Going to Charleston
South Carolina, 1776
Dusk had finally settled around the large Martin plantation. Everyone had gone to bed; the fieldhands, Abigail, Margaret, and little Susan. However, downstairs in the study, three people were still awake: Benjamin, Gabriel, and Thomas, reading the mail that the post-rider had brought that afternoon.
Gabriel was eagerly poring over the list of new recruits to the Continental Army, a slightly wistful look on his face. He was eighteen, and old enough to join up, but Benjamin had refused to give his consent as yet. Still, it was all Gabriel and Thomas ever talked about, whenever they went on their hunting trips in the forest.
Thomas was sitting on the floor, engrossed in an article about the war, when Benjamin spoke up. "Well, the Assembly's been convened, so we're going to—"
"—Charleston? We're going to Charleston?!" Thomas cut in, his blue-grey eyes lighting up with joy. Even though he'd been born and brought up in the South Carolina countryside, he loved going to Charleston. It was a huge port city, with ships bringing goods and people from all over the world. Not only that, but the Continental Congress for South Carolina met there, and going to hear them speak was a rare privilege that only Gabriel had been allowed to attend up to now. Since he had just turned thirteen, this would be Thomas' first year there, and he couldn't repress the wave of excitement that swept over him.
Last of all, going to Charleston meant they would be staying with Aunt Charlotte in her huge house on Salem Street. Thomas loved his aunt; she was pretty, with blonde hair and blue eyes like his mother, and she treated all of the Martin children like her own, giving them presents every time they came. Thomas had a secret inkling that his father was sweet on Aunt Charlotte, from the awkward way he was around her sometimes, and it didn't take much to see that Aunt Charlotte was sweet on him. Still, Thomas didn't mind. Having Aunt Charlotte for a mama would be the next best thing to having his own mama again.
"We leave in the morning," Benjamin announced, folding up the letter, a half-smile on his face at his younger son's exuberance.
Thomas grinned. He could hardly wait.
THE END
A/N: My first ever Patriot story, written for my dad. I'm sorry it's been so long since I've posted anything, but inspiration has been rather lacking, so forgive me. Enjoy!