Chapter XLI:

The Civil War tore this country in two. I have seen the horrors of war without actually fighting. I was never made to be a soldier. That’s why I tried my best to stay away from the war. Too many people have died around me as it is. I didn’t need more to die around me. I figured that I would sit out from the war and just wait it out. Not like they were really looking for me anyway. Good for me. It wasn’t my war anyway. This wasn’t my country. Let them fight their own war. But I still had another problem on my hands.

Maddie and her siblings were still around. I didn’t understand why. Yes, I got them their precious duck. It should’ve ended there. I should’ve walked away.

“Do you want to come in?” Maddie asked. I blinked at first.

“Pardon?” I asked.

“Do you want to come in?” she asked again.

“Are you serious?” I asked.

“Yes,” the plump woman said. “Is that a problem?” I quickly shook my head.

“No! I would love to,” I said. Why did I say that? It got worse when I followed her into the house. Every time I try to distance myself from someone, the closer I get to them. That time, I was caught off-guard and accepted her invitation.

Maddie lived in a small hut. She took in orphans and runaways. Maddie was born. Her parents escaped while her mother was still pregnant with her. Well, more like her mother and uncle ran away. Maddie was tough back then. She had to be in order to survive out on the outskirts. She could pass herself off as a white woman with ease. Maddie could’ve had a great future. But then she had to go and meet me.

I ended up spending dinner with Maddie and her family. I felt so awkward sitting at the table with them. All of those little eyes stared at me. I didn’t know what to say at first. When was the last time that I had dinner with many people? This felt too weird.

Maddie walked over to the long table with the duck on her tray.

“Merry Christmas!” she said.

“Merry Christmas!” the children said back. I gritted my teeth and nodded. I shouldn’t be here. But here I was. I was about to dig into to a juicy duck with a woman and thirteen other children. Maddie placed it to the center of the table.

“Everyone, thank our guest for this wonderful Christmas dinner!” she said. All eyes turned to me.

“Thank you!” the children said. I sheepishly looked away. Maddie raised her eyebrow.

“Oh yeah, I didn’t quite catch your name,” she said. I lifted my head.

“Huh?” I asked.

“What is your name?” she asked. As if on command, I gave her my name. Her smile could warm up anyone’s dead heart.

“Well then, Mr. _____, nice to meet you,” Maddie said. “My name is Maddie. This is Abby, Stella, Abner, Winston, John, Thomas, Jessa, Heather, Simon, Benjamin, Adam, David, and Molly. Everyone, say hi.”

“Hi!” the kids said.

“Uh… nice to meet you,” I said.

“Can we eat now?” Thomas asked. Maddie cut him a cold look.

“Not until we say grace!” she said. I nervously chuckled to myself. When was the last time I did that? The little black boy huffed and sat back in his worn wooden chair.

“Fine,” he said.

“Bow your heads,” Maddie said. She and the children bowed their heads. I felt like I had to do the same.

“Dear lord,” she said. “Bless us for this meal. Thank you for this duck and Mr. _____’s presence. May we have another good year. Amen.”

“Amen,” the children said. They picked up their forks and knives and began eating. I looked down at my plate. Might as well dig in. I figured that I would slip away after dinner. I picked up my fork and took a bite. That duck turned out to be good.