My Daughter's Legacy

by Mindy Starns Clark

  “Old Joe, Sonny, and me, with Aggie and Auntie Vera’s help. We’ve been pruning the trees in the orchard.”

  “I see.” Therese hoped Mr. Porter would actually do some of the work for his room and board. She felt compelled to talk with Mother again about freeing the slaves, but it sounded as though the woman was becoming more and more dependent on their labor. Therese wondered why they didn’t just leave—but of course they had nowhere to go, and heading North without help or a plan would be too risky. Even if Mr. Porter was too drunk to go after them, the slave patrols would. President Lincoln had signed the final Emancipation Proclamation nearly two years ago, but of course it carried no authority in the South.

  When they reached the hospital, Badan stopped on the street and helped both of the women down. Again, Therese led the way to Warner’s ward, finding Mother sitting beside him and Dr. Talbot standing behind her.

  “How is he?” Therese was a little breathless from rushing up the stairs.

  “No better or worse,” Dr. Talbot answered.

  Warner turned his head toward Therese and gave her a vague smile but didn’t speak. Perhaps he’d just had his morphine.

  She turned toward her mother. “How are you?”

  “Exhausted.” Mother rubbed the back of her neck. “But not from lack of sleep or help.” She glanced toward Dr. Talbot. “I have to say, the Corbetts are very gracious and have a comfortable home, especially considering they’re Quakers.” She straightened her skirt and without looking at Dr. Talbot added, “I’m grateful for your assistance in making the arrangements.”

  “I’m pleased it’s working out so well.”

  Apparently, Mother had decided to at least be cordial to the doctor, or perhaps his good manners—and good looks—had won her over.

  Polly stepped to the other side of the cot, and Dr. Talbot asked her if she’d assist him in surgery.

  “Not on Warner, I hope,” she said.

  Dr. Talbot shook his head. “No, he’s holding his own. It’s a soldier in the west ward, across the hall. He has a bullet embedded in his shoulder that needs to come out.”

  Polly stood straight. “Is he up in surgery already?”

  “Yes,” Dr. Talbot answered. “I was just headed there now.”

  “Of course I’ll assist.” She turned toward Therese. “Serve supper. Then start administering the medications if I’m not done.”

  Therese assured Polly she would take care of it. “Would you like to help, Mother?”

  “Oh, goodness no. I’m going back to the Corbetts’ so I can return here early in the morning. I figure we can take turns with Warner until he can go home, hopefully by the end of the week.”

  “Mother, you know that’s not a good idea.”

  “But he’s doing better, right?”

  “Wait until Dr. Talbot says it would be safe.”

  She exhaled. “I don’t want to stay in Richmond any longer than I have to.”

  “You can go home and then return. There’s no reason to stay here continually.”

  “Warner needs me,” Mother said.

  He needs Dr. Talbot and this hospital more, Therese wanted to say but didn’t, knowing it would only make matters worse. “Of course he does,” she said instead. “That’s why you should pace yourself. There are soldiers here who have been recovering for months. There’s no set timetable to any of this. There’s no way to know how long it will take Warner to heal. If you go home and rest up and then come back, you’ll be better equipped to care for him.”

  Mother seemed to ponder that for a moment. Then she asked, “Did Badan come in with you?”

  Therese shook her head. “He dropped us off. I’m guessing he parked the buggy back by the stables.”

  “He was helping Dr. Talbot earlier with lifting some of the patients.” Mother stood. “I’ll offer his services tomorrow.”

  “Thank you, Mother.” It was helpful work. There were never enough orderlies to do all the lifting, and it was hard on the nurses’ backs. It seemed Mother at least planned to stay the next day. “I’ll get your cloak.”

  Mother leaned over Warner and patted his head. “My boy, I’ll be back tomorrow.”

  He stirred but didn’t speak. His body had to be in horrible shock, not to mention who knew what the years of war and the last attack in particular had done to his mind and soul. Therese felt overcome with compassion for her brother. Perhaps he’d be awake enough later to speak with her some more.

  When she reached the closet, Badan was coming up the stairs. “My mother is about ready to leave,” Therese said.

  “All right.” He glanced toward the ward across the hall. “Do you think I have time to check on a soldier? He was having a hard time before I left to get you.”

  “Yes, but first I need to ask you something.” She stepped closer and lowered her voice. “How are things, really, at River Pines? Is Mr. Porter treating all of you well?”

  “Well as can be expected,” Badan answered, lowering his eyes.

  “What is it?”

  “I can’t say.”

  Therese exhaled. “Does Mother know of your concerns?”

  Badan shook his head.

  “Is he violent?” Therese asked.

  “I can’t say.”

  “If you could, would you—” She looked around. No one was in sight. She dropped her voice to a whisper. “Would you leave?”

  He shook his head.

  “If Aggie could go too?”

  This time he looked around but even though no one was near, he still didn’t answer but his eyes grew large.

  Therese sighed. “Go along to the ward. I’ll come get you when Mother’s ready.” But when Therese reached Warner’s ward, Mother stood in the doorway.

  “What were you talking to Badan about?”

  Therese felt her face grow warm. “About the soldier he had helped earlier today. He’s back there now. He’ll be done in just a minute.”

  Mother shook her head. “I need to go now.”

  “Wait just a moment. He’ll be right out.”

  Mother shook her head again. “I don’t think you understand…”

  “Please stop,” Therese said.

  Mother pouted for a moment, but then she said, “I’ll send Badan to take you home tonight. I’ll write another pass.”

  “That won’t be necessary. The weather’s good. Polly and I will walk.” Therese wanted to have a chance to talk with her friend again.

  “It’s not safe,” Mother said.

  Therese helped her mother with her cloak. “We’ll be fine, Mother. We have our passes. Soldiers patrol the streets. Please don’t worry.”

  The night sky had grown cloudy, but the rain held off as Therese and Polly started home. They were quiet at first, and Therese became lost in her own thoughts about Badan and the conversation she’d had with him earlier. For a long time, she had assumed there were only two options for the slaves of River Pines. Either Grandfather—or, later, Mother—had to legally free them, or the South had to lose the war. Today, however, it had struck her that there might be a third option, for Badan and Aggie at least. To flee north.

  That thought filled her with guilt for two very different reasons. On the one hand, she knew that by aiding their escape, she would essentially be stealing them out from under her own family. On the other hand, Badan and Aggie were people, not property, no matter what anyone said. That was why Therese’s guilt was far greater for the second reason, that this option had never occurred to her before.

  She simply had to do whatever she could to facilitate their escape. Of course, she would keep working on Mother to free them. That would be the safest for all involved. Certainly for Badan and Aggie, but also for whoever assisted them. God willing, Mother would change her mind. But if not, there needed to be an alternative plan. These things could take a while, so the sooner she began inquiring about escape, the better.

  Summoning her nerve, she began by sharing with Polly her concerns about Mr. Porter in as tactfu
l a method as possible. “He’s been violent before.” She’d always worried about Mr. Porter beating the men, but these days she worried even more about the women—Aggie, of course, but the thought of him accosting Auntie Vera wasn’t out of the question either. Still, Badan and Aggie were the two who were the most at risk. Old Joe and Sonny wouldn’t be as much of a threat.

  “I was wondering if you would know of any way to send a couple of slaves north, like on the Underground Railroad,” Therese whispered. “If perhaps you’ve… done anything… in that capacity.”

  Polly gave a sympathetic murmur but didn’t reply.

  “Polly?”

  Her friend skipped a step and twirled around, looking behind her. Then she whispered to Therese, “I’m not certain what the treatment for a lacerated liver is, but I’ll find out.”

  Therese allowed herself a small smile, pleased that her theory had been correct.

  “And yes,” Polly added, “I’ve helped in a number of capacities.”

  “And Dr. Talbot is involved.”

  “The less you know the better.”

  Therese thought of Rose O’Neal Greenhow and her work as a spy. To do the opposite of what Rose wanted, to help bring slavery to an end, would be an honor for Therese. “I understand there are things I shouldn’t know,” she said, “but if you need more helpers… if there’s anything I can do to help speed—”

  Steps fell behind them.

  Polly, using a normal voice, said, “The success of the Confederacy.”

  “Yes,” Therese answered.

  The voice behind them was deep but wavered. “Where are you two ladies headed?”

  “Home,” Polly answered without turning around. Both women kept walking, close enough that their shoulders touched. Therese took comfort—and courage—from her friend.

  “Stop,” the man said.

  Polly linked her arm through Therese’s and pulled her even closer. The man stepped quickly and grabbed Therese’s other arm. She could smell whiskey on his breath as she struggled away from him.

  “Are you a guard?” Polly asked, yanking on Therese. “Or a soldier? Because you don’t look like one.”

  “No. I’m a concerned citizen,” he sneered.

  “Then leave us alone.” Polly let go of Therese. She reached her hand into her cloak and seemed to aim something at the man, under the cloth.

  “I’ll shoot,” Polly said.

  “You wouldn’t,” the man said.

  “Of course I would.” Polly held the object higher.

  He froze.

  “One, two—”

  “I’m going.” The man turned and hustled away from them.

  Therese’s hand flew to her mouth as she turned toward Polly. “Why didn’t you tell me you have a gun?”

  Her friend smiled and held up her hand, her index finger extended. “Because I don’t.”

  Therese couldn’t help but laugh, but then she fell serious. “I thought we were safe.”

  “We are.”

  Therese shook her head. This war had to stop. “Tell me what I can do. Please.”

  “About?”

  “Helping.”

  “Right now, you can help best by keeping quiet about it. I’ll let you know if an opportunity arises.” Polly grabbed Therese’s hand. “And please don’t say anything to my family about what I’m doing, especially not Michael. He wouldn’t understand. Not at all.”

  Therese bristled. Even his own sister knew he couldn’t be trusted.

  When they arrived at the hospital the next day, Matron Webb was in the foyer, consulting with Dr. Moore. Seeing the young women, she excused herself. “I have a proposition for the two of you,” she said.

  “What about?” Polly asked.

  “Two more nurses resigned, and we were understaffed as it was.” Matron Webb folded her hands together. “You’re coming in every day anyway, so I wondered if we could hire the two of you for weeknights and Saturdays. That would give you Sundays off. Not to mention you would be paid employees rather than volunteers.”

  Therese and Polly said “Yes” in unison.

  “Do you want to know what the pay rate is?”

  The girls shook their heads.

  “Well, that’s good,” she said. “It’s not much, but it will help your families a bit more.”

  As they climbed the stairs, Therese asked Polly if she thought they could keep up with their teaching duties too.

  “We’ll just have to get more efficient at planning our days. I’m certain we’ll manage.”

  Polly headed straight to the west ward and began assisting Dr. Talbot, while Therese went to check on Warner.

  He was propped up on his cot. Mother sat beside him, sipping a cup of tea. Warner gave Therese a half smile as she approached.

  “Finally,” Mother said. “I thought perhaps you weren’t going to make it.”

  Therese didn’t answer. Instead, she kissed her mother’s cheek and then bent down and kissed her brother’s forehead. “How are you today?” she asked.

  “Better. I ate some lunch, and Dr. Talbot said my wound is improving.”

  “My boy will be going home soon,” Mother said.

  “Really?” Therese stood. “Is that what Dr. Talbot told you?”

  “No.” Warner’s voice was as forceful as it had been since he’d arrived at the hospital.

  “That man doesn’t know what he’s talking about,” Mother retorted. “I’m going to consult with Dr. Landers tomorrow.”

  “Mother. The issue is best left to Warner, based on Dr. Talbot’s advice. After all, Warner is a grown man and the head of our family now.”

  That stopped Mother for a moment, but then she patted Warner’s shoulder and said, “Of course Warner is the head of our family. But he’s hardly in any condition to make such a decision at this time. He needs me now more than ever.”

  A pained expression passed over Warner’s face, but then it turned into a bit of a smile. Perhaps he understood that Mother needed him to need her now more than ever.

  Mother continued. “I’ll have Auntie Vera and Aggie get the parlor ready, and then I’ll return to collect Warner.”

  “Mother, you can’t. Please follow Dr. Talbot’s instructions.”

  “That Yankee from Maine doesn’t know anything.”

  “You were married to a Yankee from New Jersey.”

  “That was different.” Mother finished her tea and then handed Therese the cup. “Would you take this down to the kitchen? And tell Badan I’m ready to go. I’ll meet him out front.”

  “He’s waiting for you now.” Therese handed her back the cup. “And you can take this to the kitchen yourself.”

  Mother looked startled. “Don’t be impertinent. It’s ugly on you.”

  Therese crossed her arms, feeling even less timid than she had the day she announced she was moving to Richmond.

  “That’s not a pretty look either.” Mother tossed her head as she spoke, but then her expression softened as she patted Warner’s shoulder. “I’ll be back by Thursday or Friday. You’ll be home in no time.” Mother turned toward Therese. “Tell Dr. Talbot what my plan is, please. I’ll let Mr. and Mrs. Corbett know.”

  Therese shook her head. She wouldn’t tell Dr. Talbot a thing. It was a ludicrous plan.

  Mother shrugged. “Goodbye.” She held her head high as she left the ward, empty cup in hand.

  Therese sat down on the stool. “Do you want to go home?”

  “No. Don’t let her take me unless the doctor thinks it’s what is best.”

  “I won’t, but you’re the one with the most say. I’ll back you up, of course.”

  “Sister, you’ve changed. You aren’t as meek and mild as you were as a girl.” He smiled again, just a little. “Regardless, I think Dr. Talbot will listen to you. Rumor has it he’s quite fond of you.”

  Therese wrinkled her nose. “Polly doesn’t know what she’s talking about.”

  Warner shook his head. “I didn’t hear it from Polly. Matron W
ebb told me.”

  “Oh, my.” Therese felt her face grow warm—and her heart too.

  “You could leave all of this.” Warner made a sweeping motion with his left arm. “Head to Maine. Have a bunch of little Talbots.”

  Therese shook her head. “I’m not interested in leaving.”

  “You should be. I would if I were you. It’s going to get worse, and even after the war ends, it will be a long time before anything gets better.”

  Therese was shocked by his assessment. “What are you saying?”

  He sighed. “I should have listened to Father. I’m afraid he was right. Remember how he used to say sin separated people? Slavery did that. It’s separated our nation. And now families. There’s no reason for you to stay and live through the consequences if you don’t have to.”

  “But you and Mother are here.”

  Warner lowered his voice. “I know I haven’t always been the best big brother, and maybe you don’t care to hear my advice now, but you should definitely leave if you can.”

  Therese studied his face. “Not long ago you were upset because your doctor was a Yankee. Now you want me to run off with the man?”

  His eyes watered as he spoke. “Perhaps I brought a little battlefield bravado with me, but I can’t let that be my compass when it comes to my sister’s future.”

  Her heart swelled. He was the big brother she’d always longed for after all. “We’ll talk about it later,” she said. “Right now I need to serve supper. I’ll bring yours soon.”

  He closed his eyes. “I’m not hungry.”

  “That doesn’t matter. I’ll bring it to you anyway.”

  The evening sped by quickly. Dr. Talbot approached her several times, but each time, before they could have a conversation, they were interrupted. Toward the end of her shift, she spotted him in the empty hallway and walked over to him, needing to ask about a wound.

  “Dr. Talbot.”

  His face lit up when he saw her. “Please, call me Alec.”

  “Pardon?”

  “Call me Alec,” he whispered, “when it’s just the two of us.”

  She shook her head, making him smile.

  “Well,” he added, eyes twinkling, “at least think of me as Alec.”