Excerpt from Serpentina: THE JOURNEY

The rendezvous spot was a secluded cave several miles from the plantation. Vivienne had slipped away early each morning before the slave quarters came to life. She entered the cave and felt along a small ledge until her hand fell upon the stub of a candle and the box of kitchen matches that were hidden there. She lit the candle, held it above her head...and waited. Finally after a week of mornings, Vivienne's prayers were answered. Today, the tried - and - true signal would bring about the desired event. She lit the candle and, within moments, a tall, dark man stepped into the light. When the young man looked upon his sister's face, he broke into a wide white grin and in two long strides he reached her, and the two meshed in a deep embrace. "Son, Son," she greeted him, using the familiar shortened version of his name. "Let me get a look at you." Vivienne stepped back and looked lovingly at her younger brother. Since they had last met nearly a year before, she had missed him terribly. "I haven't changed. I sure am glad to see you, Sustuh," her brother replied. His smile was almost blinding within the semi-darkness of the cave. "How have you been?" "I been fine, busy like always. And yes, you have changed, you are even prettier than you was last year. I bet them northern women can't wait till you get back," she teased. "You know better than anybody that I don't have time for no women. You keep me too busy!" A knowing glance passed between the siblings before Jayson got down to the business that had brought him to this hideout. "I saw Doc last week. He gave me your message. What is so important that I had to get here three weeks early? I didn't get a chance to put any o' my seeds in the ground." "You know, Doc will tend your seeds," Vivienne said. Her tone had lost its lightheartedness of a moment before. She now grew very, very serious. "Everything is set. I have passengers for you." "Big Sustuh, you always have passengers for me," Jayson stated, still smiling down at her but aware of the change in her mood. "I got one from DuPourche," was her soft reply. "What are you talkin' about? You know that's too dangerous. You've never given me one o' your own." He stopped his questioning to give her time to explain. "This one has to go," was her succinct, definitive answer. "Who is it?" Jayson asked, knowing that it didn't matter. He would take anyone his sister secured for the trip, and they both knew it. "A child. I fear that danger is coming." Jayson nodded in resignation. "All right. I'll be ready tomorrow. You know the time." Vivienne nodded and changed the subject. She feared that if she didn't stop thinking about his leaving and taking the girl with him, that she would break down and cry. That would only make him worry. He had enough of a burden on his heart without worrying about her. "I hope I brung you enough food. Sometimes I forget how big you are." She handed him the bag that she had packed and repacked faithfully each time she had come and not found him there. When he reached for it, she turned away and used her apron-tail to wipe away the tears that threatened to escape from the corners of her eyes. "It takes a lot o' eatin' to fill up a frame the size o' yours.