by Ginny Dye
“Janie!”
Janie gasped as Clifford strode into her bedroom, his face twisted with anger. He closed the door carefully behind him. She had been so sure he would be too involved with the other men to leave the study. Had he somehow discovered her plans? She fought to remain calm.
“Yes, Clifford?” she asked quietly, putting her hands behind her back to control their trembling.
“I distinctly told you this morning that I wanted chess pie for our visitors tonight. Can I not trust you to do even the simplest things?” he growled, advancing until he stood directly in front of her, his eyes boring into her.
Janie hid her distress by looking him directly in the eye. How could she have forgotten the pies? “Of course I haven’t forgotten,” she said quietly. “I thought the men would prefer to have their drinks before a dessert. I planned on bringing them in shortly.”
Clifford stared at her. His eyes told her he knew she was lying, but he was also aware of a houseful of men that he had to maintain appearances for. She fought to control her quivering as she saw a look different from any she had seen before come over his face. The rage in his eyes turned them coal black. Suddenly she was very much afraid of what Clifford might do.
“I think the men in Louisiana have it right,” he finally muttered, his eyes taking on a strange light she hadn’t seen before, as his face twisted with fury.
Janie sensed the danger even before Clifford raised his one arm and slapped her hard across the face. She gave a soft cry and stumbled back, grabbing the post of her bed to keep herself from falling.
“Shut up!” Clifford snapped. “You are a useless woman, but it seems I am stuck with you. I have been patient for as long as I intend to be patient.” He raised his hand to strike her again and then seemed to think better of it.
Janie struggled to control her trembling, knowing the presence of the other men was the only thing standing between her and more violence. She resisted reaching up to touch her burning cheek and eye.
Clifford glared at her for a long moment and smiled slightly, his eyes gleaming. “I do believe we will finally come to an understanding,” he said softly. “You will do what I say, when I say it. Are we clear?”
Janie nodded quickly. “I will bring the pie in right now,” she whispered.
Clifford nodded and then paused, suddenly seeming to realize his slap had left a burning mark across her face. “You look terrible,” he snapped. “Forget the pie. Just don’t let me lay eyes on you for the rest of the night.”
Janie nodded again. That was an easy promise to make.
“We will continue this discussion in the morning,” Clifford growled, before he spun around and left the room.
Janie waited until she heard his footsteps recede. When she heard the door to his office close, she sank down on her bed and covered her face with her hands, allowing the tears to come.
But only for a moment.
She shook her head, wiped away her tears, and sprang into action. She had already made the decision to activate her plans that night. Clifford’s attack only made her more determined.
She knew the men would be in Clifford’s study until late in the evening. She could only hope his usual routine of retiring directly to his bedroom would continue. It was the only way she would have time. Without allowing herself to think anymore, knowing thought would produce fearful inaction, Janie moved swiftly to her bureau.
It took only moments to gather the few things she was taking, along with the stash of bills she had been hiding away — praying she wouldn’t be discovered every time she took a little of Clifford’s money. It was such a small amount each time that it hadn’t alerted him, but the little bits over the weeks added up to what she hoped was enough.
She didn’t want to appear like a woman traveling any distance, so she stuffed her few things in a soft bag, gave thanks it was too warm to need a coat, and moved carefully to the door of her bedroom. She opened it softly and listened carefully, praying she would hear anything necessary over the frightened pounding of her heart. Fighting to control her trembling, she crept past the study door, holding her breath so that she could hear if there was any movement to open it. She allowed herself to take a deep breath when she reached the kitchen, but she kept walking, allowing herself to move more quickly now.
Janie breathed a sigh of relief when she realized dusk had shadowed their yard. Clifford couldn’t see out the back, but she didn’t want daylight to broadcast her activities. People might see a woman walking alone, but they would have no idea it was Clifford’s wife because he had not allowed her to meet any of her neighbors. They would wonder about a woman out alone at night, but no one would be able to identify her. She refused to allow her fears of what could happen to a solitary woman to rise to the surface. This was her chance for freedom. She could let nothing deter her. She shuddered when she envisioned Clifford’s reaction if he caught her before she could get far enough away. She tightened her jaw and walked swiftly through the backyard, coming out onto a road that headed into town.
Now that Janie was free of the house, she walked as quickly as she dared. Her heart was screaming at her to run, but she knew running would draw too much attention. All she knew was that she was headed to the railroad station. She had no idea of the schedule and no idea of the cost now that the war was over, but she knew it was her only chance to get away. She took deep breaths to control her panic as she moved down the darkening roads, grateful they were almost deserted at night. She knew that made her more vulnerable, but it also made her less noticeable. She stayed as close to the trees along the side of the road as she could, hoping they would help obscure her presence.
Janie took a deep breath when she passed Durham Road. It would take only a few minutes to reach her parents’ house, but her instincts told her it would not be a haven. She would find a way to get word to them when she was safe.
Sweat, both from nervousness and the heat, ran in rivulets down her body when she finally reached the station. She groaned when she saw it was almost empty, but she strode forward purposefully. If anyone was watching her, they would believe she knew what she was doing. Janie took a deep breath and stepped up to the counter.
“Hello, ma’am,” the weary looking man at the ticket counter said. “What can I do for you?”
“I have just received word my mother has taken gravely ill in Richmond,” Janie said crisply. “I must get there as quickly as possible. When is the next train?”
The counterman looked at her more sharply. “Are you going to travel to Richmond alone, Miss…”
“Mrs. Edward Maxwell,” Janie said clearly, forcing herself to appear calm and controlled. “And, yes, I will be traveling alone. My husband is already there. He was on his way home from an important trip to Washington, DC and stopped in to check on my mother. He is the one who sent the telegram.” Janie allowed her voice to grow sharper. “Her condition is most critical. When is the next train to Richmond? I simply have no time to waste.”
Just as Janie hoped, the name of a prominent Raleigh businessman had done the trick. Her belief that a railroad ticket seller would not have reason to know him personally had been correct. She watched the man’s eyes change from suspicious to solicitous.
“Yes, ma’am, Mrs. Maxwell. I’m so sorry to hear about your mother.” He consulted the schedule. “It’s unusual for a train to depart this late, and I’m afraid there won’t be any amenities, but there is a special freight leaving for Richmond tonight with medical supplies for the Union hospital there.”
“I’ll take it,” Janie said firmly, her heart pounding wildly while she resisted the urge to peer over her shoulder.
“Are you sure?” he questioned. “There will be one car with seats, but there won’t be a dining car.”
“That is not a problem at all,” Janie assured him haughtily. “I simply must get to my mother.” Now she just had to pray she had enough money. “What will the cost be?” she asked, reaching casually into her bag.
; “It’s not a regular train,” the man muttered, consulting his schedule. “It’s usually twenty dollars, but that doesn’t seem fair.” He stared at the schedule. “I’ll sell you a ticket for fifteen dollars.”
“Fine,” Janie replied, reaching into her bag and pulling out fifteen of the twenty-five dollar bills she had managed to secret away. “When does the train leave?”
“One hour,” the counterman answered, taking her money and handing her a ticket. “I hope your mother recovers.”
“I’m just praying I get there in time,” Janie said fervently as she took her ticket calmly and gave him a grateful smile.
“You can wait here in the waiting room,” the man offered.
Janie looked at the room glowing with lantern light and decided the dark station platform would be a better waiting place. “Thank you,” she said graciously, “but I prefer the evening air.” Now that she had her ticket she was beginning to relax. “It’s quite a lovely night, isn’t it?”
Huddled on the platform bench, Janie struggled to remain calm, jumping every time she heard a noise or saw a movement. Clifford could not possibly know her plans, but she still expected him to materialize from the shadows at any moment.
She almost sobbed with relief when she heard the train chugging down the track. She was standing next to the passenger car when it slid to a stop.
“Evening, ma’am,” the porter drawled. “I reckon you might be the only person on the train tonight,” he said apologetically. “This one ain’t really a passenger train. We’re just taking supplies up to Richmond.”
“That’s quite alright,” Janie responded, trying to hide her delight as she explained about her sick mother in Richmond. “It’s simply necessary I arrive as soon as possible.”
“I reckon you’ll get there sure enough,” the porter assured her. He settled her with a blanket and pillow before he walked away. “I’ll be back through to check on you, but if you’re sleeping, I won’t disturb you.”
Janie nodded, quite sure her pounding heart wouldn’t allow for sleep. She sat tensely, waiting for Clifford to burst through the doors before the train departed.
Tears rolled down her face when the train finally pulled out of the station and began to roll north toward Richmond. It was too late to undo her actions — now she would simply have to live with the consequences. A smile spread across her face as the wheels picked up speed. Every rotation seemed to cry freedom…freedom…freedom…
Chapter Twenty-Four
Janie was trembling with exhaustion and hunger when the train arrived in Richmond the next morning. She also felt a wild freedom when she stepped from the train, gloriously happy to see the crowded streets and the few burned buildings that had not yet been cleared away. Richmond! Everything she saw reminded her she was no longer with Clifford. She was free! Deep breathing helped her feel stronger.
She looked around for a carriage to take her to Carrie’s house but realized she should save her money. She had no way of knowing if anyone was still there. If not, she was going to have to care for herself until she could decide what to do. Ten dollars would not last long.
Her stomach grumbled as the smells of food wafted from the houses she passed, but she simply straightened her shoulders and continued to walk. The presence of Union soldiers made her feel safe on the crowded streets. Surely she would come to no harm in broad daylight. She relaxed as she strolled along, amazed with how far Richmond had come in clearing away the burned buildings. There was no new construction yet, but she was sure it would follow quickly.
Janie forced her mind off her fatigue and hunger as the sun climbed higher in the sky. She was aware her clothing was rumpled and stained from the long train trip, but there was nothing she could do about that now. Strange looks from fellow pedestrians told her Clifford’s slap had probably resulted in colorful marks on her face, but no one stopped her or questioned her. She exulted in the anonymity after being a prisoner in her own home for so long.
Sweat was rolling off her face as she climbed the hill to Carrie’s house. She thought longingly of Spencer’s carriage but firmed her lips and grasped her bag more tightly. She and Carrie had fought through much more fatigue and pain than this during the long years of the war.
Janie took a deep breath as she crested the hill and turned down the final road. For the first time, she allowed herself to seriously consider that the house may be empty. Surely everyone would be back on the plantation by now, but perhaps Miles and May were still there and could help her get word to Carrie. She knew it was a weak plan, but it was the only one she had been able to devise with her limited options.
Janie walked more slowly as she neared the brick house, suddenly terrified she had come all this way for nothing. She was trembling again as she climbed the porch stairs and knocked on the door.
Tears of relief filled her eyes when Miles appeared.
“Miss Janie!” Miles exclaimed. “Miss Janie, what you be doing here?”
“Hello, Miles,” Janie said softly.
Miles’s eyes narrowed as he reached out a hand and pulled her into the house. “I know a woman in trouble when I sees one,” he growled. “May!” he called. “Get on out here!”
May bustled out of the kitchen, her face softening with compassion as soon as she saw Janie. She hurried over and wrapped her arms around the quivering woman. “Miss Janie. You be all right, honey?”
“No,” Janie managed to whisper. “Except I think I may be all right now that I’m here.”
“That be the truth, sure ‘nuff,” Miles said gruffly. “Mr. Clifford ain’t with you, is he?”
“No,” was all Janie could manage to say.
May tilted Janie’s chin up so their eyes could meet. “You be safe here, Miss Janie. I’s glad you came home.”
Janie smiled — a quivering smile that made her lips tremble. “Home. That sounds nice.”
May looked at her more closely. “How long it been since you done ate something, Miss Janie?”
Janie frowned, trying to remember. “I’m not sure…”
“You take Miss Janie into the parlor,” May snapped. “I’ll bring you out somethin’ in a few minutes.”
Janie gratefully allowed Miles to lead her into the parlor. She sank down in the chair by the window. “Is anyone else here?” she asked hopefully.
“No, ma’am,” Miles replied softly. “Ever’body done be out on the plantation.”
Janie nodded, her throat clogging with tears again. “I can’t stay here,” she whispered. “This is the first place Clifford will look for me.”
“He know you here right now?” Miles asked sharply.
“No,” Janie admitted, “but he’ll figure this is where I came.”
“Ain’t your folks live in Raleigh?” Miles asked. “Why ain’t they helping you?”
Janie just shook her head, too humiliated to admit her parents were under Clifford’s control.
“It don’t matter none,” Miles said quickly. “I’s just real glad you came here. It was the right thing to do. I know you can’t stay. We’ll figure out a way to get you out to the plantation,” he vowed.
May arrived with a tray full of ham biscuits and iced tea. “I’ll have something better for dinner,” she said. “This was all I had that was ready.”
“It’s wonderful,” Janie replied, pushing away her sadness that everyone was gone. She had to eat if she was going to think of what to do next.
While she ate, Miles and May told her everything they knew. Janie smiled happily when they told her of Moses coming through with his mama and sister. “He found them!”
“Yes, Miss Janie,” Miles said. “Mr. Matthew came through here about a week ago. He done headed out to the plantation too.”
Janie frowned when she saw the look on his face. “Is something wrong with Matthew?” she asked sharply.
Miles exchanged a look with May. “You done been reading the news, Miss Janie?”
Janie shook her head slowly, suddenly realizing she
hadn’t seen a paper since she left Richmond. “No,” she said sadly. “What did I miss?”
“There be a real big explosion on a steamboat Mr. Matthew was on,” Miles said gravely.
“Was he hurt?” Janie gasped.
“No, Miss Janie,” May assured her. “Leastways, his body weren’t hurt none. I can’t say the same about his soul. He looked right lost when he got here.”
“It must have been terrible,” Janie said softly.
“Lost close to two thousand,” Miles said.
Janie stared at him. “Two thousand people?” she gasped. “On one boat? How is that possible?”
“We got some papers here you can read, Miss Janie,” May assured her, “but you’ll probably only get the real story from Mr. Matthew.”
“How can I get out to the plantation?” she murmured.
“How ‘bout we get Spencer up here to take you?” Miles asked.
Janie shook her head hesitantly. “I’m afraid I don’t have enough to pay him,” she said.
Miles snorted. “Mr. Cromwell done left me some money to take care of things around here. I reckon I would lose my job if I didn’t use it to get you out to the plantation,” he stated firmly.
A sudden rumble of carriage wheels in the distance made Janie gasp. She ran to the window and peered out from behind the curtains. “I think someone is coming,” she cried, too frightened to realize the carriage could be visiting any of the houses on the road.
Miles stepped up next to her. “I’ll take care of it, Miss Janie,” he said quietly. “You go on up to Miss Carrie’s old room. You’ll be safe up there.”
Janie could have kissed him for not suggesting she go to the room she had shared with Clifford. She hesitated, but May strode forward and took her arm.
“You’s going upstairs, Miss Janie,” she said firmly. “Ain’t nobody gonna know you be here,” she assured her.
Janie brushed away tears as May led her up the stairs. “I’m sorry I’m so frightened,” she whispered.
“From the looks of your face, I’d say you got reason to be scared,” May growled, her eyes sparkling with anger. “Mr. Clifford ain’t never gonna lay another hand on you if I got anythin’ to say about it.”