Shifted By The Winds (12 page)

Abby listened with her whole heart, somehow knowing May was giving her the gift of courage that would carry her forward.

“You in just as much danger as me, though,” May added.

Abby didn’t question her statement. She knew it was true. Southerners angry about the freed slaves were equally angry at the whites who chose to support and help them. In some cases the violence and hatred seemed to be even more extreme because they saw it as betrayal. Jeremy’s beating had proven that. Abby had already been threatened, and she knew Thomas was at risk every day. The earlier fear that had almost rendered her paralyzed had disappeared into the background like a shadow disappearing from the rising sun. She didn’t question what made it run for cover. She would analyze it later. Right now she was simply grateful it was no longer gripping her throat like a vise threatening to choke the life from her.

Abby gripped May’s hand tightly. “Thank you, May,” she said. “I know you are speaking the truth. Everyone who chooses to stand up for what is right in our country is in danger. You’re right that many people are going to pay a high price.” She smiled as she borrowed her friend’s words. “So be it. I’m not going to hide away from the world. I’m going to believe with you that someday it will get better.”

May stared into her eyes for a long moment. Finally she sat back, a look of satisfaction on her face. “That’s the Miss Abby I know.”

“I’m so glad you were here today, May,” Abby said, her breathing once more steady. “I haven’t felt that kind of fear for a very long time.”

May nodded. “We gots to stick together, Miss Abby. That’s what you tell everyone. Women, especially, got to stick together.”

Abby smiled. “Women have to stand up for themselves. We have to stand up for each other, and we have to stand up for justice for everyone. That’s the only way things will truly change.” She felt a surge of power as she spoke the words. Taking a deep breath, she rolled them over in her mind. “Yes, that is the answer.”  A sound in the distance pulled her thoughts away. She cocked her head and listened, a smile erupting on her face. “Was that…?”

“Yes, ma’am,” May said, jumping up and moving toward the porch. “That be thunder rumblin’. I think we finally gonna get some rain to wash away some of this blisterin’ heat.”

Abby and May were standing on the porch luxuriating in the stiff wind blowing from the east in advance of the storm when Thomas and Jeremy pulled up in the carriage.

Abby waved her hand. “Take the carriage around back, Spencer,” she called. “The horse can stay dry in the stable.” All her earlier fear had evaporated, disappearing like a vapor into the dark skies. She smiled broadly as Thomas and Jeremy jumped from the carriage and dashed up the stairs, barely making the porch before thick raindrops started to fall.

Abby hugged both of them and then leaned forward to watch the heavy drops generate spurts of dust as they hit the ground. She sighed happily as the drops came harder and faster. The sound of rain pounding on the roof and dancing on the magnolia leaves told her a cool breeze would assure sleep tonight for the first time in days.

May disappeared and then reappeared moments later with a tray loaded with lemonade, scones, and ham biscuits. “I don’t see no reason for y’all to have to come inside,” she said happily.

“Please join us,” Thomas invited, reaching forward to take a biscuit, his handsome face lit with a smile of appreciation. He shrugged out of his jacket and draped it over the swing. The wind ruffled his collar and blew his graying hair.

“No thank you, sir,” May said promptly. “I’s gonna cook some more biscuits while it be rainin’. The breeze blowing through the house will make it right nice in my kitchen for a change. Spencer already be eatin’ a pile of biscuits I put out for him.”

Jeremy grinned. “I’m not surprised he didn’t get past the kitchen,” he said with a smirk.

May eyed him. “You got something you want to say, Mr. Jeremy?”

Jeremy shrugged, an innocent look on his face. “Just making an observation, May. We’ve invited Spencer to join us for a meal many times. He never gets any further than your kitchen. I believe that means he really likes what is
in
the kitchen.”

“He likes my cookin’ just fine,” May said, but the flustered look on her face didn’t hide the glimmer in her eyes.

“He could get your cooking in the dining room,” Thomas replied mildly, a smile dancing on his lips. “Spencer hasn’t come any further than the kitchen ever since you treated him after the attack this spring.”

“Yes,” Jeremy agreed. “I do believe Spencer is sweet on you.”

May opened her mouth to protest, and then closed it, a satisfied look on her face. “That Spencer be a good man,” she murmured.  The screen door slammed behind her.
 

Abby turned to Thomas as soon as May entered the house. “Who are you waiting for?”

Thomas looked innocent. “What are you talking about?”

Abby just looked at him. She had seen him glancing down the road several times.

“Oh, why even bother?” Jeremy asked with a laugh that was slightly muffled by a huge bite of a ham biscuit. His blue eyes danced with fun while the breeze ruffled his blond hair. “You know she always sees right through both of us.”

Abby relaxed. They wouldn’t be laughing and teasing if it was anything to worry about.

Thomas sighed. “Sometimes I wish I wasn’t so transparent.”

Abby tapped her foot, knowing her stern look was tempered by the smile twitching her lips.

“Fine,” Thomas muttered. He turned away when the sound of carriage wheels rose above the rain. “Saved!” he cried triumphantly. “I told him I would keep it a secret!”

Abby moved to stand beside him, peering through the sheets of rain until the carriage drew close enough for her to identify the occupant. “Matthew!”

No one made an attempt to hide their laughter when Matthew ran up onto the porch, water streaming down his face. His clothes were soaked through, and his red hair was plastered to his head. The driver, eager to get home, had urged the carriage forward as soon as Matthew stepped out. It had already been swallowed by the storm.

Matthew looked down at himself ruefully before he joined in their laughter. “At least I’m not hot anymore,” he said cheerfully. “The driver offered me an umbrella. I turned it down. It felt wonderful!”

Jeremy clapped him on the shoulder. “I tried to persuade you to come with us, but no…”

Matthew shrugged. “I wanted to buy a train ticket before there were none available. It was worth getting wet.” He grinned as he pulled a waterproof leather packet from his coat.

“Going to Philadelphia?” Abby guessed, thrilled by the excitement she saw in his eyes. He had pined for Carrie for such a long time.

“Yes,” Matthew responded. “I can’t stand being away from Janie any longer.”

Abby smiled, and then sobered. “Did you get the news about the cholera hospital being burned?”

“Yes. I stopped by the paper’s office before I went to the train station to get the latest news. They found a building in another Philadelphia neighborhood. No one is happy to have it, but so far it has been left alone. There are now over one hundred patients there. They are expecting many more.”

“So it’s spreading,” Thomas said grimly.

Abby gripped her napkin tightly, glad her hands were under the table. It had been twenty-three years since her husband Howard died in the last cholera epidemic. She would never forget his agony, nor how swiftly he had died.

Matthew frowned. “I’m afraid so. The railroad has made it spread even faster than the epidemic in 1842. Cases have been reported in many cities. It’s already made its way to Chicago, but it’s also in New Orleans, and for the first time it’s in Texas.”

“In just three months?” Abby protested. “It has never moved so quickly.”

“It’s never had the means to move so quickly,” Matthew responded quietly.

“And Richmond?” Jeremy pressed.

Matthew nodded reluctantly. “The first case was reported on August twelfth.”

“More than two weeks ago. Where?” Abby asked, certain she already knew.

Matthew met her eyes. “The black quarter. They are going to be hardest hit because of the lack of sanitation in that part of town.”

Abby bit back a groan. Was there to be no end to the misery blacks would have to suffer? She knew the cholera would die out when cold temperatures returned, but tens of thousands could die before the first hard frosts came. The black quarters were bulging with refugees from the country who were convinced they would find a better life in the city. Her next thought was of Marietta. Her eyes flew to Jeremy’s.

“We both know she won’t quit going down there to teach,” he said steadily.

Abby eyed him. “You knew about the cholera already.”

“Marietta told me this morning when I walked her to school before I headed to the factory. I haven’t had time to tell you. I tried to persuade her to take some time off, but of course she wouldn’t hear of it. She insists she has learned enough from Carrie to both stay safe
and
help the people down there. She met with some people today about converting their school back to a hospital.”

Abby nodded again. The paralyzing fear was gone, but the feeling of sorrow for all the suffering people was as strong as ever. “Your father would like knowing his church was being used as a hospital again.”

Jeremy smiled. “Yes, I believe he would. He would hate the reason, but he would be very glad it was continuing to be useful. At least they won’t be treated on dirt floors. Carrie and Janie will be glad to know some of the men put in wood floors this summer. They are busy building beds now.”

“What about the students?” Matthew asked.

“They have freed up some of the classrooms in another church. I believe everyone realizes cholera is going to hit hard,” he said with a scowl. “The black population has grown so quickly. There is so much poverty and so little sanitation. Combine that with the heat, and…”

Abby controlled her shudder as Jeremy’s voice trailed off. She knew too much about cholera epidemics to not expect the worst. She wished she could pack up everyone she cared about and retreat to the plantation, but she knew that wasn’t possible. The only way to handle this newest situation was to go
through it
. She squared her shoulders and turned to Thomas. “Please call a meeting of all the employees tomorrow. They must be taught how to protect themselves and their families.” Then she looked at Jeremy. “Have Marcus set up meetings at the churches. Education is the best way to help people.”

Jeremy nodded. “Marcus will be here shortly,” he revealed. “He is walking Marietta home from school.”

Abby took a deep breath. Spencer was in the kitchen, and Marcus would soon arrive. That could only mean more trouble was happening, or was on the way. “We’re having a meeting tonight?” She hated the faint tremor in her voice, but already knew she would choose to simply go through whatever the night revealed.

Jeremy met her eyes with a look of apology. “I’m sorry.”

“Nonsense,” Abby replied briskly. “We must do whatever we can to help the freed slaves.” She did not have to reveal the fact that she was terrified by the price that might have to be paid. She had wallowed in her fear long enough. Now it was time to move forward in spite of her fear.

Thomas wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. “Jeremy, why not give Matthew some dry clothes? His luggage is in the carriage in the barn, but there is no reason to get any wetter. Our red-headed friend looks quite drowned enough as it is,” he said playfully.