Carried Forward By Hope (26 page)

“Then we must hold the truth out to people,” Moses stated. “And we must do it for as long as it takes.”

“We’re ready to do that, Thomas,” Rose said quietly. “I’m sure there are plenty of the freed slaves who believe everything is going to be a picnic now that they are free, and they believe the federal government is going to take care of them, but there are plenty of us who know that’s not true. Just as you are responsible for your beliefs and actions, so are we.”

Thomas regarded her closely. “You were always a smart one,” he finally said.

Laughter rang through the room, lightening the atmosphere. The rhubarb pie had long been demolished, and the air wafting into the room had taken on the nip of early spring.

Jeremy cleared his throat. “As long as we’re talking about the cost of standing up for our beliefs…”

The others turned to face him.

“What is it?” Carrie asked.

“Well, it seems the word has spread about me being mulatto,” he said lightly, only his eyes showing his concern. “I’ve been let go from my job,” he admitted.

“They fired you?” Thomas exclaimed. “You’re the best financial analyst in the city!”

“Not anymore,” Jeremy responded. His smile was weak, but his voice was firm when he continued. “I don’t regret it.”

“What will you do now?” Aunt Abby asked gently.

Jeremy shrugged. “I don’t know what I will do in the future, but as soon as Moses and Rose head out to the plantation, I’m going with them.”

“Out to Cromwell?” Thomas exclaimed. “That is wonderful news!”

“I’ve known my twin less than three weeks. We’ve still got lots of catching up to do. And,” he added, “I’d like to see where I was born and discover that part of my heritage.”

Thomas smiled. “Whatever the reason, I’m simply glad you’re coming. I believe you’ll love it.”

“Aunt Abby is coming out for a while too,” Carrie added.

“Only if my being there won’t be an imposition,” Aunt Abby said quickly. “Now that you are home, you may find you don’t want a houseful of people.”

“The people sitting around this table are not people,” Thomas said simply. “They are family.” He looked at her warmly. “You’ve been family to Carrie for a long time. That makes you family to me too. You’re always welcome.”

Aunt Abby flushed with pleasure. “Thank you. I do so love southern hospitality,” she added playfully.

“Can I tell him about the factory?” Carrie asked eagerly.

Aunt Abby laughed and nodded.

Carrie turned back to her father. “Aunt Abby has bought the land that three of the burned warehouses stood on. She is going to build a clothing factory here in Richmond to provide good jobs for the freed slaves.” She smiled at the surprised look on her father’s face. “The site is almost cleared and all the bricks clean.”

“Quite an undertaking,” Thomas murmured.

Aunt Abby smiled. “It will take a while to get the factory operating, but I’m going to do everything I can to help rebuild your city and establish equality for the blacks.” She paused. “I have promised myself that all Lincoln did would not be in vain. It’s going to take everyone standing up to do their part.”

Thomas nodded sadly. “Lincoln’s death was yet another devastating blow to our country.”

“You believe that?” Aunt Abby asked.

“Absolutely,” Thomas said firmly. “We may have spent the war on opposite sides, but Lincoln was an extraordinary leader. I believe the pains of reconstruction are going to be much greater under President Johnson, but only time will tell.”

Carrie was struck by the deep fatigue in his voice. She stood and pushed back from the table. “I think it’s time to call it a night,” she said firmly. “You rode in from Danville today, and we’ve been talking for hours. You must be exhausted.”

Thomas looked at her gratefully. “You’re right. I could use a good night’s sleep.”

“And tomorrow is a big day for Moses, as well,” Carrie added. “He has to report in the morning to march with the Union troops through Richmond.”

A wave of sorrow crossed Thomas’s face, but he smiled and nodded. “Yes, I’d heard that was tomorrow.” He hesitated. “I hope you don’t mind if I don’t attend.”

Moses’s eyes softened. “You are handling so much,” he replied. “There is no reason you should be glad about the loss of everything you fought four years to hold on to. Accepting it is one thing, having it paraded in front of you is another.”

Thomas nodded. “Thank you for understanding.” He kissed Carrie and headed for the stairs. “Goodnight, everyone.”

******

The crackling of brush in the distance had Robert on full alert. He tensed, his hands locked tightly around the barrel of his rifle as he waited, searching the black night with his eyes. He craned to hear what might be coming toward him, but now only the chorus of crickets and frogs rose up around him. Slowly, very slowly, he relaxed.

And then the woods exploded with gunfire and wild yelling. He heard the screams of his men all around him as the gunfire reached its target. He gasped and looked frantically toward the woods, firing but knowing his bullets were missing their mark.

When the firing ended, the wild laughing began. He gasped as the woods rang with taunting, hideous laughter. He shrank back as the trees leaned in, parting their limbs to reveal his position. His breath came in short gasps as he saw his men lying all around him, their eyes open and blank in death. Then, as one, they all turned to stare at him — accusing, blaming…

He was relieved when he heard the final gunshot and felt the bullet rip through his heart. He stared down in fascination as blood spread across his chest, drenching his shirt.

And then the laughter began again. Only now, the laughter was coming from his men. Eyes still wide with death stared at him as the laughter rolled forth — mocking, accusing, blaming.

Robert screamed — a silent scream no one could hear — when he jolted awake to stare into the black emptiness of his room.

“It was a dream, Robert. Just a dream.”

Robert stared up as the soothing voice replaced the laughter. He recognized Carrie, but the recognition brought no peace. His turmoil was the same awake as it was asleep. He saw the concern in her eyes, but he couldn’t find the energy to care. There was nothing left to care about. His life was over. His life would never be more than hideous dreams and endless guilt and remorse for all the lost lives.

“Sleep,” Carrie said soothingly.

Robert willingly closed his eyes, not wanting to look at the reminder of all he had lost. He would not sleep, but he would lose himself in the darkness…

The morning air was crisp and clear when Moses stepped out onto the porch, dressed proudly in his Union blues. The sun was just climbing over the horizon, turning puffy clouds into a panorama of purple and gold. As he watched, a great shaft of light pierced the clouds with radiant rays that seemed to dance in the easy breeze.

“Rather spectacular, isn’t it?”

Moses spun around. “I didn’t see you there.”

Thomas smiled. “I just wanted to see a sunrise over my city. It’s putting on quite a show.”

Moses nodded. “That it is.” He settled down on the top stair and leaned back against the post. “You look rested.”

“Sleeping in your own bed will do that,” Thomas said simply. His gaze turned to the east. “I’ll rest even better when I’m home.”

“I can only imagine how hard it’s been to be away all these years.”

Thomas frowned. “Not at first. I was so glad to be gone because every breath there was a memory of my beloved wife. I thought I would never want to call it home again. I was quite content here in the city.”

Moses gazed at him, astounded he was having an early morning conversation with the man who had bought him just four years before. He had no trouble feeling his equal, but becoming comfortable with it was probably going to take a while. “What changed that?”

Thomas stared off at the sunrise, the shafts of light falling on his face and gleaming in his blue eyes. “I didn’t really feel that way until I had to flee Richmond and go to Danville. It was so hard to leave behind everything I had worked for, knowing it would all be gone when I returned.” He frowned. “I certainly never thought I would return to find the city burned, but I fully expected the Richmond I had always known would be no more.”

Moses nodded and waited quietly for him to continue.

“When I thought about coming back, all I wanted to do was go home to the plantation. The memories of my wife will always be difficult, but they become filled with more joy as the years pass.” He smiled. “We had many wonderful years together.” His eyes grew thoughtful. “I finally realized Cromwell Plantation is my true home. I’ve spent my life building it. Carrie grew up there. My heart has always been there — I just had to hide it for a while.” He paused for a long moment. “There is still so much to be done,” he said firmly. “Probably more than I know because I’ve not cared for the last four years, but it will give me something to do for the rest of my life.”

Moses watched him, seeing the hope come to life in his eyes, knowing he was watching a man who had given all and now simply wanted peace. “It’s a wonderful place,” he said finally. “I will do all I can to help you rebuild it.”

Thomas smiled. “Thank you,” he said simply and then looked off toward the city. “I believe you have somewhere to be,” he said.

Moses nodded. “Yes.” There was no need to say more. Thomas knew where he was going. He was also quite sure he would hear the sound of a fifty thousand-man army marching through his city. But he would do it from the sanctuary of his porch.

******

Moses and Simon took their places in the seemingly endless line of Union infantry. The sun was now well over the horizon, but it was still early. The air was celebratory but quiet held them as each man contemplated the price that had been paid to bring them to this moment.

Moses sighed as he thought of all the friends he had lost, but none of them had hit him harder than Pompey. The elderly man was both a friend and a father figure — a long-time slave who had leapt at the chance to join the fight to end slavery. Memories of the long talks they had around campfires filled his mind. The pain of watching him run forward into a cornfield and fall under a barrage of bullets was still raw in his mind and heart.

When the music signaling the beginning of the march sounded, Moses lifted his head high. He would march for his country. He would march for freedom. Mostly he would march in memory of all the men, both black and white, who gave their lives to hold their country together.

No one had any clue what the beginning of war would mean. Certainly no one could have known that it would last four years and result in nearly a million men dead or wounded. Moses frowned when he wondered how many of the wounded would die in the months and years to come from their injuries. Just because the war was over, it didn’t mean the suffering had ended.

“It’s not a day for frowning, Moses,” Simon said as they began to march forward, breezes fluttering the United States flags lining the road into Richmond.

Moses shook off his sorrowful thoughts. “You’re right,” he agreed. “It’s just making me think of everyone we lost.”

Simon nodded. “We paid a huge price, that’s for certain, but there ain’t a man who signed up to fight who didn’t know he might have to pay it. I’d be willing to bet they’re all watching us, cheering us on to take advantage of the freedom we have now.” He looked thoughtful. “We think we’re free, but they’re the ones who really be free.”

Moses stared at him, realizing exactly how right he was. He was able to smile as he thought of Pompey gazing down at him. He could almost hear him saying to straighten his shoulders and march like a
real
soldier. “You’re right,” he agreed quietly. “We’ve still got to fight for our freedom. They’ll never have theirs taken away.”

It took all day for the Union forces to march through the conquered capital. Most of them would be marching on to Washington, DC and then be released from the army to go home and continue their lives.

Moses’s men would be staying behind to bolster the forces maintaining order in Richmond. The massive chest wound Moses had suffered before the end of the war had ended his fighting days. He could feel nothing but relief. By the time he got back from looking for his mama and sister, the rest of his men would be released from duty. The powers that be understood that it would take white soldiers to maintain order and create equality for the blacks. The continued presence of black troops would do nothing but add to the tension building in Richmond.