Good Fortune (9781416998631) (52 page)

I laughed. “You're not fooling anybody either, Daniel. That glow in your eyes shows me that there are other things running through your mind about that lovely friend of mine.”

Daniel shrugged but smiled warmly. “Life gonna bring what's it's got to bring. Guess at some time, you gotta learn to accept that good that do come round.”

I heard him well and wondered why he hadn't already put his words to use and asked for her hand.

CHAPTER
 
48 

I
T WAS
M
ARCH
20, 1824,
A BEAUTIFUL
S
ATURDAY AFTERNOON
. The trees and flowers were blooming and the birds sang sweet melodies to the cool breeze. But I wasn't outside.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MIS ANNA

When I awoke that morning, I found these words carved into a wooden food tray in Mama Bessie's kitchen. I smiled to myself and looked up to see small, mischievous faces peeking out from around the walls.

“What is this?” I called out with a laugh. The faces suddenly popped out, and twenty small children gathered around me, excited.

“Sebastian says it's your birthday today.”

I looked up in the doorway to see my brother and Florence grinning. “My birthday?”

“You said you was born when the flowers started bloomin'—I figured this was a mighty fine day for that to be,” Daniel said with a shrug.

“C'mon with us,” the two of them said. I followed them out the door, and twenty pairs of feet followed in my footsteps.

“Hey!” Daniel called out as we neared the church. “Our
schoolteacher's a year older!” It was clear that some of the townsfolk had gathered for some festivities after a church gathering. The people in the churchyard gradually ceased their talking and called out cheers instead. I laughed and thanked the crowd, stepping toward Daniel to whisper how unnecessary I thought all of that was.

“Unnecessary, maybe, but you sho' deserve it,” he said as everyone trickled back into their own affairs. The children had spread about among the people, having lost interest in the morning surprise.

“Well, I thank you, anyway. You sure deserve that much,” I said, hugging my brother.

“I've already gotten what I deserve,” he said, pulling Florence close to him. Florence smiled like a child.

I had planned to spend the day at Mrs. Rosa's, but I found her immersed in the activities here at Hadson's church. I, too, melted into the activities in the churchyard. I talked, wandered about, and watched the children play games. I listened to the music and admired the dancing that had naturally sprung up. I sat down with Mrs. Rosa beneath the canopy of a tree, watching Little Sue play with the other children.

Here I was, learning to live with the part of me I had left. Here I was, consumed in the love this family had to offer me. Here I was watching the two people closest to me: Daniel and Florence. Here I was, confined within my contented solitude.

A tap on my shoulder interrupted my thoughts.

“Anna, hey! Congratulations about this day.” Henry addressed me, all smiles.

I hadn't seen Henry for months and hadn't talked to him for perhaps just as long. Florence had told me he was again, spending significant time with another lady. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Mrs. Rosa inch away from us.

“Also came over to say I'm sorry,” Henry continued.

Why is he sorry? Shouldn't I be the one apologizing?

“Heard about your friend, Anna.”

“You did?” I asked him, a bit concerned that folks knew I had known a man from a plantation in the South.

“Ya, heard someone you really cared for died—that's what I heard.” I nodded up at Henry, glad that he'd heard nothing about John having been a runaway.

“Well, I thank you for that, Henry.”

“Are you … you doin' all right?” he asked.

“Yes,” I said, “I think this part of me is doing real well.”

He kneeled by me in silence as I began to pour out what had been on my mind for too long.

“Henry, I know this was a long time ago and all, but I have to apologize to you for responding like I did back at that dance—”

“Naw, Anna, don't apologize. There's no need to. I … I guess I can understand now.” He sighed, then looked into my eyes. He really did have a genuine spirit. All the uneasiness I felt before was gone.

“I should've done something different, that's all,” he said, holding my gaze.

“No, Henry, it wasn't you,” I explained, shaking my head.

“Yes, it was me, Anna. I should've … I thought … if
I had …” He stopped and awoke from his reverie. “But, anyway, that was then, and you were right, it was a while ago. Don't want you feelin' bad, Anna. You see Hattie-Mae over there?” I looked over to where he nodded and recognized Hattie-Mae. She stood talking with a drink in her hand and was obviously pregnant.

“That's Hattie-Mae Johnson now. She's my wife.”

I smiled at Henry, wondering how I'd missed word of the marriage. I felt a subtle sadness creep up on me, and I had to scold myself for allowing it to.

“That's great, Henry. Seems like you've already started that family you wanted.”

He nodded. “One more thing before we leave,” he said, standing up and reaching into his back pocket to retrieve a gift. It was a flower—small, simple, and beautiful.

“Here, happy birthday. It was the best I could do when I was tryin' to find something to represent … well, to represent the person you are, guess I could say.” He lowered his voice a bit and bent forward, looking at his feet first, then into my eyes. “You a good person, Anna, an' always gonna be special in here.” He patted his chest. “You a friend, or whateva you wanna call it.”

He brushed grass off his pants and remarked with a chuckle, “Look, that flower matches your dress.”

I took the flower and placed it in my hair.

“Oh, an' you teachin' is such a big thing in Hadson. Proud you done that for the community. Maybe you can teach our child too.”

“Of course, Henry, thank you,” I said as he retreated. I
felt relieved, more so than I thought I'd feel after talking to Henry. Both of our burdens seemed to have been lifted.

“I have a gift for you, Anna,” Anita said to me as we finished up teaching for the day, a few days after my birthday celebration. She looked at me with her characteristic solemnness.

“From you?” I asked Anita, surprised.

“No, no,” she said, shaking her head. “I said that wrong. It's not from me. I wish I could give something this significant, but it's a gift from the old man.”

“How is he?”

She shrugged. “He's pretty bad off. I don't think he'll be around much longer.”

“What is it that he wanted to give me?” I asked her.

“Don't get too excited—”

“Anita, tell me!” I shouted.

She chuckled without smiling. “He wants to build that school of yours. He said it would be good for the community. What do you think?”

I stared at Anita with wide eyes. “He's building us a school?”

“Sure is,” Anita said. “He's hiring out a few young men around Hadson to build it. He wants you to select a good plot of land, and he'll have the school built.”

I walked closer to her, not quite believing what I was hearing. She stood with her hand on her hips, waiting for my questions.

“Anita, I've never even met Old Joshua.”

She responded, “That's right, but I told you, he's the reason I've been with Mrs. Rosa all these years. He's been stuck on the idea of education the whole time I've known him. When he heard what I told him about you, and how I came out to teach a few days a week, he wanted to give what he could before he dies. He'll take care of the building, the desks, and even the outhouse for the girls and the boys. Whatever else is needed, like books and such, that's something you—or we—have to take care of.”

I shook my head in wonder.

“But the money for the supplies is no problem. We get the money from the church, sometimes, and I don't think charging the children who have parents 25 cents a month is a bad idea,” Anita said.

“Is he really talking the truth, Anita?” I asked her, excitement traveling up and down my spine.

“Sure,” she said simply.

“Please tell him how grateful I am!” I said to her.

Anita nodded. “I'll see you in a couple of days,” she said, turning to walk away.

“Oh, Anita!” I said, calling her back after I had shaken away some of the shock.

“What if … what if older folks want to start learning?”

“Then we'll figure that out.”

“I can't believe this!” I said with a large smile.

She turned back around quickly, but not before I saw the corners of her mouth curl up in a small smile.

CHAPTER
 
49 

“H
EY
, A
NNA
,” M
RS
. R
OSA SAID
,
ANSWERING THE DOOR WITH A
tired smile.

“Hi, Mrs. Rosa. I know it's a bit early, but I—” The door came open wider.