"Oh, don't you see? It's perfect. The house is huge, and most of the furniture is fine. The neighborhood is full of businesses, anyway. A nice dining house will be quite the thing."
"But, Perry," Abram said slowly, "you'll need help."
"Yes, lots," Perry answered. "With all the people out of work, that should be no problem."
Abram and Molly looked at each other for a moment, then nodded in unison. They'd help in Perry's plan, not because they thought it such a great idea but because it brought back the sparkle in her beautiful brown eyes. They were both too old and wise to believe in dreams, but they believed in her. In minutes all three had their heads together, planning Philadelphia's newest dining club.
Abram soon decided Perry's plan had promise. He'd exaggerated the value of the pendant several fold, knowing Hunter's accounts would meet the difference. Now, if Perry could make the dining house a success, the profits would provide her with an income for as long as she needed it. Abram knew Molly's cooking would be a welcome change to most roadhouse food.
At the end of the night's discussion each of the three was forced into a promise. Molly would make sure the house was respectable, with no business upstairs. She agreed to convert four of the bedrooms into small private dining rooms. The other two bedrooms on the second floor would be Perry's and Molly's. The small sun room separating the two bedrooms would serve as the office.
Abram promised Perry to say nothing about where she was to anyone, including Hunter. In turn, Perry agreed to stay in the background so no guest would see her. As far as everyone would know, Molly would be the sole owner and resident of the house. Molly was salty enough to handle both thieving tradesmen and drunken guests.
For the next three days Molly and Perry were caught in a whirlwind of excitement. Molly found a mourning veil for Perry to wear so they could go about town without people staring at her blackened eye. The list of supplies seemed endless. After several trips they realized they would have to hire a man to help them right away. Cooks and waitresses could wait until later, but strong arms were needed now. It wouldn't be easy finding just the right man to hire. He had to be someone they could trust to live under the same roof with them.
The sun hadn't cleared the rooftops when the women set out to find just such a handyman. As they neared a factory only a few blocks away from home, they saw a long line of men waiting outside the gates. The posture of many already reflected the defeat most would receive as soon as the doors of the factory were open. One, maybe two, would be hired. The rest would wander off to stand in another line, hoping that next time would be the lucky one.
"How we ever gonna find a good one among all these?" Molly worried aloud. "If we yell job for hire, we'll be trampled right here in the street."
Perry was too busy watching the men to answer. Most were dressed in ragged army uniforms. Many bore the scars of war and were missing arms and legs. These men seemed to be outcasts of society… men no one wanted or needed. Many looked as though they'd slept in the streets ever since the war. The long, depressing line stretched on and on.
As the women turned the corner Perry recognized a man's broad shoulders and thick-legged stance. A dirty blue uniform jacket covered a mass of muscles far wider than that of the skeletons on either side of him… muscles strong enough to carry a wounded man miles without complaint. She remembered his stocky stance even before she saw his face.
"Luke!" Perry shouted as she ran toward the dusty soldier.
The giant turned a blank face toward her. He stood rigid as she neared, like a man singled out for the firing squad. The wrinkles across his forehead told Perry he didn't know her and feared she'd mistaken him for someone else. He pulled off his cap and began mutilating it in his huge hands. "I'm sorry, miss. I don't know how a lady like you'self knows my name. But I've never met you."
"Luke…" Perry lifted her thin veil and stared up into confused eyes.
"Y-yes, ma'am," Luke said, stuttering. His head seemed to draw farther into his neckless body, reminding her of a huge turtle frightened by the unknown.
"Luke, don't be afraid," Perry said impulsively, regretting having done so immediately. Every muscle in the man's body seemed to tighten at once.
"Ain't afraid, ma'am." Luke squared his shoulders, trying desperately to hold on to his pride.
Perry tried again. "Luke, may I speak to you for a moment?" She waited for his slight nod before whispering, "You don't remember me, but we met a long time ago. You were kind to me once, and now I need your help again."
Perry couldn't have said the words any better. Though Luke hadn't been eating regularly for days, he might have hesitated working for a woman. But helping a lady, well, that was a different situation altogether.
"What can I do for you, ma'am?" He made a small bow.
"This is Molly, my friend." Perry stepped aside to allow Luke a clear view of the older woman. "We're opening a dining house and we desperately need a man to help us. Once we're open, there will be plenty of work for you." She hesitated, aware of others around them watching. "I should also tell you before you start that we can't pay much. You'd have a room and meals, but the pay will be poor at first."
Luke's full laughter made her jump. "A meal and a bed! That sounds mighty good. Lead the way, ladies. You got you'self a hired hand."
Molly didn't budge but puffed up like a large horned toad in an ant bed. "One thing first, Mr. Luke." Her pointed finger looked as deadly as any bayonet. "There'll be no drinking or womenin' while you're workin'."
Perry almost exploded into giggles. Molly stood beside her, a pillar of respectability. Even her dress had changed over the past few days. She now looked more like an old maiden aunt than a retired lady of the streets.
Luke addressed Molly with his hands in front of him and his head lowered in respect. "I'd not do that, ma'am. I drinks a few now and then, but there be no drunkard in me."
"Good." Molly deflated somewhat before adding, "If Miss Perry says you're a honest sort, then Lord knows we can use your help." Without another word she turned and marched back toward home.
Perry and Luke followed. They were at work within minutes. Luke had only enough time to remove his coat before both women began calling for his help. For the next two hours he moved furniture, lifted rugs, nailed boards, and hauled wood. Though mumbling some-times about being caught in a tornado, he continued to work, the smile on his sweaty face genuine. He enjoyed a job that taxed his strength and not his soul. It felt good to be doing a man's work again and not a soldier's killing.
Finally Molly ordered him to rest and have lunch. After only a few bites of her cooking he announced that he was sure he'd died and gone to heaven.
As the three made afternoon plans over dessert, Abram strolled through the open kitchen door without knocking. His arms were loaded down with samples of fabric and wallpaper. Perry jumped up to help him.
"I hired three carpenters to knock those walls out and build the counters you need," Abram said before he saw Luke sitting at the table.
Luke stood silently, waiting for Abram to make the first move.
Perry hurried to introduce them, forgetting she'd stood between them once before. Only then they had been soldiers. "Abram, I'd like you to meet Luke. We just hired him this morning,'' she said, then moved from between the two giants.
Abram slowly offered his hand. "I know Luke."
Luke shook hands in silence. His gaze never left the black man's face.
Abram was quiet a moment before making up his mind about Luke. "I'm glad to know you're here with the women. Miss Perry and Miss Molly are very special, and I wouldn't want any harm coming to them."
Luke nodded his head in understanding. Both men knew Abram now held Luke responsible for the women's safety.