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Brax said, “First Dorrie and now Kate. There seems to be a common theme here.”
Raven rolled her eyes. “What are we going to do today, Prince?”
“I’d like to give you a tour of the area and then take you by my shop.”
“I’d enjoy that, but can we eat elsewhere for dinner?”
“Yes. I usually do. Food’s not as good as your New Orleans fare but it beats Kate’s.”
“You don’t mind me helping her?”
“Will I get gumbo?”
“Only if you’re a very good and scandalous prince.”
He smiled. “The challenge is accepted.”
After leaving the house, they set out on foot for his tour of the area near his home. “We call this part of town Beacon Hill,” he told her. “The race has lived in this neighborhood since the country’s earliest days. In fact, this house here was owned by George Middleton, the leader of a Black militia group known as the Bucks during the Revolutionary War.”
Raven found that surprising. “I don’t believe I’ve ever heard anyone speak about members of the race fighting in that war.”
Walking beside her, Brax said, “Many of the colonies back then had Black units. Washington refused to let Black men enlist at first but eventually changed his mind.”
He showed her Philips School, which became one of the first integrated schools in the city in 1855. They then stopped at the home of abolitionist and barber John J. Smith and his wife, Georgiana. Also on the tour was the home of Lewis and Harriet Hayden. Their boardinghouse was famous for providing shelter to runaway slaves.
They continued over to Smith Street to the African Meeting House, considered the oldest Black church structure in the country. “I went to school here for a few years,” he told her. “And this is also where I signed my recruitment papers when I joined the Fifty-Fourth.”
“The building must mean a lot to you.”
“It does. It started as a Baptist church, then became AME. The New England Anti-Slavery Society was formed here by Black abolitionists and William Lloyd Garrison, publisher of the famousLiberatornewspaper. The meeting house was the center of the free community here. So much history took place within its walls. It’s one of our most treasured places.”
Raven was moved by his telling of the building’s purpose and the reverence in his voice. “Where to next?”
“My shop, to let my employees know I’ve returned, and I want you to meet them.”
“Lead the way.”
His shop wasn’t very far from where they’d toured. It was positioned next to a barbershopand a diner. The wordssteele’shaberdasherywere painted on the window in an elaborate gold script she found very impressive. Upon entering, they were greeted by the excited squeals of his two seamstresses, who embraced him like a long-lost relative. He introduced them as sisters Hattie and Alberta “Bertie” Clemons. They appeared to be about Hazel’s age and smiled Raven’s way upon learning her name. Raven couldn’t determine who was the elder. She made a mental note to ask Brax later. Both sisters wore spectacles, were brown-skinned and stout, but Bertie was the taller of the two.
Hattie took in Brax’s shaved appearance and asked, “What in the name of Fred Douglass did you do to yourself?”
“Thought I’d try something different.”
Bertie said, “I like it.”
Her sister didn’t look impressed and said so. “I don’t. Grow it back.”
Raven found the exchange amusing.
Hattie asked, “Is this the woman you bought the blue silk for?”
Raven’s eyes widened. She stared up at Braxton.
“Hat!” Bertie said admonishingly. “I think it was supposed to be a surprise.”
“Well, it isn’t anymore. Come with me, young lady. I need to measure you to make sure my gorgeous creation fits.”
And before Raven could respond, Hattietook her by the hand and led her away. In the small fitting room, Hattie brought out her tapes and made Raven turn this way and that and noted the findings on a piece of paper. Raven, overwhelmed by the idea that he’d purchased the silk for her, did what she was told by the short, bossy Miss Hattie. “You remind me of my aunts,” Raven said to her.
