On the plantation at noon, Lillie and a few of the ladies baked cakes, cookies, and a feast for the evening meal. The women did not mind helping, Lillie told them, “we be celebratin’ God fo’ a week.”
One lady said, “cause He be a ’comin’ in da’ midnight.”
All the women said, “glory be ta’ God”
“Dis be a good week,” Lillie said smiling.
XXXVIII
Night Of The Escape
June 17, 2017
Four O`clock
In the Bright home, Donovan, Theenda, James, and Sara prepared to leave. Donovan and Theenda gloomily rambled through the house, making sure they were not leaving any momentous behind. Theenda carefully wrapped the bride and groom that was on top of their cake, in bubble wrap. They also took pictures, Theenda had kept the tiny velvet box her engagement ring came in, she and Donovan took small items that were dear to their hearts. The couple hugged and cried, they had to leave everything behind, except the objects they were taking. James and Sara sat on the couch holding hands, James said, “we are freeing slaves, I am having a hard time wrapping this around my brain.”
Sara said, “I asked you a question.”
James replied, “yes.”
Donovan and Theenda entered the room carrying book bags filled with memories, Donovan let out a long sigh before he asked, “ready?”
Before leaving the house, Donovan said, “God be with us.”
James said, “let’s pray.” The four stood in a circle holding hands as James partitioned God for their safety.
Leaving out, Donovan said, “we’re going to be alright.” He kissed Theenda and left going to the junkyard which was an hour and a half drive. But the way Donovan drove his sports car, it took less than forty-five minutes, but first, he had to meet with the panicking committee members. They were anxious about having an event in MacCall. Though Donovan did not say, he knew they were afraid of Charles Brown and his hidden chattels. Ogville residence stayed away from Titleburk and MacCall, but now they were being forced to host a program in the dreaded town.
With James driving, Theenda was in the passenger seat, and Sara in the back, they were going to the Brown’s mansion. Theenda to prepare dinner for Charles and Barbara, while James and Sara would quickly tiptoe around the back to save the children, their compound was seven miles from Massa house.
The plantation
Jethro had given the overseers water down liquor from the slave store, but Lillie had laced it with just a little Jack Daniels, given to Lee by Donovan. While the slaves enjoyed the food and festivities, the overseers were drunk and sleep in their cabins. Otherwise, the overseers would have raided the food and made a mess of everything. The men set tables up for the ladies to set the food on, the fieldworkers washed up and changed clothes and congregated around the church. One of the women that were to help serve the food, became ill. Lillie fixed mint tea and stirred two aspirins in it, the woman guzzled it down and felt better within thirty minutes. She was surprised and in disbelief at how fast she healed. She told everybody about Lillie’s tea.
Bo believed he was a cut above the rest, he never attended the service, though a few times he stood outside the church to listen.
Around five o’clock that evening, Bo saw Glaidous talking with several male slaves, he went up to Glaidous and asked, “old man how's the meetin' goin'?”
One of the men said, “it be good preachin' better’n' Massa.”
Another man said, “yes Sir, good service.”
Bo saw the elderly men through his trained eyes of hate, he said, “I only listen to Massa and he's son preach, nigga' know nothin' bout' God, only Massa know bout’ God of Heaben.”
Glaidous boldly said, “you need to come to the meetings, cause’ we know moe' bout' God den' Massa.”
Grumpy Bo smirked, “you be taken' a big chance gettin' smart wid’ me old man, I's' report yo' uppity talk ta' Massa, he bring’ ya’ down a size.”
Glaidous and the men headed towards the church, the food was smelling good and it was ready to serve. Bo shyly asked, “dat’ food fo everybody?”
Glaidous said, “come on Bo, join us.”
Bo fixed himself two plates, one piled with food the other sweets, he said, “thank you.” He left and ate alone in his cabin.
*******
In the Junkyard, earlier that morning before anyone arrived, Cole and his employee ran a test on both school buses, the new bus was in good condition. The older bus needed a little work, the two men gave the older bus an oil change, tune-up, new belts, repaired the heating and air conditioning systems, they purchased a new radiator and flushed the engine. Cole had a few city buses that were no longer used, they took the near new tires off those buses and put them on the older school bus. When the men completed their work both school buses were in equal condition. They drove both buses to a nearby gas station and filled them up, the buses were ready to go.
Cole said to his employee, “we’re doing a good thing.”
The employee responded, “a Godly thing.”
It was a good thing that Donovan could not take Haze to the junkyard. Phillip needed to talk about something personal, he and Haze had become friends. Phillip shared with Haze that he had met a woman from New Jersey and was going to ask her to marry him. After seeing Tess, Phillip felt he needed advice on what to look for in a woman.
Haze asked Phillip, “is she pretty.”
“Beautiful.” Was Phillip’s reply.
Haze said, “don’t go by looks, be honest with what you see and hear her say and do.” Haze warned him to steer away from women like Tess, he suggested, “meet her family first, get to know them.”
Phillip asked, “did you do that.”
“No,” Haze answered and continued, “Tess was all over me like bark on a tree. She always had a reason for me not to meet her parents.”
Phillip said, “you know, my woman makes excuses about…”
Haze cut him off quick and said, “don’t marry her. If she’s refusing to introduce you to her parents, something is wrong.” He shook his head and said, “nope, don’t do it.”
Phillip said, “she’s very nice.”
Haze said with confidence, “I’m sure great in bed. With the age of computers, look her parents up, siblings, uncles, aunts. Tess dad killed her mom, he was a police officer. Investigate first, then ask her to marry you if all is well. If not, run for your life.”
“Where is Tess father?” Phillip asked.
Haze said, “in prison.”
Phillip said, “when I get home this evening, my research began.”
When Haze got out the car he said, “let’s keep in touch.”
Cole walked around to the driver’s side of Phillips car and said, “haven’t seen you in a few weeks, how’s everything going?”
Phillip got out of the car and said, “been busy helping with the escape uncle.”
Haze looking confused and said, “so…”
“Phillip said, “my dad’s brother, grandma son.”
Haze said, “so, you’re family,” then asked, “your father coming?”
“Dad died a few years ago from cancer.” Phillip stayed around for a few more minutes to talk before leaving.
Six PM
Donovan drove into the junkyard straight through to the back where the two school buses were parked. Tess was in her car driving behind Donovan, and KayKay followed Tess in her car. When they arrived in the junkyard, KayKay got out her car yelling at Donovan, “you drive like some crazed maniac.”
Donovan calmly replied, “I didn’t tell you to follow me. Could have come on your own.”
“That’s right Kay, you know where this is. I enjoy speeding down those backroads, mind you though, my car is not a speed demon like your sports car.” She giggled sweetly and flirted with Donovan.
He paid her no attention.
Haze was already there when they arrived. Cole asked Donovan if he could sell their cars, his employee knew how to switch out t
he VIN number in the door and light, to give the vehicles new numbers from the cars he had junked. Donovan asked, “are you afraid of going to jail?”
“No, the people I sell these cars to is not your normal everyday folk like yourselves.” Laughing Cole said, “remember, my name may be Paddleton, but my blood is from the Brown family who are crooks.”
He and Donovan had a good laugh.
Donovan told Cole he could have his car and his wife when she arrived. KayKay said, “being a Christian woman I will sell you my car and give the money to a charity.”
Donovan said, “you can have hers as well.”
KayKay argued, “you can’t decide what to do with my car.
Haze said, “ah, he just did.”
Donovan began taking his and Theenda’s things out of his car and put them on the bus he was driving. Haze emptied Tess car and put them on the bus he was driving. He asked if she brought some of his things. Tess rolled her eyes and said, “no.”
KayKay got unmad and listened.
Haze said, “no problem.”
Donovan asked, “what’re you going to ware.”
“I washed at Mrs. Paddleton's the clothes I purchased out west.” He looked down at what he was wearing and continued, “Phillip gave me some of his things, we’re the same size. Besides, I knew Tess was too mean and thoughtless to bring me anything.”
When they were finished packing the buses, they talked as they waited for time to pass. Donovan and Haze were going to drive down a back road to avoid the main highway to MacCall. The detour was a two-hour drive to the Brown Plantation. As they were talking Tess asked Haze, “which one of these buses you're driving?”
Haze showed her by standing next to the doorway of the bus he was driving, and said proudly, “this bus.”
Tess walked slowly backward for Haze and everyone else to get a full effect as to what she was doing, she stopped and leaned on the bus Donovan was driving. The two junkyard men and KayKay stood watching with anticipation, they could feel something was about to go down
Her tactic had no effect on Haze, when he caught a glimpse of Tess ring finger he asked, “where's your wedding ring?”
Tess got in Haze's face and said, “when I arrived at Mrs. Paddleton's home you were nice in front of her, in the bedroom you slapped me. I went home and took them off.”
Haze asked, “does this mean you’re going to sign the divorce papers?’
Tess looked around at Donovan, back at Haze and yelled, “hit me again, I will choke the life out of you, I know how I learned from my father.” She reached up to slap Haze.
Donovan grabbed her arm and said, “not this time Tess, you’re the bully.”
KayKay was so into what was going on, she didn’t realize that the men had huddle close to her. She was eating up everything that was happening, she was going to have some juicy gossip to share. Then she realized she had no one to tell, all her church gossiping buddies numbers were in the phone that Timpkin destroyed. She slumped. Then she realized the men were too close for her comfort, she snarled, “back off.”
Donovan was going back to his bus, Tess shoved him hard out her way as she got on the bus he was driving. Donovan’s nose flared, his back straightened as though he had an iron rod for a spine, he seethed in a low baritone voice, “I’m not the one.”
Haze walked over to Donovan, put his hand on his shoulder and said, “she’s not worth it.” He looked at Tess and said, “why don’t you stay in Ogville, sign the papers, you can have the house.”
Tess screamed, “yes, Haze did hit me at that old woman house, Donovan he’s lying.”
Donovan said to Haze, “I will talk to mom, she's a lawyer.”
KayKay was at her wit's end, she had her phone out, she took pictures of the three fussing. She found a member of her church and called her, when the woman answered KayKay said, “girl do I have something to tell you.”
Donovan walked over snatched the phone, he threw it on the ground, Cole had gotten a hammer, he said, “I want a piece of this,” using the hammer he smashed the cell phone in several pieces.
It was time for them to pull off and head to the plantation before they left, Cole told Donovan that the buses were in good condition, he shared with him the work he and his employee had done. He finished saying, “both buses have full tanks.”
Donovan thanked Cole for his help and service, he handed him a manila envelope filled with ten thousand dollars. Cole thanked Donovan and told him that the money was more than enough. He said, “giving me the cars was pay.” Cole handed the envelope to his employee, he said, “for you.”
Donovan said, “when we return with the slaves, you can have my wife car.” He kicked a rock then asked, “why are you putting your business in jeopardy.”
Cole simple reply was, “this was a front when you came to town my mother knew, you were the one. We opened this junkyard.” He looked around for the other man and waved for him to come over when he did, Cold continued, “we’re making my friend here the owner. My law firm is in New York, I’m going back home to my wife.”
The man said, “Ogville don’t have a junkyard.” He looked in the bag and said, “thank you for the money.”
Flabbergasted Donovan said, “You’re welcome,” he looked at Cole and asked, “does your mom know how you run the business?”
“The cars will go to men in a shelter,” Cole answered.
Coles employee said, “except your car, I am keeping that. I attend Mrs. Paddleton’s church, but I am from the shelter.”
Cole said, “men and women are in the shelters, they will use the cars to go to and from work. Mom doesn’t mind. Remember she was married to a Brown.”
Donovan laughed, he said, “all for a good cause,” he shook Coles' hand and said, I saw Charles Brown this morning, he has a different look in his eyes.”
Cole said, “you looked in the devil’s eyes.” Cole went to Haze bus and whispered, “leave her, she's nothing but ghetto trash.”
Haze smiled and shook his head in agreement. Before they pulled off Cole said, “when you return, mom will be here to say goodbye.”
Donovan said, “good. She’ll meet the people she helped.”
Cole and the new owner of the junkyard, waved Donovan and Haze off as the buses were pulling out. It was 6:30.
Tess was on the bus Donovan was driving, and KayKay was with Haze. Tess said sweetly, “she'll be sorry.”
“She's Timpkin's problem,” Donovan said, he was still mad, she had pushed him hard enough for him to lose his balance and fell against the bus.
Tess said in a sweet little baby voice, “Don, I am so sorry for pushing and yelling at you. I got caught up in Haze lies.”
Donovan said not a word, it was a quiet two-hour ride to the plantation.
KayKay thought Haze wanted to chitchat about what just happened. She was like an eager beaver when she got on the bus. Haze was not in the mood.
James driving Theenda’s car followed behind Timpkin to the Brown plantation. Sara asked Theenda, “you’re carrying my grandbabies, and about to do what?”
“Burn the house down and save the children,” Theenda answered like it was an everyday event. [RL110]She turned to face Sara and said, “when Charles and his wife run out, we’ll catch them and turn them into the Ogville police.
“You can’t do all that. James help her.”
James was nervous, he wanted her to shut up, he said, “honey, that’s the plan.”
When they arrived, Timpkin pulled over on the service road, James pulled behind him. Timpkin got out his van, James got out the car, Timpkin gave directions to the house, Theenda and Sara talked in the car. Sara said, “Thee, James will get the kids, while you’re in the house.”
Theenda said, “I hope they don’t get burned in the fire.”
Sara said, “my hands are shaking.”
Theenda smiled before saying, “my legs are wobbly.”
Sara asked, “how are we getting the kids down here?”
; “On the bus, Donovan is meeting us in front of the house. The adult slaves are closer to this road, they are running down through the woods.”
James asked Timpkin, “how far is MacCall from here?
Timpkin answered, “the street you’re taking that leads to the house is less than five minutes”
James said, “thanks, Tim.”
The two men gripped each other’s hand tight, they were extremely nervous.
James got in the car and said, “we’re off, this is happening.” He let out a long sigh.
Sara said, “is this how the abolitionist felt? Scared stupid. I’m going to pray, Thee bow your head, James drive.”
Timpkin covered his van with leaves and branches, and then paced and prayed for their safety, he prayed for the modern-day slaves, he prayed for the driver that had KayKay on his bus, he asked for forgiveness for being a doubtful man.
Earlier that day, Timpkin visited his mother and father to tell them what he was about to do. Both parents were well in their nineties, yet still had good mental and physical health. His mother apologized for scaring him about slaves when he was little. Timpkin laughed and said, “I was teasing, just wanted to see what you’d say.”
His dad laughed and said, “silly boy.”
Timpkin stayed with his parents until time for him to become an abolitionist. He took his mother shopping for clothes, shoes, and groceries. He went to a hardware store and bought lightbulbs with the lifespan of seven years. After shopping, they picked up a pizza and took it home. They ate and talked, while his mom and dad clean the dishes, Timpkin ran the sweeper throughout the house, even the steps. He changed all the lightbulbs in the house, something he had not done in over a year. He took the drapery down on all the windows, washed them, and hung them back up, he dusted and washed the lamp fixtures, the chandelier, and blinds. When Timpkin finished cleaning, the house sparkled. He said, “Mom, Dad I am going to take a trip, I’m not sure when I can come back to visit. “
All But One Page 48