Morning Star (20 page)

CHAPTER 50

Felicia

FELICIA PEERED
out between curtain folds. Behind her was backstage bedlam. She watched the audience file into the auditorium, saw her family and friends fill the front row. Josh's prediction was correct. Delia lifted a camera and focused.

“My mom's in the front row with a camera.”

“Better not screw up then.”

“Thanks. Now I'm really nervous.”

Delia waved. Felicia returned the wave and abruptly closed the curtain. “Renate, you look weird with those penciled-on freckles.”

“You look pretty funny, too, in that bonnet.”

“My stomach feels funny. Is that what they mean by butterflies?”

“Probably. Come and help us with Sophie. She's bawling and ruining her makeup. It's running all down her face.”

They found Dodie and Sophie in the library behind a bookshelf. Sophie's eyes were red-rimmed and teary. Blackened rivulets streaked her rosy cheeks. She blew her nose.

“You sound like a fog horn.”

Sophie tried to smile, but her mouth collapsed. “I hate this!”

“Come on, it's going to be fun,” said Dodie.

“It is not! It's your idea of fun, not mine.”

“Well, we're signed up, and we've been rehearsing for ages, and now it's time to do it.”

“We'll be with you.” Renate took Sophie's hand.

“We'll all stand together,” said Felicia. “We can stand a bit in front of you, if you want.”

“Maybe.”

“Let's find Melissa's mom. She'll fix your makeup.” They walked back into their classroom where parent volunteers were applying makeup and adjusting costumes. A pencil and brush restored Sophie's face.

Sandy, the stage manager, poked her head in the doorway. “Five minutes to curtain. Everyone in your places, please.” Felicia felt her heartbeat quicken, squeezed Sophie's hand. The four girls left the classroom and stationed themselves in the wings, listening as Mr. Butler introduced himself and talked about the theme of the play. Then the pianist started to play the opening theme.

The production passed in a brilliant haze of light and color. At the end of the first act, Matt's beard came loose and began to flap on one side of his face when he spoke. He turned and presented his good side to the audience until his scene was finished. Melissa's mom reattached it when he returned backstage.

When it was time for their musical number, Sophie forgot her terror; the four girls sang out clearly and in perfect harmony. For the closing scene, the whole cast joined in the final chorus:

Someday we'll build a school in this wonderful town,

In this beautiful valley of ours.

A school where children go,

To be taught what they should know

Someday, in this valley of ours.

After the performance, everyone streamed into the gymnasium, which was decorated with balloons and posters. The walls were lined with tables loaded with platters of sandwiches and sweets. Felicia chose egg salad with no crusts and a round spiral of bread and creamy salmon with a pickle in the middle.

“There you are!” Delia wanted to take another picture. “Say cheese.”

“My mouth's full.”

“Swallow and smile.”

“Where's my little niece? All grown up, star of stage and screen!” Felicia felt herself enveloped in her Aunt Vi's warm embrace, up against cushiony breasts. Beyond her aunt stood a grinning Lenore and Rosalee, waiting for their turn to hug Felicia.

“There's lots to eat, yummy sandwiches and cookies,” said Felicia, stepping back and adjusting the bonnet that was still tied around her chin.

“Get rid of that headgear,” said Rosalee.

“You look amazingly strange with all that makeup,” said Lenore.

“I know.”

“Like a different person.”

“I'm still me. Have a sandwich.”

Conversation was difficult in the crush and confusion of so many people. Felicia managed to introduce Rosalee and Lenore to Renate and Sophie. Dodie was too far away, across the gym.

Mr. Butler appeared in their midst, red-faced and beaming. He said to Florence, “You must be so proud of your talented daughter.”

“Yes, I am, but Felicia is my granddaughter. Let me introduce you to my daughters, Delia and Vivian.” The drama teacher made a courtly bow.

Felicia eased her mother and family away from the smarmy Mr. Butler and whispered, “Can we go home?”

“Sure we can, what's the matter?”

“I don't think Lenore and Rosalee are having any fun.”

CHAPTER 51

Flower

THE WOMAN'S EYES
brightened with interest as they focused on Flower. “Here's a hardy young girl.
She'll be helpful to us.”

Eldon nodded his head in agreement. He said, “She
surely has been helpful, tending us when we were sick and making her way alone
to the Buxtons'.”

“That so?”

Flower started to describe their experiences, but
the people in the house were saying hello and pulling out chairs.

Gabriel was lifted out of his sling. “Oh! A fine
baby!” He received a loud kiss on each cheek.

They settled around the table and Eldon recounted
the details of their journey. Hazel nodded. “Now it's time for the last
leg.”

“How far have we got to go?”

“We'll head for Erie. Then you'll be in
Pennsylvania.”

“Will we be safe there?” Flower asked.

“Someone like you, with bounty hunters at your
heels, there's only one safe place, and that's out of the country. Once we're in
Erie, we'll cross the lake to Canada, where you'll be free within the law. You
can stay with me for a while in a town called St. Catharines; then I'll find you
a place where you can be useful till spring.”

“Thank you. We are so grateful for your help.”

“This is what I do. I'm glad to do it.”

“Do you have a map we can look at?”

“It's all in my head.”

Flower noticed her father's doubtful glance. “All
in your head?”

“She's done it many a time,” said Abe. “You're in
good hands.”

Hazel said, “I've helped many people. Haven't lost
one yet.”

They left the next morning, once more bidding
farewell to kind strangers. They spent three days traveling on foot through
fields and forests, and by road, hidden in wagons. The first night they slept in
a haystack in a barnyard, and the second night they slept among the gravestones
in a churchyard. At the last station, they were again hidden in an attic.

Flower bedded down on a straw-filled mattress next
to Hazel. She glanced at the woman beside her and stretched out her legs,
comparing their length to Hazel's. “You're just a little bit bigger than
me.”

“That's right.”

“Your hair is getting gray, so you're not going to
grow any taller.”

Hazel's laugh was husky and dry, as if it was
rarely used. “I'm tall enough. Time to settle and get some rest. We have a big
day tomorrow.”

“Lots more walking?”

“No. Tomorrow we take a boat.”

Flower was instantly wary. “I don't like boats. I
know they can sink, and I can't swim.”

“Don't worry. This one is safe. It's made many a
trip. Now that's enough talk. Time for sleep.” Hazel rolled over on her side,
with her back to Flower, signaling the end of their conversation.

The next morning the family was given new
clothes to wear. Flower was outfitted with trousers and cap.

Cleo looked at her daughter with surprise. “You
look just like a boy! Is that what Gabriel is going to be like?”

Eldon was also given dark clothing and cap, and
Cleo was given a new dress and wide-brimmed bonnet. “There,” said Hazel. “Keep
the babe hidden as much as you can with your cloak. Try to look like a different
family, more prosperous, as if you know where you are going and have every right
to be doing it.”

The group stood nervously on the pier the next
morning—Flower slightly apart from her family and closer to Hazel, who was also
dressed in long pants like a man. The lake glistened before them, stretching
endlessly to the horizon.

“Here, boy. Carry this case for me.” With his foot,
a stranger shoved a suitcase in Flower's direction. She hesitated, uncertain.
“And hurry up about it.” Flower carried the case to a footbridge leading up to
the boat. “Here you go,” the man said, flipping a coin. It landed and glistened
in the dirt. She retrieved it and ran back to Hazel.

“Come stand beside me. Let's wait behind these
bales. When most people are on board, someone will come out and get us.”

“Who?”

“Mr. Brown. He's a colored man who's done well. He
owns three ships that sail these lakes. His gift to us is free passage.”

Flower looked with wonder at the lake, waves
lapping against the immense vessel that towered over her. There were gold
letters outlined in black on its side.

M-O-R-N-I-N-G S-T-A-R

“Do you know what that says, Hazel?”

“No. I can't read. I wish I knew how. The first
thing you should do when you get free and settled is learn to read. It's a
wonderful thing.”

“I would really like to.”

Once aboard, Flower was ushered down below with
Hazel, away from her family. She tried to be invisible as she stared at the
plank floor and listened to the rough thrum of the boat tracking across the
water. After a while, Hazel led her up to the deck, and together they stood
against the railing. Flower felt the wind fly against her face as the boat
sliced through waves, closer and closer to the shore.

There was a shocking blast of a horn just before
docking. Thick ropes were tossed down and tied to posts. The passengers massed
into a crowd, waved to those waiting for them, and then shuffled in orderly rows
down to the pier. Flower could see her mother and father ahead, already on land.
She felt like pushing others aside and running down to join them, but she stayed
quietly in line. When her feet left the swaying boat and touched solid ground,
she raced toward her mother's open arms. Hazel followed close behind and joined
the family. They came together into a circle, not saying a word, arms extended
around each other in a mutual and grateful embrace.

CHAPTER 52

Felicia

AT HOME
, Felicia headed straight for the shower, then reappeared cleansed of stage makeup and more comfortably dressed in jeans and sweatshirt. She found her friends watching television. “Who's up for some popcorn?”

Lenore had Rufus in her lap and was stroking his purring head. She glanced up at Felicia and said, “You look better now.”

“I feel better too.”

Florence called out from the kitchen. “There's chili in the slow cooker and bread on the counter. You girls come and help yourselves to a meal.”

They came into the kitchen. Delia was tossing salad, Aunt Vi slicing bread. They filled their bowls and sat around the table, talking and laughing together.

“That was quite the production, Felicia,” said Aunt Vi.

“Mr. Butler did a fine job,” said Delia. “He introduced himself to us in the gym.”

“I don't like him,” said Felicia.

“You don't? Why not?” asked her mother.

Felicia didn't want to tarnish the jolly mood, but Delia looked steadily at her until she answered. “He didn't want me to be a pioneer…He wanted me to be a ‘Native' instead. But I protested, so he finally agreed.”

Delia's expression hardened, but her voice was calm. “I'm going to have a conversation with him about that.”

“Mom.”

“Don't worry about it. Sometimes even teachers need teaching.”

“Oh, that man's going to get a lesson.” Aunt Vi chuckled and shook her head.

Delia went to the front room to turn off the television and put on some music. She sang along as the table was cleared. After the cleanup, Aunt Vi dealt the cards at he women sat down to play.

Lenore looked on and suggested, “Why don't you play your queen of diamonds?”

“Don't go giving my hand away now, this is serious stuff!”

Felicia stood behind her mother's chair and began to braid her hair. “Remember I used to brush your hair when you played cards?”

“I do. It felt grand. But you can forget the hair and make us some fudge.”

The girls made two plates. They left one with the women in the kitchen and took the other upstairs. Lenore brought Rufus, who stretched out on the bed like one of the group.

“It was weird being at your school,” Lenore said. “So many white faces. Is it hard living here?”

“It is, sometimes,” said Felicia. “Some people can be really mean. And stupid. But Dodie and Renate and Sophie are nice. They got me into riding. I have a horse named Morning Star. Well, I don't own her—she belongs to my riding teacher—but she's the only one I ride. She's so beautiful. Maybe tomorrow before you leave, I can take you to see her at the stables?”

“Wow, a horse!” said Rosalee. “I can't picture it, but I guess that's pretty cool.”

Laughter from the kitchen drifted upstairs, but Lenore's face was solemn. “Felicia, have you changed?”

“No. I'm still the same person. I'm just doing some new things.”

“Meeting new people,” said Rosalee.

“Yes.”

“Making new friends.”

“I am. But I don't want to lose my old friends, like you two. You are my oldest and best friends.”

“Really?”

“Yes, really. Honestly.”

Rufus lifted his left rear leg and began to lick the rounded pads of his paw, his back curved into a perfect arch.

“Okay, but what about us? How can we be friends if you have this new life in a different town?”

“We can talk—Mom says we can get hooked up to the Internet soon, so that we'll make it easier. And you guys can come and see me, and I'll come and see you. You said I could come down and visit you. Didn't you mean it?”

“Yes, but do you still want to?”

“Of course I'm coming! I'm going to come down and pound on your door till you let me in. I'll make so much noise the neighbors will be yelling at you. You'll have to let me in.” Felicia tapped Lenore on the top of her head with a pillow. Lenore picked up another pillow, and Rosalee threw a sock. Rufus watched the giggling bedlam with interest, then yawned and stretched, fanning all his toes and extending all his toenails before settling on his side.