Yellow Wife(80)

We squatted down in the dirt until all fell quiet. When I felt sure that no one was around, we trekked down the well-worn dirt path toward the river, keeping to it until we came to another wide bush where we could take cover with the water view in front of us. I pulled Monroe to me.

“What is the plan?” Essex scooted closer to me.

“We need to wait for word.”

The gravity of what we had just pulled off hit me all at once. The longer we waited, the more antsy I became. Where was the boat? Too much time had passed. Someone was bound to realize that we were gone.

“Abbie, you sure they are coming?”

“Certain.”

I had had to rely solely on Abbie to make the arrangements through the bakery. I had not realized that Abbie had known the owner of the bakery since she was a girl, and after several notes from me to him, and pleading with Corrina at Sunday’s church services, they had agreed to arrange for passage. Monroe’s eyes found mine, big with worry. Getting my son to freedom had become my life’s mission, and now that we were so close, it dawned on me that I might never see him again. I held him in my arms and prayed over his life and safety. I cradled his face in my hands and kissed his cheek.

“You might not understand it, but everything that I have done is because of my love for you. Always remember that.”

Essex touched my shoulder, and that was when I realized what I had forgotten to do.

“Monty, this is your father, Essex Henry.”

“The prisoner?”

“Yes.”

“How do you do?” Monroe said formally. Essex pulled him to his chest.

Then I heard a swish in the water.

“Wait here.” I climbed down through the muck. My heart soared at the sight of the boat pulling toward the dock. I stood in the light of the moon and waved the white handkerchief as instructed. The captain slowed the vessel and dropped the anchor.

“Friend of a friend sent me.”

“Cargo needs to move quick. You got the money?”

I whistled for the others to come out of hiding. Essex had Monroe’s hand, and Tommy walked behind Abbie.

I handed the captain the last of the purse that I had been collecting and hiding over the years. “We have four.”

“You arranged for three.”

I took the pearl necklace from around my neck and passed it to him. “Please.”

He looked at it and waved his hand for them to board. A tall black man was at the back of the boat and reached out his hand. Abbie was the first to step on, and when her hand touched his, she jumped into his arms. I peered closer. The man was Basil. He had returned for her. He waved and smiled at me.

I hugged Monroe again. “Go on, baby.”

“Mama, you not coming?”

“I have to stay behind. But you, son, are meant to see freedom. Go with your father and live the life you have been promised. I will find you soon enough.”

I had already sewn a pouch of protection inside his pants. Monroe’s eyes filled with tears and he threw his arms around my waist again. I kissed the top of his head and then motioned for Tommy to take his hand. Basil hurried them both down below.

“I am not leaving without you again, Pheby.” Essex’s shoulders bunched around his ears, the way they did when he dug his heels in.

“You must.”

“I can’t. Not again.”

The captain called down, “We have to go. Do they have their papers?”

I held them up for the captain to see, and then handed the pile to Essex. I wrote passes giving them passage to Baltimore. Essex folded them into his pocket. I removed the necklace he had made for me from around my neck and tied it around his.

“You have our son to consider, and I cannot abandon my daughters.”

He shook his head. I kissed his lips.

“Someone has to stay behind and be the lamb.”

“Last call!” shouted the captain.

“Please do not risk this second chance. Go. I have memorized your friend’s address in Boston. I will find you again.”

I did not wait for Essex to climb on board. Instead I turned and walked back up the worn path. My temples pulsed as I contemplated that I had yet again come close to freedom only to have the opportunity slip from my grasp. Still, for the sake of my son and daughters, I knew that this was the right choice. The one that Mama would have made for me.

I strolled back toward the Lapier jail as another coffle was led across the bridge. They came the same way I had come. The same way it would always be, until enough hearts had the courage to change. As long as there was breath, there was hope.





Epilogue





May 3, 1867

Richmond, Virginia

My beloved Hester,

I apologize, dear daughter, for the length of time it has taken me to reply. You can imagine how harried our world has been since the end of the war between the States. Richmond is unrecognizable. When the Confederate commanders realized the war had been lost, they ordered soldiers to set fire to our bridges, tobacco factories, and weapons caches, to deny them to the federal troops. The fire quickly blazed out of control and countless people lost their homes. The entire business district burned to the ground. However, the gutting of the city could not dampen the jubilation of the people being set free. If only my mother could have witnessed the emancipation with her own eyes.