Looking Backward from the Tricentennial

Chapter Thirty-Four

Delroy Jackson arrived for dinner a few minutes later, and Julian greeted his old friend warmly before introducing him to the rest of the Leete family. Ray welcomed him from behind the stove, where he wrangled pots and pans. Idabee apologized for the way she'd abruptly left Philadelphia and thanked him for helping get Julian back safely.

Edith possessed a vague recollection of Delroy delivering the robin's-egg-blue envelope to her at the hospital the day of the reparations rally and wondered if he'd also sent another years later. The mention of the mysterious letter he remembered from his childhood drew Ray's attention, and Delroy tipped an imaginary hat in acknowledgment. "My goodness!" Edith exclaimed. "You two must have been good friends to take on such a project."

"One time," Delroy began, launching into a story involving a BB gun and a can of shaving cream that Julian hadn't thought about in years. As both Edith and Idabee listened to the yarn unravel, Ray gestured to a stack of plates, bowls, and silverware. Julian reflected on his brief time in the tricentennial with gratitude as he arranged five place settings around the circular table and his good fortune to have made new friends and reunited with old ones.

"To this day, Miss Idabee," Delroy concluded with utmost sincerity, "when the weather is warm and the air just right, you can still smell the menthol in that tree." Idabee wrinkled her nose, not quite believing the tale.

Edith began questioning Delroy about the early days of the American Union, perhaps still adjusting to the idea she was not the main focus of Julian's temporal adventures. Delroy described their failed first attempt to bring together political malcontents and minor parties into a unified force that could reshape the electoral system.

"We struggled because they were all so used to fighting for scraps from the old system," Delroy explained, "that they couldn't imagine a different way of doing things, especially one that didn't revolve around them getting elected." Julian was pleased to be able to share the good news: Reverend Shaver wanted to help.

Ray finished cooking just as the familiar whoosh announced the arrival of side dishes from the community kitchen. Opening the compartment door added another layer of eclectic aromas to the room. Dishes were shuttled to the table, and the five settled into seats, with Idabee across from Julian and flanked by the other two men.

"Before we eat, I just want to say a few words," Ray said. "I'm thankful to have Delroy, Julian, and my family here this evening. Delroy, it's a pleasure to meet you. Julian, you've been a part of our lives for decades. In a real sense, you've been in our care all that time. We accepted responsibility for your welfare. I'm glad to have you breaking bread with us, and wherever and whenever you go next, I wish you the best of luck."

Julian was touched. "Thank you, Ray. It's an honor to know three generations of your family. I'm grateful for all the work that has gone into helping me and the welcome you've shown me in the tricentennial. I hope all your patients are just as well cared for."

"Julian," Edith said, "when we first met, I knew that you'd lead me on a unique journey—although I didn't know you had Delroy doing behind-the-scenes work. I'm happy to be with you again, all these decades later. Thank you for everything you've done." She looked to Idabee expectantly.

"I'm grateful I finally met Julian," Idabee said, the words hesitant at first, then tumbling out, "and that I was able to introduce him to the American Union and the fast for peace, and I'm glad he and Delroy were able to reconnect and that he's becoming an organizer before he leaves." The final three words were almost a mumble.

Delroy allowed the silence to build for a moment before speaking to each of them in turn. "Dr. Leete, I appreciate your fine work in freezing my friend for all these years, and Dr. Leete, I appreciate your fine work in thawing him back out. Miss Idabee, thank you for reuniting me with Julian last week. And last but not least, Julian, I'm grateful you helped me get sober all those years ago. Thank you, brother."