House of Rougeaux(18)
Now and again the Holy One brought Abeje young people. Brought them as she was brought to the Obeah woman, to learn. They were sometimes with her as little as a day or a week, sometimes for years, it all depended. However long they had, Abeje sought to ignite in them the healing flame. She saw their spark, and the tinder of their nature. Spirit had marked them, sure enough, and it was to them she sang her own song. Abeje taught them to listen to the plants, to feel the messages, to join in their hands the vibrations of plant and person. She sang them her own song to show how one creature joins another. Her way would not be their way, no. That could not be taught. But her way opened a door for them.
Abeje’s apprentices came to her in their young years, when they were wet clay. Solid enough to take shape, but still new. With her they became vessels of the healing. The girl Addie had quick hands, she set bones like no other. Tau and Pres pulled sickness from bodies like hauling boats onto shore. Camilla, so gentle, brought out new growth with a touch light as a feather. Bayard met Anaya, all on his own.
Eight years passed by after Ayo went to Canada. New faces came and old ones went, seasons turned, Spirit brought Abeje a young apprentice, another, and one more. Her brother and she trod the Earth, slept upon her, ate from her, helped nurture her creatures and helped bury the dead in her bosom.
One night Abeje dreamt of a big ship crossing the Sea.
In the morning Groom’s wife appeared at the barns, looking for Adunbi.
She was a kind woman, getting on in years herself, and her face was flushed from walking quickly. She said she had something for them. Adunbi went to find Abeje and they met her outside Groom’s small house. There was a large shade tree with some stumps arranged beneath it and they sat there. Groom’s wife drew a kerchief from her bodice, dabbed at her face, and then from the same folds in her dress took a pair of spectacles and a thick folded paper. There was writing on the paper and at once they knew. Adunbi took his sister’s hand. They scarcely breathed.
The letter was addressed to Groom and his wife, and came from Canada, from Québec City. She pointed to the place on the paper that bore a piece of writing called the address, where a letter might be sent back. Inside, the letter bore the date: November 1st, 1833. Groom’s wife read it out slowly. She said she was not so very good at reading, but they heard every word as if it were a song.
This was what it said:
...at long last I am fulfilling my promise to write to you. So long has been its delay. I pray this letter reaches you and that you are still living, and that you can forgive me. Many events and many obstacles stood in my way. I am a grown woman now, as you will guess, and have learned a great many things, including my letters and also to play piano…
Adunbi asked Groom’s wife to read over the first part again, it was so much to take in all at once. She obliged, and then continued as best she could.
...TB and NB have been kind to me, and though life is not always easy I have been very fortunate in many ways. TB and NB returned to the Island two years ago in the company of their cousin and I stayed behind as there wasn’t money enough for my passage. TB and NB told me on their return to Québec City that my mother had passed away. Apparently she fell ill, and in just a few days she died. They say she did not suffer much. This news was a bitter pain for me, but I feel she is at peace now, and I am grateful for that.
I also had another solace and that was in the form of a young man, Dax Rougeaux. Dax is a free man, a saddler by trade, who works in a shop not far from where we live. We have been acquainted now for about three years and he has become most dear to me. One year ago he asked for my hand, and then went to speak with TB and NB. They wrote to their father asking permission for me to marry, and also to allow that we make arrangements for Dax and me to purchase my worth from them. He did not object and so we have a plan. Dax works hard, and indeed I am also earning wages as I am often asked to play piano music at parties and teach lessons to children. I am very happy. We think we may save enough in another two or three years. TB and NB have gotten used to the idea of free people. Québec City has been a new world for them also. There are many who say that it won’t be long before all people are indeed free.
Here Groom’s wife mopped her face again with the kerchief. “I promise ye I won’t tell about this,” she said, “but ye must burn this letter when we’re through.” After catching her breath she continued reading. The letter went on to describe many things about life in Québec City, so many events such that Adunbi and Abeje felt transported across the Sea. It was as if they were there with Ayo, all these years gone by. At last she said,
I think often of you and the many things you taught me long ago. I feel you with me in my heart always, and I hope you know I have never forgotten you. One day, God willing, I will teach your songs to my own children.
Sincerely yours,
Claudine
After Groom’s wife finished reading, Adunbi and Abeje were too overcome to speak for a long time. Adunbi took the letter from her saying he would indeed burn it right away, so as not to risk bringing trouble on anyone. They thanked Groom’s wife very much for the great favor she had done for them.
All that day passed in wonder. That evening Adunbi sat by the fire holding his daughter’s letter.
“I am very tired,” he said. “We burn this in the morning. A little while I keep it with me.”