Eddy took his time leaving the Standard home. He crossed the street to Capitol Square, and took in the city below. The view of Richmond was a breathtaking from here. Gentle hillsides rolled in and out of one another, cast in a warm evening glow. Farmhouses dotted the distant landscape, and he could see far across the river into the village of Manchester. Thin trails of black coal smoke rose up from chimneys throughout the city. Through this panorama ran the silvery ribbon of the James River. 
Eddy slung his book strap over his shoulder, and walked ten blocks along Broad Street until he reached Uncle Galt’s house where he followed the sound of a blacksmith’s hammer. The sweating coachman didn’t notice him enter. 
 “Hey Dabney,” Eddy called out. 
Dabney Dandridge was a tall young man in his early twenties. Like Juliet, he was considered a servant instead of a slave- as if that made much of a difference. Dabney was a constant throughout Eddy’s life; and made for a suitable big brother type when his own brother, Henry Poe, couldn’t be there for him.
“Eddy,” Dabney wiped his brow to talk. “What you doin’ up this way? Come to see your uncle?”
 “No. Actually, I came to see you.”
Dabney looked confused as Eddy explained. 
“I wanted to know if you might be going out to the plantation again this week?”
“I go every week.”
“Would you kindly deliver a package for me?” 
“Who for?” 
“Eudocia. I have a gift for her.”
“Not sure that’s necessary, Eddy.”
“Perhaps, but I really want her to have this. Also, Dab, I never got to thank you for helping me set up that meeting.” 
“T’was nothing, Eddy. You get whatcha need?” 
“Definitely,” he smiled. “If you would be so kind as to give this to Eudocia personally, I’d be ever grateful.” 
“What is it?” He asked, taking the muslin wrapped package. 
“Something I think she’ll appreciate.” Eddy replied.
===
When Eddy arrived home, he spotted the day’s mail on the entry table. Sitting atop the stack was Headmaster Clarke’s letter informing parents of his retirement. He gently opened the corner of the envelope to peek inside, but as flashes of childhood beatings for lesser crimes flashed I his memory, he laid it back down. 
Over dinner, he asked John about the academy’s Open House. He was pleasantly surprised to find the man just as eager to talk about the event as he was. With only a year of school remaining before college, the topic of Senior Year was important to all. 
“You may accompany me to the Open House if you like. The letter says students are welcome.”
Eddy wasn’t sure if he was more excited to learn about the school’s future, or about having an evening out with his foster father. It had been so long since the two men shares a moment together. 
“By the by, Sir. Do you think you’ll have a chance to speak with Headmaster Clarke about my writing soon?” His voice was filled with hope. 
“I don’t know, Eddy.”
 “But Sir…”
John gave a long exhale. “All right. I’ll make an appointment with Mr. Clarke next week. How’s that?”
“It means a lot to me, Pa.”
“Very well,” continued John. “You’re negotiating. This is good. Perhaps business is in your blood after all. Alright Eddy. I give you my word. I will try to get you published. But as this is a negotiation, I want something in exchange. If this little writing  arrangement doesn’t work out, there will be no more wasting your time, nor mine with these useless stories. Do you understand?”
If there was anything Eddy understood, it was that he was making a deal with one of Richmond’s more shrewd businessmen. He knew how this would go if he wasn’t successful. He had to be. There was no going back now. 
Eddy swallowed hard and stuck out his hand, “Yes, Sir. I understand.”