Two in One

 By Ella P. 

“Andrea Carter!” Andi’s mother called from the other side of the room.

Thirteen-year-old Andi sat on her bed, pulling her hair out over her homework assignment. She was supposed to write a paragraph about how she had helped someone with a need, and so far, she hadn’t even begun. 

“Give it some time, little sis,” her brother Chad said to her a few days prior. “I’m sure a big need will come about soon.”

The paper was due tomorrow. Andi doubted a need would come up in the next hour or so.

“Yes, mother?” she called, hopping off the bed and leaving her work to be finished later. 

Suddenly, her heart leapt when a new thought occurred to her. Maybe Mother has a big task for me! Then I can complete my homework!

Andi’s mother Elizabeth, and older sister, Melinda were seated at the dinner table, discussing different beaus for Melinda.

Andi rolled her eyes and immediately received an unapproved look from her mother. 

“Please go to the attic and fetch the large brown trunk,” Elizabeth said calmly. “There are some photos in there that Melinda would like to see.”

Andi obeyed instantly, disappointed that the task wouldn’t give her any words to put on paper, but grateful to get away from the conversation. She dashed up the stairs and into the attic.

The attic door creaked open and a cool whoosh of air brushed Andi’s face. A coat stand lay on its side. 

Huh. That’s never fallen before. Andi picked it up and knelt beside the brown trunk. She caught sight of a beautiful little, teal painted baby’s cradle.

Gingerly, she picked it up and studied the intricate painted designs. There was a name hand-painted on the side which read, “Mabel”.

“Mabel?” Andi asked herself. There’s no one named Mabel. This doesn’t look like anything we would own. 

“Andrea!”

Andi quickly set the cradle aside, picked up the trunk and headed back downstairs. She placed it on the table. “Did we ever have anyone named ‘Mabel’ in our family?”

Andi’s mother and Melinda cast confused glances at one another.

“Why do you ask that, Andrea?” Mother asked.

“There is a baby cradle in the attic with the name ‘Mabel’ inscribed on it.”

“We don’t know anyone named ‘Mabel’, do we Mother?” Melinda asked.

“No,” she said. “Andrea, do you mind taking me to see this cradle?”

Andi didn’t waste a minute. She hurried up to the attic and led her mother inside. Elizabeth studied the cradle when a faint sound was heard in the corner of the attic.

They both looked around the room silently when it was heard again.

It was a baby’s muffled cry.

“Mother?” Andi asked, her eyes wide.

Elizabeth Carter set the cradle down and ventured toward the cry. “Stay back, Andrea.” She peered around a pile of stacked boxes and covered her mouth.

Andi jumped up and ran to her mother’s side, looking behind the boxes.

A dark-skinned woman with a small baby in her arms sat on the ground, looking up at them, fear flashing in her eyes. 

Andi stumbled back, gaping at the sight. This was definitely not what she expected!

The woman scrambled backward when Elizabeth’s quiet voice stopped her. “Don’t be afraid.” She knelt down beside the frightened woman. “What is your name?”

The woman jerked away from Elizabeth. “Please,” she cried, “Don’t hurt us!” She drew her baby closer to her chest.

Elizabeth’s face softened deeply. “I won’t touch you. Please, what is your name?”

“Maria,” the woman stuttered.

“Would you kindly explain to me why you’re hiding in our attic?” Andi’s mother pried.

A loud banging on the front door made the woman bristle.

“Please!” she cried hoarsely. “Don’t tell them we’re here!”

Tell who what? Andi asked herself. 

At her mother’s command, Andi rushed downstairs and peered outside.

Two mean-looking property owners stood banging on the door.

Andi quickly opened the door to a slit. “May I help you?”

“Ma’am, we have reason to believe that one of our slave workers is hidin’ in your house! A runaway!”

Andi’s eyes grew wide. A runaway slave!

The man held up a ‘wanted’ poster of the same woman hiding in the attic. “Recognize her?” he asked gruffly.

Before Andi could reply, her oldest brother, Justin appeared behind the men. 

“Can I help you?” he asked.

“We’re lookin’ for this woman.” He held up the poster. “Ran away from us with her young’un.”

Justin studied the poster with a grim look on his face. “You’re sure she’s yours?”

“You think a man would forget one of his slaves?” the man snapped.

Justin took the poster from the man. “I’ll hold onto this and take it from here.” Upon seeing the distressed look on their faces, he smirked and added, “Don’t worry, I’m a lawyer. And I’ll make sure to see you two in court.”

The startled looks on the men’s faces surprised Andi. They turned and fled down the steps without a second glance back.

Justin shut the door and sat at the table.

“What was that all about, Justin?” Andi had no idea what just happened.

“This woman doesn’t belong to those men.” He pointed to the name of ownership on the paper.

Sean Carper.

“This is the man I’ve been on a case with. About a kidnapped slave.”

Andi’s mouth gaped. “Justin!” She shook his arm. “I know where she is! She’s in our attic!”

“What?” Now Justin’s mouth hung open. 

Andi quickly led him upstairs.

They saw Elizabeth and Melinda soothing the crying woman.

Justin knelt by the woman and spoke a few words which made her face brighter than the sun.

“I am going back home?” she asked.

“Yes. And it’s all because of Andi. She found you.”

Andi’s heart swelled with joy. The woman and her baby would go home where they belonged, and Andi would finally have something to write for her homework!

Andi laughed joyously and said, “I guess we helped each other!”