Two boys waved from across the street to Selene and Providence as they kicked a can. Selene opened the door to the shoe store and Providence trailed in after her. New and complete yet familiar in many ways they instantly felt welcome.

"Good afternoon, Jethro," Selene greeted when she spotted him behind a shelf running his fingers carefully over boxes marked with holes.

"Selene, good afternoon," he said as he walked down the shelf toward them. "and who is with you today."

"It's Providence," Providence introduced herself shaking his outstretched hand.

"And what may I do for you two today?" Jethro asked making his way to the front of the store. "I'm sorry but the special orders haven't yet arrived.

"That is fine, Jethro," Selene said. "We're just here to get Providence some spats for her boots." She directed Providence to sit on a little bench and knelt down beside her. We'd like a long girl's pair to help conceal the lower part of her brace."

Jethro nodded and went behind the counter. "I'll see what we have. What color, white?"

"Yes please. Selene and I are going to dye them," Providence said as she looked around the store. It reminded her of the clothing store she and Ottaline had come across in Vermont. Everything was remarkably neat and the shoes on display were so beautiful they could melt an iceberg. "I would love a pair like those," she said to Selene pointing to a pair of button up boots. "Ottaline is always going on about how she likes them too."

"When shoes button like that they are usually custom made to fit the wearer," Selene said. "As such they cost more money."

"Selene has such a pair," Jethro said from behind the counter. "Don't you, Selene?"

Selene smiled. "It is true," she said. "I admired them so and Jethro decided for himself that I should have a pair. I only wear them on Sundays."

Providence smiled. It was little secret among the twelve of them how Selene and Jethro felt about each other. She liked Jethro. Seeing a blind man work just as well as any other gave her hope as she was crippled.

"See if these will fit," Jethro said returning to them with the spats. "They should be about the right size."

Selene and Providence slid the spats over her boots letting the strap catch under the arch. They came up past her boots and covered her brace entirely. The lacing at the top made the perfect feminine accent.

"They are perfect," Providence said. "And I like the cream color, Selene; I don't think we should dye them."

"These make the shoes look brand new!" Selene said as Providence stood and walked around. She got off her knees and reached into her purse to pay. "How much?"

Jethro shook his head. "Let her have them," he said. "Consider them a gift."

"Thank you, sir!" Providence said.

Jethro nodded to her then turned his attention back to Selene. "What are you thinking about, Selene?"

"I'm not," Selene said.

Jethro laughed. "I refuse payment for something and you don't offer a word of objection," he said. "Now, tell me what it is that's bothering you."

Selene shook her head. "I don't know," she said looking down. She took a deep breath. "Heloise wrote a story once about a little boy who crawls through the earth and comes out the other side where everyone's life turns out differently," she laughed. "It is a fantastical notion but just now I was thinking that it would be nice."

Jethro nodded slowly. "I see," he said. "Well not literally of course." He smiled.

Selene shook her head but she couldn't help but smile. She felt something warming inside her and rubbed her neck. "Thank you for the spats, Jethro," she said. "But we really must be going. Ladybird is leaving today and I want to be there to see her off."

"I don't know who to pity more," Jethro said. "Ladybird or Jessop. Poor man is miserable surrounded by women."

Selene laughed. "Oh he'll like Ladybird, most everyone does."

"You know Jessop..."Jethro said.

"Yes," Selene said. "But I also know Ladybird. Bye now." She and Providence stepped out of the shoe store and onto the street. They greeted a family they knew then started for home.

/

Ladybird and Wysteria were on the porch as they walked up. What caught their eyes; however, was Mr. Fairchild sitting in a wagon with a single sorrel horse surrounded by their sisters.

Selene and Providence raced over to them beaming. "Oh, Papa, is it ours?" Selene asked jubilantly.

"Sure is!" Mr. Fairchild said.

Selene circled the wagon smiling up at Hannah who was already sitting in it. "I never imagined you'd drive a wagon, Papa."

"I bought it off Mr. Christenson," Mr. Fairchild said climbing down from the bench and helping Hannah down safely."

"A white man sold to you, Papa?" Hannah asked.

"Mr. Christenson is fair," Mr. Fairchild said. "He has two carriages and a motorcar and had no use for this old buckboard. I didn't like the idea of Miriam, Ottaline and Providence walking all the way into Custardville so I bought it for Miriam to drive."

At this Miriam's eyes bulged. "But, Papa...I can't drive a wagon, I'm not Taitiann."

"It is for your safety, Miriam," Mr. Fairchild said to his daughter.

Wysteria came down from the porch. "I could teach you, Miriam," she said. "My Pa taught us how to ride and drive a horse."

"There you see," Mr. Fairchild said to Miriam. "Wysteria is willing to teach you."

Mrs. Fairchild came out of the house and stood on the porch. "Ezra, don't you think it's time to be getting Ladybird to the station?"

Mr. Fairchild checked his watch. "Right you are my dear!" he said. "Ladybird let's get your things loaded up."

The girls helped Ladybird pack then everyone climbed into the wagon to ride to Angel Veil. Sacha and Birdy ran along behind the horse and buckboard and the family waved to friends that they passed on the road.

"Papa?" Miriam said next to her father between him and her mother.

"Yes?"

"Mr. Woodrow came to the school," Miriam said. "I had never met Mr. Christenson's nephew before. He said people over in Brickyard are trying to get the school closed."

"Why would they want to do that?" Mr. Fairchild asked pulling back on the reins to keep control of the horse.

"Mr. Woodrow claims it's because what I've been teaching the children," Miriam said. "He says that people think I'm making them uppity. One of my students said something some white folks didn't like and now the whole town is up in arms about it."

"What have you been teaching them, Miriam?" Mrs. Fairchild asked.

"Only that they can look forward to more than domestic service, Mama," Miriam said.

Mr. Fairchild nodded. "Well that will do it," he said. "You wouldn't believe the look Mrs. Christenson gave me when she found out Taitiann was studying law." He mimicked her look and Miriam laughed.

"But what should I do?" she asked. "I'm afraid if I continue to encourage my students they will shut us down." She sighed. "Then where will I teach?"

Mrs. Fairchild shook her head. "Can't no one have dreams," she said.

"Grace," Mr. Fairchild said, trying to calm her.

"Come now, Ezra of all people you know this is true. We lost our home to such hate; the whole town was burned up. We came back, we rebuild, and now here the same hate comes in a different skin. The same hate, with a new host to do its bidding only this host has money; and lots of it too."

Ottaline who was sitting just behind them in the wagon spoke up. "That man Mr. Woodrow might be able to keep people away until we can move the school."

"Now wait there just a minute, Ottaline." Mr. Fairchild said. "No matter what side of his mouth Mr. Woodrow talks out of it won't mean you any good. You've got your family and friends to help you. That goes for all you girls. A person spoiled like that won't ever lend without wanting something in return."

"How is he spoiled?" Hannah asked. "Because he's rich? Mr. St. Cloud was rich. He helped us."

"Never mind, Hannah," Selene hushed her.

"Ya'll let me see what I can do about the school," Mr. Fairchild said. He then patted Miriam's knee. "You teach your children, Miriam. Don't tell them that they can...but don't tell them that they can't." he winked at her then flipped the reins for the draft to go faster.

Heloise sighed. The world seemed ridiculous to her when it was so easy for folks to get along if the just wanted to. There were even some white folks who didn't shop the St. Clouds because they served coloreds and some chided Mr. Calico for not making them wait after them when in his store.

When they reached the station everyone climbed out of the wagon to help Ladybird. Mr. Fairchild carried her heaviest bag while Hannah fought with Providence for not letting her carry another.

They walked down the train to the car close to the locomotive. People watched and whispered at the long line of young women.

"Now you remember to be safe," Mrs. Fairchild warned. "And don't go wondering around after dark."

"Yes, Aunt Grace," Ladybird said as she hugged her sisters. "I promise to be on my best behavior."

Grace smiled as she hugged her. "Oh, I'm not worried about that," she said rocking her from side to side as they embraced.

"I'll be back with Taitiann before you know it," Ladybird said then hugged her uncle last before stepping onto the train. The family stepped back as the remaining passengers boarded and the train started out of the station.

Ladybird looked through the glass of the window, unable to let it down for its close proximity to the smoke stack. She waved to her family until they passed out of view.