Alexandra Hamilton pours the tea into the cups, passing one to each of her parents. Well, they are not really her parents, she was adopted at age twelve since Martha is infertile, but that does not matter. She can tell something is weighing heavily on their minds, most likely the impending Revolution.
Her father, George Washington, is a decorated general from the French and Indian War. He claimed enormous glory. But now he is elderly and enlisting in the army would almost ensure his injury and death.
The Continental Army is requiring one family member, a male, from each family in the colonies to join and support the effort. George, being the only male, must enlist, but it is very risky now.
The issue weighs heavily on Alexandra's mind. Even asleep, she ponders the problem. She can come up with one solution, that she joins the efforts in her father's place. But the army will not take women, and even if they did, Alexandra knows her parents would disapprove. She sees no choice but to sneak away.
Alexandra climbs quietly out of bed, slipping into the bathroom after grabbing her father's sword, which the army let him keep as a memento of his previous efforts.
After making a clear space, she kneels and pulls her hair downward. She holds her breath as she drags the sword through the hair that her mother was so careful of. The hair comes off in her hand, and Alexandra almost wants to cry. But she musters her courage and throws the hair away, collecting the uniform the army delivered this morning when they came to draft George. She dons the garment, grateful she has put on some weight following her adoption else she would look too skinny.
And this morning, Martha was having her made up to look for a husband and the lady was complaining about Alexandra's weight. How things can change so quickly.
The garment still looks very lumpy, and Alexandra looks around for any way to reduce the way it looks unshapely. She gets the loose cloth from the cabinet and slides it into the shirt so that it will look more uniform. Then, she fetches her father's hat and tucks her hair into it. She is aware that the hat is of a general and will look extremely odd on her. She goes back to the closet and pulls the most worn-looking hat out and tucks her hair into it.
Alexandra peers into the mirror and decides her appearance is satisfactory. She slips out the door, leaving a note to George and Martha, and climbs onto her father's horse, Philippe. She kicks at his flanks, and they are off into the bitter cold winter toward the address George was given that morning.
Sorry this is very short. I needed an introduction of sorts, so the next chapter is her arriving at camp. Suggestions are absolutely welcome! Please be safe!
Please review!
-HamiltonAsparagus ;)