"Where is your sister?" Mr. Schuyler bellowed across the room. "Girls, if you don't tell me, I swear I'll-"
"She's on her way home, Daddy. She just went out early this morning to read a book at the park. She'll be back soon, I promise," Angelica explained. She could be level headed in difficult situations when Peggy usually could not be, so she often took the lead. But when it came to arguing with their father, Peggy was the one to go to. She was faithful to their family, but she always tried to defend what was right and it was obvious to everyone Eliza and Sam that their relationship was simply wrong.
"Good," Mr. Schuyler huffed.
"But Daddy," Angelica said gently. She always took on a sweeter personality around their father. Even though they hated the man's decisions, they still gave him a great amount of respect. "I believe Eliza is a little stressed out over the Sam situation, so please just try to be kind."
"Why should she be stressed out? She's going to be marrying into a very wealthy family and to a fine young man! She should be happy!" Mr. Schuyler responded.
"Should is the key word there," Peggy sarcastically remarked. "But she's not happy, just like how Angelica isn't happy about her forced dates with Aaron."
"Peggy, we shouldn't get into that now," Angelica muttered.
"I'm providing for your future, young lady. This lifestyle doesn't come from just anyone. Aaron Burr is a fine young man that Angelica is lucky to be with." With that, Peggy was quiet. She knew her father could never understand someone not caring about a life of luxury.
"Aaron Burr has no beliefs. He's a conformist! He does whatever anyone tells him to do! It's despicable," Angelica said, standing up for herself. She and Aaron had been on a few dates. She tried to keep it hushed around her friends because she didn't really want to be associated with Aaron. Besides, he went to Royal Academy, a prep school that nobody she knew would ever step foot in.
"It seems that you should learn a lesson from the boy if he listens to the parents in the way that you say," Mr. Schuyler sneered.
Unfortunately, at that moment Eliza walked in the door. "Hello?" She said carefully. By the looks on her sister's faces, things at the house still weren't good. She had hoped things would have calmed down by now, but her father was constantly filled with rage. Everyone said she was more like her mother.
"And where have you been?" Mr. Schuyler asked with an accusatory tone to his voice.
"In the park, Daddy, just like Angelica said," Eliza responded. Her sister had sent her a text that morning with the cover story she had come up with.
"Well I hope that time allowed you to reconsider your attitude toward your inevitable future," Mr. Schuyler said with a nicer, less angry tone.
"Yes, actually. I've though a lot about it," Eliza said slowly. They all waited expectantly, each wanting very different responses to come out of her mouth. "I will do what you have asked me to, I'll be with Sam. I'll even marry him without a fight if it comes down to that. But, there's a small condition."
"Eliza! You can't-" Peggy started to say, completely outraged.
"There are no conditions. I'm the father, I make the rules," Mr. Schuyler shot back.
"Please, just listen to me! I'll marry Sam and live a very comfortable life between both of our fortunes without a complaint. But, if I do as you say, Angelica and Peggy don't have to have their spouses chosen for them like me. If they ever run into trouble, Sam and I can pay for their lives. They can live with us if need be. This way, everyone can be happy," Eliza explained.
The whole room was silent for a moment. No one could believe what Eliza had just said. Everyone knew she wanted more than anything to leave Sam for good, and she was willing to stay with him forever, just so her sisters wouldn't have to be subject to the same restraints.
"Absolutely not," Angelica said definitely. "I would rather live my whole life with Aaron Burr than have you stay with Sam for one more minute."
"Me too," Peggy said, chiming in.
"Whether I'm with Sam or not is not the question. I think that is going to happen no matter what," Eliza said pointedly at her father. "The question is whether I'm going to put up a fight."
"You're willing to do that for your sisters?" Mr. Schuyler asked, ignoring the other two. "You're willing to provide for them?"
"I would do anything for my sisters," Eliza stated.
"Eliza, no," Peggy tried to interject.
"Peggy I've already made up my mind."
"Fine, you know what girls? I'm done fighting with you about this. It's been a constant, unending ridiculous conversation. If your sister has come up with a solution, then so be it. As long as you are all provided for and have a way to continue our respected name, then so be it," Mr. Schuyler finished. "I'll call the Burrs and inform them of the termination of your relationship, Angelica. I just hope this doesn't bite you in the ass, girls."
Peggy and Angelica stood there, looking defeated, while Eliza gave them both a weak smile and retreated to her room where she could be alone and cry for one final time. From then on, she needed to be strong for her family and everyone around her. Starting the next morning, a smile would be plastered on her face at all times, especially around Sam.
"I'm sorry about Christmas," Eliza said sweetly. "I just wasn't all there. My mind was occupied by… other things. I really do love the ring."
Eliza and Sam were lying in Sam's bed, her head on his chest. He had his hand wrapped around her left one and was twisting her ring as they both struggled to take their eyes off of it. Not only was the stone larger than anyone she had ever seen, there was more meaning behind that ring than anything she owned. It meant she was going to be with the boy that had his arms wrapped around her forever. Everytime she had a dark thought about their future engagement, she had to remind herself that what she was doing was for her sisters, and they were more important than anything.
"It's okay babe, I could tell something was off with you," Sam replied non-chalantly. "I can't wait until we're in our twenties, married, and away from all of the idiots in our high school."
Eliza thought of Alex, John, and the rest of her friends from the paper. She tried to imagine a life without them and only Sam to keep her company. She shuddered at the thought, but knew that Alex would never leave her alone like that.
"Yeah," Eliza lied. Silently, she wished that she could stay in high school forever. A year and a half would never be long enough.
"Alex?" Lin asked, popping his head into Alex's room. Then, seeing Alex on his bed, exclaimed, "Alex! Are you busy?"
"Just reading a book for school, so no, I'm not busy," Alex replied, putting the book down on his lap.
Lin, fully entering the room this time, asked, "Anything good?" He took a seat next to Alex on the bed and grabbed the book, studying the cover. "The Grapes of Wrath. A classic. You know, I used to be an English teacher."
"You did?" Alex asked. He would have never guessed that. Lin seemed so dedicated to his work at the theatre, it was hard to imagine him doing anything else. Now that he thought about it, Alex didn't know much about his work at the theatre, though. He just knew that he was always there.
"We all have to start somewhere," Lin responded. "I loved it. English is fascinating."
"When did you stop?" Alex asked, trying to learn more about the man.
"2007," Lin said, giving no more explanation. "Anyway, I was thinking that maybe you might want to come with me to work today."
"You want me to come to the theatre with you?"
"Yeah! I mean, only if you want to, but I think it'd be fun," Lin remarked.
"Okay, sure," Alex said nonchalantly. He was trying to not make a big deal out of this, but the truth was, he was incredibly excited. Lin had barely told him anything about his work and he had been dying to see what a real writer did in rehearsal. It was like a dream.
In the taxi cab on the way over, Lin said, "Now, keep in mind, we're only workshopping right now. It's not done yet. We're opening at this off-broadway theatre in a month or two. So don't be too critical." Lin gave him a look with a sparkle in his eye.
"Do you think the show will make it to Broadway?" Alex asked. He knew nothing about the whole process, but was eager to learn.
"I honestly have no idea, but I do have a gut feeling that there's something special about this show. I'm hoping it works out, bud, I really am," Lin replied. Within a few minutes, they were at the theatre. Lin quickly paid the driver and ushered Alex out of the car, excited to see his reaction.
Alex stepped onto the pavement and looked up at the big sign displaying the name of Lin's show. "Your show is called Adams?" Alex asked with an eyebrow raised. "Like, John Adams? From the Revolutionary War and stuff?"
Lin's face fell a little bit at Alex's confusion but he quickly picked it back up. "Yes, and I promise, it's not as lame as it sounds."
With a bouncy step, Lin walked into the theatre while Alex trailed close behind him. When they entered the theatre, they were greeted by a million unknown faces that just seemed to adore Lin. They all had questions for him, but Lin made sure to introduce Alex to everyone they spoke to.
The one that stuck out the most to Alex was a boy with curly hair and freckles that couldn't have been much older than Alex himself. Immediately, he reminded Alex of John. "Hey, you must be Alex! I'm Anthony," he said, sticking out his hand for Alex to shake. "Lin has told us all so much about you."
Alex gave him a weak smile. The commotion in the theatre was deafening. He found himself wanting rehearsal to start more than anything, just so he could take a breather. He flashed smiles back at everyone who did so to him, but he knew that he really couldn't take much more of it without having to leave the building. He didn't always do so well in crowds.
Luckily Lin, without evening knowing, always did things right on time. "Alright everyone, take a seat!" He called out from center stage. Alex went to take a seat towards the back of the group, trying to stay out of the way, but Anthony waved him over to where he and another girl were sitting.
"Can't have you sitting alone," he whispered.
"I'm Jasmine," the girl said, shaking his hand. "It's very nice to meet you, Alex." Alex would have replied, but Lin was very keen on getting the rehearsal started.
"Hello! I am so very excited to rehearse today because it is no oridinary rehearsal. My foster son, Alex, is here today and he's one of the best writers I know. His work rivals mine in all areas! He's here to see what we've been working on, so let's give him a great performance. Alright everybody? Act one, scene one. Let's go!"
Lin boasting about Alex like a proud Dad made him blush. Without knowing, he had sunk a little farther into his seat in embarrassment. It had been a long time since he felt that way. As the lights in the house dimmed, Alex settled in and tried to focus on the show rather than the fact that everything about Lin felt like family.
The show wasn't done; not by any means. All the actors were standing at mics and the songs weren't completed fully. Alex had to admit that the show was genius, but every since he heard the first few opening lines, an anger bubbled inside him that he just could not let go of.
The words replayed over and over in his mind. 'A bastard, orphan, son of a whore…' All words that described his situation. The character John Adams was being played by Lin himself. He felt betrayed. He felt like a stupid piece in some game Lin had been playing this whole time. How could he have let his guard down like that?
"Alex! What did you think?" Lin asked after the rehearsal ended.
Alex stood up and quietly said, "I think I should go."
"Alex, what?" Lin said, touching his arm as he tried to turn away. "Bud, if you don't like it, it's okay. Just be honest with me."
"Be honest with you?" Alex asked tears brimming his eyes. "Fine. I'll be honest. I understand everything now. You didn't take me in out of the kindness of your heart; you took me in to study me and my life to find inspiration for this goddamn show! You don't like me, you like my character and it's very clear after watching this that you don't care about me at all! You just want to understand my story! Once the show is over, you'll probably just get rid of me because that's all anyone ever does!"
"Alex-"
"I thought you were different, but you're using me just like everyone else," Alex cried. "I thought you were different…"