by Ginny Dye
Moses stared at him for a moment and then spun back toward the woods. Another wail broke through the brush, floating toward them with the promise of new life. Moses gazed in the direction it had come from, torn with wonder and uncertainty. Was June all right? Would the baby make it?
After what seemed an eternity, Deidre appeared between the trees. Her face was peaceful, her smile beautiful. “Your sister and nephew would like to see you.”
Moses sprang forward instantly and dashed through the woods. He slowed and stopped as he entered the clearing. June was leaning against the tree, a tiny bundle in her arms and a look of awe on her face.
She looked up and broke into a weary grin. “It’s a boy,” she whispered. “His name is Simon. I named him for his daddy.” Her eyes glistened with tears as she gazed down at his tiny face.
Moses edged closer then knelt beside them. “He’s beautiful,” he said quietly, his eyes never leaving his nephew’s puckered face crowned with black curls. “Your husband will be very proud.” Then he stared in June’s face. “You okay?”
June nodded calmly. “I’m fine,” she assured him. “Just a little tired.”
Wally and his family appeared in the clearing. They watched for a minute then Wally cleared his throat. “I pulled the wagon in a ways farther. I reckon we’ll stay here through the night then move on in the morning. June needs to get some rest, and that baby needs at least one night of not rolling in a wagon. He’s already had a pretty rude introduction to the world.”
June looked up, gratitude radiating from her eyes. “Thank you so much,” she said fervently. Just then little Simon opened his mouth and began to cry. June smiled tenderly and shifted him into position to feed him.
Moses watched for a moment and then began to gather armloads of fresh grass. The mother and new baby would at least have a soft place to rest. Wally appeared soon with another blanket to place on the makeshift bed. June lay down gratefully. Within minutes mother and newborn were sound asleep.
Confident he would hear anything that could cause her danger, Moses moved to where Wally had stashed his wagon several yards away. “Are you running away, too?” he asked curiously.
“Tryin’ to figure out how a slave got a wagon?” Wally grinned. “No, we ain’t slaves. We are free,” he said proudly. “My daddy was given his freedom after saving his owner. We been working a little farm not too far from here.”
Moses was puzzled. “Why was Deidre scared someone might be coming after you?”
Wally scowled. “Bunch of Union soldiers rode through a few nights back. I reckon they were some stragglers of McClellan’s. Ruined our crops then set fire to our house. They rode off laughing before it caught good. I was able to put it out.”
“It can be tough to be black,” Moses observed sourly.
“Didn’t have nothing to do with being black,” Wally said firmly. “Them soldiers was just out looking for trouble. They never saw us. Had no idea what color we are.” He chuckled. “Course, it’s funny when you’re mulatto. The half of you that’s black is a heck of a lot more important than the half of you that’s white.”
“I’m glad you can laugh about it,” Moses said in amazement.
“You got to laugh, man. There’s way too much in this life to make you cry.” He paused, looking into the distance. “I reckon lots of people are goin’ to think them soldiers are just after black people. Ain’t so. They’re just after trouble. I heard them talking. Trashed as many white people’s places as they did blacks. I guess war just does that to people. Sets loose the devil in them. Know what I mean? ”
“Yeah,” Moses responded. “I know what you mean.”
Wally leaned forward in excitement. “When I saw my house burnin’, I decided I was gonna join the Navy. I figure you’re right. This ain’t just a white man’s war. Just cause I’m free don’t mean I don’t want it for the rest of my people. And being free in the South ain’t so much different from being a slave. White people still treat you like trash,” he said with contempt. “I want the day to come when all of us be free. If we’re all working for the same thing, I figure we’ll have a lot more power.”
“The day is coming,” Moses said solemnly. “I met some of the folks up North who are fighting to make it happen. Even saw Frederick Douglas speak one night.”
Wally’s eyes popped open. “You saw Frederick Douglas?” he breathed. “That man’s really something. I’ve even read some of what he done wrote. He has a way with words that one does. I bet hearing him speak must’ve been something.”
“He’s a fine man,” Moses agreed. “Wants nothing more than what we want. To see all his people free. It’s coming, I tell you. It’s coming.” He paused, deep in thought. “The way I see it, the end is inevitable. The very fact the Union army is fighting in the South means the doom of slavery.”’
“How you figure?” Wally asked doubtfully.
“You should be with the Union troops. They don’t think twice about taking a Southerner’s property. That includes his people. The Union doesn’t necessarily want anything to do with us, but if letting us go will hurt the Southerner then they’re all for it. Slaves are escaping in hordes. I reckon that contraband camp we’re heading to is going to be pretty crowded.” He paused again. “I tell you. The more slaves go free, the more are going to follow. The power of fear that’s been holding them in slavery for so long is being broken. Even if the South were to win the war, I think slavery is dying!”
“Hallelujah!” Deidre cried with a loud laugh.
Moses stood ramrod straight in front of the laughing officers. He showed no emotion. He had known proving he was a Union spy was going to be difficult after destroying his papers.
“This boy look like any Union soldier you know?” one officer laughed. “He looks like something dragged in from one of the swamps around here.”
Moses continued to stare straight ahead. He had told the men his story. It was up to them whether they chose to believe him or not.
“I think it more likely this boy has been sent down here to spy on the Union!” another soldier laughed. “Of course, he doesn’t appear to be too good at it.” The laughter grew louder.
Moses continued to hide his frustration. He knew his time with the Union army could be over. At least until he could figure out a way to get in contact with Captain Jones. He would stay here in the camps until he could devise a plan. He had been appalled by the conditions of the camps, but the superintendent assured him they were improving, and that June and the baby would receive good care. She would even be able to start going to school. He promised to find work for her. Moses had still been hesitant to leave her, but June had made him promise to leave. “You got me to freedom,” she’d said sternly. “Now you have a job to do.” It was looking more and more like he wouldn’t be able to do that job.
One officer broke into the laughter. “What if he’s telling the truth?”
Moses inspected the man who spoke. Not much older than Moses himself, he was sunburned and had massive muscles in his arms.
“You can’t be serious, Captain Jenkins,” one man protested.
Captain Jenkins shrugged. “Why not? There are a few other blacks serving as spies. I have fifty blacks serving on my ship right now. They’ve done a fine job.”
“But look at him!” another protested. “He’s filthy.”
“I suppose you’d be dirty, too, if you’d just done what he claims to have done.” His voice grew even more serious. “And I am looking at him. I see a man with honest eyes. A man with a strong body that could be put to good use for our cause.”
The room was taut with tension. Moses continued to wait silently.
Captain Jenkins walked forward. “Tell me about Captain Jones, Moses.”
“Captain Jones is about six feet tall, sir. He has dark hair and brown eyes. His build is very muscular. I believe he told me he comes from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Before the war he was a construction contractor. The captain is a fine commander. He is strict, b
ut he cares about his men.”
Captain Jenkins stared at Moses for several long minutes then nodded his head abruptly. “He’s telling the truth,” he declared. “No one could know that much about a man and not really know him.”
“How do we know he’s not making it up?” an officer cried.
Captain Jenkins spun to glare at them. “I went to college with Captain Bill Jones,” he snapped. “We were roommates.” The room lapsed into stunned silence while Moses fought the desire to sag with relief. The captain turned back to him, this time with a kind expression on his face. “Didn’t you tell me Captain Jones wanted you back in eight days?”
“Yes, sir!” Moses said strongly.
“We better get you on your way,” Captain Jenkins replied. “There is a ship leaving tomorrow morning. You can go aboard tonight if you want.” He scribbled out some orders on a sheet of paper and thrust them at Moses. “You leave at first light.”
“Yes, sir!” Moses said with a grin. Saluting, he turned and left the room, careful not to throw a gloating look toward the bewildered officers still staring at him.
“I’m going to be fine, Moses. Quit worrying,” June chided. “I’m staying right here in this camp until my Simon comes for me.”
Moses tried to push down his concern. “I just hate to leave you with no family. I know Aunt Abby would welcome you.”
“You heard Wally and Deidre say they would keep an eye on me. And what do you mean saying I have no family? Simon is the most beautiful son there ever was! I’m sure Aunt Abby is a wonderful person. I hope to meet her someday. But I am not leaving this camp without my husband. That’s final,” she added in a voice that meant business.
Moses knew that voice from way back. It was the same one his mama had used when he had pushed her too hard on an issue she wasn’t planning to budge on. Moses finally nodded, knowing he would just have to trust God to take care of his little sister. “You win,” he mumbled.
June rushed forward to throw her arms around him. “You’ve done what you promised Daddy you would do. You’ve taken care of me. I’m free now, Moses. I’m free! Everything else be gravy.” Her eyes shone. “I’m gonna get me a paying job, and I’m going to school so I can read and write just like you.”
“I wish Rose could teach you,” Moses muttered, still wishing he could take June to Philadelphia and leave her and baby Simon where he knew they would be safe.
June stared up into his face. “One day I’m gonna meet that wife of yours. And when I do, I’m going to tell her she got the best man in the world for her husband - next to my Simon, of course,” she added with a mischievous grin.
Moses laughed, hugged her hard, dropped a kiss on Simon’s forehead, and then picked up his small bag. “You’ll be hearing from me,” he promised.
He stepped off the porch then turned right to walk to the ship landing. His walk was brisk and purposeful. He was heading back to his unit and his commander. He was almost on the outskirts of the camp when he turned to wave one more time. Suddenly he froze, staring hard into the distance. There was something familiar about a woman walking in the midst of the crowded street. Why did he feel as if he should know her? He stood still, staring, trying to bridge the distance with his eyes. What was impossible to bridge with his eyes somehow was accomplished with his heart. Without knowing why - he just knew. His heart was pounding as he slowly retraced his steps, his eyes never leaving the woman moving with the crowd, talking and laughing.
Moses drew closer until finally his eyes confirmed what his heart had told him. His heart was beating so hard he could not force words from his mouth. All he could do was stare as he closed the distance. He was no more than thirty feet away when the woman finally looked up. There was a look of total disbelief - followed by an explosion of joy.
“Moses!”
“Rose!” Moses closed the last thirty feet with a few mighty bounds. Questions would come later. Great laughter rolled up from deep within and spilled into the evening air. Lifting her easily, he spun her in great circles.
Rose was laughing as hard as he was when he finally put her down. “Moses!” she cried again. “What ... How... Where...?”
Moses silenced her questions with a kiss. It was only the laughter of the people watching that made him pull back. He grinned at them all, kissed his wife again, and then stepped back. “Maybe we should tell all these people I’m your husband.”
“We figured that out ourselves,” one woman called out. “Miss Rose has been telling us about you ever since she got here. You should be real proud of your wife, Mr. Moses. She be the finest teacher we have here.”
Moses looked lovingly at his wife. Lifting an eyebrow, he said, “A teacher…?”
Rose smiled. “I couldn’t get a letter to you. I knew Aunt Abby would tell you I was here. I just couldn’t wait. The need here – ”
Moses silenced her with a finger to her lips. “We can talk about it later. I’m just glad you’re here now. Where are you staying?”
“There’s a house not far from here. A group of us teachers live there together.”
Suddenly Moses groaned. He had completely forgotten he was shipping out in the morning.
“What is it, Moses?” Rose asked anxiously.
Moses just shook his head, took her hand, and turned to the crowd. “I’m glad to hear my wife has won your hearts. I have a boat to catch early tomorrow morning so I can report back to my army unit. Which of you fine people is going to loan us your house for a night?”
“Moses!” Rose gasped, trying to hide her wide smile.
“I reckon my family can move over next door,” an elderly woman volunteered. “There only be four of us.” She continued on with a sparkle in her eyes. “You’re lucky, Mr. Moses. There ain’t nobody here who wouldn’t want to do something for Miss Rose.”
“But Mabel,” Rose started to protest.
“That is mighty nice of you, Mabel,” Moses interrupted. “We will be happy to accept. Which one is your house?” Mabel pointed it out. “Thank you. Will it be all right if we return in an hour?” When she nodded, he turned to the rest of the crowd. “Now if you’ll all excuse us...”
Laughter followed them as they moved down the street. Crowds of excited children ran in front of them, leading the way. Moses took Rose’s hand when they reached the little clapboard house he had just left minutes earlier.
“Why are we stopping here?” Rose asked. Her hand was gripping his tightly as if she were afraid he would disappear if she let go.
Moses grinned down at her. “There’s someone I would like you to meet.”
Just then June appeared on the porch with baby Simon in her arms and a curious expression on her face. “Moses? What you be doing back here?” Glancing suspiciously at the couple’s linked hands, June’s eyes rested on Rose.
Moses couldn’t wipe the grin off his face. “Rose, I’d like you to meet my sister June. And this is her new baby, Simon.” Rose looked from Moses to June then back to Moses. She opened her mouth, but no words came out. Moses laughed loudly then pulled Rose up onto the tiny porch. “Let’s all go inside. We have a lot of talking to do.”
Day was giving way to night when Moses and Rose stepped back out onto the porch. Rose turned and gave June a big hug. “This has been so wonderful,” she said warmly. “I never thought I would have family here in the camp.” Her head was spinning from the events of the day. Just yesterday, Mr. Crosby had offered to have a house built for her before summer’s end so she could live closer to her students. She had declined, having no desire to live alone. She had not yet gotten over her fear from the attack on Annie’s family. It had been easy to choose to remain with the other teachers. Now it was different. She would tell Mr. Crosby she had changed her mind. Plans had been made for June and the baby to move in with her.
June hugged Simon closer. “Neither did I,” she said softly, her eyes filling with tears again. “I was makin’ myself be brave for Moses so he would go, but my insides was like jelly.”
Moses stepped forward and gave her one final embrace. “I have to leave early in the morning. You and Rose take good care of each other.”
Thankfully it was not far to Mabel’s house. Rose nodded and smiled when people called her name, but her eyes never left Moses’ face. He looked down at her often, his eyes warming her with the love she saw there.
The door had barely closed behind them when Moses pulled her into his arms. “Rose,” he murmured softly, his lips caressing her hair.
Rose melted into his embrace, still hardly able to believe she was actually with her husband. All her questions had been answered in the two hours they had spent with June, but the magic still held her in its grip. “I love you,” she whispered, reaching up to touch his cheek. “Oh, how I love you.”
Moses grabbed her hand and held it against his cheek then turned it over to kiss it tenderly. “You’re all that’s kept me going sometimes,” he said gruffly.
Rose felt a sudden wave of love wash through her whole body. She had never seen such a vulnerable expression on her strong husband’s face. She knew in her heart he had been through awful times. Maybe he would want to tell her tonight. Maybe he wouldn’t. It didn’t matter. All that mattered was filling his heart with enough love to stand whatever else was coming his way. She pulled his face down to hers and kissed him with a deep, lingering kiss.
Moses grabbed her close then lifted her easily. He held her cradled in his arms for a long time, staring down into her face, before he carried her over to the newly made bed. Never taking his eyes from her face, he lowered her carefully then sank down beside her.
The stars blazed in the sky, and the full moon cast a milky shadow on the floor before they pulled away to talk.
“I’m proud of you, Rose.”
“And I’m so proud of you, Moses,” Rose whispered back.
Moses groaned. “I know both of us are doing the right thing, but it’s so hard to be apart.”
Rose understood the ache in his heart - it was a pain she battled every day. She had found the strength she needed to keep going in the love they had shared earlier. But somehow she knew Moses needed more. She reached over and grasped both of his hands. “It won’t be forever. Someday we’ll be together the way we want. In freedom. Knowing our children will never know the humiliation of slavery. We’ll be helping lead the way for millions of people who are trying to figure out how to lead a new life.” She paused. “And it will be people like you they will have to thank. People like you who have put aside their own wants and desires so other people can have what they are already experiencing.” She squeezed his hands tightly. “I am so proud of you. Keep leading the way. We need you. All of your people need you.”