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Chapter 2

Dear Lydia,

After two months stuck in that stupid ship, we have finally arrived in America. I hate that ship. Spending months on that thing, seeing the same thing everyday day, and living through scary storms really changed my mind.

Boston is really pretty! I really want to explore the forest behind my new home. The new house is on the edge of Boston, so I see the forest everyday, but Father won't let me enter it. I really wish that I could meet a native. Maybe, when we have been here longer, Father will allow me to go in the forest!

I haven't spoken to a Colonist yet. I wonder what they are like? Father calls them barbaric, but they don't seem like it. I didn't forget what you told me. I still wait to judge them. Perhaps, when I wander the streets tomorrow, I will stay quiet and watch. Yes, that is what I will do.

But I still want to meet a native.

Goodnight, Lydia. Mother wants me to go to sleep.

Love,

Your little Sunbeam

That morning, I awoke with a start. It had taken a while for it to finally set in that I was in the Colonies.

Immediately, I rushed down the small stairwell to Mother. "Mother! Mother!" I called.

Mother appeared from a doorway, boxes in her arms. "Charlotte! Good! I need you and your sister to get some things from the market," she said. She handed me a sheet of paper, on it, a list.

I groaned. "I have to take Aggie?"

Mother tutted and put her hands on her hips, a frown prevalent on her face. "Yes, of course, and it does not hurt you girls to get out. It is the summer, you know."

"Yes and I swear that the summer here is much hotter than the summer at home." The days were sweltering, and my dresses only proved to worsen the effect of the heat. And as I sit, sweating immensely, I noticed my father did not seem any worse for the wear. I realized that perhaps my life would be a bit easier if I could wear trousers and a tunic like him. Mother would never let me do that, however, she valued my appearance too much. "You'll never acquire a respectable husband looking like you live in a barn," she would say. I would much prefer a barn to a life of false comfort and faux happiness.

"It is a new land. It will take some getting used to."

"Hopefully I'll get used to it fast. I wish to explore this new land, mother."

"Of course you do, darling," she muttered, turning back to her unpacking. It was obvious that she wasn't listening. I sighed. Nothing would make me happier than to share my wishes with my mother, but it seemed she never had time for me.

I found Agatha in the main hall, rummaging through a box, making faces as she tossed objects out in search of her toys. "Aggie," I said, "Mother wants us to go shopping." I waved the list.

Aggie turned to me, snatching the list from my hand. She looked it over. "We need a lot, Lottie."

I nodded. "We need to fill our pantry."

Aggie looked at me as though I were dumb. "I know," she growled.

I help my hands up in mock defense; Aggie seemed to always want to argue with me. I didn't know why. "Best we get going now, if we are to make it back by supper."

"Right." Aggie pushed past me, to the door. I followed after with a quick roll of my eyes. Aggie had been having some sort of problem with me lately. She was constantly trying to me better me, and whenever I'd say something, she'd reply with a snarky remark. I began to wonder what I had done wrong.

Nevertheless, I went out into the market with my little sister. She trailed behind me, quiet seemingly brooding and saying nothing. As I browsed the market, she stayed a considerable distance away, arms folded. Finally, I couldn't stand the thickness of the silence, so I ripped the list in half.

Aggie looked at me in disbelief. "What are you doing?"

I handed her half of the list. "Here," I said, "You get what's on your half, and I'll get what is on mine." I smiled cheerfully at my grumpy sister, patting her head. "I'll see you at home."

With that, we went our separate ways, though I know now that leaving my sister alone in Boston was not the smartest of ideas, in fact it was extremely foolish. Thankfully, she wasn't harmed. Gradually, I began to collect what was on my list, never once meeting my sister. Generally, my little shopping trip was going well. The Colonists were a happy lot, who regarded me equally.

I began to walk up to a fisherman's stand, as a single fish was last on my list, when it was brutally torn down by British troops. Instantly, I ran forward. "Hey!" Everyone's head snapped up to look at me. "Why are you doing this?!" I snapped.

"Listen, little girl, what we do is not in your interest. Go back to your mother," a troop barked, shoving past me.

I leant down to help the poor man. "Are you alright?" I asked gingerly as I picked up a fish by its tail and placed it in a basket.

The man looked at me with surprise. "Are you a little English girl?" he asked.

I nodded briskly. "Yes, sir."

The man smiled. "Thank you, little one. Uhm, what might I call you?"

"Charlotte," I said, smiling warmly.

The man held out his hand. "Matthew Smith," he stated curtly. I gazed down at his hand. I grasped it firmly, and shook it with fervor.

Very subtly, I saw Matthew look up. Following his gaze, I saw another British troop looming over me: an elder, graying man. I braced myself for another attack.

But none came. Instead, the man leant down with us, and helped us pick up the remnants of the stand.

"I must apologize, sir," he murmured. "Did my men do this?" Matthew nodded. The strange man frowned. "I really wish they wouldn't act out in this manner. Unlike what most Colonists think, not all of us British are inconsiderate."

Matthew smiled at me, small wrinkles forming around his eyes. "I have noticed," he said.

The British man turned to me. "Are you from England as well, little one?"

I nodded. "Yes, sir. My family just arrived from London yesterday."

"Oh?" He seemed to speculate my very being. "Are you General Williams's daughter?"

I shot a nervous glance at Matthew, as if my father's position had marred his opinion of me. But he continued to smile. "Yes," I said.

"Agatha or Charlotte?"

"Charlotte."

"Ah," he muttered. "You're as beautiful as they say. Red hair such as yours truly is a spectacle, Charlotte." His face twisted, as though he had forgotten something. He briefly looked up from his work. "I'm George McClain."

I smiled a "hello", continued on with cleaning up the remnants of the stand. Once finished, I stood. "I must be getting back. My mother expects me," I explained.

Matthew smiled at me. "I hope to see you again, little Charlotte," he cooed.

George stuck out his elbow for me to take. "Come, little miss. I will bring you home."

When we arrived at my home, my father took one look at George and motioned for him to follow him into his office. Unexpectedly, I was sent to my room. I did not ask why.

Aggie had arrived already.

Dear Lydia,

Today I finally met a Colonist, but it wasn't good. British troops ripped down a man's fish stand in the market. His name was Matthew Smith. He was a very kind man. A British man began to help us out. I am happy that not all British here are mean.

When we finished cleaning up Matthew's stand, George, the British man, brought me home. Why did Father bring George to his office, and send me up to my room. Did I do something wrong?

Love,

Your little Sunbeam