CHAPTER TEN
Pennsylvania
Thursday, November 23, 1854
Sunset
Ann had not prepared herself for freedom. She hadn’t thought about anything but getting to the North. Now they were going to be dropped off and left to figure out freedom without Daddy.
Melvin said, “Climb on down.”
“Out of the wagon?” asked Ann.
“Yes,” he said.
Ann said, “You’re leaving us here?”
Melvin laughed. “No!” he said. “But don’t you want to put your feet on free land?”
They all climbed out of the wagon and stood in the North. The North was fancy clothes and tight shoes and not forgetting people might be looking for you. The North was a place without Daddy. But the North was also molasses cookies and freedom and no slave owners or overseers.
Paul jumped up and down. He turned in a circle and clapped his hands. Paul, who was afraid of everything, was the only one who didn’t seem afraid.
A wagon approached, and Mama looked at Melvin with a worried expression.
“Don’t worry,” he said. “We’re trading wagons. The horses need a break.”
A man with bright blue eyes and dark clothes climbed down, shook Melvin’s hand, and left again in Melvin’s wagon.
“How did he know we were here?” Ann asked.
Melvin winked. “I sent a message from town.”
Ann realized Melvin must have done this when he bought the cookies. She smiled at him.
“All right,” said Melvin. “Climb back in. I’m going to take you to Philadelphia.”
“What’s in Philadelphia?” asked Ann.
“People who will help you get used to your freedom,” he said.
* * *
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Friday, November 24, 1854
After midnight
By the time they got to Philadelphia, it was the middle of the night. Melvin led them to a large house. Ann could hear people talking and laughing inside. Melvin knocked on the door.
A woman who reminded Ann of a younger version of Granny answered. “Welcome. I’m Gloria,” she said. She led them through the hall. “It’s a busy night. Another man just got here too.”
They followed Gloria into a bright kitchen. A man sat at the table with his back to them. He was slumped over his food, eating like he was starving and exhausted at the same time.
Delicious smells of yams and ham filled Ann’s nose. She thought about the pigs and their slops. This time she’d be eating her own food as a free girl.
Gloria motioned to the table. “Go ahead and sit down,” she said. “I’ll fix you some plates.”
Paul was the first one at the table. He plopped down next to the man. “Hello,” he said to the man.
The man’s head snapped up. “Paul?”
“Daddy!” yelled Paul.
Paul jumped up so fast he knocked his chair over. Ann and Mama rushed over, and they all stood in the middle of the kitchen with their arms wrapped around each other. Mama laughed and cried and rubbed Daddy’s back. Ann breathed in the comforting smell of dirt and Daddy’s sweat.
Daddy asked, “How did you get here?”
Mama said, “We had our own conductor.” She winked at Ann and smiled.
Daddy squeezed Ann so hard her feet left the floor. “I knew I could count on you.”
“I remembered to be brave,” said Ann. “Looks like you did too, Daddy.”
They all laughed and sat down to eat their first meal together as a free family. Now Ann didn’t have to imagine eating at a real table together. And she didn’t have to worry about getting sold. She watched Mama, who told Daddy all about their journey. It was more talking than Mama had done in two months.
As she watched her reunited family, Ann knew everything would be all right. Anyone who had survived slavery and a journey on the Underground Railroad could certainly figure out freedom.
