Henry said, “I am going to make the child my son, give him my name.” He began to walk away but changed his mind, he turned towards Billy and continued, “you may go see your friends, the boy stays here with me.”
“His brothers’ Sir?” Billy asked.
“Are no concern of mine.” Mr. Brown left.
The day Billy was leaving to visit the Amish family and then the Evans, Mr. Brown delivered legal documents to Billy in his home. The papers stated that Billy was a free colored that worked for him at The Brown Steel Mill. Included in the papers was written permission for Billy to use his horse and buggy. Billy was smart and thought above the law, he asked Mr. Brown to write the letters twice, in case one was stolen from him, and he was taken to court or the auction block. Billy asked, “Moe want to return to a family named Evans, while I’m traveling, he could go with me, I will bring him back. What do you think Mr. Brown?”
Henry said “no, that boy will make new memories.” then left.
Liza said as she closed the door behind Henry, “that man cannot erase Moe’s memory.”
While Harry was In his carriage on his way to the Steel Mill, Moe ran at top speed to Billy’s home to say goodbye. Billy and Liza were on the porch, Moe ran up to them and said, “I’s wanna’ go wid’ you.”
Liza said, “Mr. Henry Brown has a surprise for you, he has something to discuss with you.”
Billy said, “yes, you are getting a new home.” He kissed Liza and hugged Moe.
When Billy pulled off on his month-long trip, he waved bye to the two standing on the porch. Billy was sad, he was leaving his wife behind, and happy because he had saved six dollars for his Amish friends. Moe stood next to Liza crying as he watched Billy disappear out of sight. It was just like his dream, only Moe thought he would be at the Evans with his brothers by his side, waving to Billy as he returned to Boston. He looked up at Liza and said, “I have a home, what is he talking about?”
“In a few days, Mr. Brown will speak with you?”
“I hate Mr. Brown, wish he’d stay away,” Moe said.
Liza said, “You may like what Mr. Brown is going to tell you.”
Liza smiled and kissed Moe’s forehead. Moe almost fainted, no one had ever kissed him, he smiled big.
*******
Henry and his wife made Moe their son and changed his name to Harry Victor Brown. Henry told his wife, “Billy is dependable and a good hire for my company. He took good care of our son.” Mr. Henry Brown was excited, finally a son to train in the steel mill business.
In the Brown’s home Moe’s anger began to germinate, although he liked his new name, he said out loud, “Harry Victor Brown,” it sounded stately. Ill-advisedly, he did not like the people that he had to call, mom and dad. Even though Harry could read a little and cipher numbers, it was good enough for human chattel, but not in the world of freedom. For that reason, Mrs. Brown took it upon herself to teach and train Harry, to get him up to speed before sending him off to school. Once he was caught up scholastically, she planned to send him to a private school. Henry’s wife was excited about her mission to teach a child.
Regrettably, Harry did not like the posh lady, he was rebellious and disturbingly nasty, so much so, that Mrs. Brown thought seriously about returning him to the backroom. Harry was only eleven years old, still, he stayed out late, slammed the door when he came in past midnight. Whenever he became angry, he threw dishes, broke windows, dumped food on the floor instead of the garbage. He wrote on the walls, cleaned his hands on the drapery, or use them to blow his nose; through it all, he kept his room clean.
On too many occasions Harry and Mrs. Brown got into heated arguments. He yelled that he was tired of her hovering over him and watching his every move. One day he yelled, “I’s know how ta’ read and cipher numbers.”
Mrs. Brown said arrogantly with great annoyance, “we do not say, cipher.” She looked at Harry to explain but decided he wasn’t worth it. He was not her child, he was unqualified to be called human, he was nothing but a savage beast. She was irritated when she said, “Moe, you are not worth my time.”
Harry slapped her hard and walked out. The side of Mrs. Brown’s face was black and blue for weeks before the bruising began to leave. Every time Harry saw her, he flinched.
*******
Billy’s trip was remarkable. He did not run into any trouble with the law, slave catchers, or weather. His first stop was in Virginia with the Amish family that hid him and Liza under the pig’s trough. He was happy to see that there was a whole Amish community that had developed over the years. The man of the family that had helped Billy and his wife said, “let me show you what we did with the money you sent every year. They had built a schoolhouse for their children, a recreation building, and a church. Billy was introduced to the people that had joined the community. They thanked him for the six dollars. He said to the family that he knew before leaving, “I’m glad to see that you’re not alone out here.”
The preacher that married the couple inquired about Liza and her wellbeing. Billy told him they were happy, working, how much they can do as a free man and woman, and about Moe. The preacher said, “May God bless you for sharing your profits. Billy, that was very good of you, and the whole community appreciates it.”
“Vielen Dank,” said the husband, translated, “thank you very much.”
Billy waved and said as he was leaving, “Tachuss,” meaning, “goodbye.”
The husband yelled out, “komm wieder,” in English “come again.”
His wife said in English, “next time bring Liza, I want to introduce her to the women in our community.”
“I will,” Billy said with confidence.
His next stop was the Evans family, in Maryland. As Liza said, the family was easy to find, everybody in town knew them. A few of the townspeople asked if he was a new hire for the Evans. A white woman ran out one of the stores and said to Billy, “tell Mrs. Evans the material she ordered is in.”
“Yes ma’am,” Billy replied a little confused. When he saw a few men that looked like bounty hunters, he prayed his way through town. His heart raced hard and fast, it caused him to cough, he prayed, “Lord, help me please.” He relaxed when he got through town and on the road to the Evans house.
When Billy arrived, he stopped on the path that led to the Evans home, he was amazed, “wow, rich colored folk,” Billy said to himself. [RL15]
As Billy pulled closer to the house, Mr. Evans came out and stood on the massive porch, and asked Billy, “May I help you?”
Since Billy was riding a horse and buggy, Mr. Evans figured he was not a runaway.
Billy said, “My name is Billy, Sir.” Thoughts plowed through Billy’s mind, how can this be? Colored this rich, in the south, with slavery all around us, no wonder Moe wanted to stay with the Evans. Billy smiled as he thought, I want to stay with the Evans.
Mrs. Evans came to the door and said, “bring him in, honey.”
Billy thought, what a pretty colored woman with a soft voice.
Inside the Evans home, Mrs. Evans asked, “how may we help you?”
Billy said, “I come to tell you about the little boy you helped, Sir.”
Mr. Evans asked, “can you be more specific?”
“Yes, Sir.” Billy replied then said, “his name is, Moe,” he thought, why do I keep saying Sir to this man, he’s colored like me.
They asked Billy how the boy was getting along. They shared with Billy that Moe gravitated to the family. Their three sons entered the room, like mom and dad they were good looking clean-cut articulate boys. They giggled through telling Billy about Moe, sometimes speaking at the same time. Their mother would say, “boys-boys, one at a time.”
Mr. Evans took Billy around their farm and in the winery. He had over twenty people, a mixture of coloreds and whites that worked for him. When Mr. Evans went to speak with one of his workers, a colored man pulled Billy aside and said, “if you be lookin’ foe’ a job, Mr. Evan’s be a good man ta’ wor
k foe.’ He built some houses on da’ west end of town foe’ all us.”
Billy smiled and said, “thank you.”
Billy told the Evans about Moe’s concern for his brothers, Mr. Evans said he’d see what he could do. Billy stayed with the family for two nights three days, he got to taste the bacon Moe loved. Early in the morning on the third day, Billy was packed and ready to go. Like Moe had mentioned, the Evans were the kindest people in the world. Mrs. Evans made Billy a lunch and gave him extra food to eat on his way home, and a pound of smoked bacon for Billy’s wife to cook. She said, “bacon is Moe’s favorite food.”
He said, “thank you, Miss.”
Mr. Evans and his boys put a barrel of red wine on Billy’s wagon. Before getting on the wagon, Billy stood in front of Mr. Evans and bowed, he said, “thank you, Sir.”
On his way home Billy seriously thought about returning with Liza and work for the Evans family, “like Moe, I want to come back.”
As he rode through town, Billy saw one of the men that looked like a bounty hunter, this time Billy waved at the man, he in turn waved and said, “howdy.”
Billy was almost home when he said to himself, “did I bow to that man? He must think I’m stupid.”
Back home, Billy went straight to the Mill, he gave the barrel of wine to Mr. Brown, they rolled the barrel into his office. He told him about Evan’s family, and about the plantation that still had Moe’s siblings. Henry said, “thank you for the wine, my son’s name is Harry, not Moe, and you’re to say nothing to my son, about that family or his brothers.” He abruptly dismissed Billy with a wave of his hand.
Billy mumbled under his breath once he was outside Henry’s office, “how rude and ungrateful, I should have kept the wine and shared it with the men in the plant.”
Billy couldn’t wait to get home and share with Liza his trip and tell her about stately, Mr. Evans.
*******
Harry was home when Henry entered the house to tell his wife about Billy’s trip and learning which plantation Harry was from. Mrs. Brown said, “good, I’m sending Moe, the worthless thing back to where he belongs, a filthy brainless slave on a plantation.”
The minute she said that Harry’s face turned red.
Since Harry had slapped Mrs. Brown, she spent most of the time in her bedroom. She emerged when Henry was home, but as soon as he left, she went straight to her bedroom and locked the door.
Her husband got irritated with his wife, he did not agree with her decision. He was going to take it upon his-self to put the boy in school and let the teachers handle him. Henry shouted at his wife, “slaves are not brainless, Billy was a slave and until I hired him, my mill was doing little business.”
Harry joined in the conversation, he said hatefully, “yes, send me to school, get me out the house with this witch.” He stormed out of the room.
One week after Billy’s return from his trip, Harry skipped school and went to see Billy. They talked about the Evans, Liza sliced the bacon and cooked several pieces. The flavor burst in her mouth, Moe sat back and enjoyed the memory of living with the Evans as he ate the bacon. Billy said, “this is delicious,” as he chewed on the bacon.
Billy asked Moe, “which name do you prefer, Moe or Harry? The name you choose is what I will call you.”
He answered, “I like Harry.”
At work, Harry noticed that too often some of the boys came to work with black eyes, cuts, and bruises. They stood around bragging about the gang fights the night before. Harry wanted no part of that lifestyle. He said to himself, “they are just like mom, and many of the slaves on Massa Jed plantation.” He noticed that only a handful of the Steel Mill’s employees had a home and lived good lives, just like on the plantation.
Even though Harry was behind in school he caught on quick, he studied hard and worked even harder to lose his southern drawl. Harry watched and learned from the rich boys that attended his school. He copied their mannerism which was similar to his dads, they had confidence and charm that Harry lacked. They made fun of his dialect, slow talking, and country ways. Harry had been through much worst, so he let their negative words roll out his mind like water on a duck’s back. He continued to imitate the boy’s superiority. Though Harry started school in late November, he academically sailed beyond the superior boys, like airstream in a windstorm.
Harry desired elegance, insight, and the glory of everyone looking upon him as a demigod, just like Henry. Harry also noticed that since Billy’s three-day visit with the Evans, there was a certain change in his friend. Billy’s characteristic was different, along with the way he moved, talked, his gestures, how he watched the employees, even his dress, Billy went shopping and began wearing suits, ties, and dress shoes. He took a greater interest in the operations and finances of the Brown Steel Mill. Billy went from being an employee of the company to a businessman. The men respected this new Billy. The sales of steel increased with Billy’s drastic change. [RL16]
During summer break, Harry calmed down and became a better son for the Browns. He listened to his parents and imitated his dad’s dialect, he asked Henry to help him with his enunciation. He noticed that there was a difference between the wealthy and working-class way of speaking and what they talked about. There was something else he observed, when Henry entered the Steel Mill, the workers were more professional, and addressed him as Mister, and said yes Sir, and no Sir. What Harry did not see, was the employees respected Henry because of his kindness towards them. Henry cared for their wellbeing by making the Steel Mill a safe place to work.
During Harry’s summer break, Henry took his son around the Steel Mill, to train him the business side of the company. Henry wanted Harry to be the next owner. Harry asked Henry to help him with his dialect.
Summer vacation ended, Harry returned to school, he nailed it. He changed how he walked, talked, dressed, Harry obliterated the plantation boy and became an affluent cultured teen. He sounded like, looked like, and acted like blueblood royalty, Bostonian born and bred. Except there were that growing anger and hate that festered in his inner soul.
When Harry was a senior in high school, his visits with Billy and Liza had tapered off. [RL17]Though whenever Harry went to their home, Liza prepared a meal for her two boys. One day when Harry visited Billy and Liza, he asked Billy about his brothers. He said it’s been years since you returned. When is my father going to…”?
Billy cut Harry off and said, “I talked to him about your brothers upon my return home.”
“What did he say?” Harry asked.
“It’s not his problem.”
When Harry left, Liza said, “Billy, that was eight years ago, didn’t you tell Harry when you returned.”
Billy said, “I tried but he cut me off, he wanted to know more about the Evans, and not his brothers.”
Liza commented, “I notice a change in Harry, did you see it?”
Harry went home and yelled at his dad about his brothers, he said, “I just came from Billy he said…”
Henry refuted loudly, “I told you to stay away from those people.”
Harry yelled, “I do as I please.” He slammed the door as he left.
Henry was extremely jealous of the friendship between Billy and Harry, so much so, two weeks before Harry’s graduation, Henry demoted Billy to the assembly line.
Billy went home and calmly shared with Liza how Henry had humiliated him in front of the workers. Liza asked, “what will we do.”
Billy said, “you’ll see. He hired a new supervisor that’s a drunk.”
Liza worried about their new situation and for her husband. She developed a small boil in her stomach, her worries subsequently were bottomless.
The day of Harry’s graduation, Henry visited Billy in his home, he said to Billy, “I am giving you your position back.”
Billy challenged Henry, he said, “Mr. Brown, I need more money.”
Henry said, “no,” and left.
As Henry was leaving Billy said, “see you at
the graduation.”
Harry received the highest honors in his class. Mrs. Brown could feel that something was not quite right with the boy. Henry, on the other hand, was proud of his son. He told Harry that upon his death he was leaving everything to him. Henry’s wife saw an evil smirk spread across Harry’s face, he said, “I’m going to be rich, but first…” he looked at Mrs. Brown.
She asked softly, “but first what, Harry?”
“I’m still working it out.”
She backed away from him, Henry said, “leave the boy alone.”
Inaptly, Henry thought his new hire would add revenue and respect to his company. After all, he was white and educated. For his bad decision and inappropriate way of handling Billy, Henry experienced a rude awakening. He learned running a company has nothing to do with the color of skin. Henry’s new hire incompetence caused the steel mill to miss out on a multimillion-dollar business deal that Billy had set up. Henry had a fit and then fired the man.
Billy and Liza attended Harry’s graduation; they were proud of the young man. Harry had begun hanging out with his friends, that thought highly of themselves. He had taken on their distinguishing flaw of superiority. When he saw Billy and Liza wave, he turned his back and snubbed the couple, he joined his friends that were talking on the school steps.
Liza watching Harry’s conceit asked Billy, “what did he just do?”
Billy grabbed her by the elbow and said, “let’s go.”
Harry saw them leaving. A theater-size memory caused him to flinch, watching them walk away, reminded him of Billy alone in the wagon pulling off to visit the Evans. He realized that he never thanked Billy or Liza for the food, friendship, a time they spent together, their love, his home in the back room. Harry ran calling, “Billy! Liza!” When he reached them, he gave Liza a hug first then Billy. He said breathless, “I’m sorry.”
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