“Good morning,” Louella called out to the Happy Land Teamsters as she handed each of them a Mama Sue Apple Berry Muffin Special. They had the wagons loaded with corn, potatoes, and grain. Orders had been placed for their goods in neighboring South Carolina and North Carolina markets.
It was August 17, 1871. The sun was shining big and bright in the sky, and the Happy Land was flourishing. Jimmy’s idea about selling goods to general stores and stagecoach depots proved to be a boon for their community.
“Don’t forget to pick up the shipment from the Smiths down the road. They’ll give you the delivery details when you get there,” she told Larry.
The teamsters not only sold their own goods but picked up produce from other farmers who contracted with the Happy Landers to have their produce delivered near and far.
She handed Larry an envelope with several coins. “Take this for any expenses you have along the way.”
Larry put the envelope in his pocket. “You’re a blessing, Queen Louella. Thank you so much for the muffins.”
Jimmy tipped his hat at her and took a bite of the muffin. He now had a mustache and was looking more the twenty-two-year-old man than the seventeen-year-old boy who first joined them.
“Be careful out there.” Jimmy was headed to Hendersonville for a quick run, while the other teamsters would be gone at least a month. Louella waved goodbye to the team of men who were brave enough to fight off bandits and ensure that they didn’t get cheated by unscrupulous store owners who still wanted free labor from Black workers.
Breathing in the humid morning air, Louella walked over to their new church building, unhooked the triangle bell, and clanged it a few times.
Front doors began opening all around the Happy Land, and children ran toward the church, which was also used as a schoolhouse on weekdays. Louella had come to terms with not having two separate buildings since they needed all the space they could get to house the people who continued to find their way to the Happy Land.
“Good morning, my lovelies. Have a seat, and I’ll be right in.”
Louella rang the bell one more time, and then Abigail’s door opened. Her friend waddled out, stomach leading the way as she labored with each step. A giggle bubbled up in Louella’s belly as she remembered the years of doubt Abigail had about being able to bear a child.
“I’m sorry. Didn’t mean to be late. It’s so hard to get up now.”
Abigail looked as if she was ready to burst any day. Louella said, “I’m sure Femi helped you.”
Femi worked with the teamsters, but since Abigail had grown so big, he’d decided not to take the trip with them this week. Instead, he would take the grain to the gristmill for grinding so he could stay close to home in case his wife needed him.
Holding the small of her back, Abigail smiled. “He did. God truly blessed me with a man like Femi.”
“And don’t you forget it,” Louella scolded as they went inside the school. Abigail now served as Louella’s teaching assistant.
They had twenty-three children between the ages of four and eight. The older children went to school outside of the Happy Land. That school was in Possum Hollow, and a Negro preacher by the name of Reverend Walter Allen was the instructor.
Clasping her hands as she entered the school building, Louella said, “Today, I’m going to read out of the book of Esther. This story is about a woman who became queen and saved her people from the hands of an enemy.” She turned in her Bible and began reading: “‘Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus, (this is Ahasuerus which reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia, over an hundred and seven and twenty provinces:) that in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace, in the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants . . .’”
When she finished reading, she and Abigail then worked with the children on words that were in the first chapter of Esther.
“We don’t have to sound out the king’s name, do we? That looks hard,” one of the kids said, causing the rest of them to burst out laughing.
“No,” Louella assured the child. “We won’t make you sound out King Ahasuerus.”
“But we might make you spell Esther,” Abigail joked with them, “so pay attention.”
Once the lesson was done, the children all gathered in a circle, and Louella taught them a song. She pulled her songs from Bible verses. In Louella’s estimation, the Bible was poetic enough to sing.
Today’s song came from Lamentations 3:22–23. “Okay, so I’ll sing a few words, then you all will repeat after me.”
“Okay,” the children said in unison.
“It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed,” she sang.
The children repeated in song.
“Because his compassions fail not.” Joy bubbled in Louella’s heart at the sweet sound of children praising the Lord. Her childhood had been filled with so much grief and turmoil that she’d felt like a hypocrite singing praises to the Lord, but no more.
Louella lifted her eyes to heaven and sang the next verse of the Bible. “They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.”
Those words made her heart glad. She took that joy with her throughout the day.
* * *
On Saturday morning, as was custom, Louella and William sat in their royal chairs and listened to any thoughts the people had about making the kingdom work for all of them. Sometimes there were more grievances than thoughts. Louella’s brother, Ambrose, served as the scribe, taking notes so that Louella and William could review the issues that needed further discussion and come back with an answer.
Some days only a few residents showed up when they held court. Other days, like today, there were many.
Jimmy Freeman, Gary and Clara’s son, was the first in line. He stood there holding hands with a young girl with a yellowish-brown complexion and the prettiest light brown eyes. The girl didn’t live in the Happy Land, so Louella was surprised to see her standing before them.
William said, “Good morning, Jimmy. What brings you before us today?”
Jimmy took off his hat and held it against his chest. “Good morning, King William.” He then nodded in Louella’s direction. “Queen Louella. I wanted to introduce you to Patricia Ann. She lives in Hendersonville with her parents.”
“Good morning, Patricia Ann,” William and Louella both said.
Clara was standing on the left side of Jimmy while Patricia Ann stood to his right. Clara nudged her son. “Tell ’em what you told me.”
Jimmy took a few steps forward. “Well, you see, I don’t want you thinking I don’t love it here in the Happy Land, ’cause I do, but Patricia’s parents won’t let me marry her unless I agree to move to Hendersonville.”
Patricia put a hand on Jimmy’s back as he lowered his head and continued, “They don’t understand our way of life here and refuse to let Patricia move into the Happy Land.”
“Have your parents given you their blessing to marry Patricia Ann?” William asked.
Jimmy still wouldn’t look up. He seemed tortured by the fact that he had to choose between his home in the Happy Land and the woman he had come to love. Louella put a hand on William’s shoulder. “Give him our blessing.”
William stood. He walked out to the yard and placed his hands on either side of Jimmy’s head. He kissed the boy, who’d now grown into a man, on the forehead. “Go in peace, young man, and may the Lord grant you many happy years with your new family.”
Louella stood and clapped for the young couple. Cheers went up all around them.
George Couch was next in line. He was new to the Happy Land. He and his wife, Maggie, had come by way of Reverend Ezel. They loved the good reverend so much that they even named one of their sons after him. George took his hat off as he stood before them. “Good day to you, King William.” Then he nodded his head toward Louella. “Good day to you, Queen Louella.”
“Nice to see you today, George. How’s Maggie doing?” Louella asked.
“She’s about ready to pop. That’s the reason I’m here this morning.”
Maggie and Abigail were both expecting in the next few days. Everyone in their community was aflutter about the babies that would soon be born.
“You see,” George began again, “we’ve been staying with Hank and Mirabel. They’re real nice people and all, but seeing as though we’re having another baby, I was hoping we’d have our home by now.”
William smiled generously at the man. “And you shall. The logs have been cut, and a space has been cleared for you.”
George began backing up. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know. I-I didn’t mean to bother you good people.”
“No bother at all. Things have been so busy around here, I forgot to tell you your plot of land is ready for building. Larry oversees all of the construction, so I’ll make sure he gets with you next week so you can help build that house,” William told him.
The next person to speak with them about a matter was Maurice, a resident for the past two years. “Before I say my piece, I want to let it be known that I truly love living in the Happy Land.” Maurice looked around before adding, “But I’m having a hard time understanding why I receive the same dividends as the women when they aren’t working as hard as the menfolk.”
Mama Sue was inside the house with Waties and Joshua. Louella heard her grandmother harrumph. Her own eyebrow lifted at Maurice’s statement.
William shifted in his chair, getting ready to respond, but Louella put a hand over his as she asked, “Are you saying that weaving, cooking, caring for the children, cleaning homes, and selling the Happy Land Liniment that brings money back to this kingdom aren’t as important as the plowing you do?”
Maurice shook his head. “Not saying they ain’t important. But women don’t work as hard as men.”
“I can assure you that’s not the case, and we’ll not take from the women in our land so the men can walk around with heavier pockets.”
William cleared his throat. Louella turned to her husband. He hated when she took over their assembly meetings, but she would not allow any man in their community to downgrade the value of women’s work. Maurice was young—had turned nineteen last month. Louella yielded the floor to William as she decided to give the boy some grace.
William rubbed his hands together. “We are a people who believe in the value of all and reward that value evenly.”
“I appreciate being heard,” Maurice said and then walked away.
Some of the women eyed him as if he’d received the last Sunday dinner at their table.
They listened to a few other concerns while Ambrose continued to write everything down in his notebook. Then Robert stepped to the front. He greeted his brother without so much as looking Louella’s way.
“Brother, my prayer is that all is well with you,” Robert said.
“All is well, but you would know that if you were with us in the Happy Land more often.” William leaned forward with an easy grin as he looked at Robert.
“My heart is always with the Happy Land.” Robert put a hand to his heart. “I stand before you today bringing concerns of many who live here with us.”
At the word concerns, the grin disappeared from William’s face. Louella put a hand on William’s arm. Robert was up to something. She knew it like she knew her name. But her influence failed when it came to convincing William to be wary of his brother.
Louella asked Robert, “And what are those concerns? And why do they not come here themselves?”
Robert glanced her way, then turned back to William. “The people know you’re a good man and don’t want to overburden you. However, they’ve seen that we have delays on land clearing and homes being built. You need help.”
William looked intrigued. “What do you suggest?”
“I know I’ve been traveling and away from the kingdom more than I’ve been here of late.” Robert tapped his hand against his chest. “But I’m willing to sacrifice my time to help you build our kingdom.”
William pressed his lips together. “I do need help, but I need someone who will focus on the needs of our kingdom. Are you sure you’re ready to do that?”
Robert nodded. “You have my word.”
William’s hand gripped the arm of the chair. He turned jubilant eyes to Louella as if Robert’s words were an answer to prayer.
Louella wasn’t convinced. She asked Robert, “What exactly are you proposing?”
“Every good king needs a second-in-command.” Robert beat at his chest. “I can be that for my king.”
Louella’s breath caught in her throat. When she recovered, she opened her mouth to tell Robert that William already had a second-in-command.
But William stood, stepped down from the throne, and hugged Robert. “Thank you. The kingdom welcomes your help.”
Robert then took William’s hand in his and lifted them as he turned to the group that remained in the yard. “So let it be said that the Montgomery brothers work together in the Happy Land. And as the second-in-command, I will help my king build this land.”
The men standing around the yard broke out in cheers. They were gleeful at Robert’s declaration, as if having another man to lead them was like the stars and the moon come down to greet them. Louella’s lips tightened as her belly filled with fury. As queen, she was second-in-command, but William stood grinning like a dunderhead while Robert pushed her aside. Glancing around, Louella saw some of the women looking to her. They were waiting for her reaction.
She sat on her throne, not smiling, not frowning, just being still for as long as she could. If knowing that she and William would have help building the kingdom brought joy to some of their hearts, then so be it. But she wouldn’t pretend that Robert taking a leadership role in the Happy Land was music to her ears.
Louella’s hands were folded in her lap as William and Robert glad-handed the people who showered them with congratulations. Elmira rushed over to her. She leaned close to her ear. “Are you okay, Auntie?”
Nodding, Louella used her hand to fan her face. “It’s a bit hot out here.” She stood and went inside her home. The door almost slammed behind her, but she gripped it before it closed.
“Go on and let it slam,” Mama Sue said as she stood in the kitchen scowling. “You been by that man’s side all this time, and he lets that snake claim to be second-in-command.”
With a gentle hand, she closed the door. “Stop that, Mama. The people look to William and me for leadership. I can’t lower my character, even when my husband doesn’t see what manner of man his brother is.”
Grabbing hold of her wrist, Mama Sue pressed, “Make him see. That man don’t mean you no good, and I’m not going to stand by and watch him destroy what would’ve never been built if not for you.”
With eyes downcast, Louella shook her head. “I wish I could. This is one matter the king doesn’t receive counsel from me on.”