turned around, Janie was sitting up, staring at her.
“Is it time?”
Carrie nodded. “Hobbs is waiting outside. I told him we’d be right out.”
It took the two girls only a few minutes to dress, pull their hair back, and struggle into their heavy coats. The house was still quiet when they emerged into the frosty morning. Carrie had already made arrangements with May to have Christmas breakfast ready later that morning. She and Janie would be back in plenty of time to help.
“Merry Christmas,” Hobbs said brightly, moving forward easily on his crutches.
“Merry Christmas,” the girls echoed.
Carrie never ceased to be amazed at how swiftly he had recovered from surgery. To be sure, his right leg was several inches shorter than his left, and it was still very weak from having been encased in plaster of paris for so long, but he was alive and he hadn’t lost his leg. Hobbs had attached a wooden block to the bottom of his shoe to make up for the length difference. He was using the crutches temporarily until the muscles in his bad leg got stronger. Hobbs would never be back on a battlefield, but he was still giving his all to his beloved South. He had become a permanent fixture at the hospital and helped Carrie and Dr. Wild anyway he could.
“Do you think they suspect anything?” Carrie asked anxiously.
“They’re clueless,” Hobbs chuckled, his brown eyes dancing. Then he sobered. “There’s a bunch of homesick boys needin’ some cheering up in there. A bunch of them were writing letters home into the wee hours last night.”
Carrie frowned. She could imagine how they felt. She and Janie had found families for some of the stronger patients to share Christmas dinner with, but the vast majority of them were bound to their beds and far from loved ones and family. “Is the fiddle I found you all right?”
“It’s more than all right!” Hobbs exclaimed. “I don’t reckon I’ve ever held such a fine instrument.”
Carrie sighed with relief. “I’m glad. Pastor Anthony told me it was supposed to be a good one. He bought it for Jeremy when he was a kid, but the boy lost interest quickly. It’s been sitting in a case ever since. He said you could have it.”
“Have it?” Hobbs echoed disbelievingly.
“Yes,” Carrie said with a grin. She was glad to see something good happening to Hobbs. He had been through way too much for someone his age. “He said to tell you Merry Christmas. And to make sure you use it to make other people’s Christmas merry - for a lot of years.”
“I will,” Hobbs promised solemnly. There was a glow on his face the rest of the way up the hill.
Carrie saw that almost everyone was there when they crested the hill. The sun was well above the horizon now, but it had done little to take the bitter bite out of the north wind whipping across the knoll. She scowled at the dwindling pile of firewood stacked against the nearest trees. There simply was not enough to keep the men warm through the winter. What would happen if they couldn’t get more?
“Quit scowling,” Janie whispered. “You hardly resemble a bearer of Christmas cheer. We can worry about firewood later.”
Carrie laughed. “Can you always read my mind?”
“No. But it’s relatively easy to read your face. You show everything you’re thinking and feeling,” Janie teased. “It’s Christmas, Carrie. Life will be waiting for us tomorrow. Let’s enjoy today.”
Carrie took a deep breath. “You’re right. Life will be waiting for us tomorrow.” She shook her head. “One of these days I’ll learn that lesson well enough to hang on to it all the time.”
“Let me know when you do,” Janie laughed. “I’m not sure any of us have the ability to totally quit worrying - at least not until we get to heaven.”
“I guess you’re right,” Carrie acknowledged. “I sure would like to be a little more consistent, though.”
Hobbs approached on his crutches. “They’re ready,” he said excitedly.
Carrie and Janie moved up to join the rest of the group bunched outside the door to the first ward. Carrie could see similar groups all across the broad plateau. Her heart swelled with emotion. These people, in spite of the fact they all worked long hours in the hospital already, had given up part of their Christmas to bring cheer to the patients. At Dr. Wild’s signal, they formed a long line, two across, and streamed into the ward, singing loudly.
Joy to the world! The Lord is come;
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare him room,
And heav’n and nature sing,
And heav’n and nature sing,
And heav’n and heav’n and nature sing!
Tears formed in Carrie eyes at the looks of delight plastered on the patients’ faces.
Hobbs’ fiddle exploded with life and joy as he played by the front door. He finished the first song, adjusted his chin, and swung immediately into the next carol.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
Glory to the new-born King!
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled.
Joyful all ye nations, rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
With the angelic host proclaim,
“Christ is born in Bethlehem.”
Hark! the herald angels sing,
Carrie watched as all the patients joined in - men with missing legs, men with stubs for arms, men blinded from minie balls, men weak from infections ravaging their bodies. Hope and joy erased the pain and suffering from their faces. For these few minutes, the reality of the war melted away. For just a little while, they could believe in peace on earth. It was Christmas.
Rose sighed contentedly and snuggled close to Moses’ strong warmth. June and baby Simon were staying with Aunt Abby in the teachers’ lodging. Several of the teachers had gone north for the holidays, so it had been an easy matter to arrange a room for them. Christmas Day had passed in a haze of laughter, conversation, and great joy. Even the wind whistling through the cracks in their house couldn’t dim Rose’s contentment. There were plenty of blankets and Moses was beside her. She could ask for nothing more. “Moses,” she said softly.
“I thought you were asleep,” he chuckled then rolled over on his side and looked down at her.
Rose ignored the invitation she saw in his eyes. “I’ve been thinking.”
“Sounds serious,” Moses teased, reaching out to touch her face.
“I want us to have a last name,” she said. “I want our baby to have a last name.”
“I’ve been thinking about that, too,” Moses agreed, immediately serious. “I’d say it’s time we made a decision. You have any ideas?”
“I been thinking about it ever since I knew we were going to have a child.” She hesitated. What if he didn’t like her idea?
“And?” Moses prompted.
“I’d like our last name to be Samuels,” Rose said firmly. “For your daddy - Samuel. You’ve told me how he longed for freedom - for himself and for his family. Now we’re free. June is free. Our baby is going to be born free. What he dreamed for his family is coming true. Someday your mama and Sadie will be free...” Her voice trailed away. She held her breath, waiting.
“Samuels,” Moses said slowly, letting the name roll off his tongue. Then he nodded, his handsome face outlined in the fire’s flickering flames. “I like it,” he said with deep satisfaction. “You’re right. My daddy wanted freedom more than anything in the world. He’d be pleased to know we were taking his name.”
