Undeterred

Chapter Nine

That is all that keeps me from Mister Lincoln. The largest white mansion that Cora had ever seen stood before her in all its glory and magnificence. She sighed and closed her eyes. Well, it's now or never. I told Mammy I would do this and I shall! If I don't do it, who will?! She inched closer to the immaculately kept lawn.

"You aren't just going to waltz right in there and say, 'Howdy, MisterPresident! You need to put an end to this conflict and free all them colored folks!'" a voice practically shouted from behind Cora. She jumped back and turned around.

Cora retaliated, "What if I am? Who's to say I cain't? You are not going to stop me are you?" Levi stood there rather smug and proud almost like a Union soldier receiving an award from General Grant. "I doubt you you have the nerve!"

"Ah, hell no! I am going to join you, Miss Cora! Remember we are doing this together." Cora smiled and calmed herself.

"Very well. Shall we?" Levi extended his arm.

"Yes, together."

"Together.You are rather undeterred, you know."

"Thank you." Levi nodded and the two of them, linked arm in arm, made their way to the rather large lawn that stretched out for what seemed like miles.

The lush greenery gave slightly under Cora's feet as she and Levi strolled towards The White House. Suddenly, someone appeared with a scruffy beard. His legs were very lanky and he seemed a bit preoccupied. A pen was propped behind his left ear and mounds of scrap pieces of paper lay strewn about him. A half-eaten apple was near the most recent scrap of paper. "That will never do!" Cora jumped backward tugging on Levi's arm. They both watched carefully at a safe distance.

"It's him," Cora whispered. Levi nodded.

"They will think I am a deadbeat for sure!" President Lincoln crumpled the paper tossing it almost directly at Cora and Levi who dodged it as President Lincoln crunched on his apple. Levi picked up the crumpled paper.

"What are you−?" Cora started.

"Um, excuse me; I think you dropped this," Levi said gently and handedThe President his paper. Cora smacked her eyes and shook her head.

"What can I do for you?" President Lincoln said placing the apple back on the table and reaching for the paper in Levi's hand. Cora slowly made her presence known, too. "Oh ho! Two of you! This certainly is a wonderful morning after all!" President Lincoln stood up. Cora gazed upon him as though she was watching a sunrise.

"You certainly are...tall!" she exclaimed. President Lincoln laughed. "I am terribly sorry that was rude of me."

"Think nothing of it. Please. Come. Sit and join me," President Lincoln gestured for the two young adults to join him at the table. Levi andCora exchanged glances and then joined The President. "I shall ask again. What can I do for you?"

"Well,Mister...President...Sir...Lincoln, I really think you should tellCongress, or whomever is in charge of helping you to make order around here, it does not seem right that my mammy..." Cora bit her lip. "Um, nurse, err...aye, mammy Ava should not be able to do e'erything I cain. An' dis war...it's-it has gone on much too long!"President Lincoln looked at Cora with much interest and intent. He nodded slowly and pondered what she was saying.

"I completely agree with you, Miss...I apologize you never told me your name."

"Terribly sorry. I never introduced myself. I am Cora McCluen from Atlanta,Georgia." She smiled and then gestured to Levi. "And this is my new friend Levi Johnston from Virginia." Levi grinned and removed his hat.

"How do, Mister Lincoln, Sir?" President Lincoln and Levi exchanged nods.

"And,Mister Levi, what is your stance on this?"

"Well,Mister President, Lincoln, Sir; I don't think this color folks should be treated the way they are...like property and such. I also believe this war has gone on for far too long. I lost my father to this war and I sure do not wanna lose anyone else!"

"Ido believe you are both very courageous to come all this way to talk with me. I admire you for that. I really do. I also must say you are also both very educated young people. I do quite agree with you both.You make excellent points. I am actually intending to talk with myCabinet about this quite soon and hope to address them on such manners. That is actually what I was working on this morning." Levi and Cora looked up at each other quite hopeful.

"That is amazing, Mister President, Sir!" Cora exclaimed

"Please share with us," chimed in Levi.

"I am afraid I cannot. I have very little in mind right now." Cora andLevi suddenly looked very downtrodden. "However, maybe, with your help we can do this."

"Really?"Cora asked.

"You really think we can help?" Levi added.

 "Of course. You both seem rather intelligent to me," replied PresidentLincoln. "But first...maybe we should get some more apples!" Levi and Cora smiled. This meeting was going much better than either of them planned.