“There you are!” Delia wanted to take another picture. “Say cheese.”
“My mouth’s full.”
“Swallow and smile.”
“Where’s my little niece? All grown up, star of stage and screen!” Felicia felt herself enveloped in her Aunt Vi’s warm embrace, up against cushiony breasts. Beyond her aunt stood a grinning Lenore and Rosalee, waiting for their turn to hug Felicia.
“There’s lots to eat, yummy sandwiches and cookies,” said Felicia, stepping back and adjusting the bonnet that was still tied around her chin.
“Get rid of that headgear,” said Rosalee.
“You look amazingly strange with all that makeup,” said Lenore.
“I know.”
“Like a different person.”
“I’m still me. Have a sandwich.”
Conversation was difficult in the crush and confusion of so many people. Felicia managed to introduce Rosalee and Lenore to Renate and Sophie. Dodie was too far away, across the gym.
Mr. Butler appeared in their midst, red-faced and beaming. He said to Florence, “You must be so proud of your talented daughter.”
“Yes, I am, but Felicia is my granddaughter. Let me introduce you to my daughters, Delia and Vivian.” The drama teacher made a courtly bow.
Felicia eased her mother and family away from the smarmy Mr. Butler and whispered, “Can we go home?”
“Sure we can, what’s the matter?”
“I don’t think Lenore and Rosalee are having any fun.”
CHAPTER 51
Flower
THE WOMAN'S EYES brightened with interest as they focused on Flower. “Here’s a hardy young girl. She’ll be helpful to us.”
Eldon nodded his head in agreement. He said, “She surely has been helpful, tending us when we were sick and making her way alone to the Buxtons’.”
“That so?”
Flower started to describe their experiences, but the people in the house were saying hello and pulling out chairs.
Gabriel was lifted out of his sling. “Oh! A fine baby!” He received a loud kiss on each cheek.
They settled around the table and Eldon recounted the details of their journey. Hazel nodded. “Now it’s time for the last leg.”
“How far have we got to go?”
“We’ll head for Erie. Then you’ll be in Pennsylvania.”
“Will we be safe there?” Flower asked.
“Someone like you, with bounty hunters at your heels, there’s only one safe place, and that’s out of the country. Once we’re in Erie, we’ll cross the lake to Canada, where you’ll be free within the law. You can stay with me for a while in a town called St. Catharines; then I’ll find you a place where you can be useful till spring.”
“Thank you. We are so grateful for your help.”
“This is what I do. I’m glad to do it.”
“Do you have a map we can look at?”
“It’s all in my head.”
Flower noticed her father’s doubtful glance. “All in your head?”
“She’s done it many a time,” said Abe. “You’re in good hands.”
Hazel said, “I’ve helped many people. Haven’t lost one yet.”
They left the next morning, once more bidding farewell to kind strangers. They spent three days traveling on foot through fields and forests, and by road, hidden in wagons. The first night they slept in a haystack in a barnyard, and the second night they slept among the gravestones in a churchyard. At the last station, they were again hidden in an attic.
Flower bedded down on a straw-filled mattress next to Hazel. She glanced at the woman beside her and stretched out her legs, comparing their length to Hazel’s. “You’re just a little bit bigger than me.”
“That’s right.”
“Your hair is getting gray, so you’re not going to grow any taller.”
Hazel’s laugh was husky and dry, as if it was rarely used. “I’m tall enough. Time to settle and get some rest. We have a big day tomorrow.”
“Lots more walking?”
“No. Tomorrow we take a boat.”
Flower was instantly wary. “I don’t like boats. I know they can sink, and I can’t swim.”
“Don’t worry. This one is safe. It’s made many a trip. Now that’s enough talk. Time for sleep.” Hazel rolled over on her side, with her back to Flower, signaling the end of their conversation.
The next morning the family was given new clothes to wear. Flower was outfitted with trousers and cap.
Cleo looked at her daughter with surprise. “You look just like a boy! Is that what Gabriel is going to be like?”
Eldon was also given dark clothing and cap, and Cleo was given a new dress and wide-brimmed bonnet. “There,” said Hazel. “Keep the babe hidden as much as you can with your cloak. Try to look like a different family, more prosperous, as if you know where you are going and have every right to be doing it.”
The group stood nervously on the pier the next morning—Flower slightly apart from her family and closer to Hazel, who was also dressed in long pants like a man. The lake glistened before them, stretching endlessly to the horizon.
“Here, boy. Carry this case for me.” With his foot, a stranger shoved a suitcase in Flower’s direction. She hesitated, uncertain. “And hurry up about it.” Flower carried the case to a footbridge leading up to the boat. “Here you go,” the man said, flipping a coin. It landed and glistened in the dirt. She retrieved it and ran back to Hazel.
“Come stand beside me. Let’s wait behind these bales. When most people are on board, someone will come out and get us.”
“Who?”
“Mr. Brown. He’s a colored man who’s done well. He owns three ships that sail these lakes. His gift to us is free passage.”
Flower looked with wonder at the lake, waves lapping against the immense vessel that towered over her. There were gold letters outlined in black on its side.
M-O-R-N-I-N-G S-T-A-R
“Do you know what that says, Hazel?”
“No. I can’t read. I wish I knew how. The first thing you should do when you get free and settled is learn to read. It’s a wonderful thing.”
“I would really like to.”
Once aboard, Flower was ushered down below with Hazel, away from her family. She tried to be invisible as she stared at the plank floor and listened to the rough thrum of the boat tracking across the water. After a while, Hazel led her up to the deck, and together they stood against the railing. Flower felt the wind fly against her face as the boat sliced through waves, closer and closer to the shore.
There was a shocking blast of a horn just before docking. Thick ropes were tossed down and tied to posts. The passengers massed into a crowd, waved to those waiting for them, and then shuffled in orderly rows down to the pier. Flower could see her mother and father ahead, already on land. She felt like pushing others aside and running down to join them, but she stayed quietly in line. When her feet left the swaying boat and touched solid ground, she raced toward her mother’s open arms. Hazel followed close behind and joined the family. They came together into a circle, not saying a word, arms extended around each other in a mutual and grateful embrace.
CHAPTER 52
Felicia
AT HOME, Felicia headed straight for the shower, then reappeared cleansed of stage makeup and more comfortably dressed in jeans and sweatshirt. She found her friends watching television. “Who’s up for some popcorn?”
Lenore had Rufus in her lap and was stroking his purring head. S
he glanced up at Felicia and said, “You look better now.”
“I feel better too.”
Florence called out from the kitchen. “There’s chili in the slow cooker and bread on the counter. You girls come and help yourselves to a meal.”
They came into the kitchen. Delia was tossing salad, Aunt Vi slicing bread. They filled their bowls and sat around the table, talking and laughing together.
“That was quite the production, Felicia,” said Aunt Vi.
“Mr. Butler did a fine job,” said Delia. “He introduced himself to us in the gym.”
“I don’t like him,” said Felicia.
“You don’t? Why not?” asked her mother.
Felicia didn’t want to tarnish the jolly mood, but Delia looked steadily at her until she answered. “He didn’t want me to be a pioneer…He wanted me to be a ‘Native’ instead. But I protested, so he finally agreed.”
Delia’s expression hardened, but her voice was calm. “I’m going to have a conversation with him about that.”
“Mom.”
“Don’t worry about it. Sometimes even teachers need teaching.”
“Oh, that man’s going to get a lesson.” Aunt Vi chuckled and shook her head.
Delia went to the front room to turn off the television and put on some music. She sang along as the table was cleared. After the cleanup, Aunt Vi dealt the cards at he women sat down to play.
Lenore looked on and suggested, “Why don’t you play your queen of diamonds?”
“Don’t go giving my hand away now, this is serious stuff!”
Felicia stood behind her mother’s chair and began to braid her hair. “Remember I used to brush your hair when you played cards?”
“I do. It felt grand. But you can forget the hair and make us some fudge.”
The girls made two plates. They left one with the women in the kitchen and took the other upstairs. Lenore brought Rufus, who stretched out on the bed like one of the group.
“It was weird being at your school,” Lenore said. “So many white faces. Is it hard living here?”
“It is, sometimes,” said Felicia. “Some people can be really mean. And stupid. But Dodie and Renate and Sophie are nice. They got me into riding. I have a horse named Morning Star. Well, I don’t own her—she belongs to my riding teacher—but she’s the only one I ride. She’s so beautiful. Maybe tomorrow before you leave, I can take you to see her at the stables?”
“Wow, a horse!” said Rosalee. “I can’t picture it, but I guess that’s pretty cool.”
Laughter from the kitchen drifted upstairs, but Lenore’s face was solemn. “Felicia, have you changed?”
“No. I’m still the same person. I’m just doing some new things.”
“Meeting new people,” said Rosalee.
“Yes.”
“Making new friends.”
“I am. But I don’t want to lose my old friends, like you two. You are my oldest and best friends.”
“Really?”
“Yes, really. Honestly.”
Rufus lifted his left rear leg and began to lick the rounded pads of his paw, his back curved into a perfect arch.
“Okay, but what about us? How can we be friends if you have this new life in a different town?”
“We can talk—Mom says we can get hooked up to the Internet soon, so that we’ll make it easier. And you guys can come and see me, and I’ll come and see you. You said I could come down and visit you. Didn’t you mean it?”
“Yes, but do you still want to?”
“Of course I’m coming! I’m going to come down and pound on your door till you let me in. I’ll make so much noise the neighbors will be yelling at you. You’ll have to let me in.” Felicia tapped Lenore on the top of her head with a pillow. Lenore picked up another pillow, and Rosalee threw a sock. Rufus watched the giggling bedlam with interest, then yawned and stretched, fanning all his toes and extending all his toenails before settling on his side.
CHAPTER 53
Flower
FLOWER LUGGED a heavy rock to the growing pile under the tree. Gabriel toddled after her, his hands full of stones. He threw them at the collection. “See Flower?”
“Yes, I see what a helpful boy you are. Come and get some more.”
Her father and two other men worked steadily, choosing each stone according to its size and shape, setting it in with the others, crafting a fence that would last for generations.
“This ground’s been growing nothing but rocks.”
“Since the beginning of time.”
“Next year this field will be golden with grain.”
“I can taste it now.”
Flower brought them one more stone, then looked down at her hands, scraped and sore.
“Pa, my hands are done with carrying for now.”
“Fetch us a pitcher of something cold and tasty then.”
Flower took Gabriel’s reluctant hand and led him back to their house. His howling “no!” could be heard all the way to the front yard.
Cleo appeared in the doorway. “What’s all the noise about?”
“Gabriel wants to stay and help Pa, but he’s just in the way without me to tend him. My hands are sore and Pa’s thirsty.”
Cleo opened her arms to her disgruntled little boy. “We’ll make up some cold tea.”
Flower carried a pail to the pump. She worked the handle up and down to get the water flowing, rinsed out the pail and set it aside, then thrust her scratched palms under the cascading water, enjoying the icy relief.
She heard someone whistling over the sound of the running water. Flower looked back to where her father was working and then up at the road. A man walked along with his hands in his pockets, a bag slung over his shoulder. Flower squinted into the distance. There was something familiar about him. He came closer, and she recognized him.
“Samuel!” Flower stopped pumping water and rushed back to the house. “Ma! It’s Samuel coming down the road!” She turned from the door and ran toward the field. “Pa! Come quick and see who’s here!”
Her father dropped a stone and trotted to the front of the house. Cleo came to the doorway. “Welcome! Welcome! You’re a sight for sore eyes!”
“Isn’t he, though? How did you know where to find us?”
“I heard about you, and I thought to myself how I’d like to see you folks again!”
Eldon made introductions to the neighbors. “This is our friend who we met on our journey.”
“Seems like a lifetime ago,” said Samuel.
“Not so long, just two years.”
“How’ve you been? Come in and we’ll have a meal, all of us. We were just making some tea.”
They settled around the table. “So, tell us where you’ve been and how you’ve been doing,” said Eldon.
“It’s been a mighty long road. Thought I’d never be warm and dry again. Once, I even spent a whole day hiding up to my neck in a pond amongst the reeds.”
“Just like Moses.”
“He, at least, was in a basket.” As they laughed, Samuel turned his gaze to Gabriel. “Look at that boy, a baby no longer.” His eyes found Flower. “And your daughter, growing into a beautiful young lady.”
Flower searched out her mother’s reassuring face. “I forgot the pail of water. I’ll go get it.”
Samuel stood up. “I’ll help you.”
They walked across the yard to the pump. “Tell me how you’ve been, Flower. Was it a hard journey for you to come here?”
“Yes.”
“I always tried to picture you and your family safe from harm.”
“We were caught.
Papa was treated real bad. They put us in a jail.” Flower’s voice trembled with the retelling. Samuel took her hand, but she withdrew it and started to pump water into the pail.
“I never was caught, but I sure got hungry. I know eggs taste better cooked.”
There was a bench near the pump. They sat down together. Flower said, “You cooked squirrels for us.”
“You remember that?”
“Yes.” Flower studied her lap, then looked up at the side of Samuel’s head. “Your wound has healed nicely.” Her finger traced the fluted remnant of an ear. “Does it pain you at all?”
“Just on a windy day.”
They sat and gazed at the bay, glistening blue in the distance.
“A man could die of thirst waiting for you two!” Eldon shouted from the house. “And it’s time for lunch.”
As they ate their bread and cheese, Samuel asked, “What about you folk? You’re looking fine.”
“After we crossed the water, we stayed with some people for a while, waiting for Cleo to recover her strength,” said Eldon. “I helped and worked on their farm, made enough money to buy a horse and wagon. We came up here a while back. What you see is what we have.”
“You own some land?”
“That I do.”
“My dream,” said Samuel.
“Stay here. This is a good community. We help each other.”
Cleo stood and wiped her hands on her apron. “Eldon, it’s time for the Women’s Institute meeting. Flower and I are on our way. Gabriel will be in your care, on his best behavior.” She gave an emphatic look to her little boy.
Flower took her mother’s arm as they left the house. “Feeling all right?”
Cleo arched her back, took slow steps. “I’m thinking our wee visitor can make its presence known anytime.”
Flower glanced at her mother’s swollen belly. She couldn’t imagine the arrival of this ‘visitor’ would be an easy process. The neighboring women had promised to help when the time came, especially Mrs. Perkins, who was said to be proficient in handling such matters.
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