Mrs. Merriman had planned a special birthday feast in honor or Ben's eighteenth birthday. The family chatted happily, avoiding the subject of current political events, thus providing for a very pleasant evening. It wasn't until after supper when the family was gathered in the parlor that William disrupted the pleasantries.
Felicity and Ben were engaged in a tournament of checkers, an event they liked to participate in weekly, as Mr. Merriman read the paper, Mrs. Merriman and Nan worked on their embroidery and William and Polly played with their toys in front of the fireplace. Looking up from his wooden horse, William asked Ben the question everyone had on their minds, "Ben, do you still want to be a soldier and fight the British?"
"Yes, William, I do. And now that I am eighteen I am able to join and fight for our independence." Turning to Mr. Merriman, "Sir, I ask that you keep your promise to me and release me from my apprenticeship. I will keep my end of the promise and return to you once the war is over." With a hung head, Mr. Merriman replied, "You have shown dedication not only to the cause, but to me as well. The times are changing and history is being written, I cannot deny you to make a change in this world and make you mark in history. You have my blessing." And with that, the two men shook hands, closing the deal.
"When will you leave us?" Nan hiccupped, loosing her composure.
"If is it alright, I plan to leave in a fortnight." Benjamin turned to look Mr. Merriman in the eyes and Mr. Merriman gently nodded his head in agreement.
"We will miss you. You have been part of the family," Nan threw her arms around Ben's neck and kissed his cheek, a kiss that Ben dutifully returned with a peck on the child's forehead. Felicity remained silent the whole time, watching and growing pale. Catching a glance at her eldest, Mrs. Merriman inquired with worry, "Child, thou looks as though you have caught a draft. Are you alright?"
"Yes Mother, I am just tired. I think I shall retire for the night." And with that, Felicity swept out of the room and into the seclusion of her bedchamber. She pulled the curtains closed and laid on the silently crying into the pillow.
The next fourteen days past by in a blur. On the day before he left, Ben surprised Felicity by meeting her at Miss Manderly's.
"I came to escort you home." He explained. They walked down the street without uttering a word, finally Ben broke the silence. "Felicity . . . I don't know what to say. You have been awfully quiet these past few days. You are my closest friend and I shall miss you very much." Reaching into his breast pocket, he pulled out a copy of Thomas Paine's Common Sense, a pamphlet that, since its publication in January of 1776, had become an American best-seller and almost bible to Ben's fervent belief in America's independence.
"Lissie, I want you to have this to remember me by." Felicity took the book gingerly and hugged it against her chest.
"Thank you Ben."
"Also, Lissie," Ben continued, pushing open the Merriman's front gate, "I would like to ask your permission to write you."
"Of course you have it." Felicity answered, slightly confused.
A grin crept across Ben's face and he leaned forward and placed a brief kiss on Felicity's lips, "Thank you Lissie." And he opened the door into the Merrimans' house.
The next morning was a tearful one at the Merriman household. Rose cried as she handed Ben a sack full of food. Marcus shook hands and wished G-d speed. A true mother, Mrs. Merriman made sure all Ben's clothing was properly mended and that he had something to keep him warm. Mr. Merriman slipped Ben a few coins "just in case," and the four Merriman each hugged Ben and sad their tearful good-byes. As Ben released Felicity from his arms he felt her press something into his hand. He quickly stuffed it into his pocket, not wanting anyone to see. Then he said quietly into Felicity's ear "We have it in our power to begin the world anew...American shall make a stand, not for herself alone, but for the world." (Thomas Paine) and with that, he mounted his horse and rode off to war.
The Mrs. Merriman herded her younger children inside leaving Felicity and her father watching Ben's silhouette get smaller and smaller in the distance. Putting his arm around his daughter, "I remember, some time back, a wise young woman telling me that good-bye isn't the end of a friendship. She had said good-bye to one she loved dearly and they came back to her. This same young woman urged me to listen to Ben's plight and allow him to fight for what he, what we believe in. Don't you fret my child, Ben will come back to us."
"Oh Father!" Felicity cried, "I am so ashamed! I believe so much in the cause and cheer for the sons and friends of others who go to war without thinking twice, but now that 'tis someone I care about I cannot cheer for my heart is too heavy."
"My Lissie," Father soothed, "This war has hit home for you. Cry thy tears, but also cheer for Ben, for he fighting for what he believes in. He is helping to create a new world."
As Ben rode out of Williamsburg and south to meet the American forces, he could still feel the warmth of Felicity's body next to his. The thought made him smile a bitter-sweet smile. Felicity was daughter of the man he was apprentice to. She kept his secrets and he hers. He found her intriguing; she would joke and discuss politics and had a thirst for knowledge. Where most girls would be found sewing, like her sister Nan, he could find Felicity in the barn reading Benjamin Franklin, or Thomas Paine, and once even Plato! She had often said she wanted to attend college. He had grown fond of her stories and chatter as se helped him in the store when Mr. Merriman was away assisting the troops. She enjoyed adventures and was fiercely loyal; he couldn't have a better friend. Friend. Recently Ben's feeling towards Felicity grew to be more than those of just mere friendship, but Ben didn't know how to react to them for Felicity was barely thirteen to his eighteen years. "I'm about to become a soldier," Ben thought, shaking his confused thoughts about Felicity out of his head. There was just something about her . . . Then he remembered that Felicity had given him something. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the small bundle. Holding the reigns in one hand, he managed to unwrap the bundle with the other, revealing a small clay whistle, a checkers piece, the necklace from the ball he had escorted Felicity to years ago, and a Forget-me-not wrapped in Felicity's handkerchief. Ben smiled at the gifts that seemed so small, but held so much meaning to him and Felicity over the past three years. "Every soldier needs a girl to dream about coming home to, there is no harm in dreaming," Ben smiled to himself and he placed the small items safely in his breast pocket, "No, there is no harm in dreaming."