Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: WEAK (07/22/21)
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TITLE: I Gots to Go | Previous Challenge Entry
By Arlene Baker
07/29/21 -
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Yes, my daughter, it is I.
Why is I seein’ you dis time? Is I dead?
No, daughter. You are very much alive. I have a great work for you to do.
A great work for me? How is dat possible? I be just poor, uneducated. I ain’t got no power. What You thinkin’ I can be doin’ for you?
You will set my people free.
But, I ain’t free. How can I do dat?
By trusting me. I am your strength. Your power. I am everything you will need on this journey. It will be hard. Dangerous. But, I know you can and will do it.
Minty awakened to find herself flat on her back, staring up into a brilliant, blue sky. Too brilliant.
“You okay?” Her husband’s face floated above her, to the left. “You fainted. Again.”
She sat up. Slowly moved her head. Checked her limbs. Nothing appeared broken or bruised. John offered a strong hand as Minty pulled herself to her knees, then clambered to her feet.
“I’s fine. I told you ’bout dese faintin’ spells. Been getting’ dem ever since dat man threw dat anvil an’ whacked me in my head.” She rubbed it. “Not sure if I’s blessed or cursed. Ever’ time I goes out, Jesus talks to me. Ain’t many folks what can brag on dat.”
“What he be tellin’ you dis time?” John asked with a slightly curled lip.
Minty shook her head.
“You thinks I’s crazy so’s I cain’t tell you.”
“No, no. Cross my heart. Dis time I believes you.” John took Minty’s arm to lead her to a nearby stool. “Please tell me. I’s your husband. I gots to know.”
“Jesus tells me I gots to set my peoples free.”
John’s eyes widened as he backed away from his young wife. “Yep.” He shook his own head. “ You’s crazy, for shore.”
“Dat’s why I doesn’t want to tell you nothin’. You ain’t believin’ me. I gots to go, John. Jesus is callin’ me. I gots to go.”
“You’s crazy,” he repeated. “Plumb crazy,” he threw over his shoulder as he stalked away.
Night after night, Minty thought and prayed while as John slept next to her.
Jesus, he be always accusin’ me of crazy, but he ain’t understandin'. He be freeborn. He ain’t got dat ache for freedom.
She shuddered.
John stirred with a moan.
“What be troublin’ you now, Minty?”
“John, John.” She nestled against his strong body. “Please be goin’ wid me. Please.”
John pulled away. “Dere you go wid dat crazy talk again. I ain’t goin’ nowheres.” He glared. “An’ neither is you.”
“I gots to, John. I’s your woman, but Master owns me. He can wake up tomorrow decidin’ to sell me off like he already done wid my sisters. Ain’t nothin’ you or me can do against him. Nothin’. I gots to be free. I gots to go. I needs you wid me.”
John shook his head. “You’s crazy, woman.” He turned away and fell back to sleep. Minty sighed.
“I gots to go,” she whispered into the stillness. “I gots to. Jesus done told me. I gots to free my peoples. But, first I gots to free me.”
Weeks later, Minty crossed over the border to free Pennsylvania where she found refuge among friendly abolitionists.
“What is your name?” One of the leaders, acting as clerk, asked. “We keep records of all escapees.”
Minty paused.
“I’s Harriet.” She stood as tall as her petite frame allowed. “I calls myself Harriet now for my mama.”
“Harriet it is.” He dipped a quill in ink and formed the word without a single blotch. “Harriet…?”
“Tubman, after my man.”
A few weeks passed before Harriet suffered another spell.
“Are you ill?” Her hostess’ face floated above Harriet and to her left. “You were enjoying afternoon tea with me and suddenly fainted.”
“It be nothin’ Miss.” Harriet struggled to sit up. “I’s gettin’ dese spells for years.” She paused. “I ain’t mindin’ cuz Jesus talks to me den.”
“He does?” the gentlewoman asked in an awed whisper. “Truly, Jesus talks to you? Whatever does he say?”
“Dis time He sez I gots to go back.” Harriet pushed herself to her feet and threw her shoulders back. “It be time to save my peoples.”
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