Reverend Ezel came back to the Happy Land about a month after the Happy Landers had moved in. He brought with him a family that wanted to join with them. “This here is Harold Whitmore and his wife, Hannah. Harold fought in the war. Once it was over, his former owners turned them away.”
“Nice to meet you.” Louella shook their hands. “Where you good people from?”
“How you know we’re good people?” Harold asked with a grin.
William shook Harold’s hand. “Reverend Ezel would only bring good people to our land. So unless you’ve tricked the reverend . . .”
“Nobody’s tricked Reverend Ezel.” Hannah elbowed her husband. “My husband fancies himself a jokester. We’re from Enoree, South Carolina, about fifty miles down the road.”
“But we haven’t been able to find work, and our two daughters have gone hungry more nights than I care to think about,” Harold told them, the grin on his face washed away by the truth of their sorrow.
“Where are your daughters?” Louella asked.
Hannah pointed toward the wagon. “They fell asleep. We thought we’d wait until we found out if you’d allow us to stay before waking them.”
All Louella needed to hear was that the children had gone hungry. “Get those children off that wagon and come into our home and have some supper.”
The Whitmores, their daughters, and Reverend Ezel sat down at Louella’s dining table. She set fried chicken, golden yams, and collard greens in front of them.
William said grace, and they passed the plates. “Mmm,” Harold said. “I haven’t had fried chicken this good in years.”
Hannah leaned close to her husband. “These yams melt in the mouth.”
Smiling, Louella told them, “I can’t take the credit. My grandmother lives in the house with us. She helps with the children and cooks our meals.”
“Please give her our thanks. Our bellies have been grumbling for so long, we never imagined our next meal would be this delicious,” Harold said.
“I should’ve prepared you for the hospitality you’d receive here in the Happy Land,” Reverend Ezel said.
“I’m mighty thankful we’ve come to such a place,” Hannah said.
Louella could see the woman’s eyes filling with tears. Things had been hard for the Whitmores, that was evident. Hopefully, joining with them would ease some of their worries.
After they finished the meal, William explained how things worked in the kingdom. “All of our people share responsibilities in the Happy Land. We’ll either find work for you outside of our community, or you’ll work the land with us. Any money that’s earned is brought back to me and—”
“Wait. Are you saying that I won’t be able to keep the money I earn?” Harold scratched his head. “How am I supposed to feed my family . . . put a roof over their heads?”
“All good and valid questions, my friend.” William patted Harold on the shoulder. “Our motto at the Happy Land is ‘all for one and one for all,’ so you’ll eat, and your family will have a home.”
Harold turned questioning eyes to Reverend Ezel. “I don’t understand.”
“Come with me,” William said as he stood and walked toward the front door. The palm of one hand rested behind his back as he headed to the door, his posture ramrod straight. His walk appeared regal and of importance to Louella. She would follow him anywhere.
Harold walked out onto the porch. Louella then told Hannah, “You too.”
Standing next to William, Louella put an arm around his waist while Hannah stood next to her husband. William extended a hand outward. “Do you see all of the houses and all of the land beyond those houses?”
Harold nodded. “Yes, sir. I see them.”
With a puffed-out chest, William told him, “We built those homes, and as we continue to clear land and purchase more acreage, the people who lend a hand to the plow get homes for their families.”
Louella’s eyes beamed with pride as she looked at her husband. All of her dreams, everything she’d ever wanted, was coming to be. And her joy was being restored. She told Harold and Hannah, “Never fear, for we’re good stewards over every dime that comes into our hands. After we hold what is needed for the building of this kingdom, William then evenly distributes the rest to all of our residents.”
“We do not have any empty homes at this point, but we’ll ask one of the families to take you in while we work to get your home built.” William then stuck out his hand. “Does the Happy Land sound like a place you’d like to raise your family?”
An easy grin spread across Harold’s face. He shook William’s hand. “It does. It does indeed.”
Louella walked Harold and Hannah over to the storehouse next to the barn. “This is where you’ll come each week to gather food to feed your family.”
Hannah’s eyes widened as she looked from tables of potatoes, corn, and cabbage to tables of greens and so forth. “Never seen so much food in one place before.”
“My prayer is that none of us go hungry ever again,” Louella told her, then helped them get settled for the night.
Louella then walked Reverend Ezel over to the spot where they were building the church. There was only rubble, loose stones, and mud there for now.
“They’re almost finished with the foundation,” Louella said with joy ringing in her voice.
“My, my, my. Now this is something.” Reverend Ezel glanced around. “Y’all truly setting up a society of your own. Our people need to be a part of what you and King William are building. That’s why I bring as many as will listen.”
Louella patted the kindly reverend on his shoulder. “You’re doing God’s work, Reverend, and we thank you.”
“I hope I get a chance to preach at this church.”
“Every time you come to visit us, the pulpit will be yours,” Louella told him as they walked back to the house. When they reached her porch, before going back inside, she turned to him. “You still traveling all around South Carolina?”
He nodded.
“Have you run into anyone with the surname of Bobo yet?”
He put his hand on one of the posts that was holding up the porch. “I haven’t forgotten about Brenda. I pray all the time that the good Lord would allow me to find your mother.”
“Thank you, Reverend.” She smiled at him but felt the pangs of sorrow in the tender part of her heart that still hadn’t healed.