The Slave Master's Son (17 page)

* * *

CHAPTER 16

Hannah wrapped her thick, cream colored shawl around her shoulders as the night air climbed into her pores. She covered the baby’s face, allowing a thin pocket of fabric to peek forward to allow ventilation. John took her bags off the train and walked ahead of her toward the ferry landing.

“Alright, my Sweetheart, we’re on our way to New York City. I’ve made several trips in advance for just this moment,” John smiled thoughtfully. “Let me brief you a bit about what you should anticipate,” John began as he hurriedly moved through the crowd of people, ensuring his wife and son were close to him. “You were sleeping on the train, and I didn’t dare wake you, or I would’ve briefed you previously. Come here.” John ushered Hannah and his baby under an awning protecting them from the night air.

 “This is strong Union land. You will be safe here. Slavery isn’t legal here. Regardless, I have your papers and will be giving them to you once we get to our new residence. Here’s a quick lesson about your new surroundings, Sweetheart. We’re arriving at a good time because the racial upheaval and tension here about a year or so ago has subsided. Unfortunately, many abolitionists lost their lives as did many Negro people. This was because of fear of jobs being lost due to the end of slavery and a draft that was to take place. This trepidation has receded greatly.” He rubbed Hannah’s shoulders as he saw the apprehension building in her eyes.

“It’s fine. I’d never bring you somewhere in which you were in more danger than you were before. I have several colleagues here and a good idea as to what’s going on right now. There are several pockets of the city in which intermixing of the races isn’t looked down upon. We’ll be staying in one of those areas in order to help ensure your safety and that of our baby. You will be able to come and go as you wish. If you need to go out, there’s a market in close walking distance so you can pick up groceries and whatever else you may need. I also was told that a delightful textile shop is right next to our residence. You can get all of your sewing supplies there,” John smiled. “To continue on, however, with what I was saying, we’ll be on the far outskirts of an area called Manhattan. There’s another area which isn’t a good part of town not terribly far called The Five Points, however. Though it’d be ideal regarding our marriage circumstances, it’s not suitable. There’s some unsavory activity that’s not proper for raising children.”

“Like what?” Hannah asked curiously. John smiled as he watched a gathering of loose curls wave softly in the air from her gorgeous, coiffed hair.

“It’s riddled with poverty and is crime infested. There’s excessive gambling, overindulgence of alcohol which has led to more violence and unscrupulous behavior. There’s also prostitution. None of that’s suitable for Jonathan,” he rattled off the list in a whisper.

“Nevertheless the people there won’t bother you in the least should we need to venture in those surrounding areas simply to pass through for goods we may need. A friend of mine from the University is setting up his firm here. He also was an abolitionist. I’ll be working there helping him until I’m able to set up my own. I won’t be terribly far from you, but I need for you to be aware of your surroundings and careful never the less. There’s still some tension and there are many people here that have relocated from other areas that are less tolerant of Negroes being around, especially freed Negroes. There are a lot of Irish immigrants who moved in about a decade or so ago and they’ve started a lot of race riots for fear of having to compete for jobs with freed slaves. Bear in mind, however, there are some Irish people there that wouldn’t think of harming a hair on your head and would help you with anything you need so please don’t think…”

“John, are you telling me that, even though I’m free, there are people here who resent my presence? I don’t want their jobs,” Hannah interrupted as she shifted her weight from one foot to the other while rocking their infant son in her cradled arms.

“Yes I know, but you’re still seen as a threat. I know that this is a lot of information at one time and I know a bit may be confusing. There’s still an air of unsavory attitudes and bias. Slavery has been illegal here for a significant amount of time, though. A lot’s happened, but a lot’s also improved. It’s still a safer place to be than Virginia who’s doing very poorly right now. All in all, I believe you will make friends and have some adjustments. I don’t know if you recall my travels during my teen years when I’d be gone for weeks at a time, but this is one of the places I’d visit. Master Stewart wanted me to be taught by some of the best scholars here,” John explained.

“Yes, I do remember,” Hannah smiled. “I’d miss you and wonder when you were coming home,” she laughed.

“Well, this is what I was doing. My father was preparing me for law. He wanted me to be the best lawyer in the country because he was unable to complete that dream for himself. Luckily for him, I actually enjoy it and want to do this. In all other areas I went against his wishes, but on this he and I were in total agreement,” John laughed. Hannah’s forehead became wrinkled.

“What is it, Hannah?” John asked as he picked the suitcases back up.

“Is our marriage legal here, John?” she questioned.

“I knew that you’d ask me this, and I’ve been avoiding the conversation quite honestly. Here’s the truth of the matter, Hannah. Although slavery is illegal here and, for all intents and purposes, over with, at least in the North, Hannah, our marriage is still not recognized. What we have is called miscegenation. It’s against the law for us to be together as a couple. However, no one’s going to talk to us about this or ask us anything as long as we keep our noses clean. There are several couples like us here, Hannah. From what I’ve been told, they’re left alone. No one’s asking, and they’re not telling,” John explained. “I honestly believe that it will be legalized and that’s one of the issues I’ll be fighting for. When it is, I don’t care if we’re as old as time itself, we’ll get it done legally,” John assured. “OK, let’s go and board the ferry. I hope you like your new house,” John said sweetly as he helped Hannah onto the large boat.

* * *

Hannah slowly rocked crying Jonathan in her protective arms while her dark brown eyes grew to epic proportions. She stood up, looking at the rippling water then back towards the sky as she took in the bellows of smoke from large, close clustered buildings. From a distance, she could see miniature wagons and people scurrying about.

“I’ve never seen nothin’ like this in my life. Look at all those buildings! All those people!” Hannah exclaimed as John read a newspaper beside her. He looked up at her and smiled pleasantly.

“She’s so inexperienced,” he thought to himself. “Look at her – almost like a child in a state of unfettered joy and amusement. I never want her to feel insecure.” His thoughts trailed as he slowly glanced back down at the periodical.

“What is that?” Hannah exclaimed with full enthusiasm as the ferry approached the landing. John turned around to where her finger landed.

“That was a double-decker bus,” John explained. “There are plenty of them.”

“Can I ride one?” Hannah asked, her cheeks high with happiness.

“Yes, you can,” John smiled as he reached up and patted her hand. “First, we have to get you settled though.”

“Do we live right here?” Hannah asked.

“Close, but not exactly right here. Your street’s Fifth Avenue. A lot of renovation is going on there now and the law office isn’t far in case we ever have to get hold of one another.”

“Fifth Avenue?” Hannah laughed deeply. “That sounds fancy.”

“Well, it is. There are some houses and shops, but a lot of development’s taking place and I suspect sooner than later it will be more like some of the areas we’ve already passed. It won’t overwhelm you like other parts of the city, but you won’t be exactly isolated either.”

“You’ve really thought this through,” Hannah said as she cocked her head to the side.

“You know I have. It’s important to always have a plan,” John smirked. “And also a back-up plan,” he added.

“Are there big buildings?” Hannah asked cautiously.

“Why yes, Honey. There are plentiful brownstones and brick buildings with arched windows and doorways. One of which we’ll reside in. Our street’s developed, but as time passes, you will see it transform. It’s just not as congested as what you’ve witnessed on our way to the port. This is the
Erie Canal
. It
connects to the Atlantic port.” John stood up as he waited to dock. He gently took their son from Hannah’s arms, allowing her to move about freely and people watch.

“It’s lovely! There are a lot of wagons, too,” Hannah observed. John nodded in agreement as he wrapped Jonathan up tighter in the blanket.

“Careful, John. I need to change his nappy. I’d hate for you to get it on you.” Hannah grinned as she looked at her husband prevent his arm from touching the baby’s bottom.

“Yes, I can feel it,” John laughed. “We’ll be there shortly,” he said as he looked down at Jonathan.

* * *

John took Hannah’s dainty hand as he led her into the lofty, beautifully designed building. The rooms had sparse furniture and large, elaborate, ornate rugs that covered practically the entire floor.

“Is this whole place ours?” Hannah asked as she looked at the staircase in amazement. John laughed.

“Of course, Hannah. My father’s house is much larger than this. I thought you’d think this was small actually based on that alone,” he smiled.

“I’ve been living in a tiny, one-room shack, John,” Hannah said seriously. “Anything bigger than that’s a blessing.” Tears welled up in her eyes. John put her bags down and toured her around the premises.

“You even have a little garden here. You can plant tomatoes. Now, it gets a little colder here than back home so we’ll have to get you some thicker coats.” Hannah spun around laughing.

“It’s perfect!” she headed up the steps with the baby and opened up a room that had a small, light-green rug on the floor.

“John, this room has gotta be the baby’s. I just know it does. It’s right for him,” Hannah said as she looked down into her arms.

“Whatever you want,” John said as he opened a narrow door in the room, exposing a small closet. “I’ll have it painted, and we’ll go out tomorrow and get a baby crib for him and anything else you think he needs. Let me show you our bedroom,” he said. John led Hannah into a long, shoebox-shaped room with long, clear-as-crystal windows overlooking the city. Hannah walked inside cautiously.

“I’ve never seen nothin’ like this before,” she said in a whisper. “It looks like the ballet theater that was in that one book you gave me, you know, on the cover,” she explained.

“Ahhh, yes!” John exclaimed excitedly. “I had forgotten about that book. I used it to help you learn to read when we were little. It belonged to my mother.” John’s animated tone quickly transformed into one filled with melancholy.

“It’s perfect, John. Thank you,” Hannah said as she slowly unwrapped their baby. “I better change his nappy. I’ll be back.” Hannah went down the steps and dug in her luggage for a cloth diaper while John stayed upstairs and looked pensively out of the window. His rambling thoughts were interrupted by the cry of his son.

“Oh, it’s alright, sunshine,” Hannah said in a soothing voice as she laid him down on the blanket. His tiny body squirmed about as she took a handkerchief and wiped him dry. John slowly descended the steps, looking at Hannah taking care of their baby. He got to the bottom of the steps and stared at her as she pulled her white blouse up, exposing a full, supple breast filled to the brim with milk. She squeezed her nipple gently, allowing a thick trickling to run out before placing her baby up to nurse. Jonathan immediately latched, his eyes fixated on the prize, nursing vehemently as Hannah held him close. John pushed his hands in his pockets and walked towards them guardedly. He then sat close to Hannah and watched intently.

“Sweetheart,” John said in a soft voice, “I would’ve moved us to Pennsylvania where we would’ve had more freedom, but the opportunities for financial well being aren’t as prevalent there. This seemed to be the best option.” Hannah looked at John. He gingerly rested his chin on her shoulder.

“John, you’ve done the best you can, and that’s all I can ask for. I’m overwhelmed right now that I couldn’t even think of anything better. This is my first real home. I’m with the man that I adore, and we have this precious baby. I get to walk the streets freely. You ain’t never had my life. You only shared my life, John, so you don’t completely understand how happy and grateful I’m right now. You think you’ve let me down. No, you never let me down, John. You always tried to protect me. You always did the best you could, and I can’t ask for much more than that.” She kissed his lips softly. Their lips lingered together before she hesitantly pulled away. Hannah stood up and walked into the kitchen assessing what she needed.