Finding Eliza

by Stephanie Pitcher Fishman

  Thomas reached out a hand to pat his grandson on the shoulder and smiled. “You’re a good boy. I think I’ll enjoy having you here if you stay.”

  “Speaking of staying,” said Lizzie, “I think we’ve overstayed our welcome. We need to let you get some rest so you can heal. We’ll need you back at the church soon.” Lizzie reached over to give Thomas a hug goodbye. Standing in the doorway to the hospital room, she noticed that she wasn’t the only one that looked lighter.

  “Walk us out?” Lizzie asked Avery.

  “Sure thing. I’ll be back, Gramps.” Avery walked over to hold the door open for his new friends.

  The threesome walked down the hall toward the elevators. “Do you feel like you’ll move back to Everett Springs, Avery?” Lizzie asked.

  “I’d say there’s a good chance of it now,” he responded with a wink.

  Lizzie turned to Avery and gave him a hug. “Your grandfather is like family to me, so that means you’re like family to me. Don’t forget that. None of this need ever come up again. It will stay just between us. It will be our secret.”

  “I’ve been thinking about that.” Avery leaned against the wall and put his hands in his pants pockets. “I might have an idea that you’ll like.”

  Epilogue

  Lizzie walked through the bright grass of the cemetery until she saw her family plot. No longer was the cemetery a place where Lizzie dreaded to go. She felt at home among the rows of headstones and flowers. Lizzie knelt down in front of her parents’ grave, careful not to mess up her skirt. She ran her fingers over her parents’ names as she read them in her heart.

  “I miss you, but you’d be proud of me,” she said with a smile. “You’d be happy about today I think.”

  After a quiet moment, she moved one plot over to her grandfather’s marker. She dusted off the base of the stone. “Miss you, Pops. Gran does, too.”

  She moved again to the sit in front of headstone for her great-grandparents, Alston and Anne James. She needed a place to gather her thoughts before the day started, and it was fitting that she chose this spot. She glanced over her shoulder to see Jack standing next to her grandmother and the gals near the gates of the cemetery. She couldn’t help but smile when she thought of how far they had come in the last six months.

  “Thank you, Alston, for including your heart and your faith in your diary. It has been a key to healing for our family and for the Abernathys as well. I think you’d like where our families ended up. It took me a while, but I finally understand the lessons that you wanted to leave behind. No one is too far from God’s grace and forgiveness, not even those who carry heavy burdens. You’d be proud of Thomas. He fought against his father’s way of life and dedicated himself to taking care of your family and your church. He has given us love and respect for decades, and he did it in your precious sister’s memory. We’re learning about her life, Gramps, and it’s great. Thanks for making sure we could find Eliza.”

  Lizzie kissed her hand and placed it on her great-grandfather’s headstone. She knew that his spirit wasn’t there to hear her, but she felt closer to him after their conversation.

  Lizzie looked over at Eliza’s headstone. She smoothed the front of her skirt before moving to stand next to the monument.

  “Aunt Eliza, I am so thankful for your life. I’m so sorry that it had pain and sorrow. I pray that you are finally at peace. Your family will never forget you or Eldridge.” She paused to look toward the section of graves where he would lay for eternity. “You’ll both live on through the stories we’re about to tell. They took your life, but they didn’t stop your kind spirit. Your story will inspire us to respect and love each other. Your legacy is going to live on. I promise. We won’t let hatred win.”

  Lizzie stood back to take in the full view of the cemetery before joining the others. A lot had changed over the last two seasons. She tilted her head back, closed her eyes, and let the bright summer sun land on her face. Warmth spread down over her into the places where stress used to live. Lizzie was finally relaxed and at peace.

  People began to gather near the speaking tent. Lizzie smiled when she realized that the group included descendants from all three families. The children and grandchildren of Eldridge’s siblings came from as far away as Oklahoma. Along with Gertrude and Lizzie, several cousins made the trip in Eliza’s memory. Avery Abernathy’s mother and father came to support Thomas as he took a public stand against the KKK’s actions in the county. Other small groups gathered together in support of their own losses. Avery’s idea to plan a family memorial for Eldridge and Eliza had turned into a full-scale community history event.

  “You had a wonderful idea,” Lizzie said as she stood near Avery.

  “I couldn’t have pulled it off without you.” Avery leaned to bump his shoulder against Lizzie’s.

  As organizers of the event, Avery and Lizzie took a seat near the podium with the other speakers. Gertrude sat to Lizzie’s left as she prepared for her presentation on the preservation of the cemetery. Other speakers sat waiting for their turn to share the history of the area during the 1930s through the Civil Rights Movement.

  Lizzie was impressed with the way the speakers handled the horrifying details of the KKK’s actions during the period. Each presentation was given in a way that was approachable for the audience without sugar coating the facts.

  After the speakers finished, everyone walked up the hill for the unveiling of a new memorial. Dedicated to the lynching victims in the area, the twenty-five foot tall monument sat upon a base inscribed with the names of fourteen victims in addition to Eldridge. Genealogists in Gertrude’s Tuesday Night Genealogy Gathering provided research that turned names and dry facts into lives the people of Everett Springs could remember.

  Unlike the weeping angel that comforted Eliza in her time of need, this monument supported an angel of hope that reached toward heaven in joy and praise. It was Avery’s idea to make the monument that celebrated life rather than mourned death. Lizzie couldn’t have been more pleased.

  Lizzie walked to the front of the group and waved her hand in the air to get their attention. Avery followed behind her and set up two wooden folding chairs, one for Gertrude and one for Thomas. As she gazed across the faces of her family and friends, Lizzie felt a hand sliding across her back. She looked up to see Jack smile at her as he stood by for support. She turned back to the group and took a deep breath to stop the shaking in her knees. Then she saw her family.

  Blue gave her a wink and a thumbs up.

  Abi blew her a kiss.

  Claud patted her eyes with a handkerchief and whispered, “We love you.”

  Lizzie had everything that she had ever wanted. She had her family.

  “Good morning, and thank you for coming. My name is Eliza Hines Clydell, but you can call me Lizzie. My friends and I have one last thing that we’d like to share with you before we start the picnic over at the church.” Lizzie turned her head and smiled at her grandmother. “We would like to tell you a story about why we’re here today. It all starts with a girl named Eliza and the people who loved her.”

  Thank You

  Thank you for reading Finding Eliza! I hope that you have enjoyed meeting Lizzie, The Gals, and the rest of the characters from Everett Springs.

  You can find more free short fiction and updates on upcoming works at:

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  If you loved this book, please take a moment to write a short review on the page where you purchased it. It will help others find the book and my work, and it would mean a great deal to me. Readers are why we write. It isn’t for accolades but for connections. I would love to hear how you connected with the characters and story in Finding Eliza.

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  Thank you so much!

  Author’s Note & Resources

  I remember the first time I learned about lynchings in my history class. I was growing up in the Deep South, and as I looked at the faces of my classmates, it struck me that I could be sitting in the midst of a legacy of pain. I could be friends with the descendants of both aggressors and victims. As I fell in love with family history and began my journey in genealogy, I dug deeper into the pasts of my ancestors. Eventually, I found my first slaveholder in Virginia. I started thinking back to that moment in the classroom, and my earlier realization took on a deeper meaning: If I was related to a slaveholder I could be related to a member of a lynch mob. This part of history became real to me. It became something that I had to confront.

  My family holds generations of people on both my maternal and paternal sides who wanted to fight for equality in their own ways. Whether it was a simple statement or an act of social justice, it surrounded me, and for that I am thankful. I will never forget several things that we were taught by my grandmother as her mother taught her.

  Every person has a name.

  Every life has value.

  Every story needs remembered.

  The story of Eldridge and Eliza is fiction, but it could just as easily have been true. The time line of laws that Lizzie discovers is real. Interracial marriages and relationships were illegal in some parts of the United States as recently as 1967.

  I encourage you to learn more about this horrendous history so that we can prevent it from repeating in the future. We also have an obligation to remember those victimized in this fashion. Their stories must be remembered so that we can not only shine a light into the darkness but also to give a legacy to their deaths. Our country faces a great divide on many civil issues, and if we are not careful behavior like this could raise its ugly head once again when emotions and beliefs collide. Violence is never the answer.

  For those wanting to learn more, here are some wonderful resources that I discovered during my research. Some websites contain descriptions or photos that may be upsetting to some. As a homeschool parent, I like to share what I learn with my daughters. This list of resources is intended to help educate not scar, so please use your judgment in sharing these websites with others.

  The American Experience: The Murder of Emmett Till

  The Murder of Emmett Till is a fascinating website to accompany the PBS special about the fourteen year old Emmett Till who was brutally murdered by a lynch mob in 1955 after whistling at a white woman.

  George H. White and Ida B. Wells Lynching Index

  This website contains a wealth of information including books, videos, and even pop culture references. While it may not be the most beautiful or high-tech site, it is one of the most complete resources I have yet to find.

  Georgia Lynchings Project circa 1875-1930 (Emory University)

  A team of researchers at Atlanta’s Emory University took an analytical view of newspaper articles and reports of lynchings in the state. This site breaks down the commonalities, including the alleged crimes given in each murder. It is amazing to see the number that could be attributed to interracial relationships. Although most are listed as rape, I’m left to wonder how many could have been similar to Finding Eliza.

  The New Georgia Encyclopedia: Lynching

  Learn about the history of lynching in the state of Georgia, including frequency, location, and some of the most famous cases.

  The Mary Turner Project

  In 1918, a “lynching rampage” took place in South Georgia leaving twelve dead, hundreds fearing for their lives, and even more evacuating the area to hope for safety. Mary Turner and her infant were among the victims. The goal of this project is to remember the victims who never received justice.

  Pinterest

  Other resources related to the subject matter in Finding Eliza as well as fun tidbits (and even lemon square recipes!) can be found on my Finding Eliza board on Pinterest.

  About the Author

  I chase dead people. I’ve grown up hearing family stories all of my life. In 1998, I picked up a new hobby as a way to pass the time with my grandmother. I now perform genealogical research for clients as well. I love to discover and share the stories of our ancestors. The words found in documents like marriage records and newspaper articles tell the stories of our families. In addition to providing research services, I enjoy creating narratives of family stories for my relatives as well as the relatives of clients. I am also active as a presenter speaking to genealogy groups and societies on topics related to family history research.

  I’ve been a freelance writer for several years writing mostly on the subject of family history for blogs, websites, and genealogy societies and publications. I’ve also been a ghostwriter for areas ranging from air conditioning to the food service industry. I’ve enjoyed writing about family history much more than Chinese food.

  I’m a 14-year veteran homeschool mom who tries her best to raise creative and curious kids. Two have survived into adulthood, so we can’t be all that bad at it. The youngest is a triple threat: writer, musician, and artist. I’m hoping to work on a few projects with her in the future.

  My favorite book will always be Rebecca by Daphne DuMaurier. I remember sitting in the classroom after school as my eighth grade English teacher introduced me to it. I had read everything on our list for that grade so she gave me her favorite titles to read instead. I also learned that at age thirteen I didn’t enjoy Steinbeck but I loved Orwell.

  During high school and college I bounced between creative and nonfiction writing with even a stint on a community college newspaper. I was just too nervous to tell anyone about it. Very few people read my words so it surprises me that my parents knew I wanted to be a writer before I was able to speak it aloud. As I got closer to a milestone year I decided to break out of my fear and start writing my books with the goal of sharing them with others. Finding Eliza is a fortieth birthday present to myself. I hope you’ve enjoyed it.

  I’m in love with the Oxford Comma. I’m hopelessly addicted to having my heart ripped out by BBC dramas. I love to insert references to history, pop culture, and humor into my writing and conversation. I currently have purple hair. I believe Joss Whedon can strike creative lightning at whim.

  Official Biography

  Stephanie Pitcher Fishman is an author and professional genealogist specializing in Midwestern and Southeastern United States family history. She is the author of seven family history research guides in the Legacy QuickGuide series on topics including religious records, census records, and state-specific research techniques. She has also written articles and blog posts for websites such as Archives.com and is a co-founder of The In-Depth Genealogist. She is also an active member of the Ohio Genealogical Society volunteering by lecturing on topics such as Plain Religions, Quaker research, and introducing family history to children. Her first novel, Finding Eliza, was published in 2014. To learn more, visit: www.StephanieFishman.com.

  Connect with Stephanie

  Email: stephanie@stephaniefishman.com

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  Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/SPFforReaders

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  Acknowledgements

  My thanks to…

  My daughters, who are my world. Caitlin: I wouldn’t have written Lizzie’s first words during NaNoWriMo without you telling me that I could. Erica: You are my hero. I am so proud of you and the family you love so beautifully. Amy: I love you with all my heart.

  My parents, all three of them. I’m blessed with three who love and support me, who fed me a steady diet of literature and story games, and who took me to bookstores just as often as playgrounds. They are truly the reason that this book was born. My mind
builds characters and worlds because of the stories we created on living room floors and under covers before bedtime.

  My family, especially my cousin Christian. Without their constant support (and endless Facebook and text messages of encouragement!) I would have stopped writing at the first stumble. Marc, my sisters, my uncle, my grandparents, my cousins… I am blessed beyond measure. I wish that Granny and Roy could see me now.

  My friends, both those I claimed in childhood and those I met as an adult. You’ve all ended up in here. Whether it’s your cemetery, your coffee cup, or your car, there are traces of you in all I do. A few of you even inspired The Gals.

  A special heartfelt adoration to Dede Nesbitt and Andrea Johnson Beck. Without you ladies I’d be sitting in a puddle with no creative words, no book, and many, many fewer days of smiles. God brought me through it with the two of you. Your creative gifts inspire me, your characters entertain me, and your prayers sustain me. The wicked humor is a total bonus. Love you ladies.

  My writing group, The Otters. You, ladies and gentlemen, have kept me sane. I look forward to the many adventures and oddly normal Google searches we will have together in the future. Thanks for holding my hand while we float. If you are writing, please find a group to call home. You can start by looking at Jeff Goins’ Tribe Writers.

  My editor, Staci Troilo. I don’t have enough thanks to show my gratitude. You gently and respectfully told me when I needed to move and change, and this book is better for it. You’re my ace. Thank you for everything!

  My beta readers, who refined me. You helped me give clarity and form to characters and ideas. Your feedback took a story that I loved and made it better.

  Special thanks to my sister of the heart, Susan. I can’t compress a lifetime into one sentence. All my love to you, your super hero, your beautiful little party planner, your mama, and a nod to heaven for your daddy.

  Last, but most definitely not least, my God. I’m thankful that He had plans for me.

  “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)