A Place to Belong

by Joan Lowery Nixon

  "Ma's like that," Danny said. "She wouldn't want you to think she had no pride."

  Alfrid's brow wrinkled. "Is that why she's paying me back?"

  "I'm sure of it," Danny said. "If you knew Ma—"

  Alfrid interrupted, his voice so low he seemed to be talking to himself. "I don't know her. I really don't know her at ail."

  "Maybe I could tell you more about her," Danny offered, although he didn't know how or where to begin.

  But Alfrid shook his head. "Not just now. Let me tell you what to expect at the meeting we'll be going to tonight. A few days ago the Southern states seceded from the Union and organized a Confederacy with Jefferson Davis as their president. The talk now is that Missouri will go with them "

  His interest caught, Danny listened intently, forgetting about Ma until he and Alfrid arrived at Katherine Banks's home.

  Ma met Danny at the door with a vigorous hug that lifted him off his feet. "I've missed you!" she cried. "How's my darlin' boy?"

  Danny held his mother tightly, wishing with all his

  heart that she'd set a date for the wedding. Then he could enjoy having Ma and Alfrid together and forget all about Mrs. Pratka and Mr. Murphy.

  Peg ran to hug Danny, and as he swung her around, he heard Ma say politely, "Good evening, Alfrid."

  Alfrid answered every bit as quietly and formally, "Good evening, Noreen."

  That didn't sound like Ma. It didn't sound like Alfrid, either. What was the matter with them?

  Danny and Alfrid were no sooner seated in the parlor than a loud knock came at the door. Ma rushed to answer it, and Alfrid stared down at his hands. Danny knew who the visitor was going to be. That was fine with him. There was no time like the present to put his plan into action.

  Ma's footsteps were light as she reentered the parlor, and her face was bright with smiles. "Look who's here," she announced. "John Murphy."

  "Ah, and there's that fine lad, Danny," Mr. Murphy said. He shook hands with Alfrid first, then Danny, and bent to kiss Peg, who—to Danny's dismay—flung her arms around his neck in a hug.

  "Here's a little something for you, Noreen," Mr. Murphy said, and pulled from his pocket a twist of peppermints, handing it to Ma with a flourish. So! Mr. Murphy was bringing Ma little gifts, was he? Danny could easily think of something for Alfrid to bring to Ma. Maybe a flower? But with the snow there were no flowers blooming. Oh well, he'd figure that out later. Now it was time to carry out his plan.

  Peg came to sit on Alfrid's lap, resting her head against his shoulder. "How is my Whiskers?" she asked. "Does he miss me?"

  "He looks for you at times," Alfrid said. "And he sleeps in your room, as he has always done."

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  "Is my bed still in the same place?" she asked. "And my doll bed?"

  "Yes," Alfrid said. "Right where you left them."

  Katherine arrived home, Andrew MacNair with her, and everyone jumped up to greet the new arrivals. {Catherine's cheeks were glowing, and her eyes sparkled. "It's such a cold night," she said as she pulled off her gloves and rubbed her hands together briskly. "Let's warm up with some hot spiced cider."

  Danny was pleased. Having so many people around would make his job easier. He waited until everyone in the room was busy chattering and passing around the mugs of cider, then tugged at Mr. Murphy's sleeve, pulling him aside from the rest.

  "I haven't had much chance to talk with you," Danny said.

  Mr. Murphy looked pleased. "I'd erjoy a bit of conversation with you, Danny. Did you have anything in particular in mind?"

  "No," Danny said, making sure none of the others could hear him. "I was just thinking how it is a good thing Mr. Swenson's house has so many rooms, since Ma has so many children."

  Mr. Murphy's eyebrows rose, and Danny hurried to continue. "I remember that you said something about your income providing a comfortable living for a small family. Well, we Kellys couldn't be called a small family."

  "But your brothers and sisters have new homes now, and—"

  Danny didn't let Mr. Murphy finish his sentence. "Do you think Ma will rest until we're all together again? No indeed. Oh, the fine times we've had, singing and yelling and squabbling until the wee hours of the morning. We're a noisy lot, there's no denying it."

  Mr. Murphy frowned. "That's not the way Noreen has described her children."

  Danny leaned close to whisper, u 0f course not. If your children were so wild that they tore up the furniture and scared off the neighbors, what would you say?"

  "Danny." Alfrid's voice so close behind him made Danny jump. "It's time to go."

  "I'm going to the meeting, too," Andrew said. "I'll ride with you."

  As the three of them put on their coats and said their good-byes, Danny didn't dare to meet Mr. Murphy's eye. He felt pleased with himself. He'd given the man something to chew on, all right. Mr. Murphy would want little to do with Ma after what Danny had told him tonight.

  Seated between the two men he admired most, Alfrid and Andrew, Danny was spellbound both by the distinct, ringing tones of Mr. Emerson's voice and by the urgency of his antislavery message. Tears came to Danny's eyes as Mr. Emerson described the dreadful treatment of slaves in the Southern states. Even the noise from the street outside didn't distract him.

  After the talk Danny went with Alfrid to the podium to shake Mr. Emerson's hand.

  "I'll help, too!" he promised.

  Mr. Emerson looked at Danny with great seriousness. "Thank you, young man," he said, and Danny was elated.

  He followed Alfrid from the building, and his exalted mood shattered as they were confronted by a jostling, jeering group of men who yelled insults at the abolitionists. The protesters' shadows jumped grotesquely under the flickering gaslight, distorted by the thin, damp mists from the river which carried the sour, oily smell of bilge water from ships at anchor.

  "Ignore those men," Alfrid said. He gripped Danny's hand and strode toward the stables, where he'd left the horses and buggy.

  They had gone only a few yards when someone called

  to Alfrid. It was one of the meeting's organizers, the short, heavyset man Danny remembered as having urged Alfrid's support. Alfrid halted, and for a few moments the two men were intent on their conversation. Danny walked on slowly, looking down the street. A few yards away, a man stood in the shadow of the building, staring back at him.

  Danny sucked in his breath and squinted, trying to see more clearly. Wasn't the man Dr. Mundy? He was. He had to be. Suddenly gripped by a fear that made cold drops of sweat break out along his backbone, Danny realized that if he had seen Dr. Mundy, then Mundy had seen him.

  Three men angrily elbowed past Danny, blocking his view of the man in the shadows. By the time they had passed, the man had disappeared.

  Danny's heart was still pounding. He tried to calm himself. He wasn't sure the man was Dr. Mundy. In fact, he probably wasn't. Dr. Mundy would have come after Danny. But the man had been watching him. Never mind. He was gone now, and there was no point in chasing after bad luck.

  Danny turned to rejoin Alfrid, but Alfrid had disappeared, too. He pushed through the crowd on the street, toward the spot where Alfrid had been standing. "Alfrid?" Danny called. "Father?"

  "Danny!" a muffled voice called back. Danny spun around and noticed a division about four feet wide between two buildings. It was dark in the passageway and hard to see.

  "I'm coming," Danny shouted, and stepped into the

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  darkness. He felt his way along the passage, using one of the brick walls as a guide. Twice he stumbled over debris, and once, while he was on all fours, something ran over his gloved hands. He scrambled up, shuddering. A rat!

  "Alfrid!" he called again, but this time there was no answer. Frightened, Danny careened through the darkness toward the patch of lighter sky. Just a few feet more and he'd be there.

  He stumbled noisily into the open space, finally managing to catch his balance. "Alfrid?" he whispered. There was no response.r />
  Danny glanced to each side. Piles of crates towered nearby, their shadows creating blocks of darkness too deep to penetrate. The clamor in the street seemed far away, and the silence in this alley was as oppressive as a smothering quilt. The air crackled with danger, making the hair rise on the back of Danny's neck and along his arms. He'd never been so terrified in his life.

  He had to get back to the street. Slowly, his legs trembling, he began to back toward the passageway. But a shape suddenly flung itself from the shadows, looming up in front of him, and a hand clutched his shoulder in a painfull grip.

  "Danny Kelly, is it?" a sharp voice hissed, and a face thrust itself close to his own. "You know me. I told you I'd be back."

  Mundy! Danny tried to pull away, but Mundy's fingers dug into his shoulder so deeply that he cried out.

  "You shouldn't have run off like that." Mundy chuckled. "You're likely to lose your way in the dark and end up drowned in the river."

  "Let go of me!" Danny said. "Alfrid—Mr. Swenson— will come to find me. He won't let you hurt me."

  "Swenson, is that his name? The one who rode me out?"

  "Don't you dare do anything to hurt Alfrid!"

  Mundy chuckled evilly. "And who's going to stop me? It looks to me like you're in no position to help anyone, including yourself." He gave Danny a shake. Danny struggled with all his strength, but he was no match for Mundy.

  "What do you want?" Danny cried.

  Dr. Mundy laughed. "You and that Swenson fellow did me a favor," he said. "My fortunes have improved considerable since I saw you last. I sold my wagon and medicines to some poor fool and made the acquaintance of some Southern sympathizers here in Missouri. They're eager to dip into their pockets to support arms and an army, so I have been doing some fund-raising for the cause."

  "I know what you're doing! You're stealing their money!" Danny wrestled against Mundy's grip. "You wouldn't help anybody! You're only collecting it for yourself!"

  Mundy bent to whisper into Danny's face, his foul breath hot against Danny's cheek. The pain in Danny's arm and shoulder was now so intense that white lights flickered in front of his eyes, and his legs could scarcely hold him up. "How right you are, boy," Mundy said. "I'm doing well for myself now, better than I ever have before." He snickered. "Some might say I should thank you for your meddling, but I have an old score to settle with you. Poor little orphan boy. Tomorrow they'll find your body floating in the river."

  "Let me go!" Danny shouted. He thrashed and kicked wildly, but Mundy's hold remained firm. With all his might Danny tried to jerk away, but suddenly a large, dusty burlap sack was thrown over his head, nearly strangling him, and whipped down to enfold his body. Choking and coughing, he felt his arms being strapped to his sides as a rope was wound around him.

  Then he felt himself jerked off his feet and jolted roughly from side to side. Mundy had picked him up and was carrying him—where? To the river?

  Alfrid! Ma! Danny thought, realizing he'd never see them again. Desperate, terrified, Danny kicked and struggled with all his might, trying to get free.

  "Stop that!" Mundy snapped. Danny felt Mundy stumble, and his shoulder slammed against something hard.

  Danny cried out in pain, and he squirmed and fought all the harder. He thrust out a foot and heard a crash.

  "Danny? Where are you?"

  It was Alfrid's voice, and he was nearby.

  Danny tried to yell but sucked in the dust from the burlap. Only a strangled, choking sound came out.

  "Danny!"

  All at once Danny went flying. He landed on his back, momentarily stunned. The force of his fall had loosened the rope, and he managed to claw his way from the bag.

  Staggering to his feet, still coughing, Danny took a deep breath, trying to clear his head and lungs. Before him, two dark figures grappled on the ground. One suddenly rose to a sitting position, raising his right arm high. Moonlight glinted on the blade of Mundy's knife.

  Danny lunged at Mundy and used the only weapon he had. He sank his teeth into Mundy's right wrist, tasting blood, and heard the knife clatter to the ground.

  Howling with pain, Mundy gave Danny a blow that sent him reeling back, then scrambled into the darkest shadows. Danny regained his balance and took a few steps after Mundy, but Alfrid climbed unsteadily to his feet and shouted, "No! Danny! Stay with me!"

  u ni get your Mundy yelled at them, and they could hear his footsteps echoing down the alley.

  "Let's catch him!" Danny gasped, then broke into a coughing fit that bent him double.

  "He's a rat, running to his hole in the darkness," Alfrid said. "We'd never find him."

  Danny shuddered, remembering the rat that had run over his hand. "You saved my life," he said to Alfrid.

  "And you saved mine."

  Danny wrapped his arms around Alfrid and began to sob. "I'm sony, Alfrid! I'm sorry. He almost killed you, and it was all my fault!"

  Alfrid's tone was gentle. "YouVe said all that needs to be said. There's no point in dwelling on it."

  "Oh, Father!" Danny said, burrowing his face into Alfrid's shoulder, "I love you!"

  "And I love you," Alfrid said quietly. He held Danny securely until there were no more tears.

  "Will Dr. Mundy come back again?" Danny whispered.

  "Don't worry," Alfrid said. "Remember, he's just like a rat. If we cornered him, he'd turn and fight, but we frightened him away, and I think he'll stay away. He had his try at revenge. That should satisfy him."

  Danny wasn't so sure. Mundy wasn't likely to leave the area—not while his scheme to steal money was succeeding. Danny wanted to tell Alfrid what Mundy had said, but he knew that Alfrid would tell the marshal, and if Mundy wasn't captured right away, he might try to harm Alfrid. Danny couldn't let that happen, so he kept the information to himself.

  "We've lingered here long enough," Alfrid said, and took Danny by the hand. "Let's go home."

  The next day, after returning from school, still sore from Mundy's rough handling, Danny headed for the kitchen. The list he had written was still there, but not where he had left it. He shoved it into his pocket and asked Gusste, "Did Mrs. Pratka read this?"

  "She asked what it was, and I said it was only a shoppin' list. I saw her pick it up, but don't fuss about it. If what you writ was all so private, you shouldn't have left it out for anyone to come across."

  "Did Mrs. Pratka stay for dinner?"

  Gussie cocked her head, rubbing one finger on her chin. "No, she didn't. Seemed like something was stuck in her craw. She brought a pie with her and some stuff in a parcel. She poked around the kitchen for a few minutes, then picked up her parcel and went home. At least she left the pie."

  Danny turned his back on Gussie so she wouldn't see his grin as she continued. "When I seen that the widow Pratka wasn't gonna stay, I boiled up a chicken for the mister's noon meal. It turned out kinda tough so there's plenty left over to slice cold for supper, and there's most of the pie."

  For just an instant Danny's stomach rumbled with hunger, and he wondered if he'd done the right thing. He did eijoy the leftovers from the noon meals Mrs. Pratka had made. With Gussie doing the cooking, it would be a different matter. Oh, well, Ma would soon be here and set everything to rights.

  That evening Danny asked Alfrid if he could go along to see Ma again. He had to know if his plan had worked with Mr. Murphy, too.

  Ma seemed quieter than usual. Occasionally she glanced toward the front door, but Mr. Murphy didn't show up. Danny wasn't sure whether his wishful thinking or Katherine's managing was responsible, but he, Peg, and Katherine ended up in the kitchen, leaving Ma and Alfrid alone in the parlor to chat. Danny couldn't have been happier. With Mr. Murphy out of the way, Ma and Alfrid would have a chance to discover they were both grand people, and Ma would set a wedding date.

  As Alfrid and Danny were preparing to leave, Danny managed to whisper to Alfrid, "When will Ma come out to the farm again?"

  Alfrid looked intently at Ma for a mome
nt, then he turned back to Danny. "Why not invite your mother and

  Peg and Katherine now?" he suggested. "Maybe they'd agree to come for dinner Sunday."

  Danny was so excited it was hard to stand still as he relayed the invitation. He looked to his mother hopefully, but it was Katherine who spoke first.

  "I'm sure we'd all love to come."

  "Yes," Ma added quickly. "Would you like us to bring the food?" She paused, her eyes now on Alfrid. "Or will Mrs.—will one of your neighbors help with the cooking?"

  "No!" Danny said. "Mrs. Pratka won't be there. Gussie and I will do all the cooking!"

  "Me, too!" Peg volunteered. "I want to help, too!"

  Happier than he'd been since the excitement of Ma's arrival, Danny agreed.

  On the way home he wished Alfrid would talk about Ma and about the fine conversation they'd had, but Alfrid was silent, immersed in his own thoughts. Danny let his own mind drift ahead to Sunday. He was glad that Ma wanted to come. It was time she began to feel at home on the farm—their farm.

  Gussie refused to work on Sunday. "It's my day off," she said. " 'Sides, I got me a beau, and he's comin' over to meet my ma and pa." Her expression grew serious. "He's goin' down to Atlanta to sign on with the Confederate Army."

  "We're not at war!" Danny said.

  "We will be soon. Everybody's sayin' so." Gussie paused. "I may not see him for a long time, so I don't want to be here cookin' dinner. You understand, don't you?"

  Danny shrugged. "I'll make the dinner myself." • "Wonder why the widow Pratka ain't been over," Gussie said. "Maybe if you give her a holler, she'll do the cookin'."

  "No," Danny answered quickly. "You just tell me what to do, and I'll do it."

  Gussie nodded. "TO put together a milk pudding the day before, and you know how to clean the carrots and potatoes. Do you think you can roast a chicken?"

  "If you show me how."