A New Beginning: My Journey with Addy

The white-haired man stands up and starts walking towards us. But just then, there’s a commotion at the door. It bursts open and Reverend Drake, Addy’s mother, and the policeman from the street all rush in. Addy cries out and runs to her mother. Mrs. Walker hugs her and asks if she’s all right.

My eyes fill with tears. I’m so relieved that Addy is with her mother, but suddenly, I feel desperate to see my mother. When I see Mrs. Walker motion to me, I cross the room and fling my arms around her waist as well. The three of us hug one another.

The policeman asks Reverend Drake if he knows the girls, and Reverend Drake says he certainly does, that we’re part of his congregation, and that he vouches for the freedom of both of us. Then he looks directly at the redheaded man with fury in his eyes.

The white-haired man claims his man made a mistake. The policeman coldly replies that it appears so, then opens the door and motions for the three of us to leave. Before we go, he turns back to the men and warns that they need to keep better records and ought to stop harassing the citizens of Philadelphia.

Outside, the policeman turns to Addy and remarks that she showed real wit, telling him about Reverend Drake like that. But he warns that we ought to be careful, since this is a dangerous time for Colored people. Addy nods her head.

Reverend Drake helps us into the back of the wagon, and Mrs. Walker climbs in front to sit with him. On the way to the Walkers’ home, I expect to get a lecture about making good choices, but instead, Reverend Drake insists we were only lucky. Mrs. Walker agrees that we were brave, then quietly blames herself for letting us go off on our own.

The Reverend tells her it isn’t her fault, that it’s not right for us to have to walk home in fear, and that it’s proof the fight for freedom isn’t happening only on the battlefields.

The Reverend’s words give me chills. All the people I met today worked so hard to get their freedom and they’re still not free. Not when they have to prove they’re not someone else’s property.

As we bump along the cobblestones, I realize I’m shaking. What if Reverend Drake and Mrs. Walker hadn’t gotten to us in time? Sure, I can get back home. But Addy? I don’t even want to think of her back in slavery. She’d never get to see her family again. I squeeze her hand. I tell her that I didn’t know what to do today. Addy puts an arm around my shoulder and insists that I did, that I spotted the police officer and caught his ear with some good hollering. Addy smiles.

The wagon stops in front of a narrow three-story building. The sign above the front door says “Ford’s Dress Shop.” I’m still trembling as we step out of the wagon.

Mrs. Walker thanks the Reverend and shakes his hand. She cups Addy’s cheeks in her hands and gives her a long look and says she doesn’t know what she would do if something happened to her girl. Mrs. Walker sounds just like my mother. And right now, I want to see my mother so bad I feel dizzy.

Reverend Drake tips his hat, and Addy and I say a goodbye and thank you. He climbs back into the wagon, saying that our church family has got to look after one another. His words reverberate in my head. Family has got to look after one another. I think of my family and how much my grandparents are helping while my parents work to make things better for Danny and me. I miss my grandparents. I miss everyone. I want to go home.

I turn to Addy and Mrs. Walker and tell them that I appreciate everything that they have done for me, but I can’t stay. Addy looks surprised and insists I have to. But I shake my head. I say that I need to keep traveling to meet my family. I think about the shopping with my mom and the way we always pick out a meeting place for us. I tell Addy that we have a meeting place, but it’s not in Philadelphia.

Addy looks disappointed. She asks if I have a long way to go. I tell her not really. Mrs. Walker pulls me into her arms and tells me she knows I’ve got a powerful need to see my family, but that she also wants me safe. I don’t want Addy’s mother to think I’m going to wander around the city by myself. So I tell her I’m going to the Quaker Aid Society. Mrs. Walker nods her head and says that she and Addy will walk me there.

It’s a short walk to the Quaker Aid Society. Nobody says much. Addy holds tight to both her mother’s and my hand. When we get to the building, I stop outside the door and tell them I don’t know how to thank them. Addy’s mother smiles and repeats what the Reverend always says: we’ve got to help one another. Addy admits she’s glad she met me. And she’s glad she got to be my friend.

I tell her that I’m glad that I met both of them. I just wish things were easier for them. Mrs. Walker replies that no one ever promised freedom would be easy, that there’s a price to pay for what they really want, but that the cost makes it real precious.

Somehow, I know that what she’s saying is true for me too. I squeeze Addy’s hand and tell her that her family will always be with her in her heart. I hope that they’re all together soon. Mrs. Walker touches my cheek and tells me to be safe and I promise I will. The two of them leave me, but I don’t move. Halfway down the block, Addy turns back and waves. I wave back and watch until they’re out of sight. Then I duck into the alley next to the building, pull out my coin and unwrap it from the fabric. I rub my thumb over the raise numbers and whisper a goodbye to 1864.