The Slave Master's Son

by Laveen, Tiana

  “I was so worried about you,” she whispered as John sat down next to her. John kissed her and ran his thumb along his son’s cheek.

  “Hannah,” he whispered. “You’re coming with me after you get a little more rest. We’re catching a train tomorrow morning. Master Stewart knows I’m here, and he knows what I’m about to do, so there are no longer any secrets. You and I are moving to New York.” Her smile faded quickly. She looked down at her son.

  “What – what about Jonathan?” she asked wearily. “I’m not going if I have to leave him!” she said as tears threatened to pour down her cheeks. “It doesn’t matter how much I love you, John, I won’t leave him!” Hannah gulped. “If he wasn’t yours, I’d still want him, John. I need you to know that,” she added. John smiled and kissed her forehead softly.

  “Hannah, I know, and if he weren’t mine, I’d do everything I could to make sure you had him with you. You must be delirious from your recent ordeal. You know better than to think I’d expect you to do such a thing, Sweetheart!” he reassured. Hannah smiled.

  “I don’t know what came over me. Of course you wouldn’t. You love him just as much as I do.”

  “Of course I do. He’s coming with us. I purchased Mr. Grant’s rights free and clear. Speaking of which, you’re in my legal care. The final arrangements are being made this morning. Please, don’t worry yourself with these trivial matters. Focus on your wellness and our son. We’re getting a ride to the ferry, so little walking will be needed on your part. I’ll make all the preparations,” John assured as he slid off his boots and nestled close to Hannah. He missed her scent, her smile, her laughter, and the way she spoke. He sleepily watched his son nurse. A few minutes later, Hannah rose and placed the baby in the bassinet beside her bed. She got back into bed and felt John wrap his long, strapping arms around her. She fell asleep and whispered to herself, “If I’m still dreaming, Lord, please don’t ever let me wake.”

  * * *

  “Everything is in order, John,” Master Washington said as he signed the last paper before handing it to John. “Hannah is free to go. You’re more than welcome to take her belongings that I purchased for her.” John nodded and shook Mr. Washington’s hand before loading up the carriage. Mary stood back, wiping her tears as she watched Hannah place a blanket down on the carriage seat. Hannah ran to her, wiping her own tears away.

  “I can’t believe it. You’re going to be free! As soon as John get you over there, you will be free. Nobody will own you anymore, my sweet girl!” Mary sobbed, holding her daughter tightly in her arms.

  “That’s right, Mary,” John said as he overheard the conversation. “I have ownership of her until we get to where we’re going, and then you will be free, Hannah. This way just makes it easier so that you’re not tagged a runaway.” He kissed Mary’s cheek and hugged her while Hannah took the baby from his hands.

  “Mama, we gotta go before we miss our train,” Hannah smiled. Quick shuffling sounds approached. Mr. Grant approached John with a crooked smile and his hat humbly down from his messy ringlets.

  “Hannah, stand by the carriage with the baby. Mama Mary, we’ll be in touch!” John said abruptly as he walked chest-to-chest towards Mr. Grant aggressively.

  “What in the hell are you doing here? You’ve been handsomely paid, more so than you or this operation was worth!” John stared down at him, his lips twisted.

  “Now, just relax there John. I do believe that you, in fact, owe me an apology and possibly a token of appreciation. Yes, I did receive penitence regarding this matter, since we all lost out, except for you and Hannah, of course. Without me and my assistance, you would’ve been discovered and possibly not found her at all. Now I think…”

  “You must be out of your mind! Are you truly this ruthless and crude? I would’ve found her without your help and without the additional stress you caused with your blackmail.”

  “I believe fifty dollars is a nice token of appreciation,” Mr. Grant smiled, exposing a bottom row of rotten teeth. John smiled, then laughed heartily. He quickly pushed his jacket back and in a flash, his gun was in hand, shoved into Mr. Grant’s chest as he pushed him abruptly against a fence. Mr. Grant’s smile faded, his eyes glossed over, and lips parted and quivered.

  “Now, now, John – don’t do anything you’d soon regret!” he yelled, looking around to see if there was anyone within ear shot to hear him.

  “Oh, trust me – I won’t regret it. I’m going to shoot you, Mr. Grant. I’m not going to kill you, but I’m going to shoot you.” John reached roughly into Mr. Grant’s pocket and pulled out a threadbare bag filled to the brim with gold coins.

  “This is what my father gave you for you to do nothing but rent out Henry to impregnate my wife!” John yelled out to a group of children that were standing by a fruit stand near the ferry.

  “Children! It’s raining gold!” The children watched as John threw the bag far into the air, shooting it, causing all the coins to flow out of it and rain money onto the ground. They raced over, scouring to the ground, fighting amongst each other to collect the coins.

  “That was two hundred dollars, you fool!” screamed Mr. Grant. “You’ve thrown away to children who’ll spend it on sweet milk, candies, and useless toys!” huffed Mr. Grant. “Get away from that money!” he growled at the children. They ignored his order and continued their scavenger hunt.

  “The next bullet’s for you, directly. I told you I was going to shoot you. Anything that comes between you and your money is like a shot to you. It will be real, not metaphoric if you persist. I’d actually like to take my bare hands and rip the life right out of you, but a gunshot’s far more clean and humane.”

  “You’re insane!” Mr. Grant hissed between clenched teeth.

  “Now, go on home. This is over. You’ve been paid, and you’ve been warned. Don’t ever darken my day with your shadow again.” Mr. Grant raced over to the ground, picking up the few dollars left uncollected. He hissed and cursed as John walked over to the carriage and kissed Mama Mary’s forehead, allowing Hannah and her to say their final goodbyes.

  “What was going on over there?” Hannah asked.

  “Nothing, darling. It’s settled now.”

  “Mama, you’ll see me again,” Hannah grinned.

  “I know,” Mary said. “Let me know when you get there. Write me letters all the time and don’t miss a detail!” Mary sobbed with joy as she waved. Hannah looked back and smiled and waved at her mother once more while cuddling close with her cooing son. She looked down at Jonathan and rubbed his bottom lip affectionately with her index knuckle.

  “You’re gonna be free, Jonathan. Your mama is going to be free, and you ain’t no slave. You ain’t never going to be nobody’s slave!” Hannah sobbed happily as John hugged her closely and said, “Sweetheart, the war is over, and so is your pain and suffering.”

  * * *

  CHAPTER 16

  Hannah wrapped her thick, cream colored shawl around her shoulders as the night air climbed into her pores. She covered the baby’s face, allowing a thin pocket of fabric to peek forward to allow ventilation. John took her bags off the train and walked ahead of her toward the ferry landing.

  “Alright, my Sweetheart, we’re on our way to New York City. I’ve made several trips in advance for just this moment,” John smiled thoughtfully. “Let me brief you a bit about what you should anticipate,” John began as he hurriedly moved through the crowd of people, ensuring his wife and son were close to him. “You were sleeping on the train, and I didn’t dare wake you, or I would’ve briefed you previously. Come here.” John ushered Hannah and his baby under an awning protecting them from the night air.

  “This is strong Union land. You will be safe here. Slavery isn’t legal here. Regardless, I have your papers and will be giving them to you once we get to our new residence. Here’s a quick lesson about your new surroundings, Sweetheart. We’re arriving at a good time because the racial upheaval and tension here about a year or so ago has subsi
ded. Unfortunately, many abolitionists lost their lives as did many Negro people. This was because of fear of jobs being lost due to the end of slavery and a draft that was to take place. This trepidation has receded greatly.” He rubbed Hannah’s shoulders as he saw the apprehension building in her eyes.

  “It’s fine. I’d never bring you somewhere in which you were in more danger than you were before. I have several colleagues here and a good idea as to what’s going on right now. There are several pockets of the city in which intermixing of the races isn’t looked down upon. We’ll be staying in one of those areas in order to help ensure your safety and that of our baby. You will be able to come and go as you wish. If you need to go out, there’s a market in close walking distance so you can pick up groceries and whatever else you may need. I also was told that a delightful textile shop is right next to our residence. You can get all of your sewing supplies there,” John smiled. “To continue on, however, with what I was saying, we’ll be on the far outskirts of an area called Manhattan. There’s another area which isn’t a good part of town not terribly far called The Five Points, however. Though it’d be ideal regarding our marriage circumstances, it’s not suitable. There’s some unsavory activity that’s not proper for raising children.”

  “Like what?” Hannah asked curiously. John smiled as he watched a gathering of loose curls wave softly in the air from her gorgeous, coiffed hair.

  “It’s riddled with poverty and is crime infested. There’s excessive gambling, overindulgence of alcohol which has led to more violence and unscrupulous behavior. There’s also prostitution. None of that’s suitable for Jonathan,” he rattled off the list in a whisper.

  “Nevertheless the people there won’t bother you in the least should we need to venture in those surrounding areas simply to pass through for goods we may need. A friend of mine from the University is setting up his firm here. He also was an abolitionist. I’ll be working there helping him until I’m able to set up my own. I won’t be terribly far from you, but I need for you to be aware of your surroundings and careful never the less. There’s still some tension and there are many people here that have relocated from other areas that are less tolerant of Negroes being around, especially freed Negroes. There are a lot of Irish immigrants who moved in about a decade or so ago and they’ve started a lot of race riots for fear of having to compete for jobs with freed slaves. Bear in mind, however, there are some Irish people there that wouldn’t think of harming a hair on your head and would help you with anything you need so please don’t think…”

  “John, are you telling me that, even though I’m free, there are people here who resent my presence? I don’t want their jobs,” Hannah interrupted as she shifted her weight from one foot to the other while rocking their infant son in her cradled arms.

  “Yes I know, but you’re still seen as a threat. I know that this is a lot of information at one time and I know a bit may be confusing. There’s still an air of unsavory attitudes and bias. Slavery has been illegal here for a significant amount of time, though. A lot’s happened, but a lot’s also improved. It’s still a safer place to be than Virginia who’s doing very poorly right now. All in all, I believe you will make friends and have some adjustments. I don’t know if you recall my travels during my teen years when I’d be gone for weeks at a time, but this is one of the places I’d visit. Master Stewart wanted me to be taught by some of the best scholars here,” John explained.

  “Yes, I do remember,” Hannah smiled. “I’d miss you and wonder when you were coming home,” she laughed.

  “Well, this is what I was doing. My father was preparing me for law. He wanted me to be the best lawyer in the country because he was unable to complete that dream for himself. Luckily for him, I actually enjoy it and want to do this. In all other areas I went against his wishes, but on this he and I were in total agreement,” John laughed. Hannah’s forehead became wrinkled.

  “What is it, Hannah?” John asked as he picked the suitcases back up.

  “Is our marriage legal here, John?” she questioned.

  “I knew that you’d ask me this, and I’ve been avoiding the conversation quite honestly. Here’s the truth of the matter, Hannah. Although slavery is illegal here and, for all intents and purposes, over with, at least in the North, Hannah, our marriage is still not recognized. What we have is called miscegenation. It’s against the law for us to be together as a couple. However, no one’s going to talk to us about this or ask us anything as long as we keep our noses clean. There are several couples like us here, Hannah. From what I’ve been told, they’re left alone. No one’s asking, and they’re not telling,” John explained. “I honestly believe that it will be legalized and that’s one of the issues I’ll be fighting for. When it is, I don’t care if we’re as old as time itself, we’ll get it done legally,” John assured. “OK, let’s go and board the ferry. I hope you like your new house,” John said sweetly as he helped Hannah onto the large boat.

  * * *

  Hannah slowly rocked crying Jonathan in her protective arms while her dark brown eyes grew to epic proportions. She stood up, looking at the rippling water then back towards the sky as she took in the bellows of smoke from large, close clustered buildings. From a distance, she could see miniature wagons and people scurrying about.

  “I’ve never seen nothin’ like this in my life. Look at all those buildings! All those people!” Hannah exclaimed as John read a newspaper beside her. He looked up at her and smiled pleasantly.

  “She’s so inexperienced,” he thought to himself. “Look at her – almost like a child in a state of unfettered joy and amusement. I never want her to feel insecure.” His thoughts trailed as he slowly glanced back down at the periodical.

  “What is that?” Hannah exclaimed with full enthusiasm as the ferry approached the landing. John turned around to where her finger landed.

  “That was a double-decker bus,” John explained. “There are plenty of them.”

  “Can I ride one?” Hannah asked, her cheeks high with happiness.

  “Yes, you can,” John smiled as he reached up and patted her hand. “First, we have to get you settled though.”

  “Do we live right here?” Hannah asked.

  “Close, but not exactly right here. Your street’s Fifth Avenue. A lot of renovation is going on there now and the law office isn’t far in case we ever have to get hold of one another.”

  “Fifth Avenue?” Hannah laughed deeply. “That sounds fancy.”

  “Well, it is. There are some houses and shops, but a lot of development’s taking place and I suspect sooner than later it will be more like some of the areas we’ve already passed. It won’t overwhelm you like other parts of the city, but you won’t be exactly isolated either.”

  “You’ve really thought this through,” Hannah said as she cocked her head to the side.

  “You know I have. It’s important to always have a plan,” John smirked. “And also a back-up plan,” he added.

  “Are there big buildings?” Hannah asked cautiously.

  “Why yes, Honey. There are plentiful brownstones and brick buildings with arched windows and doorways. One of which we’ll reside in. Our street’s developed, but as time passes, you will see it transform. It’s just not as congested as what you’ve witnessed on our way to the port. This is the Erie Canal. It connects to the Atlantic port.” John stood up as he waited to dock. He gently took their son from Hannah’s arms, allowing her to move about freely and people watch.

  “It’s lovely! There are a lot of wagons, too,” Hannah observed. John nodded in agreement as he wrapped Jonathan up tighter in the blanket.

  “Careful, John. I need to change his nappy. I’d hate for you to get it on you.” Hannah grinned as she looked at her husband prevent his arm from touching the baby’s bottom.

  “Yes, I can feel it,” John laughed. “We’ll be there shortly,” he said as he looked down at Jonathan.

  * * *

  John took Hannah’s dainty hand as h
e led her into the lofty, beautifully designed building. The rooms had sparse furniture and large, elaborate, ornate rugs that covered practically the entire floor.

  “Is this whole place ours?” Hannah asked as she looked at the staircase in amazement. John laughed.

  “Of course, Hannah. My father’s house is much larger than this. I thought you’d think this was small actually based on that alone,” he smiled.

  “I’ve been living in a tiny, one-room shack, John,” Hannah said seriously. “Anything bigger than that’s a blessing.” Tears welled up in her eyes. John put her bags down and toured her around the premises.

  “You even have a little garden here. You can plant tomatoes. Now, it gets a little colder here than back home so we’ll have to get you some thicker coats.” Hannah spun around laughing.

  “It’s perfect!” she headed up the steps with the baby and opened up a room that had a small, light-green rug on the floor.

  “John, this room has gotta be the baby’s. I just know it does. It’s right for him,” Hannah said as she looked down into her arms.

  “Whatever you want,” John said as he opened a narrow door in the room, exposing a small closet. “I’ll have it painted, and we’ll go out tomorrow and get a baby crib for him and anything else you think he needs. Let me show you our bedroom,” he said. John led Hannah into a long, shoebox-shaped room with long, clear-as-crystal windows overlooking the city. Hannah walked inside cautiously.

  “I’ve never seen nothin’ like this before,” she said in a whisper. “It looks like the ballet theater that was in that one book you gave me, you know, on the cover,” she explained.

  “Ahhh, yes!” John exclaimed excitedly. “I had forgotten about that book. I used it to help you learn to read when we were little. It belonged to my mother.” John’s animated tone quickly transformed into one filled with melancholy.