The Long Road Home

1881

Elizabeth Henshaw broke Edward's heart the day she left Gracey Manor. He begged her to explain why she recanted her decision to marry him. She would never tell him that Ramsley threatened to do physical harm to her and her father. His eyes so cold and filled with hatred that she believed him. She would never tell him that his parents did not wish to have her as a daughter-in-law nor did they want any grandchildren that would carry her blood. His inheritance would be stripped from him. It would be all her fault.

She said they needed time apart. They were young and naïve, and the world would not be kind to them. She would move to New York to be with her mother's people. Their love shouldn't face so many obstacles and the odds were insurmountable to overcome. She apologized for the pain she caused and wished him well.

She ignored his cries as she stumbled into the carriage. Tears were spilling down her cheeks while she stubbornly wiped them away. She had to live with this decision. Her love would survive this even though she may never fully recover.

June 1, 1906

"James Harrison, why must it be you? I am not comfortable with you going to Louisiana," Elizabeth told her son. "It isn't safe."

"It's not that safe in New York either," he argued. "Mother, I'll be fine. John is going with me."

Elizabeth sighed heavily. "He's white and won't be in danger. You will. You're defending a man accused of unspeakable crimes."

"I went to law school to help those who cannot or will not receive an adequate defense. You taught me to help the innocent. Believe in justice. When something is wrong, speak up and change it."

James Harrison, Elizabeth's only son, knew his mother had her own past. She rarely spoke about her time in Louisiana. He always assumed it was painful because of the hardship of slavery and servitude she and his grandparents endured.

"Mother, I will telegram you once I arrive. I will be careful and do my best to make you proud," he said.

Elizabeth tilted her head and smiled. "I'm always proud of you. I see that I taught you too well. You are a good man." She paused a beat before sobering up. "Remember, there are different rules in Louisiana. One misstep…"

"I know," he said softly. "Mama, I'm in God's hands. Everything will be alright."

xxx

James meets up with John Henderson, his colleague, at the train station.

"Mr. Henderson, I trust you'll look after my son. You be safe as well," Elizabeth said.

"Yes ma'am," John said and proceeded to board the train.

James said his goodbyes to Elizabeth. "I'll be in Louisiana in a couple of days."

He boards the train giving one last wave to Elizabeth before disappearing amid the smoke.

June 20, 1906

Elizabeth read the telegram in horror as her son recounted the horrible incident. He and John were ambushed by a group of white men on night as they left the office. Her knuckles turned white and her face ashen as the words imprinted on her brain.

She hastily grabbed a piece of paper from her desk.

"Dear James, my heart bleeds as I cry tears of despair. I was afraid this would be a consequence and my fear has been realized. I'm coming to Louisiana. I'll be there soon. "

xxx

Elizabeth's heart went into overdrive as she saw the New Orleans sign. She swore to herself that she would never come back. Too many memories to deal with it and her heart would be spared from emotional upheaval.

Now, she was about to face her son. She stepped off the trains, retrieved her belongings, and looked for him in the crowd.

"Mother," James greeted her with a smile. A smile he always plastered when he knew he was about to be in trouble. A smile he used to placate her. Not this time.

He hugged her, and she had the urge to slap the back of his head and then hug him. "Did you have a safe train ride?"

She narrowed her eyes warning him to stop with the formalities. His smile diminished some. "Come, the carriage is waiting."

Inside, Elizabeth is scrutinizing him. However, he doesn't appear to have any real remnants of the ordeal on his face. Her eyes travel to his hands. They were still healing.

"Mother, how long are you going to stare?" he questioned.

"Don't mother me," Elizabeth said sternly. "I can watch you like a hawk if I need to," she argued.

James only sighs at his mother's comment.

"Are you truly okay?" she asked after the silence became too much for her. Her voice soft and concerned at the same time.

"I'm fine," he answered carefully. "I have to be for my client."

She noticed they passed the hotel she was staying in. "We passed the hotel."

"We're not going to the hotel. We're meeting John and his father at the English Turn Country Club," James said. "John wants to formally apologize to you. He's scared of you quite honestly."

"He should be," Elizabeth said coldly. James recognized that mother bear tone. He knew his mother could be a force to be reckoned with when it came to him.

"Please show mercy on John as well. He did receive his fair share of bruises. Also, his father, wants to meet you as well."

Elizabeth leaned back in her seat. "I just stepped off the train."

"It's only for an hour at most," James relayed. "I promise."

xxx

John is nervously looking at the entrance. "Son, I'm sure Ms. Harrison will be understanding," he heard.

"You haven't met her. From what James has told me, the woman will have my hide."

"John, it will be fine. However, I do hope you'll be more careful," his father said.

John is the first to see James and Elizabeth. He watches Elizabeth go towards the ladies' rooms and breathes a bit. He beckons James to the table eventually.

"Hello gentlemen, my mother will be here in a moment."

Elizabeth counts to twenty to calm herself down and breathe. She looks in the mirror. "You can behave for one hour."

James spots her coming towards the table and promptly stands. John and his father stand as well.

"Mother, I would like for you to meet John's father, Edward Gracey," he said.

Elizabeth's heart drops to her stomach. She can't bring herself to speak or move as she stares into eyes that she has missed the last twenty-five years.

"Mr. Gracey, my mother, Elizabeth Harrison."

He, too, is as shocked to see her. He blinks and comes to his senses rather quickly. He slowly extends his hand for her to shake being the ever-present gentleman.

"Ms. Harrison, it's…it's a pleasure seeing you. You've raised a fine young man," he said pleasantly.

"Thank you. John, here, is a special young man."

James helps her sit and she wants to run far away from the country club. She can barely keep up with the conversation as she desperately tries not to stare at Edward.

"….Gracey Manor for dinner," she hears breaking her thoughts.

"We would love to," James accepted. "My mother has had a long day and must rest."

Edward nodded. "Of course. Tomorrow evening, then."

"I wouldn't want to impose," Elizabeth interrupted. She looked at Edward silently asking him to retract the dinner invitation.

"Nonsense. One of the best legal minds in the country has graced us with his presence. It would be an honor to have you both in my home," Edward replied. "How about six o'clock?"

His gaze directed at Elizabeth is intense. He is waiting on a yes from her. He won their little battle of wills. The tension completely oblivious to their sons.

"That's perfectly fine," she said reluctantly. The twinkle in his eyes were irritating her at the moment.

They said their goodbyes and Edward took her hand and bowed. He kissed the back of her hand quickly but long enough to make her spine tingle.

As he retreated from the room, she couldn't help but think how much she really hated being back home.