The Watchman's Grace

by Craig Johnson

  “I know we have our freedom, with brothers and sisters still suffering in oppressive Southern heat like common chattel. But that’s not our current situation, and I thank stars above every day for that! Can’t you see Grady? I’m nothing if I don’t try to keep improving the lot of my family. You know there’s no such thing as being steady. You’re either going forward or sliding back.

  “I’ve been given means and opportunity. I have to follow my chances. My determination for returning to Africa is a seed sewn in me by birthright. I never forgot where I came from, despite their best attempts to beat it out of me! I am Kigwa. I am of noble blood, and I see my destiny rooted back in the Motherland, where my ancestors began.”

  Grady recoiled softly in his sitting chair. He took a long puff from his familiar corn-cob pipe, which had married his lips for years. He looked over Fortune in a way which sized up the worth of a man. Grady’s exposing eyes locked into the very marrow of Fortune’s being, his life and his words, all the while shrouded within a silent trance. When he finally spoke, Fortune paid heed.

  “You need this chance, don’t you? Like a camel thirsting for water. But you know all hope comes with a cost. And oh man can freedom’s wages demand a price!

  “The toll you’ve paid to get this far has been earned in blood, sweat and lives from Georgia’s green fields to the deep harbor of Halifax. In these twisted times, who can know what the gate master of liberty requires? It seems today he demanded much, much more from you.

  “Your family will always have the whole of this old heart, yet my judgment remains the same. It may be cold and the times hard here, but it is our times and our ways now! It’s the way of life that we know and can change for the better over time.

  “Remember, no one said it has to remain so difficult here. Just like those Colored folk who survived that first brutal winter of 1783 near the solders outside Guysborough. We will find a way to be here decades from now and get on with it!

  “There comes a time when one should stop running and lay down roots. I know I cannot change your mind, so perhaps I can strengthen your awareness. You may be risking much more than you know with this decision. I take it Dainty wishes to remain in Resting Arms.”

  “Yes, Dainty’s so against this whole thing she is leaving our homestead to stay at a friend’s house in Shelburne. But damn it, this is fate giving me the chance to return, to take back what’s mine! And I could be sharing it all with my family.

  “Do you see the other side of the argument Grady? I cannot live the rest of my life wondering what if, going against the vow I made when all hope was lost. That would make me a failure.”

  Grady stroked his chin while gathering his thoughts. “I remember an old saying from working back in those hellish plantation days; “Heaven holds the earth as the earth holds our minds.” We are beholden to our passions Fortune, and let them lead us in this unseen quest for personal salvation. Though we can only hope that our trust is not our undoing.”

  Pausing to stretch for a moment, Grady returned to his chair while in contemplative silence. “As a people who’ve inhabited this unforgiving continent for centuries, we’ve lived far too long as wanderers. Nomads separated by force from our native land.

  “I envy your courage Fortune to try and reclaim your heritage. But at what cost are you prepared to do so? Are pride’s wages asking more than reason should allow? We’re talking about your truest love, your only son, and a hard won comfort here! Are you willing to risk losing your family on the words of a stranger?”

  Fortune began to lose some patience. “How do you mean Grady? I thought a practical man like you could see past Dainty’s stubborn folly. What I needed from you were suggestions on how to put reason back into her head. Hopeville is clearly the best solution for us, and I need to convince her as well. Or else I will lose my family!”

  Grady looked pointedly at Fortune. “I see the truth is drawing me into conflict with you as well. You’re a determined one Fortune, though sometimes we must look about us before rushing ahead. We all know life presents troubles; only a fool believes in total bliss. Though here, like always, it’s how we handle these situations that makes life easier or too much to bear.

  “What I’m saying may make you cross. Though can you honestly hear your own words! The man I know would not be so selfish. You’ve kept your feelings of discontent from your one true love all this time. Then, in what seems to her a random moment, want to up stakes to Africa? How would you feel if the same surprise were played on you in a vital matter? Secrets and vengeful vows are for wartime, not marriages between loving people!”

  “Is that what you truly believe Grady? Do you feel I am somehow neglectful in my duties as a husband? I’m sorry to say this, but perhaps this was too much to ask of you. After all, one who has never married could not be asked to relate so easily with my issue.”

  Grady immediately stood up and motioned towards his front door. “Sure looks like we’ve come full circle. We both came here to find life away from the pains of bondage. I found all that I was seeking here in Resting Arms. But you need that peace which cannot be found here. So go do what you must, regardless of consequence. That is a burden you will have to bear, along with the suffering you visit upon your family!

  “When you’re in better temperament, remember those left behind to bear testament to our people’s inhabitance in Nova Scotia. I hope the Good Lord watches over your passage. It seems the community will bear responsibility for your familial obligation.”

  A heated Fortune stood up and left Grady’s home without further comment. As he closed the door, Grady shook his head in wonder.

  “How could I’ve been so wrong about someone,” he spoke softly to himself. “There goes a man whose ambition will surely number his days on this earth! Though I hope he finds his better sense soon enough to rescue his marriage.”

  Chapter Six

  BACK TO ANOTHER MOTHERLAND

  Who remembers the returning stranger in a land

  once called home?

  Jostling with persistent din from another day’s commerce, these loading docks in Halifax Harbor displayed all the makings of a growing city. The ocean’s trade carried her telling smell of goods from near and afar adrift upon all who bustled about. Her bounty of fresh sea catches teased pains of hunger. And her salty scent made dreamers minds’ weave small adventures of fancy, placating the routine of shore-bound lives.

  One could never forget such images while walking along dark wooden planks. Here, teams of vessels jostled in the water, patiently waiting their next orders for yonder horizon. And the jaunting maritime gait of longshoremen bobbed to and fro, movements honed from years of knowing toil.

  To be certain, these old shores had seen many hellos and goodbyes. Literally thousands of stories were recorded in the salty mist of sea air. And through it all, the docks remained steadfast, clinging strongly to their dual role as sender and receiver. Today both roles would be performed once again, like so many times before.

  No less a footnote in an evolving history of this storied harbor was another happening. Today dawned with the promise of new horizons for a determined few. These eager arrivals came forward to take up Preacher Simmons on his mystical promise. Their earthly possessions were either sold or abandoned, save the clothes on their backs. They were willing to put heart over reason in one desperate leap.

  Truth be told, it was hard to distinguish whether the fine mist of salt air produced stinging tears, or a realization that departure was imminent. Take the scene unfolding just left of this jutting pier. One could witness an elderly woman gently clutching the strong body of her young son. With such an embrace comes a lifetime of recollection that final farewells always conjure.

  Here, Fortune Smith bid Nova Scotia goodbye. He was resolute and alone. Fortune hoped Dainty would have come back to Resting Arms, though it was one hope too far. So now he waited with old neighbors near the
meeting place instructed by Preacher Simmons.

  “You will send us a post when you arrive in Hopeville, will you not?” said his old neighbor Lucas Jones, his wife nodding in approval. Both were visibly shaken by the wrenching throes of his departure.

  “It will be the first thing I do once I’ve settled in,” replied Fortune. “Of course, you and Carrie must keep as strong as always for all the good people in Resting Arms. No matter what the circumstances, please keep going on as strong as always.”

  Lucas drew forward to embrace Fortune, his wife doing likewise. In one gentle moment, years of hardships and tribulations were cast aside in the kinship of togetherness. Somehow, scouring wisps of heavy air scrubbed the sting of past injustices into a bucket full of “gone today yet never forgotten.”

  After heartfelt embraces, they broke away from each other’s caring strength. Lucas continued with a slight smile curling his lips.

  “Don’t fret about Dainty and Cody. We’ll all take good care of them. Besides, she’ll come around in time. Carrie and I just know it! You two were made to be together. And who knows? With the way the world works, maybe Carrie and I will seek out this preacher’s new land of Hopeville in the future. It can’t be worse than winters in Resting Arms, and my body craves steady sunshine these days.”

  Fortune managed a pained smile. “You two are the beacon of progress for so many in Resting Arms. Don’t ever forget that.”

  Turning to leave, Fortune paused to note something which still made a deep impression on him years later.

  “Do you know something? Not once did I see those bastards shed one tear through all those whippings, tortures and murders committed back on that wicked plantation I escaped! And they called themselves Christians! I often wonder what hope there is for a land with soulless spirits guiding the affairs of their democracy.”

  Lucas’s head shaking in anger provided all the answers Fortune needed. As he waved goodbye, his dear neighbors strained to keep Fortune’s image forever embossed on their conscious. Meantime, Fortune took in as many familiar smells as possible. For soon he would leap into the realities of an arduous journey by sail.

  Preacher Simmons called their destined settlement Hopeville, as it was the binding twine holding them all together. Though deep in the minds of these new adventurers, they knew it would take a whole lot more than high words to make a fighting chance. At that precise moment, a booming call to attention roared above the morning din.

  “See here all people gathered to travel away for Hopeville in Africa,” rang out the clergyman’s familiar voice. “We shall be boarding all who are willing within the hour. That is, one hour. So make haste with your farewells and gather your belongings to come forward. If you miss this boarding time, you miss our voyage. I will have no delays impede such a momentous occasion!”

  Time was but a quick wisp of a thing before voyagers huddled in numbers at the appointed place. The range of emotions etched into these faces represented a montage of experiences. Here was the epitome of silent conviction in action.

  Fortune recognized many faces, such as Avery the dockhand from Preacher Simmons’s previous oration. In addition, newcomers had joined the swelling ranks, undoubtedly alerted through word of mouth.

  “Goodbye Nova Scotia,” whispered Fortune to himself. “Will the years planted in your soil serve as payment in full for a bountiful life in Hopeville? Or will time prove me wrong in some wretched adventure?

  “I didn’t ask much of you, save a decent chance to earn an honest living. All I ask of you now is to take good care of my Dainty and Cody. Keep them from want and harm until I can get them back to me!”

  As their numbers gathered for departure, many others watched the mounting spectacle. Just like the shopkeeper who came upon a well-dressed gentleman witnessing the scene unfold.

  “Would you look at all these Coloreds taking off from here?” observed the shopkeeper. “At this rate, we can have Nova Scotia all to ourselves again. If there was only a way they could ship them all faster, I would give my fullest financial support immediately!”

  The gentleman turned in stunned wonder to look directly at the speaker. “I must say, where have you learned your sense of decency? In future, you should choose your words more carefully. By chance, where did your ancestors hail from? England? Prussia? Or do you even know?

  “We are all immigrants in this new land. My advice to you would be to keep your mouth shut on such matters in the future. Best people wonder about the fool you may be than open your mouth and confirm it!

  “Times are changing, whether you like it or not. I daresay a day will come when your biases are looked upon as the scourge they truly are! Now if you will excuse me, I came to say goodbye to an old friend who will be boarding that very ship.”

  When the gentleman walked away, a mouth gaped shopkeeper watched him make a warm greeting with a tall Colored man. As they exchanged dear conversation, he stormed away in disgust. To him, there would be other ways to keep the Colored man in his place if they chose to remain here.

  As for the participants, each of these deserving souls would brave whatever unforeseen hardship lay ahead to make their union with Africa’s warming climes. In short, every person who heeded the words of Preacher Simmons came to obtain what had been denied all their earthly years; respect and common dignity. Finally, uneasy calm was broken by the words everyone eagerly awaited.

  “Listen here everyone who is sailing to Hopeville! We are boarding Isabella this moment! Gather your possessions and prepare to board the ship. Again, we are now leaving for Hopeville!”

  Preacher Simmons’s voice was crowned with happiness as these former residents of Nova Scotia streamed forward. It was at that moment two figures approached Fortune from a distance. As they came into better view, he stood in complete astonishment. Eyes now stinging in sharp tears, he held forth beckoning arms to urge them forward.

  “Fortune, you didn’t think you could leave without a goodbye did you?” called out Fletcher.

  Fortune wiped running streams of joy from his cheeks. “No, I should have supposed the master of escapes would not let that happen! And hello Dainty and Cody.”

  Dainty held Cody close while she looked intently into Fortune’s eyes. “I knew there would be no turning back for you. You’re as stubborn as a mule! I was not going to come your way, but you have Fletcher to thank. He’s a true friend, one we will miss greatly.”

  Fortune was caught by surprise. “How’d you mean we will Dainty?”

  She lit up with a beautiful smile. “Damn you Fortune Smith! After speaking with Fletcher, I realized we made a union for better or worse. I’ve made more than my fair share of compromises, but here’s the last one.

  “Things change in Hopeville, Fortune. It will truly be a new life in all respects. My folks didn’t raise a quitter! So we leave here together, as a family. You know we did well here, and I think there’s more ahead. We go forward united, and nothing less. That is all; I shall hear no more of it.”

  Fortune’s deep tears of joy mingled with overwhelming love. “Dainty, Cody, this means everything to me! I’m so sorry I put you through all this. We are a family again, and I will not let anything come between us now!”

  “Well now Fortune Smith, or should I say Fortunate Smith as your new name! I could not tear apart what was so hard to make together. I still have mixed feelings about leaving Nova Scotia. But in the end I found this environment matched the nature of its attitude towards Colored folks; cold and unyielding. That is not a legacy I want to participate in any longer.”

  Fortune embraced Dainty and Cody in pure elation. He knew it was too much ever again to risk the wholeness of his family, whatever the cost.

  “I love you both so much! Things will change in Hopeville, Dainty! I swear to you they will.”

  Fletcher came forward as the loving family withdrew from a heartfelt embrace. “A little bird t
old me about your departure. He felt there were some people that had a right to know. And he was very concerned that Dainty and Cody were being left behind!

  “I immediately went off to see her in Shelburne. Thank goodness it’s all ending well. If we were not in time, you would have already left! I know it goes without saying that Rodney is beside himself, while Resting Arms feels in mourning.

  “But I have seen enough of this world to know you have to respect a person’s decisions made in free will. In the end, it’s their life to live. I cannot say I was happy to hear this news secondhand. Or about the conflict it caused within such a dear family. You are so loved in the community; your presence is irreplaceable.” Fletcher wiped an uncharacteristic tear from his welling eyes.

  “My truest friend Fletcher,” began a moved Fortune. “I think of those tears in your eyes not as a farewell, though joy at our next beginning in Hopeville. You will always be welcomed in our new home.”

  Fletcher dabbed his wet eyes. “Pardon me for shedding a rare tear. You can understand how my emotions are getting the best of me now.”

  “You’ve no need to apologize,” replied a moved Fortune. “The hardest part about all this is leaving people we love so much. We have so many dear friends like you, Rodney and Grady who will be deeply missed. Remember, our journey is all about a better future for our family than Nova Scotia can provide. It is definitely not about leaving the people of Resting Arms!”

  “Fair enough Fortune. Damn it! There are so many things I want to say about what your family means to me. But we don’t have time, and I will not cheapen this moment with hasty words. Let’s just say I’ve always held you, Dainty and Cody in the highest regard possible.”

  Pausing briefly to admire the three, Fletcher then continued. “Oh, there are so many things which spring to mind when I see this man of yours Dainty! It must have been quite a shock for Grady to learn it was you and not I that was leaving Resting Arms. What a remarkable man he is.