Eleanor

by Rachel Wesson

  “He did? But why has he gone? Doesn’t he know she wants to speak to anyone who knew her in the past.”

  “Zack, find him. Please. He knows something,” Wilma begged.

  “Sammy will help me find him, but you got to promise me you will go back to the hotel and rest. Please, Wilma. If anything happens to you, Doc Erin and the other ladies will murder me.”

  “I will but please find him. Please.”

  Mrs. Grey left reluctantly. Wilma sat up although she didn’t try to stand. The room was spinning.

  “Reverend Douglass, thank you for coming but I is fine now. You go and enjoy your Sunday. I need to speak to Eliza Jane.”

  He looked as if he was going to argue but he didn’t. He got up and left without saying a word.

  “You got a way of managing him. Ain’t never known him to stay silent before,” Eliza Jane said.

  “Are we alone?”

  “Yes, Wilma, why? What’s wrong. What’s Zack done to make you faint?”

  “Zack saved my life once, he took a terrible beating for it too. I had totally forgotten him. I owe him an apology,” Wilma said before telling Eliza Jane all about the young man who had given her and Solace some water. They’d been in the cage for hours with nothing to eat or drink. The sun was burning down on them and their cage was situated in an area with no shade. Wilma had begged several people for water but they either ignored or jeered her or worse. Wilma had to take a couple of deep breaths at that point in her story. She could feel the terror as clear as it had been that day. Her master had decided to sell her and Solace with a group of other slaves from his plantation. She’d been terrified they’d be separated. Solace was only about ten years old. She was in high demand due to her beauty and paler skin. Wilma, being twenty-five or six at that time, was also deemed valuable due to her beauty. She prayed the buyer would select both of them. That way she would have a chance to protect Solace from the brutality of the world they lived in. Just as she thought Solace would faint from thirst, someone gave her hope and belief in humanity.

  A man not much older than she was, he said he was a free man, came forward and gave her a cup of water. That is all he did and for that he was abused and beaten. They didn’t believe he was a free man. Made up some story about his papers being invalid. He was thrown into the cage with them.

  “I ruined his life, Eliza Jane. If he had kept on going, he would never have been on that auction block.”

  “You didn’t do nothing. The white men did it, not you. Zack did what he did because he can’t bear to see suffering. He still can’t. He was the first man Jane would let touch her. He gave her a hug. He’s still the only one she will talk to. Properly I mean.”

  “But the woman said he suffered very badly.”

  Eliza Jane looked out the window for a few seconds. Then she looked at Wilma face to face. “It’s true. He did. He ran away but the slave catchers caught him. Brought him back to our master. He was furious. Everyone was running and he wanted to make an example of someone. That person was Zack,” Eliza Jane shuddered. “I can’t ever tell you what they did. We thought he would die. But he fought back and he’s been fighting since. He ran again but next time he didn’t come back. I was sure he’d been killed.”

  “So he was on the same plantation as you?”

  “Yes. Until he ran. Mama found him a few years back. He was looking for his family. They’d been free too. His previous master had given the whole family their freedom after he went to one of Fredrick Douglass’s talks. Zack was only a boy then but he grew up free. His papers were just fine. But they didn’t save him.”

  “What happened to his family?”

  “Nobody knows. He never found his parents. He has an ex-wife. I don’t know whether he has children.”

  Wilma sat clenching her dress in her hands. She was the reason the poor man had lost everything. Just to give her a drink of water.

  “Eliza Jane, can you ask Jane to find him for me? Please. Tell him I just want to thank him for what he done for me?”

  “I will. Now you rest. Please. You got a bad shock.”

  “I will but before I do, do you know what your preacher asked me to do?”

  Eliza Jane nodded.

  “You agree it is for the best?”

  “Yes, Wilma, I do. She’s never going to get well here. Too many memories.”

  “Are you going to ask her, or will I?”

  “Could you ask her, Wilma? She won’t talk to me. Accuses me of favoring Annie. I love them both as if they were my own. It kills me to think of her hurting so much.”

  This time it was Wilma’s turn to hug Eliza Jane and offer what little comfort she could.

  Chapter 27

  Wilma waited in Eliza Jane’s home for Jane to come in. Eliza had provided coffee and cookies but Wilma wasn’t in the mood for eating. She thought about what she could offer the girl. How could she make her trust her? Could she convince her to give Clover Springs a chance?

  The door opened and Jane came in, her face screwed up in anger. Resentment leaked from every pore of her body. Wilma pretended not to notice.

  “Jane, come and sit with me. I think I have spoken to everyone in Eliza Jane’s extended family but you.”

  “I don’t want to talk.”

  “All right then, why don’t you sit and I’ll talk.”

  Jane couldn’t really do anything but sit down. Wilma had counted on her being a well brought up young woman and disrespecting your elders wasn’t something she would be accustomed to doing. Wilma wasn’t above using Jane’s upbringing to her advantage.

  “I heard some—”

  “I know what you is going to say. It was all my fault. I shouldn’t have been there. I must have…”

  Wilma laid a gentle hand on the girl’s arm stopping her mid tirade.

  “Actually, I wasn’t going to say any of those things. I don’t know exactly what happened to you, Jane, but one thing I know is you did nothing wrong.” Wilma put her finger under Jane’s chin and gently forced the young woman to meet her eyes. “Did you hear me? Nothin’ you did or didn’t do made those boys behave the way they did. There is evil in this world. You got caught up in that. I is very sorry that happen to you.”

  Wilma watched the emotions play out on the young woman’s face. Now she was looking at her closely she could see the resemblance to her sister, Annie. If Jane smiled, she would look just like her sibling and a little like her aunt.

  “I knows this too. You is a strong woman. You come from a line of strong women. Your grandma would be proud of you.”

  “You don’t know anythin'.”

  “Yes, I do, dear. I more than most know exactly how you feel.”

  Jane’s eyes widened.

  “Years ago, things like that happened quite a lot. How do you think there are so many ex-slaves that look more white than black? You think our kind had love affairs with the masters?”

  Jane shook her head.

  “No, we was their property to do what they liked with. They could keep us, sell us, share us… All they cared about was their feelings, their happiness.” Wilma stopped. She didn’t want to burden the girl with the whole sorry tale of what had likely happened to her mother, grandmother, and other females in her family. “I would love you to come back with me to Clover Springs.”

  “I ain’t going nowhere. I ain’t going to run and look like a coward.”

  “Well, that is your choice as you are free now. Freedom comes with a price. Now we is responsible for the choices we make. Back in Clover Springs, we have a few people who made bad decisions in their lives but they put it behind them and live wonderful lives now. It’s different there. Sure there are some people who see color first and the person last but that is going to happen everywhere. But nobody treats me badly. We have an Indian as a deputy sheriff and you can bet your last dollar, he doesn’t put up with any nonsense.”

  “Can you really go where you want?” Jane’s eyes were brighter than before.

  “Wel
l yes, within reason.”

  “See it’s the same as here then.”

  The sullenness was back but Wilma tried to remain patient. “Well, I don’t think your aunt would allow you to go into a saloon. Would she?”

  Jane shook her head.

  “That’s the same in Clover Springs. No self-respecting woman would go into the saloon, and if you did make that mistake, Gary would see you home. He’d tell me, too, and I would tan your backside.”

  Jane giggled at the ferocious look on Wilma’s face.

  “Why don’t you come see it for yourself? What you got to lose?”

  “Nothin’.”

  “Well then? Come home with me and stay for a little while. You don’t have to stay forever. After you got your head straight you can decide what you want to do.”

  Jane didn’t look convinced but Wilma thought she saw a spark of interest in her eyes. She decided to assume Jane would say yes.

  “You will have to work though. Nobody lives in my house and lies around all day. We got plenty of laundry and cooking and minding children to be doing.”

  “I like working with children, Miss Wilma. They don’t care whether you are black or white.”

  “Most of them don’t but some pick up bad habits from their parents. But that’s a discussion for another day. Why don’t you find your aunt and tell her you are coming home with me?”

  “Miss Wilma, why are you helping me like this? Is it because of your daughter?”

  “A little but its more to do with your preacher asking me to do it. He is a very nice young man who adores you,” Wilma said gently watching Jane’s face closely.

  “Used to adore me. He won’t touch me now,” Jane said angrily.

  “Sweetheart, with that look on your face all the time, I am not sure there is a man alive brave enough to do that.”

  Jane giggled just as her aunt walked through the door.

  “Jane, you’re laughing. Oh my goodness what a beautiful sound.” Before Jane could say anything, she was swept into a big hug. Her eyes met Wilma’s over her aunt’s shoulder. Wilma gave her a thumbs-up just as she would to Rosa when the little girl made progress with something. Jane was a brave girl, the road ahead wasn’t going to be easy, but she would recover. Wilma was confident of that. Almost as sure of the fact that Jane’s arrival in town would upset Ma Kelley and Mrs. Shaw not to mention Charlie Staunton.

  Chapter 28

  “Are you ready to go home, Wilma? Or do you want to wait to see if Zack turns up?”

  “No, I need to go home. I don’t like it here. I don’t feel safe,” Wilma admitted despite hating the fact she was weak.

  “I can see why. There is a simmering discontent under the surface as if someone is waiting for something to happen. Maybe that’s in all big cities but I can’t wait to get home. At least in Clover Springs, we know who the villains are.”

  “Yes, aren’t they going to be really upset when they see who we bring home with us?”

  Mrs. Grey kept a straight face as she said, “I have no idea what you mean, Miss Wilma.”

  Both burst out laughing. “I feel like a school girl, but can you make sure I am there to see their faces when they first hear about Jane? We should say the whole of Eliza Jane’s community is coming to live in Clover Springs. Would that be enough to get rid of Mrs. Shaw once and for all?”

  Wilma couldn’t reply to Mrs. Grey as she was still laughing. They were acting like little children but who cared. Nobody could see them. They weren’t harming anyone.

  “Just in case I forget to say it, thank you for bringing me here. You are the truest friend.” Wilma took Lorena’s hand in hers and kissed it, the tears filling up her eyes.

  “I feel so bad though. I got more out of coming here. I got to meet Sammy and his family. I got to share my memories of my precious David. While you got to pick up another waif.”

  “I am glad we can help Jane but I got far more than that, Lorena Grey. I got my belief in human nature back. There is good and bad in every race. That will never change but I can focus on the good now. Maybe I will never find my daughter but I can help those who need me. That’s enough for me.”

  Lorena Grey surprised herself as much as Wilma by dragging her into a hug.

  “I love you, Miss Wilma. I think after speaking to Sammy, I can finally let David go. I didn’t let him down, did I? I finally saw the light even if it took me some time.”

  “I never knew what you was like before Miss Ellen worked her magic on you. But I got to say, some of the stories I’ve been told about your early years in Clover Springs, I sure is glad I didn’t end up there earlier.”

  Although Wilma was teasing, Lorena looked at her sadly. “Maybe if you had, my friend, I would have seen the light earlier. I have a daughter who is alive and well and I know where she lives but she won’t see me. Not that I blame her,” Lorena said.

  “We could call to see her on the way back if she doesn’t live too far away?”

  “Absolutely not, Wilma, I can’t stand the woman. She is a replica of me when I was younger. No, I am happy to draw a line under that part of my life.”

  “Does that mean you are ready to move on?”

  “To what?” Lorena said suspiciously.

  “I happen to know a certain man is quite eager to share your fireplace,” Wilma teased.

  Despite her friend’s denials she had a feeling Sheriff Willis wouldn’t have to do much convincing.

  The train journey back passed very quickly as they showed Jane the sights. The poor girl was so nervous she could barely speak. Both Wilma and Mrs. Grey tried to reassure her everything would be fine but their assurances fell on deaf ears.

  When they arrived, they were surprised to see Father Molloy waiting at the station for them. At least Wilma was.

  “You sent a telegram to say we were coming home?” she accused Mrs. Grey.

  “I thought you would appreciate a warm welcome.”

  “It’s good to be home.” Wilma sighed as the train pulled in. It had barely stopped and she was out of the car.

  “That woman thinks she is still a twenty-year-old,” Mrs. Grey muttered to Jane but Jane didn’t respond. She was too busy taking in her new surroundings.

  “Father Molloy, this is a special friend of mine. Jane Harris, I would like you to meet Father Molloy. He is the priest we spoke about.”

  “I hope you said nice things about me, Wilma. If she didn’t, Miss Harris, she was telling lies.” Father Molloy held out his hand smiling.

  Jane stared at his hand and then at his face. His smile faltered a little but Wilma could see the pity he had for Jane.

  “Jane, this is one of my dearest friends. Be nice,” Wilma muttered under her breath.

  Jane shook the priest’s hand reluctantly before dropping back to walk behind them.

  “Another waif?” Father Molloy whispered to Wilma.

  “Her aunt is the lady we went to see. We have a story to tell you, Father Molloy, but first, I is dying for a decent cup of tea.”

  “Tea?”

  “Yes. If I have another cup of coffee I will burst. I want me some of Miss Ellen’s hot tea with milk in it. Then I knows I am home.”

  ‘You are home and we have missed you dearly. Both of you.” Father Molloy was quick to include Mrs. Grey. Wilma noted the look of happiness on her friend’s face. The trip had helped to remove some of her pain and therefore gruffness. Clover Springs was in for a nice surprise.

  “So tell us all the news. How are Rosa, John, and the rest of my young’uns’? Are Doc Erin and Alicia enjoying New York? Has Ma Kelley moved away?”

  Father Molloy let out a belly laugh startling Jane.

  “Wilma, please never change. The young’uns are fine, Mrs. Kelley and her friends are all still in residence,” Father Molloy said shrugging his shoulders. “As of today, there is still no word from Doc Erin and Alicia so I imagine they are having too much fun.”

  They entered the orphanage where they were inundated by the childre
n welcoming Wilma home. It took Wilma a few minutes to get them all under control.

  “Children, we have a new guest come to stay with us for a while. Her name is Jane and her aunt is a friend of mine. Please say hello.”

  “Hello, Jane,” the children chorused.

  Rosa moved closer to Jane and pulled at her dress to get her attention.

  “We ain’t got a lot of room at the moment but you can have my bed, and I will sleep on the floor here with my friends.”

  Jane looked so terrified Wilma quickly intervened.

  “Rosa, you know you is happy with Miss Ellen and Samuel and John. Jane is goin’ to share my room for a while until we see how she gets on. When she is ready, she may stay in the Haven with Doc Erin.”

  “I hope you like it here. We do. I was born somewhere else but I love living here,” Rosa explained to Jane. Jane didn’t have to answer as Rosa continued to tell her all about living in Clover Springs and about school.

  “We got a new teacher. Are you going to go to school too?”

  “Jane is a little old to be going to school but she might go and say hello to your new teacher, but now, could you show her my room so she can put her things away?”

  “Yes, Miss Wilma. Come this way Jane.”

  Rosa held onto Jane’s hand so firmly the girl had no choice but to follow. When she left, Wilma checked to see she was out of earshot and quickly explained the situation to Ellen, Samuel, and Father Molloy.

  “Samuel, she won’t say a word to you. At least not initially. She didn’t trust no man apart from one back in Denver.”

  “I don’t blame her. I would like to get my hands on those…”

  “Samuel Higgins, I am still present as are the ladies.”

  Wilma had to hide her smile as Samuel looked like a child being told off but she appreciated his sentiments. She knew he and Little Beaver would help her restore Jane’s faith in men. But they would have to take things very slowly.

  “What else have I been missing?” Wilma said, drinking a cup of tea.

  “Charlie Staunton wants to marry the new teacher. But he’s not the only one.”