Chapter 3

The train station was cold and wet that morning when Colleen, Rachael, Juliet, and Hannah arrived in Charleston.

            “Oh you’d think that telegram would have arrived,” Colleen said in frustration as they waited inside the train station.

            “Don’t worry so much Colleen,” Rachael barked, “Now remember girls you must be on your best behavior while we are here.”

            Colleen plopped back down on the bench, “Yes Rachael,” she said annoyed. “You’ve only mentioned that, oh about twelve times now.”

            “It’s true Colleen we do, Grandmother Harris is a French lady and we should try to be too,” Rachael frowned. Colleen let out a huff.

            “It’s all right sisters,” Juliet smiled up at them.          

            “It shouldn’t be to long Mizz Cauleen, it been most an hour,” Hannah said. Colleen starred out the window at the rain. “My it’s falling hard.”

Colleen used to be scared of the rain as a child. She remembered crying when it would storm and her father coming to comfort her. He’d rap his big strong arms around her little 6 year old body and rock her back to sleep; then one night when there was a storm. Her parents hadn’t gotten home from town yet and she was crying. By this time she was about 8. She was under her covers balling when she heard the door open.

“Mizz Cauleen, what’s wrong?” Hannah came in the room.

Colleen popped her head out from under the covers, “I’m scared,” she quivered.

“Ah da rain?” Hannah came over to the bed.

“Uh-hu…” Colleen nodded keeping the sheet close.

“Mizz Cauleen you don’t need to be scared, I think about it as God cryin,” Hannah said sitting down on the bed.

“God crying?” Colleen was confused.

“Yeah, I thinks that sometimez God get’s so sad about how bad the world is getting that he cries,” that made sense to Colleen.

“Well then what about the thunder and the lightening?” she asked.

“That just show’d he’s specially sad that day,” Hannah put her arm around her friend.

Colleen whipped her eyes, “Thanks Hannah…”

           

“Girls!” suddenly they heard a voice off in the distance. Colleen turned her head as she was jerked back into the present world.

            “Why it’s Aunt Caroline!” Caroline Harris was their Uncle Marc’s wife. She was a sweet delicate creature with and angel’s face that was always glowing in excitement. No one could ever figure out how quiet Uncle Marc had won her.

            “Dears how are you!” Caroline greeted them as she came closer.

            “Aunt Caroline what are you doing here?” Colleen asked as they exchanged embraces. 

            “Why dear Marc has joined up as a captain to fight for South Carolina if necessary,” Caroline smiled sort of sadly as she gave Juliet a squeeze, “Little girl you are beautiful.”

            Juliet giggled and blushed, “Thank you…”

            “Where are Grandmother and Aunt Charlotte?” Rachael asked eagerly.

            “They are back at the house dear; I offered to come get you. Come let’s make our way out to the carriage before the next train comes in. The six o’clock train is always the busiest.” They all huddled under their umbrellas and made their way out to the carriage.

            “Once I wrote Mother Harris about Marc she insisted I come and stay with her,” Caroline smiled on their way. Caroline and Marc Harris had only one child that made it to adulthood. Their eldest, John died of smallpox at five, their next child Carrie had made it to adulthood but married a Georgian so Caroline hadn’t seen her much. Their next child Marcus broke his neck at the age of seven after falling out of a hayloft. Lastly they had twins, Laura and Rachael but they both died at birth. No one knew how Caroline could still be so happy having lost four children, but she at least appeared to. She was as angelic in nature as her looks. Caroline didn’t look a day over 25 though she was 41. Her husband Marc was just about the opposite. He was dark, quiet and kept to himself. Everyone was shocked when they got together, but he loved her dearly. She was the only one he could trust and share his inner most thoughts with. Caroline would tell everyone that the only reason she kept so merry was because of her husband but no one really believed her.

            “Aunt Caroline,” Juliet said.

            “Yes dear…”

            “How did Uncle Marc marry you? I hear he’s scary…”

            Caroline laughed, “Well one night there was a ball and the entire county was invited. When I first entered I saw him across the room. He caught my eye, Marc was so mysterious looking that he intrigued me. Later in the evening I caught him looking at me. So I went over to talk to him. We ended up talking the whole evening; only danced once, the very last dance of the night. Oh it was wonderful,” Caroline sighed while Juliet’s eyes danced with excitement. “Anyway,” Caroline straightened the blankets she had across her legs, “Why did you young ladies decide to come visit us?”

            “Patrick is in Charleston with his regiment and we wanted to get away,” Colleen replied.

            “Oh I see,” Caroline lowered her head. The rain was beginning to let up outside the carriage. “I believe you all will like it here,” Caroline continued, “Charlotte’s home is very pleasant and they have plenty of room.”

After that the trip was fairly silent. Every once in a while as they made their way just outside of town they would see soldiers drilling and they would look for Patrick but they could see hardly anything in the rain. Colleen was the one who looked the hardest for him. She didn’t think Patrick was much fit for war. He had never been very violent but of course like every other boy in the county loved the romantic tails of it. Patrick loved books about Greek and Roman wars and was always begging their mother to read them when they were younger. It all seemed a useless bloody mess to Colleen, but she had decided to support her brother’s decision. At least she thought she had. Even after she decided that in her head she found her self contradicting it. Colleen wasn’t even sure what he was fighting for, which made if pretty hard to support her brother’s war. It also made it hard to understand her brother Charles’ burning desire to join. He was so young and couldn’t have made a difference anyway. Colleen hoped her father could keep him in the house for the duration of the war. She thought it wouldn’t last to long anyway so keeping him from it wouldn’t be to hard.

Finally after over an hours travel they came to the Logan Plantation. Coming up to the front there was a long pathway lined with trees leading up to a round about placed in front of the house with bushes on either side. The house itself was huge, three stories with tall white Greek style columns. On the porch in rocking chairs sat Grandmother Harris, Aunt Charlotte, and their cousins Michelle and Marie.

Grandmother Harris sat up straight in her chair with a stern look on her face. Her hair was still black with specs of grey. Here eyes were an icy blue and her face flawless. Grandmother Harris was of course in black as most ladies of her age who had lost a husband.

Aunt Charlotte had the striking French features of her mother, with black hair and brown eyes. She wore a dull gray dress that was beautifully made and spoke of great position; her mannerisms where also much like Grandmother Harris. Colleen had always heard from her mother that Charlotte was Grandmother’s favorite and Julia didn’t much compare.

Michelle and Marie were 16 and 14 respectfully. Michelle looked more like her mother’s side with high check bones and French features. Marie was more like her father with cute round cheeks and big beautiful blue eyes.

By the time they reached the front steps the rain had began to come down hard. When they were getting out of the carriage the young black man who had driven the carriage took them each one at time with the umbrella up to the porch.

“Thank you James,” Caroline smiled at him.

“You’re welcome ma’am,” James smiled back with a big sweeping bow. It was obvious he thought a lot of Caroline. The James took the horses back to the carriage house.

All the ladies on the porch stood as the girls came up the steps. For a moment there was just silence. Then Juliet ran over to Grandmother and hugged around her skirt. Grandmother Harris just stood there looking down at the child as if there was a large spec on her skirt. Colleen hurried over and snatched up her sister.

“I am sorry Grandmother,” Colleen lowered her head.

            “Who is this?” Grandmother motioned to Juliet.

            “This is Juliet Grandmother,” Colleen answered.

            “I see…” another moment of silence.

            “Why don’t you girls come inside,” Aunt Charlotte began to lead them inside. The inside of the house was gorgeous. The front hall was two stories and the wall paper was amazingly intricate. Off to the left was the gentleman’s lounge and to the right was the ladies parlor. The stair case was on the left side of the hall beginning right after the entrance to the men’s lounge. Behind the stair case was the entrance to the music room. Then across the hall from the music room was the dinning room. The farthest room on the left was a nice quiet sitting room. Across the hall from that was a play room that was hardly ever used anymore.

            “Oh Aunt Charlotte,” Rachael said as if her breath had been taken from her.

            “Thank you dear,” Aunt Charlotte said with a snobbish air. “Dawn will take you up stairs,” she motioned towards a black woman standing over in a corner. Dawn stepped out from the shadow and walked over to the steps. Then she, led the way up the stairs with Rachael, Colleen, Hannah, and Caroline all carrying bags with Juliet tagging along behind. Dawn led them up to the third story guest bedrooms. There were three. Aunt Caroline was in the one to the right, Rachael and Colleen to the left, and Juliet and Hannah in the one at the end of the hall.

            “It’s huge,” Colleen mentioned to Hannah once everyone else had left.

            “Yes um it show is. They’d must have twiced as many negras to run this place,” Hannah replied peering around.

            “Grandmother is evil isn’t she? You can already tell can’t you,” Colleen pulled her favorite dress out of the trunk and swung it about the room.

            “I recon she is. She shaw was witch like wid Mizz Juliet.”

            “She sure was, that’s how I’ve always remembered her. I just don’t understand why she has to be that way. All her children lived to adulthood and her husband just died only five years ago… after a long good life,” Colleen sat down on the settee under the window; puzzled.

            “What bout ya mama?” Hannah took the dress from Colleen and hung it in the armwa. 

            “Mother was hardly ever in her favour, at least that was my understanding of it. Especially after father came into the picture. Aunt Charlotte was always Grandmother’s favorite. Why do you think she’s here?” Colleen gazed out the window.

            “Well don’t let her be spoilin you’s time Mizz Cauleen,” Hannah said closing the trunk.

            “I won’t Hannah I won’t,” Colleen looked back at her. “I’m going to have the best time I’ve ever had.” Lightening struck.

            “Dat was close,” Hannah said wide eyed. Thunder boomed.

            “Colleen…”

            “Oh Rachael you scared me,” Colleen said to her sister.

            “Grandmother says we are all to come, it’s time for dinner,” Rachael said smiling then hurried off down stairs.

            “Why does she have to be so happy to be here…,” Colleen groaned as she made her way down the stairs.

            Everyone was already seated ate the table when Colleen walked through the doorway. She felt awkward as she walked to her seat.

            James, Charlotte’s husband stood and everyone bowed their heads, “Father we thank you for this food we are about to receive. Amen.”

            At that all eyes opened and everyone began eating. No one spoke except thing like, “Will you pass the butter,” or “don’t smack your lips.” It continued to rain outside. The lightening struck and the thunder clapped. The two older boys that Colleen hadn’t seen yet were at the table; Max and Melvin. Max was a well built, tall, and dark haired. He had an attitude, thought he owned the world. Melvin looked up to his brother like Max did own the world. He wanted to be just like him, partially because he wasn’t much like him. Melvin was a follower not a leader, didn’t have many of his own opinions and was a bit shy at times. He was skinny and tall with light hair and eyes.

            After dinner the three men retired to the men’s lounge while the woman sat in the living room around the fire. Rachael sat up straight in her chair not taking her eyes of Grandmother Harris. Colleen was less than amused. She rolled her eyes and knitted faster.

            “Colleen,” Colleen’s eyes popped as she heard her name. It was Grandmother. “Stop making such racket with those needles.” Colleen just nodded her head. Juliet started to laugh but she was starred down by just about everyone in the room. Then it was again silent. Aunt Caroline stroked Juliet’s head for a moment to let her know it was alright. Aunt Charlotte finally set down her sewing.

            “How are you girls. We haven’t seen you in so long,” she was trying to sound nice but it didn’t work.

            “Colleen and I made Patrick’s uniform together,” Rachael smiled.

            “That’s nice,” said Grandmother, “Are you still working on your garden dear?”

            “She must have a thing for the oldest child or something,” Colleen thought, “Grandmother most definitely likes Rachael.”  Colleen just kept on knitting, listening to Rachael go on about the garden and lots of other things that had happened over the resent years. Juliet yawned, Colleen looked at the clock on the mantel, “10 o’clock,” an hour past Juliet’s bed time.

            “Grandmother I think it’s about time for Juliet and me to go to bed,” Colleen said sitting aside her knitting needles.

            “Very well,” Grandmother said hardly looking up.  Colleen motioned for Hannah who was standing against the wall near the door. Hannah nodded and followed both Colleen and Juliet out of the room.

            “She shaw is an old bawl o’wax that one,” Colleen snickered at Hannah’s comment.

            “Be careful Hannha, I hear my Aunt’s family is not as nice to their servants as we are,” Colleen slid under the cool soft sheets of her bed.

            “Yes um,” Hannah made sure Colleen was all tucked in, “Mizz Rachael and I will do our best to not be wakin ya when se come up Mizz Cauleen.”

            “Thank you Hannah, good night.”

            “Yes um, night.”    

Author's Note

not proof read