Free Daylight Comes by Judith Miller Page A

registering patents or compounding interest payments owed to the state. Truth didn’t doubt the sincerity of her husband’s promise, but she did doubt his ability to keep it. And that was cause for yet another worry.
    Cast your cares on me .
    She ignored the soft command. Instead, she repeated her continuing prayer. Please don’t let him win the election .
    Folks in Nicodemus Township had decided early on that if Moses carried the vote in the western counties, he would ultimately carry the state. And the residents of Nicodemus didn’t plan to wait for the final results before holding their celebration. Though Truth had proposed they wait for the final outcome of the election before hosting the party, her suggestion had been immediately vetoed after church last Sunday. In fact, the congregation had acted as though she’d suggested a traitorous act. Rather than argue, she’d agreed the party would proceed as planned.
    Truth tugged on the skirt of her ill-fitting dress. Although she’d let out the seams, it wouldn’t be long before she’d be relegated to less fashionable dresses that would accommodate her increasing figure. Hopefully, she would still be living in Nicodemus, where she could freely discuss her changing shape and the impending birth with her older sister. Having Jarena nearby would serve to lessen her fears. She slid her hand across the front of the wool skirt and attempted to imagine how she would look in January. If elected, Moses would be sworn into office on January 8. She uttered one final prayer before descending the stairs. There was much to prepare for this evening’s party.
    She’d been in the kitchen only a short time when a knock sounded at the front door and was quickly followed by Miss Hattie’s unmistakable voice. Truth wilted as the older woman announced her presence. Why had she come calling at this hour of the day? The gathering wasn’t to begin until early evening.
    Swiping her hands down her apron, Truth headed across the kitchen. She could hear the distinctive clomp of Miss Hattie’s heavy steps. Truth greeted the older woman and offered her a chair in the kitchen.
    Miss Hattie dropped a food-laden basket atop the worktable and announced she was ready to do whatever she could to make the evening’s celebration a success. Truth groaned inwardly. Miss Hattie would be ordering her around for at least the next ten hours.
    Before she could offer an objection to Miss Hattie’s early arrival, the older woman headed for the front door. “Calvin’s bringin’ in more food. I gotta go and make sure he don’t squash them pies.”
    Truth shook her head. Miss Hattie’s son-in-law, Calvin, was no doubt pleased to be depositing the old woman on her doorstep for the remainder of the day. Once again, she wished Nellie had come calling instead of Miss Hattie. Calvin grinned as he entered the kitchen carrying the parcels of food. In a hushed voice, he warned Truth she’d best be careful not to squash Miss Hattie’s pies. Truth giggled.
    When Calvin had completed his tasks, he kissed Miss Hattie’s weathered cheek and bid the duo farewell. “He’s off to cast his vote fer Moses.” Miss Hattie’s chest swelled as she made the announcement. “Now, les get busy. Don’t look like you got much food ready for all them people that’s gonna be coming to offer congratulations.”
    Truth sucked in a deep breath. “Or their condolences. We can’t be certain just yet.”
    Miss Hattie glowered as she extended her neck. She resembled an angry rooster primed for a fight. “You sho’ do bend with the wind, gal. When Moses come home from Topeka, I recall you sayin’ he was gonna win the election what with all them white fellas votin’ for him at the convention.”
    No need to argue. At this point it would serve no purpose. Truth handed Miss Hattie an apron. “Why don’t we get started on this food?”
    Miss Hattie nodded. “That’s fine. ’Sides, ain’t nothin’ more to say ’bout the