The Mystery of Chad Harris: Fate Delivers Us, Chapter Four
 
 

" What did you say, Mrs. Bennett?"

" I said that I got news on your Medallion." Grace stops herself. " I’m sorry everyone. It’s just that I couldn’t wait until Chad got here, and I interrupted whatever was going on here."

" Naw, Mrs. Bennett. Iwas just beginning to  tell Mr. Alexopoulos? here about my story."

"Well, if my husband was about to hear your story, then so am I." She extends her hand. " I’m Maggie Alexopoulos. Nice to meet you,  Chad?"

" Yeah. Chad Harris. "

" Well, Maggie, you take a seat, Eve, go get another pitcher of iced tea from the fridge, and I’ll go get the information.", Grace says with a smile on her face.

Eve goes to get the tea, and brings some appetizers, and the table is all set up with a place for Grace next to Chad. She brings a folder with her to the table.

Grace smiled at Chad. " I have to admit that I was getting discouraged, because I hadn’t gotten even a nibble on it. But, this morning, I had this wonderful email in my box."
Grace opens her folder and puts the pictures on the table.

" Chad, may I have your Medallion?"

Chad takes it out of his pocket, and gives it to Grace.

" OK. From what I understand, this side is the front , and it supposed to be worn exposed to the world.

The medallion is African in origin. West African, in fact. Through the Caribbean.
The first design similar to this was created during the Triangular Slave Trade, during the late 1700’s. The Africans, upon realizing the true intent of their captors, wanted to give something to their children to remember them by, and also wanted something that they believed would be filled with their spirit.

The front of the medallion has the family, in one corner, looking at the child, who is on the opposite side, symbolizing the child being taken from them. These markings in the sky are representing Gods that are supposed to protect the child while the child is away from the family."

Grace turns over the medallion, and brings out the other picture.
 

" The opposite side has the family group surrounding a fire. This symbolizes the family awaiting the return of the lost child. The family is in a circle, because they will go round and round, never allowing the hearth of the home to be extinguished, as to diminish the light for the lost child to return. The circle will not stop, or be broken, until the child returns. "

Chad sat there, with an astonished look on his face. " You got all that, from these pictures, Miz Bennett?"
 

" Actually, those were the broad strokes. I was on the phone with the professor for over an hour this morning.

In the beginning, carvings like this were done on pieces of small wood. But, as the children got younger and younger that were sold into slavery, the parents wanted something that a small child could keep up with, or, in those cases that the baby was taken away from the mother, that could be hidden inside of a blanket, which is why they were shrunken down to medallion size.

Over time, these Medallions were incorporated into the Island Culture, and a family would give one to a child who left home for any reason: job, military, immigration.

The professor teaches at Dillard University."

" In New Orleans.", TC supplied.

" He was very interested in your Medallion. He thought he could tell you even more about it, if he could get study it up close and personal."

" Take my medallion?", Chad asked.

" I told him that it wasn’t mine to give, and that I would give you his name and phone number. He seems to think that if he sees it, he can study it, and that the actual medallion itself contains information."

" I dunno…I don’t know if I want to send it away. Like I said, I can’t remember a time when I haven’t had it."

" Well, it’s an option.", Grace says, as she closes the folder and also slides it over to Chad. " I hope I helped you, Chad."

" Mrs. Bennett, I dunno. I’m stunned. The stuff you said about the Medallion is very weird. And, brings up more questions than answers. I almost wish I could let the Professor see my Medallion. To see if he can come up with anything else."

TC snaps his finger. " I’ve got it."

" What?", Chad asks.

" A solution. You want to talk to the professor. Come to New Orleans with us."

" What?", Chad and Eve said nearly simultaneously.

" Chad, we’re going to visit my mother in a couple of weeks. While we’re there in New Orleans, you can visit Dillard, and maybe get more insight to the Medallion."

" Nice offer, Coach, but, I ain’t got money for a trip."
" Don’t worry. We’ll take care of it."

" I don’t accept charity."

" So, you’ll pay us back, $ 5.00 a week, until the ticket’s paid off. Chad, my mother’s house has enough room for 3 families, and she’s the consummate hostess. Chad, you came to Harmony to find your family. Now, maybe it is a dead end, but, why live with regret, if you don’t go talk to this professor, who is probably an expert in his field, right Grace?" TC motions to Grace.

" He’s very well known in this area, Chad. I looked him up in the academic circles, and few others have his knowledge of the African slave trade, and familial customs. He IS the man to speak to, and, I know he’s interested."

" Chad, you need to take this time. The door with Crystal closed, but, here’s one that is opening. There’s no crime in taking help from friends, Chad. I think we’re friends here. We mean you no harm, and only want for you to succeed in your quest. So, do you accept the invitation?" TC asks, extending his hand across the table.

Chad looks at the Medallion in his hand and then smiles at TC as he takes his hand. " Thanks, Coach Russell. I really appreciate it."

" No problem."

" Well, now that that’s settled, I think we better prepare for dinner. Sam, TC, you guys wanna check the meat? Eve, Maggie, wanna help me with the side items, while Chad tells George the basics of his story?" Grace was smiling, but, everyone knew that you don’t play with Grace in this mode, and, they got up and did their tasks.

By the time all the food was set out buffet style, and all the kids had been gathered, Chad had been able to sketch out to George, his troubles in finding his family since coming to Harmony. George told him that he would look into it, but, that he wasn’t going to give him any promises.

Everyone enjoyed yet another wonderful Bennett BBQ, and stayed well into the night.

And, when, he thought no one was looking, Chad would take out his Medallion and study it, haunted by Grace’s explanation.