Myrtle's Closet by Kareem Wade

Author:Kareem Wade
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: BookBaby
Published: 2021-05-14T18:57:05+00:00

CHAPTER 18

My Rights of Passage—Early July of 1861

I lay there that night anxiously waiting. Forever seemed to pass before the harmonious snores came from those around me. My mind flooded with thoughts, wondering what Isabel had planned. In my heart, I knew I would never see the inside of these slave quarters again.

I went to Emma and Paul’s bed and kissed them both lightly on the forehead. Neither of them woke, nor did anyone else as I quietly slipped through the door. I ran through the night as fast as I could to the big oak, trying not to trip. Isabel was already waiting for me there with a big canvas bag at her side. I threw my arms around her, happy but equally terrified.

“What is going on? Tell me what you’re planning!”

“We must leave here, and tonight. It’s urgent!”

“Have you gone mad, Isabel! Where would we go? Do you know what would happen if we got apprehended? How do you propose we survive with no money and no transportation?”

“This is the only way to escape our arranged marriages. There is no other way, and you know it. We have to create our own destiny, and the only way to do that is by leaving. Also, I have got some money and some things of value we can sell on the way.”

“What do you mean ‘on the way.’ The way to where?”

“Pa told me that the Yankees are freeing slaves because of the war. That is where we need to go. We mustn’t be separated again. We can take one of Pa’s horses.”

“No, we mustn’t take one of Master’s horses. The animals will rile up and will be way too noisy. Someone might hear the disturbance.”

“We must go on foot then, and quickly. We need to get as far away from here before anyone figures we’re gone.”

Isabel picked up the canvas bag at her feet, and I followed her into the night. My heart pounded with excitement, everything felt so surreal. All I dreamed about was coming to fruition. The weird part was I already felt free. I had not crossed the property line since I was brought there against my will, at age seven.

Isabel spoke, “We can walk along the road until dawn. The moon will give us enough light. After the sun starts to rise, we can cut through the woods.”

I nodded, too frightened to speak. I was afraid that if I opened my mouth, I would find it was all a dream. One I was not prepared to wake up from.

We walked along the road as quickly as we could by the moonlight, holding each other close. I wasn’t sure if it was more for comfort or security, but I guess in a sense it was the same thing. “Did you see that, Myrtle?”

Isabel pulled on my arm so hard I thought she was going to rip it off. I frantically scanned the area in which she indicated. My heart was racing, and I found myself wondering if we should have left the plantation.

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