I come from a Quaker family and my father has pointed out repeatedly that Rob Johnson is not of our persuasion. He’s only hired help, working with us to conduct slaves to safety on the Underground Railroad.
I was attracted to Rob the moment we met. He wore a fine tailored suit and looked handsome, but uncomfortable, dressed as a Quaker. Later, I caught him naked as a babe swimming in our farm pond. He tried to hide behind the cattails and I could hardly keep myself from jumping into the water with him. He smiled and laughed a lot then and told me I was pretty.
I found out about Laura Meeks and the baby when they arrived from Richmond with Rob and ten runaway slaves. When Rob next visited, he convinced me that he’d been a victim of circumstances. He was not a married man and had only been trying to help Laura. Although he didn’t think the child was his, he had promised he’d always look out for the little girl. I believed him. We met secretly at the old smithy, until my father sent me away to visit relations. Soon I was married off to a Quaker elder with cold eyes and a hard heart. Rob was told to wed Laura Meeks or leave Quaker employ.
I haven’t seen Rob for years, but our bond has endured.
NATE FIELDS
Comments are closed.