LIZZY Page 5

  Agatha looked down at the children and saw their eyes wide with imagination. Mary Elizabeth was just beginning to see boys in a whole new light and just the thought of her uncle with this woman made her react. Nellie followed her sister’s lead and let out a groan of distaste though she had no idea of what she was groaning about. James sat in the far side of the room next to his friend and the two exchanged elbow jabs and a snicker at the insinuation brought on by Agatha’s remarks.

  “No, oh my Lordy, No!” Agatha, seeing the boy’s reaction, raised her right hand towards the sky and proclaimed loudly. “I’s didn’t means it likes dat, no dear Lordy no! Me’s and Mista Micah, well, we’s like kin, dat’s whats we were, like kin. Ands dat’s what hurts so, Missus, dat’s what’s hurts so mighty hard, we’s was like kin. Oh, dear Lordy, not Mista Micah!”

  Lizzy lowered herself down to her knees in front of Agatha, her hand gently on the distraught woman. Lizzy’s heart throbbed as she tried to control her own painful memories from the loss of her brother. She envied what the two of them had experienced and the bond that was now entrenched into this woman.

  The awkward setting was most apparent, though the two boys in the far end of the room continued to make light jokes about it all. Their juvenile escapades changed to utter silence when they heard the loud stomping of William’s feet as he hopped up the front steps and opened up the front screen door with a loud announcement.

  “Momma, Papa, I’ve found them!”

  Lizzy patted Agatha’s arm and smiled at her as she pulled herself up from the floor. She turned back and offered Agatha her hand. Once the two women were standing, William began his introductions.

  “Momma, Papa, I’d like you to meet Mister Rufus Porter and his children, uh, Sassy, Sarah and . . . uh. . . .” William leaned down to the little boy, who whispered in his ear. “And this young man is Justin!” announced William with a wide grin.

  William’s introductions were theatrical at best, but it did break the tension that had developed with Agatha’s sobs. As the four entered the living room, Agatha rushed to her children and wrapped her arms around them. She looked up to her husband, Rufus, and reached out her hand to him, which he lovingly grasped.

  Agatha turned around and raised her head proudly. “Missus, this here’s my family, the family dat your brudder taught me to knows dat I could has. He taught me dat I’s gonna be free and though he’s knowed he’s was fight’n for us’n to be kept in chains, he’s knew dat it’s be wrong and dat’s how we got to be real close. Likes I says, we be like kin and I’s sure’s gonna miss him, Missus, I surely is.”

  Agatha turned and looked at her husband. She put her hand on his shoulder and said, “This is my man; this is my Rufus and he be a good husband and a better fodder. He too is now free, just like Mista Micah said.”

  Agatha turned towards her husband and choked in a sob. “Mista Micah’s dead, Rufus; he be dead.”

  Lizzy wiped her wet cheeks with the back of her hand and with a forced smile, walked up to Rufus and extended her hand. “It is very nice to meet you, Mr. Porter, and your beautiful family as well.”

  She turned and looked at Agatha while she continued to speak. “I cannot thank you enough for the love and memories you’ve given me of my brother. He will always be dear to me and I’m so blessed to know how he changed your life.”

  Rufus extended his hand. Lizzy smiled at Agatha with a mischievous look on her face.

  “We are all kin now, Rufus, so they’ll be no handshakes in this family. We give only hugs.”

  With that, Lizzy reached up and gave Rufus and Agatha a warm hug and continued down the line, first with Sassy, then Sarah and then she knelt down and looked at Justin.

  “You have the most beautiful brown eyes, young man. Did you know that? Can I have the pleasure of a hug?”

  The room exploded in laughter as Justin jumped into Lizzy’s arms and hugged her tight. The feel of the young boy in her arms made her miss her brother even more, but she knew it was through this family that she’d always have him near.

  *  *  *  *

  “To be honest, there’s been so much that has changed.” Martin had been talking for close to an hour about all that had been transpiring in the country over the past few years. It was evident to Martin after talking with Rufus that he’d been a part of a close-knit caucus lobbying for the rights of the Negro. Martin felt a connection with the man, not only from his Underground Railroad days, but even now with the politics of the day. He could tell from how well-spoken he was that Rufus had become highly educated and trained in the business of Washington. What impressed him the most was the fact that they both shared in the frustrations coming out of the Capitol as well.

  “I’ve seen it over and over again, Martin,” Rufus said, becoming quite animated. “They always say it’s all about freeing the blacks, but I say it’s much more than that! I’m saying to hell with all of that! Hell, Mister Lincoln done freed us over twenty years ago. No, this is about equality, Martin, simple as that. Pure equality, not just freedom . . . Equality!”

  Martin looked over at Lizzy and smiled approvingly.

  “You see, Martin, that’s what I clearly have an issue with,” Rufus exclaimed before Martin could reply. His voice rose as he began to stand. Agatha’s hand on his wrist convinced him otherwise and he sat back down, paused and spoke again, trying his best to control his passion. “You see, Martin, I’m a free man. Agatha’s a free woman. We’re both citizens of these United States. I, as a black man, can vote, right? . . . Right!”

  Rufus’ emotions took hold of him again as he pushed Agatha’s grip aside and rose in a huff. “Then how in the hell can the Supreme Court tell us that we are not welcomed in the same establishments as white folks? We’re free, Martin, just like any white man. We’re citizens, Martin, just like any white man and we can vote, just like any white man, but. . . .”

  Rufus paused and looked at Lizzy as well. “But we still can’t be just like the white man or go where the white man goes. That’s goddamn hypocrisy!”

  “Rufus, dear Gods, sits down!” Agatha yelled out. “We is guests in dis house and yous childen mights just hears ya. Acts like the good Lord wants you’s to act and shows your childens whats He’s a want’n you to be’s like.”

  Lizzy interrupted the conversation. “I think we all can use some fresh air; in fact, why don’t we go out on the front porch? The breeze is just picking up and we can watch the children play.”

  Martin escorted Rufus out the front screen door as Lizzy and Agatha followed.

  “I’s real sorry, Miss Lizzy. Sometimes I jus’ think my Rufus is gonna explode insides. He’s means well, Miss Lizzy; he’s jus’ all mixed up insides and so mad abouts all dis. It scares me sometimes, to be quite honest wif you.”

  They sat in silence on the porch, captivated by what they all were watching.

  “Leave it to children to make us grown-ups look rather silly,” Lizzy finally spoke.

  In front of them, not twenty feet from where they sat on the porch, the children were sitting next to a large sycamore tree. James, Mary Elizabeth and Nellie were sitting together and Sassy, Sarah and Justin right with them. They were sitting in a circle and talking. Sassy and Mary and James were laughing at something Justin had just done. Nellie was sharing a book with Sarah and something must have tickled them as they read, as they both let out a raucous laugh. William was the only one not interacting. He was sitting by himself watching the adults on the porch.

  “Dear Lordy, I’s jus’ hopes we all can gets along jus’ likes dat,” Agatha said with a smile.

  “Oh, me too, Agatha, me too,” Lizzy replied.

  The two women looked at each other and shared a loving clasp of hands.

  “I’d love it if ol’ Mathew Brady could be here right now to snap that for all eyes to see.”

  Martin laughed at the idea of the renowned photographer capturing the image on film.

  “We all CAN be equal!” Rufus whispered loudly.


  “Les jus’ hopes that we are as received in Tuskegee as we has been rights here; right, Rufus?” Agatha commented.

  “Tuskegee?” Lizzy asked, still looking at the children. She smiled but it wasn’t from the sight of the children. She’d been distracted at the sight of the family of squirrels frozen a few limbs above them. If Nellie were any closer, she’d be naming each one of them.

  “Yesum and I’s be so excited.”

  Lizzy refocused her attention back to Agatha’s response. She smiled at the sight of her face brightly aglow.

  “Rufus and I’s been trying to gets our Sassy enrolled and accepted into’s dat school. We’s heard of nuttin but good and it’ll gets her a real good schooling.”

  “But . . . that’s not all, is it?” Rufus interrupted with a wide grin.

  “No, it’s not, Rufus,” Agatha answered with a wide grin. “I’s too gots me enrolled! Jus’ tink abouts it: me’s and my daughter going to da same school, learnin’ side by sides like real educated folks. Real educated folks like my Rufus over there, Miss Lizzy. What would Mista Micah tink of dat?”

  Lizzy couldn’t speak. Her chest tightened and she thought of how pleased Micah would have been. Oh Micah, are you hearing this, dear brother? Aloud she replied, “Micah would have been so proud of you, Agatha. I just know he would have.”

  “I hate to break up this wonderful reception, but we do need to be leaving,” Rufus quietly interrupted.

  Nellie gave Sarah a hug and handed her the book they’d laughed about. Mary Elizabeth and Sassy exchanged a notepad that they both promised to write on and send to the other . . . every day. Justin ran and hopped up onto the wagon and declared his place on top of the three sacks of potatoes in the front side of the wagon. James walked up to the steps leading to the house and as Agatha began to descend, held out his hand to assist her down the short steps and offered his arm as he escorted her to her ride.

  “Is that our son I’m witnessing right now?” Martin laughed quietly yet proudly as he followed them to the wagon.

  Lizzy stood behind Rufus as they both watched their families from the deck of the porch.

  “You have a lot to be proud of, Rufus.”

  “Yes ma’am, I do.” Rufus turned and held out his hand. “I have to say that at first it was your brother that I heard so much about and I do thank him for the impact he made on my Agatha. But, to be honest, I am so grateful and better yet, encouraged that we’ve met people like you and Martin. You two really made us feel like, well not even like equals, but . . . I mean, well, like family. I, for one, have never felt that from anyone.”

  “I feel the same, Rufus, and please remember that you will always have a home within the Monroe family, or I should say, in the Monroe-McKeever family.”

  *  *  *  *

  The Porters were up on the wagon and each family member said their goodbyes. Rufus clicked his tongue and the wagon wheels creaked. Rufus and Agatha gave one last wave as they headed out the front drive. Lizzy noticed the wagon pause at the end of the drive and began to wonder. She smiled wide when she saw the wagon turn right as it headed for Tuskegee, Alabama. It was there that held the promise of a new life full of what an education and the backing of a federal government would behold them.

  *  *  *  *

  The breeze was slight and coming off the western slope. Lizzy marveled at the orange and purple hues filtering the late afternoon sky. She turned her head at the sound of the screen door opening. Her smile widened when she saw Martin with two glasses filled to the brim and a mischievous look on his face.

  “Excuse me, Mister; what do you have up your sleeve?”

  “Who, me?”

  “Yes, my dear, you. I always know something’s up when my husband comes to me on a beautiful evening with a glass of, well, a glass of something accompanied with a look only you can make.”

  “Oh, come on now, I just want to sit and enjoy the sunset sky with my beloved.”

  “Uh-huh.”

  “What? You don’t trust my intentions of love?”

  “Uh-uh.”

  “Here, take the goblet before I spill the damn brandy and I get into even more trouble.”

  “Trouble? I thought you just wanted to snuggle.” Lizzy laughed.

  Martin sheepishly handed Lizzy her glass and sat down next to her with a loud sigh. He leaned back and exhaled loudly.

  “Wonder if Agatha and Rufus have made it to Tuskegee yet; it’s been over a month,” Lizzy pondered, breaking the silence.

  “They want me to come to New York,” Martin announced, his lips still on his glass.

  “Uh-huh,” Lizzy replied with a skeptical laugh. “Sure they do.”

  “They’ve got a man that they think will rise to the top and somehow take out Cleveland in the ’89 election.”

  “You say?” Lizzy giggled at what she presumed was a game of words coming from Martin.

  “They want me close to the vest in New York, plus it’ll help with my own election plans for the Senate. I’ve heard I’ve got a real chance for a seat in ’88, but only in the state of New York.”

  “We live in Charleston, dear,” Lizzy replied into her glass with another giggle.

  The moments of silence grew ever more tense. Lizzy’s eyes widened as Martin’s words began to resonate.

  “Oh, dear God, Martin, are you actually serious?” Lizzy shot forward in her seat and glared at her husband.

  “I know, I know, but—hell, Lizzy, what am I supposed to tell them?”

  “You tell them that you live in Charleston, for God’s sake! Better yet, tell them that your wife would rather be living in Wheeling where we just moved from . . . again!”

  The light from the sun was growing dim, as was the mood on the porch. Lizzy could tell from Martin’s expression that this was out of his control, much to her dismay. She’d been with him long enough to see when he was pleading for her understanding and, as much as it all infuriated her, she knew that a seat in the Senate was a real dream of his. She scolded herself for being so self-centered.

  “Listen, Mister Congressman,” she said with a forced smile as she placed her glass on the table. “If New York gives you the best opportunity for the Senate, then you follow that dream. We’ll be just fine here and—think about it, you can come home when the Senate goes on recess which is like every other month, the last I remember.” Lizzy smiled sarcastically. She placed her hands on Martin’s cheeks and turned him towards her. “Hey, listen up; you follow your dreams, Mister, and don’t let anyone tell you differently, especially not me.”

  Lizzy pondered on the words that had just come out of her mouth and she remembered saying the exact same words to Agatha just before they’d left. The memory of her conversation with Agatha made Martin’s announcement a bit easier to digest but only a bit.

  She paused and laughed at her profound comment.

  “It’s funny, but that’s kind of what I said to Agatha.”

  “That was a great visit, wasn’t it?” Martin said, eager to change the subject. He seemed to relax as he sat back down in his seat on the porch. “I wonder how her speech went. I think she was supposed to give it to the incoming students and it was her message that was intended to turn all heads toward the equality of education for all!”

  Lizzy patted his arm and turned towards him. “That’s a little dramatic, Mr. Senator, but I do like where you’re heading.”

  A distant coyote yelped out which startled Lizzy. She looked towards the sound and hoped it wouldn’t build into a frenzy with other coyotes as she hated the sound of nature’s kill. Lizzy turned back to Martin and continued. “But, her message wasn’t only for the blacks. It was for all women who want an equal chance for an education or any rights that currently only go to men. That being said,” Lizzy added, “I still would feel a whole lot better knowing that they made it there safely. That’s an awful long journey.”

  “Oh, little Justin won’t let anything happen,” Martin began. “He told me t
hat he was in charge, you know?” Martin laughed at the memory of the little fella telling him how he was going to be the man of the family and would get them all safely to wherever they were going, even though he had no idea where it was that they were heading to.

  Martin, still smiling, rose to refill his glass. He turned his head towards the end of the drive where he noticed a rider coming in. “Looks like Abraham Jenkins.” Martin placed his glass on the railing of the porch and walked down the steps and towards the incoming rider.

  “He’s probably returning the file and hammer I lent him last week,” Martin yelled over his shoulder. “Knowing Abraham, he’s probably going to tell me that he broke them or lost them, or both.”

  Lizzy slowly rose from her chair to get a better look.

  She put her hands on the porch railing and perched her head forward to watch Martin and Jenkins.

  “Quite a lot of jabber going on there, boys,” Lizzy yelled out. “Do I need to put a pot of coffee on or are you going to return my husband to me before the sun comes up?”

  She tilted her head in wonder by the lack of a response by either. She decided against walking out to join them but felt an eerie sense when she saw Martin shake his head slowly and brush his fingers through his hair.

  Something’s wrong.

  She watched as Martin nodded to Jenkins and reached for something the other man was handing him. Jenkins waved his hand towards Lizzy as he turned his horse around to leave. Lizzy didn’t even think of returning the gesture. Her eyes were glued on Martin.

  “Wha . . . what is it, Martin?” Lizzy asked anxiously. “What did Abraham say to you and where’s the hammer and file?”

  Martin looked at her and his eyes were distant.

  “No hammer. No file,” Martin said as he walked towards the chair on the porch. “Wish there was.”

  “What then?” Lizzy’s voice was strained with panic. “You look as if you just saw a ghost, Martin. Why did Abraham come by?”