A TASTE OF FREEDOM

Malachi looked at the children playing in the yard and glanced at his younger brother David who seemed to be having the time of his life. They knew nothing of the storm that was coming from the North, threatening their way of life. However, Malachi knew only too well because Master Bill had secretly taught him to read and write. Malachi was such a good student that he and Master Bill would read newspaper articles and have debates about current events, in private. They had become such good friends that Malachi was allowed to call him Bill when they were alone. Bill inherited the plantation when his father died of consumption two years earlier, and had much more liberal views when it came to slavery, but dare not let this become publicly known. If it came to a fight with the Yankees, his decision to do so would be based solely on the State’s Rights issue and a firm resolve to protect the people he considered family, and his land. However, this would also give him the opportunity to let his slaves decide the course of their lives for themselves, making one of two choices: stay and fight for their home, or leave (with his blessings), to seek this illusive freedom that the Yankees were promising.

Malachi was deep in thought when he suddenly looked up and saw Bill walking up on the porch, with a look on his face that made Malachi’s soul tremble. Bill opened his mouth to speak, but only silent despair came out. Finally, clearing his throat and calling Malachi by his nickname, he said, “Bubba, I must speak to you in private; I am afraid the time has come for us to prepare to face our worst fears. Please go to the house and wait for me in the study. I’ll be along shortly.” As Bubba walked toward Bill’s house, he became overwhelmed with emotion; the kind of emotion that you feel when you have a dream that someone you love very much has died, and the pain that you feel from that loss is so great that your own sobbing awakens you.