CHAPTER 21
Headmaster Clarke’s heels  made an intimidating click click click as he walked down the row collecting final essays. For many of the students, these final essay of the year held their academic fate. Letters of recommendation to prestigious universities like William and Mary, Washington College, or the recently opened University of Virginia hung on the assignment. For Eddy, the essay was far more important than setting his academic path. It was the first step in his dream of becoming a writer.  The prospect of college didn’t hinge on the essay. His life did. 
As Clarke placed the reams of paper on his desk, the boys gathered their belongings. 
“Gentlemen,” the headmaster interrupted. “I have some news that will likely be discussed in social circles, and I would prefer that you heard it from me first.”
Half standing boys sank back in their seats. 
 “It is with a heavy heart that I must inform you of my departure. You see I have been given the opportunity to enter into the publishing world in the area of acquisitions. If you have learned anything about me, it is that literature is my life, and finding the next great writer will be, I believe, my life’s great achievement. To quote Shakespeare, it is my ‘end all and the be all’. As much as I have enjoyed teaching you all these years, I cannot pass up this offer. I will be gone by the first of July. I know this comes as a surprise to you, and for that I am deeply sorry. I realize that a number of you are relying on my letters of recommendation to enter college. To you, I will gladly oblige where I see fit, and for those of you entering Final Year, I have no desire to abandon you in your efforts either. I am taking great pains to insure that a new headmaster will come forth." 
A din of shock and whispers fluttered across the room. 
The headmaster continued, “I have taken it upon myself to write letters to each of your parents informing them of my decision, along with an invitation to a Town Hall meeting to address the future of the academy. Once my business affairs have been settled, I will look very forward to addressing concerns about the continuity of your education. I’m afraid that is all I can say on the matter for now. I wish you a good day, gentlemen. Carpe Diem.” 
The usual group of boys gathered at the riverside that afternoon to play card games, drink and talk about their futures. 
“I can’t believe Clarke is leaving.”
 “Who do you think will take over?”
 “It had better be someone good. My parents will kill me if I don’t get into a college.”  
One by one the boys expressed concern, excitement and confusion. They batted around names, and theories, including an acquisition by Mrs. Mackenzie’s School for Girls. 
“Co-educational studies are stupidest idea I’ve ever heard!”
“C’mon, Jack, you’d love to have a skirt or two sitting in front of you in class.”
“How would we get anything done?”
The argument continued like this for the better part of an hour. In the end they all agreed it would just make it harder to concentrate.
 “One thing is for sure,” announced Preston. “We need to give Old Man Clarke a send-off he’ll never forget.” 
The group voted unanimously that Eddy should be the one to pen a speech. He liked the idea, especially since it would mean having a chance at impressing a future acquisitions editor. Eddy knew Clarke already liked him, so this was a real opportunity. A speech would be the perfect chance to make a good impression on the man who just might get him published once and for all. [1]
Eddy took his time walking home that evening. No more excuses. It was time to confront Juliet about her secrets kept. He wasn’t looking forward to it. Wandering the streets of downtown Richmond, he forced himself into reckon with his confidence and quash his nerves. Finally, he forged down the Tobacco Alley, through the rear yard and into the kitchen where he knew he would find the girl. 
 “Haven’t seen y’all in awhile,” she said.  
 “Hello,” he said stoically. “Yes. It’s been some time.”
Juliet could sense something was not right. She tried to hide her furloughed brow. 
“Get cha somethin’?”
Eddy shook his head. “No, thank you. I do want to talk though. Maybe we can speak tonight? I’ve got my notes and I’m prepared to tell you everything I’ve learned.” He reeled internally at the double meaning. 
Juliet agreed to meet and Eddy’s demeanor instantly softened. She seemed genuinely interested in listening to what he had to say. The ill will he had harbored for over a week gave way to guilt as if by magic. Eddy wondered if Juliet hadn’t inherited a gift of Conjure from her grandmother after all. 
Late into the evening the house became quiet with Pa at a tavern, and Aunt Nancy reading quietly in her room. Ma had complained of fatigue, a growing concern, and retired to bed early. 
Eddy arrived in the kitchen with his notes. Juliet had set a fire on the hearth, more for ambiance than heat. 
“Well, Eudocia seems healthy,” he began. “Given her age, she appears to be well cared for by those in the neighboring cabins.”
Juliet listened intently as he recounted everything Eudocia had taught him about Lettie, from her work as a respected Mambo to her unfulfilled wish to reunite with her daughter, and granddaughter.
 “Despite the falling out, your grandmother loved your mother very much. Auntie Eu’ said she never forgave herself for not settling their affairs.”
Tears welling up in Juliet’s eyes. She sat back in the recess of darkness to hide the pool building on her lower lid, but the firelight only announced it with a twinkle.
“Thank you for that, Eddy.”
“You’re welcome.”
Eddy couldn't allow himself to feel any sympathy. Not yet. He needed all his strength to confront her with his last bit of news. 
“There is one more thing.”  
Here we go. 
“Aunt Eudocia, and I had a good talk that evening. She told me so much that I didn’t know. She really opened up towards the end. She said— well, there’s no way to put this lightly. She told me about… your plans.” 
The room became completely quiet. Juliet stared blankly at him in one final, desperate attempt to maintain her ignorance.
“What de devil you talkin’ bout?” She protested awkwardly. 
Eddy watched as Juliet’s soft smile faded. He trained his eyes on her, and kept his face neutral as though he was playing poker with the boys at the river. She kept her stare trained don him as well until finally, she looked down, closed her eyes to grasp the reality of her now lost secret, and fought to maintain her signature composure. 
“She tol’ you.” 
“— Accidentally, yes. She thought I knew since… you know, since we are so close,” he said with vague sarcasm. 
“Some thin’s are best left unsaid, Eddy,” she murmured. Eddy couldn’t tell if she was sad, angry, scared, or perhaps a little bit of each. Despite it all, he couldn’t stand to be so cruel. He had to put her at ease.
“In Eudocia’s defense,” he began, “she didn’t tell me much. She said it out of concern, really. She’s worried for you, and now so am I.”
Embers popped on the hearth.
“Please, Jules. Talk to me. Whatever you’re planning, you know you can trust me. If I were to wake up one morning and you were gone forever, I would be lost.”
 “You would be fine,” she assured.
 “No, I wouldn’t. It would be the end of me.”
 It took everything for Juliet not to roll her eyes. Eddy and his dramatics. 
“An’ should I remain, t’will be the end of me,” she rebutted. She was staring intently at him now, the tables turned. Finally, Eddy turned away.  
 “You don’t get it, do you?” She continued. “You cain’t never truly understan’ my station. Oh, you think you do, but you don’t. You think just because we shared a childhood, we the same. We ain’t. You got the world at your feet, an’ you don’ even know it. You gon’ be a man in a blink, or two, Eddy. You got money. You got education. You white. Me? What do I got? Nothin’. Tis like my mama used to say, ‘dem dat gots, gets.’ Don’t matta’ the Allans been good to me. I know it could be plenty worse, but can’t you see? I want more. I deserve more. I need more, Eddy. You think you got it all worked out. Your plan to go to Boston and take me with you? And then what? That ain’t no plan, Eddy. That’s a dream. Boston ain’t gon’ cut it.”
 “But Africa??” He asked incredulously. 	
“SSSHHHHHHH!! Keep it down! You got’ get me found out.”
“Sorry…” he whispered. “Liberia? Monrovia?”
The tension in the room persisted. Eddy chose his words wisely. 
“Look, Jules. You have my word that I won’t tell a soul, but I have to ask. How exactly are you planning on getting there? Any ticket is going to cost you, and how are you going to raise any money without anyone finding out?” 
“There’s a plan afoot. Whole mess of people trying to help. Good people. White. Black. Some missionary folk callin’ themselves d‘Merican Colonization Society. They the ones headin’ the whole thing up. They helping folks get a ticket.” Juliet broke her tension filled trance.  “I just got one problem to deal with. An’ it ain’t the money.”
“Tell me. What is it?” 
“I need my papers. This gonna sound strange, but… I’m not so sure who holds them. Seem everyone else know where to look but me. Dabney is beholden to your Uncle Galt. Mama was with Mr. Ellis ‘Marse’ [2], and for a time I was too, but I been lent here hither an’ yon’ so many times I don’t right know anymore, and it ain’t like I can ask.” 
Eddy listened intently. He hated to see Juliet so upset. He had to help, even if it meant putting his own needs aside for once. 
“I’ll find out.”
“How?”
“Pa has me working at Ellis & Allan this summer, remember? He and Mister Ellis are in and out of that office all day long. Sometimes I stop by and no one is there for hours. That’s why I’m working in the office. In case someone comes in. So I’ll have access to all their files. All of them.”
Juliet was stunned by the gesture. 
“Eddy. Why would you do that for me?”
“You’re my best friend, Juliet,” he said emphatically.