by Joel Baker
“Molly, if he stays behind it could be several years before you see him again. Are you okay with that?” James asked.
“What do you want me say James?” Molly asked, tears in her eyes. “First you tell me he can’t go. Then you ask me if I’m fine with leaving and maybe never seeing my father again. Do you think that’s a fair question?”
“Of course it wasn’t Molly,” James said. “I’m sorry. I’ll clean up the kitchen and we can take a ride into Eagle Rock and talk with him.”
****
The conversation with Reverend Gentry went about as was expected. He politely refused, but thanked them for thinking of him. They took him to dinner in a restaurant that had opened in Eagle Rock shortly after Thanksgiving. The food was really good and a lot of it, but the menu was a little different. Instead of prices, there was a sheet of paper stuck in the menu listing things the restaurant needed in exchange for the meal. It seemed to work for everyone.
Molly wanted to talk with Miss Clark before they spoke to Shannon. She and James met with her the next day after school. Willie had already taken Shannon home in the sleigh. Miss Clark seemed nervous by the quickly scheduled meeting.
“Can I get you anything, Mrs. Colter?” Miss Clark asked. “Mr. Colter?”
“No, no thanks Miss Clark,” Molly said. “Please call me Molly and my husband is James.”
“I will if you call me Susan.”
“It’s a deal,” Molly said. “Now Susan, when does school let out this year?”
“The fifteenth of April,” Susan said. “We moved it up so the children could help their parents with planting.”
“That’s perfect Susan,” Molly said. “Let me ask you a question. Do you like to travel?”
****
The supper that night was fried chicken with mashed potatoes and the last of the canned green beans. Shannon refused to eat chicken because it was her job to feed and take care of them. After dinner they went in by the fireplace to read until the light bulb went out when the generator was turned off.
“What are you reading Shannon?” Molly asked.
“It’s called ‘The Little Engine That Could’,” Shannon said.
Shannon had been fascinated by trains since James had taken her on the coal train to Sparta and back.
“That’s a good story,” James said.
Not knowing how to bring up the expedition, he decided to dive right in.
“Shannon,” James said. “We are all going on a very long trip. It may be awhile before we are able to come back here. We may be gone a very long time. We just don’t know. You need to go through your toys and books, Honey, and decide what you want to take with you.”
Shannon sat for a moment looking into the fire, her brow wrinkled in thought.
“What about Samson?” Shannon asked.
“Samson is welcomed to come along,” James said. “The other dogs who might want to go with us are welcomed.”
“They’re friends of the family aren’t they?” Molly asked.
“What about school?” Shannon asked.
“We won’t leave until school is out,” Molly said. “The really good news is Miss Clark will be going with us.”
Shannon seemed to brighten considerably with that news.
“But what if Samson doesn’t want to go with us, Mommy?” Shannon asked.
“Honey,” Molly said. “You know the dogs have a mind of their own. We can’t force Samson to go. We wouldn’t want to force him anyway, now would we?”
“That’s silly, Mommy,” Shannon said laughing, “As if we could force Samson to do anything.”
“I know,” Molly said. “It is silly. Tomorrow after school, you sit down with Samson and ask him what he and the other dogs think about going on a very long trip. This is another family secret we don’t tell anyone. Okay?”
****
Molly and James talked to Sheila and Willie separately the next morning. Sheila agreed right away, but Willie said he’d have to think on it. James left to talk with Seth and John Boyd. Molly invited Willie to dinner the next night to talk about the trip and answer any questions he might have.
Molly didn’t press Shannon that afternoon when Willie brought her home from school. She watched from the kitchen window as Shannon walked down to the stables with Samson trailing behind her. James came into the kitchen and peeked over her shoulder.
“Does it seem strange to you we’re standing here waiting for our daughter to talk to a dog about how he feels about our leaving?” James asked.
“Not as strange as two adults standing here hoping beyond hope the dog wants to go with them,” Molly answered.
An hour later, James and Molly were sitting at the kitchen table drinking coffee. Both of them kept glancing at the back door. Finally Shannon came in, stomped the snow off her boots, and hung her coat, hat, and mittens on a hook by the door. She came in the kitchen and sat down at the table.
“Can I have a glass of milk and some cookies?” Shannon asked.
“Sure. I’ll get it for you,” James said.
“How did it go with Samson?” Molly asked as nonchalant as she could.
“Good, I think,” Shannon said.
“Did he say he would go?” James asked.
“He said maybe,” Shannon said. “He said it depended on the puppies.”
“He said puppies? What puppies?” Molly asked.
“Samson said his girlfriend was going to have puppies,” Shannon said.
“You mean his wife, Shannon,” James said. “If she’s going to have puppies, she must be his wife.”
“Oh for God’s sake, James, let’s not get into that now!” Molly said. “Go on Shannon, what did he say about the puppies?”
Shannon looked at James and then back to Molly.
“I’m not sure Mommy,” Shannon said. “I think he was worried that the puppies might not be able to keep up if we were going fast. I think that’s what Samson said.”
“Shannon, you tell Samson that his puppies can ride in our wagon with us,” Molly said. “Does he know how many puppies there will be?”
“They can’t count,” Shannon said. “But Samson said there were going to be more puppies than there are dogs.”
“Oh, Honey, you must have misunderstood,” Molly said. “Samson’s girlfriend couldn’t possibly have that many puppies.”
“Oh that’s not just Samson’s girlfriend, Mommy,” Shannon said.
“Then I don’t understand,” Molly said.
“They’re all coming, Mommy,” Shannon said. “All the dogs are coming with us.”
Chapter 29
James headed to New Town towards the end of week. He took Willie with him for company and so they could talk on the way. The cold weather finally broke and the snow turned slushy and wet. He and Willie stayed the night at Charley Oaks empty cabin. The next day they met with Charley and Waya at the Cherokee village.
Charley rode with James and Willie to New Town to meet with Asher and Luther. On the way they had a chance to talk.
“I don’t see why you want an old man like me on the expedition anyway,” Willie said.
“For one thing you’ve seen more country than anyone else I know,” James said. “You got survival skills we don’t. Besides, Sheila is going.”
“Well, there’s that,” Willie said. “You want me to go all that way with a bunch of redskin savages that are as likely as not to scalp me? No offense Charley.”
“None taken,” Charley said smiling.
“I keep telling you Willie, Cherokees don’t scalp you,” James said. They’ll cook you and eat you, but they won’t scalp you.”
“Well, in that case, count me in,” Willie said.
They arrived at New Town to meet with Luther and Asher just before the rain started. It continued for most of the afternoon. It was still chilly enough that the fire felt good. James decided to lay his cards on the table.
“Luther,” James said. “I’ve already told Waya both Molly and I want to be a p
art of the trip north. We’ve talked quite a bit and have a few requests. First of all, we can’t leave until May first. Second, I’m pretty sure Molly and the new baby would be happier in a traveler wagon then one of the Cherokee canvas wagons. Do you have any extra we could take?”
We have many extra wagons you can choose from,” Luther said.
“You’re alright with May first as the day we leave?” James asked.
“May first fits our plans as well.” Luther said.
“We’ll need three wagons from you, Luther,” James said. “I’ve asked a teacher to go for the children. She will need a wagon for her classroom and to live in. We have another woman to help Molly with the baby. She’ll live with the teacher and also drive her wagon.”
“We can provide the wagons,” Luther said. “You need a wagon for you and a wagon for the teacher. Why do you need a third wagon?”
James hesitated before beginning. He knew he had to tell everyone sooner or later.
“I need the third wagon for the dogs, James said.
Luther looked at Asher and Charley. They shrugged their shoulders. Even Willie looked puzzled.
“What dogs?” Luther asked, then realizing what the answer was. “You mean those devil dogs you white people keep over in Haven? How is that even possible?”
Everyone but James appeared very alarmed. Even Willie was shaking his head.
“They want to go,” James said. “I can’t stop them and neither can you. I wouldn’t stop them if I could. Luther, these are not just dogs. They look after us. They protect us. You heard what they did to those Temple people who attacked Haven. I can tell you the dogs will make sure no one will bother us on the way north. Molly, Shannon, and I won’t go without them. You all decide.”
“Why do they need a wagon?” Luther asked.
“They need it for their puppies of course,” James said smiling.
****
Luther asked Asher to drive one of the three wagons back to Haven. James suspected it was to get a chance to see the dogs up close. Both the Gypsies and the Cherokees were still spooked by the dogs going with them. Willie and James drove the other two wagons.
All three wagons were in excellent shape and built in the style of the classic traveler wagon. Each had a solid frame and living area extending over the large rear wheels. The arched roof was eight feet high over the bed of the wagon and extended over the fourteen foot length. There was a small porch at the end with an entry door to the cabin.
Inside, the cabin had rugs and was partitioned off for a sleeping place. The other half served as a kitchen and living area. All were fitted up with a stove whose small chimney passed through the roof. They also held a closet and benches that also served as chests for storage. Because of the large wheels, each wagon could be pulled by two draft horses comfortably. They planned to switch out the horses as needed to keep them rested.
The three wagons drew quite a crowd as James led the group on to the East Ridge road and into Haven. The eventual departure of James and Molly’s household was common knowledge by now both in Haven and Eagle Rock. The community was surprised when they found out they were losing their teacher also. No mention was made by anyone of the dogs. It was assumed Samson would go as well.
Susan Clark was at the Colter house when the caravan of wagons pulled into the barnyard. Sheila, Molly, Shannon, and Susan went through the wagons and admired how cleverly the wagons were constructed. Susan came up with some ideas for a chalk board and other materials she would need for the school wagon.
****
It wasn’t until the middle of March when people began to notice Asher and Susan were spending an extraordinary amount of time discussing classroom changes needed for the wagon. There were long looks into each other eyes, hands held on long walks, not to mention extended periods closeted in the wagon alone.
Molly went into labor on March seventeenth. The baby came quickly and Matthew James Colter was born at seven o’clock in the evening. Shannon held the new born as Molly and James watched. Sheila hovered in the background having a difficult time containing her desire to grab the baby and hold it.
James took Shannon up to her room and played a game with her until it was time for bed. He tucked her in and turned to leave the room.
“Daddy, Samson asked me to tell you something,” Shannon said.
“What’s did he tell you?” James said.
“Do you know how many dogs there are?” Shannon asked.
“Nobody does, Shannon,” James said. “I’d guess there are, I don’t know, twenty five? Thirty?”
“There’s seven, Daddy,” Shannon said.
“That’s not possible,” James said shocked.
“Yes it is, Daddy,” Shannon said. “The dogs are dying.”
“That’s impossible!” James said.
“No, they’re dying,” Shannon said. “This has been going on for some time. Samson thought you should know.”
“Does he know why they are dying?” James asked.
“No,” Shannon said. “But he thinks it’s something to do with Haven. He thinks it might be the food they eat. It might be all the people in the country. He doesn’t know for sure.”
“Samson doesn’t know?” James asked.
“Daddy,” Shannon said. “He’s a dog, not a doctor.”
“Is that why the dogs want to go north with us Shannon?” James asked.
“Yes,” Shannon said. “He said there’s another reason too, Daddy.”
“What’s that sweetheart?” James asked.
“Samson says they all want to go home.”
****
By the first of April Molly was up and gaining her strength back quickly. Susan was busy finishing the school year. Sheila had her hands full taking care of Shannon and Matthew. James and Asher headed out to New Town to make sure there were no last minute glitches that needed to be addressed.
They stopped by Waya’s village. The twelve families were finalizing their departure. Except for the occasional tearful hug of a mother or father, the excitement of everyone was apparent. The Indian wagons were large and capable of carrying much more than the Gypsy wagons. The Indians would use tents they could erect in an hour and were incredibly comfortable with furs and a fire pit.
James and Asher left feeling everything was ready. James told Charley and Waya the group from Haven would be there the morning of the second of May and the wagons should be loaded and ready to roll.
Luther took some pride in giving James a tour of the Gypsy preparations for the trip. All of the twelve wagons were lined up and most of the packing completed. The wagons had been decorated and painted bright colors making the wagons appear as if they were in a parade of some sort.
James was surprised at the lack of visible signs of sadness in the town. Luther said it was because journeys were a tradition of the Gypsies. Besides in a few years others might make the journey and join them in the new land.
The herd of horses for the trip was impressive. The young wranglers who would drive the herd were anxious to get going and it showed. A number of cattle were included to provide food as needed along the way. Any left would be bred once the group had arrived.
Luther and James met for a few minutes alone. Luther had something to say, but appeared reluctant to talk.
“What is it Luther?” James asked finally.
“It’s just that Asher will be so missed by everyone, James,” Luther said. “He was the obvious one to lead our people once I passed over. I know you should love all your children the same, but I love Asher the most. You must look out for each other. Promise me that.”
Luther had tears in his eyes and looked away quickly.
“I promise I will, Luther, and let me tell you what I think is going to happen,” James said. “I think within a short period of time we will no longer be white, Gypsy, and Cherokee. We will take the best of each group and form a single tribe, who will remember their heritage while walking towards the future as one people.”
&
nbsp; “May it be so,” Luther said. “God go with you.”
****
When James got back to Haven he found a large number of people outside his house. They had come out to try and find out where the dogs went. No one had seen them for days. They still felt James had some special connection to Samson and would know what was going on.
James and Molly pulled Shannon aside as soon as they could.
“Do you know what happened to the dogs?” James asked.
“Samson took them away from Haven,” Shannon said.
“Did he say where?” Molly asked.
“No. He just said he was taking them away,” Shannon said.
“Does he know we are leaving?” James asked.
“Of course he does,” Shannon said.
“Does he come around to see you?” Molly asked.
“Not to see me, mommy,” Shannon said. “More just to talk. He likes talking with me I think.”
“If he comes around Shannon, tell him we are headed north and we leave in a week,” James said.
“I will daddy,” Shannon said.
****
Early on the morning of May first, Sheila loaded Shannon into the school wagon with Susan. She climbed up on the driver seat and picked up the reins. The horses moved back and forth and nickered, wanting to get under way. Willie was already in the driver seat of the empty Dog wagon. He looked over and nodded at Sheila, who for the first time, smiled back.
James and Molly, who carried the baby Matthew, walked through their house one last time. It had been a good house and they were certain the new owners whoever they might be, would enjoy living there. Molly was sad when they walked towards the back door and the wagons waiting to carry them away from Haven.
Molly stopped at the back door, then disappeared back into the house sniffling. She returned with an ancient and dusty embroidery piece that read “God bless this home” in an old fashioned picture frame.
“This goes wherever we go,” Molly said near tears, as she marched past James to the wagon and climbed up on the seat, holding baby Matthew to her breast.