Journey to the HeartBy: XXX

In Richmond Virginia, I, May (Mayanne), lived with my friends at the Patterson Plantation. I have always wished for a family. My ma died of cancer, my pa traveled to Canada. I am an only child. But since age 4, when my ma died, I treated Charlene as my own sister. Charlene is tall, and also very weak. She was born weak, because her ma caught the flu. Charlene is an understanding friend. I never knew who my pa was. I hope someday when I’m ready I’ll escape to Canada with the help of Charlene. It was 3:00am in the early morning. It was still dark. I never got used to waking up this early. “Rush, rush, rush!” Charlene said. She struggled to get up. She leaned to the wall for support. I walked over to her to help her balance. “May, my back ain’t go’in to make though this year!” Charlene felt awful these 2 days, from all the kneeling down and picking cotton. We both walked towards the door, then I pushed open the door. “You just hang on Char. Just before winter this season, I promise we’ll escape. I know, I just know you’ll make it. Promise me that?” I was really serious. “I don’t know, May. I don’t know anything any more. I don’t wanna promise and not keep it.” She looked pale. She wasn’t very healthy. The slave trader, Tom Norwell, handed each of us a tiny brown cup of food. “Charlene, how did you ever pick that much cotton yesterday?” Mitchell asked “Well, Mitchell um…” Charlene looked at me. “May helped.” Then Tom started yelling at Charlene & I, “You bunch of nigger girls better shut your mouths or the whips will have to come in!” His blue eyes glared at us. I got scared. I’ve always hated whips. I already have 2 scars, 1 on my right arm, and also one on my right leg. Those scars remind me of hatred. I hope when I get to Canada there will be freedom, and harmony. Tom passed Charlene a wooden old bowl, then me. I gave my breakfast to Charlene. “But…” Charlene didn’t understand. “I’m sick of these corn caked. I ain’t getting stronger by something I’m sick of. Go ahead Char, eat it all up.” She then quickly ate all of the 2 corn cakes. We soon began to work. We looped a basket over our necks to drop all the cotton we’ll pick into. We had to pick at least 20 pounds of cotton for the morning and 20 also for the afternoon. To all the others slave plantation that was a small amount of cotton per day, but for we slaves that made us work like animals. Tons of nasty bugs flew like crazy around us while we worked. They were really “bugging” me. “ I say we are not animals! May, I really do hope to escape to the so-called Free Land, Canada fast. I don’t want stay here a moment longer!’’ Charlene said that pretty loud & proud. “ Shhhh! If Tom or any other slave traders hear us, we’ll do no more saying or dreaming!’’ I secretly whispered. “We got a mission. And we’ll keep it a secret, you hear?” She nodded back. Charlene’s back could only reach the bottom branches of cotton. Soon all the bottom cotton was picked. Only the bare branches showed. I gave some of my cotton to Charlene. She looked up. I smiled, then she did too. Her smile was like no others, and her lips were tender. She smiled with sweetness like sugar. That brought me great joy in my heart.Then we picked no more or no less than 20 pounds. We walked back to our wooden cabins. “Hey, May, gal, did ya hear?” Mitchell asked. Mitchell enjoyed asking people things he already knew. “Hear what?” I said, “There’s a 21 year old slave who just came today. They say he came from one of the toughest slave plantations there is! He picked over 100 pounds in one day!” I was shocked! “Charlene, I’m go’in go to see the new slave. You stay. I’ll rush back as quickly as possible!” I quickly walked with Mitchell to a cabin, 4 cabin away from ours. Mitchell swung open the door. There sat a strong, tall, black slave on old rag full of holes and patches. He was so tall. I didn’t know if the big oak tree beside the cabin near by was taller. He had huge muscles, and he could probably lift up a whole wagon. His eyes showed anger. I didn’t feel very welcome. He sat in the corner, eating a corn cake. “What do you two want?” His voice was deep but tender.” “Um… sorry to bother you but we were just wondering if you can tell us a little about yourself?” My teeth chattered as I spoke. I didn’t want to get hit by a strong 21 old black man. I might get a bone broken. “Fine, but not today. Maybe when I’m ready.” He seemed kind enough to be a friend of mine, once you think of his muscles you’ll get shivers down your back. “Okay, That’s fine with us too. So when you’re ready just come to the forth cabin to the right. By the way what’s your name?” I asked “The name is James. James Pearl.” “Alright James Pearl see you tomorrow at work.” I rushed back as fast as my legs could carry me. We headed off. I got to our cabin. I saw poor, weak Charlene sitting in the middle of the floor. The differences between Charlene and James were huge. I suddenly felt sorry for Charlene. I went to sit down beside her. I told her what had happened about my getting scared and how James would be a big help in our escape. We both agreed that James should be in the journey. Now the question was how were we going to get there?One hot evening, when we were all at work, Tom would normally whip the elders. He would do this because their pace was to slow. He would say, “Pick up the pace you bunch of turtles! I don’t got all day ya know!” Personally, I think it was wrong to compare a human being to an animal. He should respect his elder more often, but today he didn’t say or whip anyone. (Not that I want him to or anything) I thought it was strange. I didn’t understand why. Then I noticed that under the big oak tree sat a white man. He had a strange tone to the words he said, and he had a long beard. His eyes were tiny but also serious. “So Massa Ross, it’s nice of you to come all the way from Canada to visit Virginia and study our birds.” Tom said in a nervous voice. I wondered if he knew much about freedom, I could ask. But then again, that was a risk I was not willing to take.In the lonely, dark night at about 11:40, I said something, “Charlene do ya think we should escape to Canada? It’s gonna be dangerous.” “I don’t care. I’d rather die trying to escape than die being a slave!” I thought it over. Should I risk it? At that moment I really didn’t know. Then my eyes felt heavy and I soon fell asleep.The next morning, I kept looking at Massa Ross, but not eye to eye. That was a strike rule, and rules mean we all had to obey it or a bunch of whips. Today the old mean Tom was back. Somehow, he thought that life was a game, and whipping poor slaves was part of the game. I slowly picked the white puffy cotton. Somehow, it reminded me of clouds. “Pick-up the pace you nigger girl!” Suddenly a whip slashed down on my shoulder. “Why did he do that? It’s not fair!” I thought. I wanted to crouch down and cry, but a faint memory came to my mind. I remembered that my pa told me to never cry. If I did, he would be ashamed of me if I did. He said to never give up or give in, and believe in yourself. He said a lot of stuff like that but I couldn’t remember everything. I would secretly ask James if he wanted to escape with Charlene and me. Then a little later on I’ll ask Massa Ross about Canada I planed. Massa Ross really didn’t seem like a person who would whip someone. But hey, never judge a book by its cover. So then after work, I decided I was serious about asking Massa Ross and James to help. Especially from what Tom did, and what pa had once said. Charlene said she was scared, and didn’t want to ask. I understood her. “James, um…?” “Oh, Okay. I come from the Mississippi, and I tried to escape once and I got whipped. I have a family, a wife, and a child of my own. They are called May-Lilly and David. My child is 4 years old this year, and is real proud of me. He even thinks I make the sun rise, and fall. Also I can read. There that’s about all, happy?” He spoke really quickly, but clearly. I heard every word he said. Will he try to escape with us? What if something happened? Think of the poor child of his! “Um… James…” I sat down beside him. “Would you like to be free?” I was trying to take it slowly, not to sudden. “Who wouldn’t?!” He answered in a calm voice. I took that as a yes. “Okay then.” This is it! I thought. “Would ya like to come with Charlene and I to Canada?” I said it quickly and quietly. “What?” I spoke too quickly and quietly, I guess. So I repeated it again, but this time I said it clearly and loudly like James did. Everything was still. I could hear my heart beat. Boom, boom, and boom. The pattern kept going. This was a big step for James. I would understand if he didn’t want to escape. “Sure,” Was all he said. I walked away. I didn’t smile or laugh but inside I was really grateful that James had said yes in a way. I was walking towards the big oak tree where Massa Ross sat. His eyes were closed. Was he asleep? Would he be angry if I woke him up? Suddenly, his eyes opened. I gasped. I was about to run away when he gently held my right arm. I stood there looking the plain ground, not knowing what I should do next. “My, poor gal. What a scare! Did Tom whip you?” He said. I didn’t answer. I felt bad for not answering. He understood why I didn’t answer. “Come with me.” He whispered. I tagged along. We walked to the woods. He looked around for trouble. “Listen, I’m an abolitionist. He added softly. “What?” I looked puzzled “I’m someone who disagrees with slavery.” Could I trust a white man who calls himself an abolitionist? I only knew him for what? A few minutes. “I’m here to help. But don’t tell anyone.” “Okay.” I muttered. I walked away. Should I even tell Charlene? Then what about James? Could he lie? What about Mitchell? No way! He’ll just run around and tell others. Who should I tell? Oh. Lord helps me! I thought. Then, maybe I should tell Charlene now, and maybe a little later on I’d tell James. He’s nice. I thought again. I’m ready to escape. I have hope! I will make it! Think positively. A little later on … “Do you trust him?” Charlene asked. “He’s a jolly good man.” I answered “So, what if it’s a trick?” “Why would anyone come all the way from Canada to trick a couple of nigger slaves like us? And also, I see trust in his eyes.” “Fine you win, You always win! But if we get tricked don’t come crying to me!” Charlene can be a little stubborn.Days went by without notice. Soon summer came. All the fresh grass grew dull. It was like an animal that would change each season, and never grew old. Massa Ross and I would always meet by the oak tree in the evening and chat about Canada. For example, which way was the safest and short way up to Canada? So, we are still in Richmond, Virginia. Home of the South. Nothing yet has crossed our mind. James is getting along great with us. He’s going to be such help! He can read and he’s so strong. And plus he knows his way around the US. I’m very nervous and excited about our escape. I also learned to trust Massa Ross. Charlene is in good shape, but her back is a bit sore sometimes. Tom really likes James. He rarely whips him, and gives him more corn cake in recognition of his hard work. Pa said there’s a downside to everything, but I haven’t seen any for James! Tom’s wife Alina, the blond angel, often comes around and studies us while we work. She talks to Massa Ross in the morning an awful lot. Old Tom doesn’t seem so glad about that, but he is making a lot of money these days. You could easily tell by the slimy smile always on his face. I have not changed a lot, or at least I don’t feel I have. It was a Sunny day when my life was soon about to change. I was picking cotton, and also helping Charlene pick the high ones as usual. Then a little later in the day, Massa Ross called me over with all the rest. “I have something very important to tell you all, so listen carefully. Today is a Tuesday alright.” He paused. “I thought it over carefully and decided you should escape on Wednesday night.” The words “escape on Wednesday night” jerked me to attention. Wow, tomorrow night? I was so startled. “Really? Tomorrow?” Charlene questioned. “Yes. We’ll have to work quickly. I’m going to disguise you two girls as boys, okay?” “A-Okay!” Charlene sounded positive, unlike me. “You all get ready. It’s going to be a big day tomorrow!” Massa Ross said.At our cabins Charlene and I packed our belongings. A hankie, to put food or any other small things into. A compass, some kind of weird map, I guess. Massa Ross gave it to us earlier on. I don’t really ever know what it is or even has to use it. But James sure does. A knife, for cutting, a blanket to keep us warms during the cold nights, and other stuff. So, am I really ready?It was the afternoon of Wednesday. “Everyone ready?” “Yes” We said. Only I was nervous. “Okay, then James come tonight when you hear 3 calls of the whippoorwill. Then, on the next 3 calls, you two gals come. Be ready, you won’t have long girly black hair any more. You hear me? Take all your belongings. I’ll explain the details tonight. Oh yes, meet me at the tallest tree in the woods!” He pointed at it. I sure could see it clearly. It would be easy to find. Hours flew by. I was still nervous. Everyone else in our cabins was asleep but Charlene and I. Massa Ross said about following the North Star if we ever lost the compass. I didn’t know how to use it anyway. “Hey, Char you never talked about what happened to your ma.” I asked. I sort of pushed her shoulders. She turned around and sighed. “She died after my birth, because of the flu somehow.” I shouldn’t have asked. “Sorry,” I muttered. “It’s okay. I planned to tell you tonight anyway.” I felt better. “My pa went missing the day before my birth.” Charlene said, “I pretty much think he escaped to Canada.” I heard the first 3 whippoorwill calls. “You can sleep. I’ll listen for the next call.” I patted her shoulder. “You sure?” I nodded. She turned back around and fell fast asleep. I waited and waited. It felt like forever! Suddenly, there it was the second 3 whippoorwill calls. I shook Charlene. She woke up as fast as light without any sound. We tied our belongings in the blanket and tied it up on a stick. I pulled the knot tight and strong. I hunched it over my shoulder. We both quickly tiptoed to the door. I pushed it open. We were outside. The night was dark and I was grateful for it. It kept us under cover. I saw a figure up ahead. It was James. He had shorted his hair. My long braided pigtail would soon be cut, and so would Charlene’s. James quickly cut our hair to look like boys. Massa Ross started talking, “Okay, now change into these clothes. Later throw away your other one’s in the nearby swamp you’ll have to cross. I’ll need to escape here also. I’ll meet you all at the border of Canada, near Lake Erie. I’ll look different, don’t be surprised. I’ve told James lots of in????ation, like how to set a fire and so on. Travel at day and sleep in the night. Be careful! I must go!” He headed the other way. James handed us the “boy clothes”. They were plain and dull. We changed into them, and wore boots with a jacket over them. As we headed for the swamp, my body felt heavy. James was kind shy. He rarely talked. I scattered my other clothes in the swamp. I wished it was winter. Then I could have walked over. Only 2 or 3 more months, we walked almost to the edge of the forest. “Hand me your blanket Charlene.” James said in a calm tone. He compared our blanket with his. “Mine is a bit bigger.” “But for what?” I asked to myself. I saw he was building a tent. “Put all ya stuff in. You two can sleep a while. I’ll stay on guard for slave traders.” James sounded tired too. Anyway, I felt asleep on the blanket beside Charlene. I dreamed of Canada, and no more Tom! Even maybe, just maybe, I could learn to read and write and play with other children my age at a school! I could even maybe find my pa, Sam Patterson. Wow, it’s been so long! Just thinking of Canada, a single teardrop tumbled from my right eye. Maybe, it was too good to become the real thing, and maybe it’s just a dream. “Wake-up. It’s night.” James gently shook me. “Already?” I yawned. My eyes opened. Charlene was already up sitting by my side. Time to move on. We packed our blanket and other belongings. “May, if you see or hear anything strange tell me at once. You hear?” James said. “Yep, I hear.” I answered back. Nobody talked, and we just walked quickly. I knew Charlene well. She was a real talker. She wanted to say something, I knew she did. She had a piece of her mind she wanted to say, and I was right. “Where are we?” Charlene busted out “Almost at the border between Virginia and Pennsylvania.” James muttered. “I think.” He added. The peace was broken. “How much more to Canada? My toes are kill’in!” Charlene said out again. “Better get used to it, we’re far from the border.” James said. Charlene groaned. Suddenly James pushed us back with his arms. “Shh, somebody comin’ our way.” He whispered with a finger on his lips. His muscles were big. Could he battle a white man and win? I wondered. Maybe! We were still covered by the thick trees of the forest, but just to be on the safe side had to be quite still. A wagon rolled by. “Stay, and don’t move a muscle!” James walked up closer, but still under the shade of the trees. The wagon didn’t move. It was tough, waiting for something to happen. James poked his head out of the trees. A deep voice said “Friends with a friend.” James studied the man carefully, then waved at us. “Come! It’s safe!” We can up to him. “Hello, you three young men!” We had fooled the man in the wagon. He had a long square face, with puffy cheeks. “Hoop on! There’s a little room under the hay.” He was a friendly guy. I never thought there was such a thing called “a nice white man”, until I met Massa Ross and this guy. “What’s your name?” The words popped out of my mouth. “The name’s Steve! They used to call me Sunny Steve!” What a jolly man he was! I liked his personality .I climbed under the hay. It was quite squishy in there. Normally only 2 people can fit in, but because of skinny Charlene, we may have won a wagon award. Charlene, boy, she could fit anywhere! The wagon moved on the bumpy road. KLUMP, KLUMP, KLUMP, it sounded. I felt sick to my tummy. The wagon suddenly stopped. I almost fell forward, because it was so sudden. I wondered what the matter was? We heard the sound of 2 horses. Then another sounds that of a young man saying something to Steve. “We’re check’in for 3 run away slaves. We’d better check the hay.” They said. “I got nothing living in there, but maybe a few bugs.” Steve started to climb down from the seat. “Still we’d better check.” Said another man between the age of 20 to 25. I pushed over to the farthest corner. A man pushed his hands where I was just lying! Wow, our luck! “Sorry. You’re right. We’d better get going. Don’t want to waste time!” The voice got fainter. “Massa Ross said old Tom doubled the search team, because he said the 3 slaves were really strong. He got paid an awful lot. He was really angry when he found out you guys were gone.” Steve said softly. “Well, at least they’re gone!” We continued on the bumpy road, until we stopped at an unknown place. The grass was wild, and thick trees surrounded it. A small barn was in the center. It was made out of wood, and brightly painted a light green color. It was camouflaged well with all the grass and trees. “This is a top secret hide out. Nobody yet has been caught here. I think you’ll all be safe here, but just in case those scary slave catchers come there’s a back door under the hay. Here, this stuff is for you on your journey. Be careful out there! It’s a dangerous world!” Steve’s voice shook with fear. We nodded. Charlene and I waved, “Good bye!” Then we ran inside the barn. We unwrapped a polka-dotted handkerchief. “Wow! Food!” I cried. My hunger took the better of me. There was butter, bread, a twist-on cap bottle full of water, a doughnut, a fork, a knife and a little jar of sugar. “I haven’t eaten anything for a long time!” Charlene stared at everything. “This isn’t enough for the three of us. I’ll see if I can catch a fish or a deer or something. Eat as much as you can. Bye for now!” James grabbed a bow and arrow and also a net. He walked off quickly. “Wait! James, what if the slave…” I ran to the door. He was long gone. I ate a little. I was a bit worried about James. I knew he was big and strong, but still I worried about him more than ever. Charlene was quiet. She was worried too. You could tell that by the way she was breathing. Big long breathes, with a sigh once in a while. A faint baying sounded in the distance. I got up quickly, and so did Charlene. Then a loud cry “AAHHH!” It sounded like James! Charlene and I looked at each other. If that was James, think about what will happen to us! Two little thin girls named Mayanne Maxwell and Charlene White. “Run, Charlene, we have to go now! Right now! Hurry!” I yelled at the top of my lungs. We gathered all the leftover food and supplies, and dove for the door. “I found it!” Charlene said in relief. “Quick! Go!” I said. We slipped under the small door. Charlene went first. I covered the door up. It was about half the size of us. We ran though the grass. It was hard. We kept running. “Ow!” Charlene stopped. Her back couldn’t take the pain. I ran over. I bent down. “Climb on! Hurry!” She wondered for a second. “I owe you big, May!” She got on. “OH! No need. I’m fine,” I struggled. I tried not to show that she was heavy. Then she would get off for sure. I ran as quickly as possible. It was more like fast walking. I sighed. “Are you tired? I’m fine now. I can get off. It’s okay. Really.” Charlene got off. I fell down. “Oh my! May.” “Yeah?” I muttered still lying there. “Oh, I’m so sorry. I should have gotten off earlier!” Charlene helped me up. I smiled to show that I was okay. Charlene didn’t smile back like she normally would. I hugged her. She held tight. I smiled again. This time so did she. Weeks and weeks flew by like light. I had forgotten my own birthday! Each step was closer to Canada. Now, right now, we’re at Erie! We have to go on a boat soon. We haven’t seen slave catchers for a while! I think they gave up on us. The whole place was crowed. We waited for Massa Ross to come. We waited in a dark little corner with lots of weeds growing in the cracks. “I’m bored,” I sighed. “Hey, I know. I know a fun game we could play! It’s called: Rock, Paper, and Scissors!” “Charlene, we don’t have those!” I remarked. “I know, I know! We use our hands! See.” Charlene showed me a fist, a peace sigh, and a flat out sign. “Uh? I don’t get it! I really don’t!” I said. “This is the rock, see? Round shaped.” She explained. The fist stood in front of me. This is a paper, and this is the scissors! Snap, snap. See?” She went on. “Okay, so?” I was still confused. “So? Rock smashed scissors. Paper course rock. Scissors cut paper!” “No! This is a hand. Not paper or anything! I don’t like this game. It’s hard to understand.” I said. Charlene really didn’t care much, but she did like that game. I still didn’t understand. We looked around for Massa Ross. I got up, then later so did Charlene. Finally we both saw it. A man in a trench coat. “Come on!” I cried. We ran in the crowd, looking down and covering our hands so nobody would know we were black. Nobody bothered to look. They were too busy. I looked up a tiny bit. Massa Ross stood in the same place. We weren’t for. I knew it was him by his hair and he did say his beard was going to be gone, and also his eyes. He recognized me. “May? Wow! I heard about James. Pity. What a young man!” He whispered. He looked thin. I bet I did too. “Where’s Charlene? Is she okay?” He asked. Oh no! I thought. I forgot about her! I couldn’t yell her name. What should I do? He saw the worried look on my face. “Okay, I see. Listen carefully, May, we can’t risk going off to look for Charlene now, even if she’s your best friend! This place is crowding with slave catchers! They planned it. They’ve been waiting here for quite a while. Okay, see those trees? The ones with brown and orange leaves?” Massa Ross’ voice was deep. “Beside every boat to Canada? It’s fake. I know what you’re thinking, it’s impossible! But it’s true. Okay, remember the whippoorwill birdcalls? When you hear three calls, it means that the boat is covered with slave catchers. If you only one call, it means it’s safe. I’ll be with you. I’ve set up people.” I listened carefully to each word that came at of his mouth. “We’ll listen behind that garbage jump. Plug your nose!” he said. “I wonder if Charlene’s okay.” I muttered to myself. There we sat, behind a garbage jump. The smell was horrible. I hoped I would soon hear one whippoorwill call. The St. John boat had slave catchers on already. I was beginning to think the slave catchers were on every boat. Then out of the blue. A huge boat saying Mayflower came in. One whippoorwill call sounded in my ear. “The call!” I tapped Massa Ross on the shoulder. “Let’s go!” We quickly snuck on to the boat. The Mayflower was off to London Ontario. It wasn’t very far from here, I once heard James say. We did some pretty sneaky business if you really think about it. “I have to go. There’s a lot more black slaves to save. Oh yes, if I see Charlene or James, I will notify you at once!” Massa Ross left with a flash. I was on my own. I wondered if I would ever see James, Charlene or Massa Ross ever again. I’ll sure miss them. I would never be here without any of their help. I hid with the bags and packages. I got lonely by myself. The rumble and bumble made me seasick, even though we were not at sea. I also felt so hungry. I unpacked the food from Steve. It had gone moldy. Yuck! I couldn’t eat it. I fell asleep from the rocking of the boat. It was like a crib rocking a baby to sleep. The smooth sound of seagulls and waves were my lullabies. I woke up with a bump on my head. A crack of sunshine peeked from the wooden roof. The roof was made of bright orange paint. The sides were of metal. Was this Canada? The boat had stopped for a long time now. I stepped out a little tiny bit. The sun was bright. I could hardly open my eyes. I walked on the colorful stones. Wow! Was this Canada? Was I free? I walked under an evergreen tree. I glanced around. There was a fountain, but there were not a lot of people. I couldn’t speak. I couldn’t move. I couldn’t believe it! Wow, I was really here! I thought of how it probably was back at the Patterson’s. Now it was different, a fresh beginning. No more scars. I was sniffed the air, what a clean smell. I was free as air. Free as water flows. I was free as sound. “I AM FREE!” yelled out. I was not afraid of white people any more. I could get a job. I could buy a house. I could live free, and relax and enjoy life while I was still young. Maybe I would search for my pa, Sam Maxwell. I thought about how happy and grateful I was so much that I forgot about my friends! Was it worth losing my friends? I remember that Massa Ross said he would notify me if he hears from them. I could make more friends, but I should never forget Charlene and the others. For now, I’ll look for a place to stay. A nice 2 story house. Where I will live in happiness & freedom.

45 Years Later

I’m 57. I still remember the adventure I had when I was 12. I also remember my wonderful friends. I still live in London, Ontario. My pa is in British Columbia. I found out James lives in Saskatchewan with his wife and son. He’s grandfather now! I’m married woman, to a man called Joe Willer. We have a 27 years old daughter called Charlene and 21 years old son called James. Named after my friends so I’ll never forget their kind friendship they have shown me. I also have two granddaughters. They are both from Charlene named Angelina and Angelinda. They’re twins, and they’ll be 7 years old this August. I only live with Joe. He’s 59 now. I take a walk around the block every day after lunch. One day I went for my walk. What a wonderful day it was. “Good day, May!” My friend Justina said. I waved back. I came around a corner. I saw a lady around my age in a blue puffy coat. She looked me in the eye. I looked back. We didn’t say anything. We just stood there like statues. I took my hand from my pocket. I showed her a fist, a peace sigh, and a flat sign, then changed back to a fist. She took out her hand, and covered my fist. She held tight. From that moment on I knew she was my long lost friend. We smiled at each other. “Hello Charlene!” I smiled. “Hello, May!” She said with wink in an eye. I invited Charlene to move in with Joe and I until she finds herself an enjoyable job. And she did at end at The University Of Western Ontario. She got a Ph.D. in Economics. I was really happy for her, and still am till this day. So we all lived joyfully & peacefully ever after in a little place called London in Ontario.

THE ENDThank you reader for your cooperation for reading this story that I put a lot of hard work into. I hope you enjoyed much reading it as I did writing for you all. Thank you again, I truly appreciate it with all my heart. Journey to the Heart is by XXX