Which Way Freedom by Joyce Hansen Read Free Book Online Page B

to. Obi asked for him. “Can Jason come with us, suh?”
    â€œNo.” Wilson looked at Jason. “Finish feedin’ them animals.” Jason scrambled back into the hayloft.
    When Obi went to supper, Martha Jennings stayed in the kitchen again while they ate. Her face was hidden as she bent over her mending.
    â€œMistress, I help you,” Easter called from the table. “Why don’t you wait till we finish eat?”
    â€œDon’t fret about me,” Martha said.
    Obi took a piece of corn bread, but he was too nervous to eat.
    â€œWe takin’ the tobacco to the plantation,” he said to Easter.
    She looked worried. “Tonight?”
    â€œMaster Wilson say I can’t go,” Jason whined.
    Martha started to say something to Jason, but Wilson came into the kitchen. “Let’s move on,” he ordered. Obi got up from the table.
    Jason helped Easter stack the wooden plates.
    â€œCome on, I ain’t got time for all that,” Wilson said to Easter. He nodded in Jason’s direction. “Let him clean.”
    At first, Easter didn’t realize that Wilson was talking to her.
    â€œYes, suh?” she said, looking confused.
    â€œYou’re comin’ too.”
    Easter dropped the plates on the table and turned to Martha. Martha rose quickly from her chair, visibly trembling.“You and Obi are goin’ to the Phillipses’ to hire out as field hands for their cotton crop.”
    Easter looked as if she were about to cry. “Mistress, what about the tobacco croppin’?”
    â€œWe’ll finish that ourselves. Most of it’s done now.” The shirt Martha was mending fell unnoticed to the floor. “They hirin’ you out early. Don’t want to lose money.”
    Wilson gave Martha a disgusted look and waited in the doorway.
    â€œWhat about me, Mistress?” Jason’s frightened eyes filled with tears.
    â€œBoy, you’re too young to hire out,” she said.
    Easter went over to Martha. She clutched her arm. “Mistress, why we have to go now? We never hire out this early—”
    â€œGal, what’s wrong with you?” Wilson yelled angrily. “Come on!”
    Obi pulled Easter away. “Come on, Easter. We go now.”

Six
    Not only will we abstain from all interferences with your
slaves, but we will, with an iron hand, crush any attempt
insurrection on their part.
    From the Proclamation to
the People of Western Virginia,
May 26, 1861
General George B. McClellan, Union Army
    Easter put her arms around Jason’s shoulders as they watched Obi bring the mules with the wagons out of the barn. “We see you soon, Jason. Don’t cry, now,” she said, wiping his face. The hot, humid air was heavy.
    â€œYou an’ Obi comin’ back?”
    She bent down and kissed him on his forehead, her voice cracking. “We be back—soon.” Easter climbed behind Obi on one of the mules, and Wilson mounted the other. Jason waved, his small mouth quivering as he tried not to cry. Martha came out of the kitchen and stood behind him. Easter waved and looked back until she could no longer see Jason and Martha in the gathering dusk.
    Obi knew that this was the last they’d see of the Jennings farm. He didn’t know how, but they’d get to Buka tonight.
    â€œI know somethin’ go wrong, Obi,” Easter said softly. “I feel it all day.” She held him tightly around his waist. Because of the wagon clanging noisily down the road, the words were hidden from Wilson, who rode behind.
    â€œHow we get to the creek now?” she asked.
    â€œWe find some way. Now I see why Wilson rush us to work so hard.”
    Easter squirmed. “We never work in the field at Master Phillips.” She sighed. “Obi, it take three week for the cotton crop to be pick. This way they make some of the money they would from hirin’ us out in the winter.”
    â€œThey have us sold