As the two women enter the print shop, with James stumbling close behind, Mrs. Phillips' luggage in hand, the trio remaining relatively silent the walk over.
"My, my, where is everyone? It looks deserted in here," said Mrs. Phillips, adjusting her shawl,
"With Henri in France and Moses running his school, it's just Doctor Franklin, James and I," replied Sarah, brushing off her mother's comment.
"Where is my dear friend, I'd very much like to see him," said Mrs. Phillips, a slight frown gracing her face.
"Oh, he's down in Boston for a meeting with George Washington but he'll be back in time to see you before you head back to England," smiled Sarah, not faltering despite her mother's questions.
"So it's just you and that young man? Sarah how improper!" gasped Mrs. Phillips, glaring at her daughter.
"It's alright mother, he only left yesterday, right after breakfast. Besides we traveled together during the war, and James is a gentleman when it comes to respecting my boundaries, and with James nearby, no one dares try anything improper," defied Sarah defending her friend, causing James to blush.
"Propriety aside, you expect me to believe that that boy can protect you from anyone? Sarah of all the irresponsible things to do! What would your father think!" screeched Ms. Phillips.
"Father knows, in fact he's the one who suggested that James escort us," defied Sarah.
"Don't worry Mrs. Phillips, I wouldn't let anyone harm Sarah. There's a dagger in my boot and a letter opener in my pocket. Besides, the people in this town know me, and very few people are dumb enough to challenge someone raised on the street to a fistfight. I may not have served during the war, but that doesn't mean I didn't grow up learning how to hold my own in a fight," smirked James crossing his arms.
"Now mother, you must be tired from the long journey. I've prepared a bed for you upstairs and I'll be up shortly with some tea, we'll want to set out early tomorrow so as to be out of the city before the roads get too busy. James, would you mind taking mother's bags upstairs?" said Sarah, trying to stop her mother's questions before she could offend James further than she already has today.
"No problem Sarah, Mrs. Phillips," said James through a strained smile as he picked Mrs. Phillips' luggage and began to haul it up the stairs. Only then does Mrs. Phillips notice James' slight limp and while barely noticeable, that he's also favoring one arm. Once he is out of earshot, Sarah speaks up before her mother can even get the question out.
"You're wondering about his leg, aren't you? It was two weeks ago, and two men tried to break into the print shop, not realizing that anyone was home. I had been changing the linens when they burst in, but thinking it was James or maybe Moses stopping by to visit I walked to the top of the stairs. They spotted me and began arguing about what to since I'd seen their faces, but before they could get any further James had arrived home and was able to sneak up behind the man with the gun and knock him unconscious by hitting him with the part for the press he had gone to pick up. Unfortunately, the other man now knew James was here and tried to reach for the gun. James blocked his way, armed with a knife, but the man was also armed and the two ended up fighting. James was stabbed in the leg and slammed into the wall. The man heard me scream when James hit the floor, and I'll never forget the look in his eyes when he turned to face me, like I was some piece of meat! Luckily it didn't come to that since James was able to grab the gun while the man was distracted. Once he saw that James had the gun he bolted out of the shop. As soon as the man was gone the stern look on Jame's face turned to pain as he dropped to the floor. I couldn't contain my scream, there was just so much blood. Luckily the shopkeeper next door had heard my scream and rushed over. The doctor said James was lucky he got out with only a bruised shoulder and a leg wound, it could easily have been much worse. James is the reason I am standing here today, a lesser man would have run away and left me to fend for myself, rather than try to take down two armed attackers. So while his manners may be less than exceptional, don't question his morals!" snapped Sarah, the sight of her normally collected daughter in such distress startling her mother.
"Wow, that is quite a story. I promise I won't question his morals again, and I'm glad you're both alright," whispered Mrs. Phillips to her daughter as they hugged before she ascended up the stairs. Once she was in the bedroom, with Sarah was out of earshot, she couldn't help but sigh. "It seems that moving the entire family to Ohio may be more difficult than I thought. Sarah seems to have found a new family with Doctor Franklin and her friends here," muttered the woman to herself as she blew out the candle, plunging the room into complete darkness.