VOYAGERS! - The Voyager Chronicles
TASTES OF FREEDOM - BOOK 2
(Sequel to Discoveries)
By DA Daugherty (VoyagersFan)
March 2007 (Revised 05/2009)
Previous disclaimers apply
Chapter 11 – A MOMENT OF INSANITY
After enjoying a good night's sleep, Bogg and Jeff awakened the next morning to the overpowering aroma of bacon and eggs coming from the Jefferson's kitchen.
Jeff sat up in bed, rubbed his eyes and stretched his limbs.
"Hey, Bogg, You awake?"
"Yea, I'm awake." Bogg said sleepily. He sat up in bed and rubbed his aching muscles. "I'm awake and very uncomfortable kid. I don't know what was worse, riding in a carriage and having it flip over or riding a horse for 4 hours? Either way, I'm quite sore this morning."
"I know what you mean." Jeff said as empathized with his partner. "This mission has definitely taken its toll on both of us."
Bogg threw back the covers and put his feet on the floor. "I guess we better get dressed. They will be waiting for us downstairs."
Bogg pulled on his boots and went over to the washstand and began to freshen up a bit before the two of them joined the Jefferson's. After straightening his hair, he turned to his partner and asked. "Well, am I presentable?"
"Yea Bogg, you look great. What about me?" Jeff asked.
Bogg looked at his partner and noticed a couple of items out of place. "Kid, come over here and let me fix your collar." Jeff fumbled with his collar a bit and then walked over and stood beside him.
Bogg straightened Jeff's collar and smoothed down a stray lock of hair.
"There, that's more like it." Bogg said after fixing the problem. "One more thing though, you need to tuck in your shirt. It's hanging out on the side."
While Jeff tucked in his shirt tail, Bogg got to his feet. Upon examining himself and his partner one final time, he turned to his partner and began to speak.
"Well, I'd say we look quite handsome this morning. Don't you think?" Bogg teased as he looked at himself in the mirror.
"Ok, Mr. Handsome, if you're quite finished basking in your own limelight, I think they are still waiting for us downstairs." Jeff teased.
Jeff walked toward the door with Bogg not too far behind him.
"Hold on, kid." Bogg said.
"What now, Mom!", Jeff said sarcastically.
Jeff's less than subtle hint about his partner's fussiness, hit home with Bogg. At this point, Bogg again teased his partner by playing the part of Old Mother Hubbard.
"Jef--frey!!" He said in a high pitched womanly tone. "Did you wash behind your ears this morning? Come here and let me see. If I find you didn't do a proper job, I'll have to do it for you."
"C'mon Bogg, really!" Jeff exclaimed.
"Git over here kid and let me look at those ears?" Bogg said as he motioned for Jeff to come toward him.
Jeff looked at his partner and then decided to play along. In a child-like voice he replied. "Okay mommy! I'll be right there." He put his thumb in his mouth and in a shy sort of way, walked over to Bogg.
"That's a good little boy." Bogg said, still playing his female role. "What a shame, you haven't combed your hair in a month. Geeze! Must I do everything for you?"
Jeff removed his thumb from his mouth. "Yea mommy, I don't know how to comb my hair."
Bogg smoothed another lock of Jeff's untamed hair, back into place.
"C'mon kid, let's get some breakfast.", Bogg said in his normal voice.
"Ok, mommy!" Jeff teased as he opened the door.
Bogg rolled his eyes. "Get going! You little pain!"
The two made their way to the dining room for breakfast. As they walked through the door, they noticed Mr. and Mrs. Jefferson were already seated at the table.
"Good morning gentlemen." Jefferson said as he took a sip from his cup.
"Good morning." Bogg replied as the two took a seat.
"I pray you both had a good night's rest." Mrs. Jefferson asked.
"Thank you. We slept very well. The accommodations were excellent. My compliments to the host and hostess." Bogg said warmly.
"What would you two like to eat?" Mrs. Jefferson asked. "Breakfast will not be as limited as the meal we served you last night.
"Well, what's on the menu?" Bogg asked.
"We have the more traditional breakfast, bacon, eggs, oatmeal and such, or you can have fresh fruit, apples and pears from the orchard. We have coffee, tea or fresh milk to drink." She replied as she continued her lustful stare at the pirate.
Bogg quickly turned to his partner and asked. "Well, kid, what's your pleasure."
"Bacon and eggs for me." Jeff said.
"Ok, young man. What about you, Mr. Bogg?" Mrs. Jefferson asked with a hint of a tease in her voice.
"Uh…Umm, I guess I'll have the same. Oh… and some coffee for me and milk for Jeff." He replied nervously.
Mrs. Jefferson picked up the little silver bell sitting on the table next to her and gently rang it. Moments later, Jennie came through the door.
"Yes ma'am" Jennie replied.
"Jennie… Please prepare some bacon, eggs and biscuits for our two guests here. Mr. Bogg needs a cup of coffee and his son, a glass of milk." She said gracefully.
"Yes ma'am, Mrs. Jefferson." Jennie acknowledged before leaving the room.
"Mr. Bogg, do you have anything planned for today?" Mrs. Jefferson asked.
"Nothing special, Mrs. Jefferson. Just another attempt to convince your husband here to come back to Philadelphia with us."
"You don't give up easily, Mr. Bogg." Jefferson quipped.
"No, I don't sir. I'm Plan-A. If I can't get the job done, then we go to Plan-B." Bogg said with a smile.
"What's Plan-B, Mr. Bogg?" Jefferson asked with a puzzled look on his face. "That is if you don't mind me asking."
"Well, sir. It's been a while since I have had to implement Plan-B and I assure you, it will stop at nothing to get the job done."
Upon piquing his curiosity, Jefferson once again quizzed his guest.
"Mr. Bogg. Please don't keep me in suspense. What is Plan-B?"
"My dear sir. Plan-B is currently sitting beside me." Bogg said, now referring to his partner.
Mr. and Mrs. Jefferson began to laugh. "Ok, so when all else fails get the child to pull at the heartstrings, isn't that right?" Jefferson asked, as he chuckled a bit.
"Correct, sir. So you better beware." Bogg warned.
The group once again burst into laughter. After a moment of comic relief, Mr. Jefferson spoke up.
"Mr. Bogg. Once you and your son have finished breakfast, my wife and I would like to take you on a tour of the grounds. She would like to show you around the house and gardens."
"That would be great, sir." Bogg replied with a bit of indifference as unimaginable thoughts started to race through his mind.
"I, on the other hand would like to get to know Plan-B here and show him the vineyards, the horses and the orchards. If that is acceptable." Jefferson said.
"I'm sure Jeffrey would enjoy that. Right kid?" Bogg asked.
"Yea! I'd like that."
Jefferson took a sip of his coffee and gave them an example of his own sense of humor.
"Oh, by the way, if you have not already figured it out by now, I'm using the 'divide and conquer' strategy." He said with a smile and a chuckle.
At this point, Jennie emerged from the adjacent room, pushing a serving cart with Bogg and Jeff's food. She served them both and then quietly left the room.
"Mrs. Jefferson, my complements to the cook." Bogg exclaimed. "This looks and smells terrific."
"Thank you Mr. Bogg. I will pass that along. Now, you both need to eat before it gets cold." She urged.
Later, after the two finished eating, Mr. Jefferson rose from the table. He looked at his young guest and beckoned him to his side.
"Jeffrey, if you are ready. Then come, let us be off."
Jeff rose from the table and followed Jefferson as he made his way out the door to begin his tour of the grounds. Unaware of the events which were now about to unfold, Bogg sat quietly and sipped the last bit of coffee from his cup.
"Mr. Bogg, if you have finished, please allow me to show you around our modest home." Mrs. Jefferson said with a warm smile.
Bogg got up from the table, walked over and stood beside his hostess. Unexpectedly, she took Bogg's arm in hers and began the tour.
"Mr. Bogg, will you come with me?"
"I would be more than happy to accompany you." Bogg said in a gentleman like way. "Please, call me Phineas."
"Ok, mister…I mean Phineas."
As Mrs. Jefferson and her guest casually made their way from the dining room into the parlor, she began to relate to him the history of the home.
"My husband began designing and building this home for us several years ago. At that time, he owned several acres of land in this area, including the area upon which this structure was built."
"At one time the land underneath our home was nothing more than a small hill. He chose this spot, because of its beautiful location and splendid view. Once he had made up his mind, he and his workers leveled off the top of this hill and the rest is history.
"The name…Monticello…It's Italian, isn't it?" Bogg asked.
"Yes, Phineas it is. It means 'little mountain.'" She replied.
By this time, the two had reached the entrance to the parlor and went inside. The parlor, a room whose tall ceiling echoed even the sound of a dropped pin, was richly decorated. There were lavish oil paintings on the walls, strategically placed, crimson-upholstered armchairs everywhere, and a beautiful oak harpsichord, which topped off the ornate furnishings much like the icing on a cake. As Bogg stood there in awe, Mrs. Jefferson began to go over the finer points of the room.
"Phineas. This room, which you have already seen, is the parlor. This is the room where we receive and entertain all of our guests."
Bogg surveyed the room. At one point, he was taken breathless by the sight of the beautiful portraits adorning the walls.
"You have some very beautiful paintings here." Bogg said as he cast an eye over them.
"Yes, Phineas. These are portraits of those great men who have been an inspiration to my husband."
Bogg walked over and pointed to one of the portraits on the wall. "I take it, this is Columbus?" Bogg inquired.
"Why yes! How did you ever guess?" She asked, stunned by his identification of the great man.
"Let's just say, I've seen him before." Bogg said with a grin.
"My husband and I love this room. It is one of our favorites. Come, let us proceed into the entrance hall."
"After you ma'am."
The two casually strolled across the beautiful parquet floor of the parlor and proceeded into the entrance hall.
"Phineas, this is the entrance hall as it is officially titled. Unofficially, we call this the Indian Hall for obvious reasons."
"Your husband must have a great interest in the Indian culture as well as a love for the Indian people. This has to be one of the better collections of Indian artifacts I have seen." Bogg said as he admired one display on the wall.
"Yes, my husband has a great interest in Indian affairs. It is so strong in fact, that sometimes I believe he was a warrior chieftain in a prior life." Mrs. Jefferson said and then laughed to herself.
Immediately, Bogg took notice of a marble bust on the opposite wall. He walked over to get a closer look at it. After gazing at it for a moment, Mrs. Jefferson joined him at his side.
"Your curiosity seems to have been stirred by the busts, Phineas."
"Well, I know this one is Mr. Jefferson himself, but the faces of the others are familiar, but I cannot remember who they are."
"Maybe I can assist you. The one on the right is Voltaire. He was one of my husband's favorites. On the left is Alexander Hamilton, one of my husband's rivals." She explained.
"One question, Mrs. Jefferson?" Bogg asked.
Mrs. Jefferson looked up at Bogg and began to bat her eyes. "Please, Phineas, call me Martha." She said in a soft tone.
"Ok, uh…Martha. Why are there so many chairs in this room?"
"Believe it or not, he had these Windsor chairs shipped from overseas. He always wanted to be sure there were enough chairs for every one of his visitors."
"Beautiful and very rich indeed." Bogg said, as he complimented his hostess. "You both have great taste when it comes to decorating."
"Thank you Phineas. May we proceed?"
"By all means, ma'am." Bogg replied.
The two slowly walked across the entrance hall and down a small corridor until they reached the next room. Mrs. Jefferson opened the door and invited Bogg to go inside. She followed in his footsteps and quietly closed the door behind them.
"This is our most favorite of all the rooms here at Monticello.
"Ahhh! Obviously. The bedroom." Bogg acknowledged, now a bit uncomfortable being inside another man's bedroom with his wife.
"Yes… The bedroom. Come this way." Mrs. Jefferson urged, as she strolled over to their bed.
"This is our bed. My husband designed it."
"Very unusual indeed. It's inside an alcove." He stated, with a hint of curiosity in his tone.
Mrs. Jefferson made her way closer to Bogg as he stood with his back to her, admiring the room on the other side of the alcove. Sensing her closeness, he turned quickly to face her.
"Uh…what's in the room on the other side?" He asked hesitantly.
"Oh that's just his study." She said somewhat blasé, as she inched her way closer to him. Bogg, in an attempt to put some space between them took a step back and was currently pressed against the bed.
Mrs. Jefferson stood there, her eyes fixed upon the handsome Voyager, with a lustful sort of expression on her face. She reached up and put both hands on Bogg's shoulders as her lips made their way ever closer to his.
"Are you taken, Phineas?" She asked in a low, sensuous voice.
"Uh…uh… no!" He answered nervously.
"What a shame." Mrs. Jefferson replied. "Such a handsome man, obviously going to waste." She began to brush Bogg's hair with her fingers. In an instant, the lust was so overwhelming; the two began to kiss passionately.
Once reality had set in, Bogg immediately stopped and pushed Mrs. Jefferson away. "Mrs. Jefferson…. Martha…. Stop! This is not right! You're a married woman and besides, I have a kid!"
"So what's wrong with a little kiss?" She asked.
"I'll tell you! A jealous husband, that's what!" Bogg exclaimed, now feeling an extreme sense of urgency to flee. "I'm sorry but I want no part of that."
Mrs. Jefferson advanced once more. "Mr. Jefferson's out in the fields and like I said, what's wrong with one little kiss?"
"Mrs. Jefferson, please…I beg you…Stop." Bogg pleaded.
Now in a very uncomfortable and compromising situation, Bogg quickly scanned the room for a means of escape. Instantly, Bogg pushed aside the lustful Mrs. Jefferson and dived through the alcove into Jefferson's study. After almost crashing through the door to the portico, he quickly opened it and took off running across the lawn. Now out of harm's way, he stopped for a moment and surveyed the area in an attempt to find his partner. Upon noticing his partner in the distance, he began to make his way toward him.
"Bogg!" Jeff exclaimed.
"Kid! Am I ever glad to see you." He said with overwhelming excitement.
"Mr. Bogg, I have been showing young Jeffrey here my vineyards and gardens. I discovered after taking him on a tour of the stables he just loves horses." Jefferson said with great surprise.
"I would have never thought!" Bogg said sarcastically.
"You have finished your tour quite soon, Mr. Bogg." Jefferson said pointedly.
"Sir, your wife is a gracious host and you two have a beautiful home."
"Thank you Mr. Bogg. One thing's for sure, if it wasn't for her, none of this would be possible. I worship the ground she walks upon. But, please don't tell her that." Jefferson teased.
"Believe me sir I would never do such a thing." Bogg acknowledged.
"Would you mind if I take Jeff away from you for a while. I need to have a little father-son chat with him, if you know what I mean." Bogg asked.
"I understand, Mr. Bogg. I hope he hasn't gotten into any mischief." Jefferson said curiously.
"No. It's nothing like that. We just need to have a talk."
"That's ok. Lad, we can continue our tour later this afternoon, if you are up to it." Jefferson said as he winked at his guest.
"Sure!" Jeff exclaimed. "I'd like to ride one of your horses."
"Mr. Bogg, there are some chairs over on the portico. You can chat with the lad over there if you like."
"Thank you sir." Bogg replied as he put his arm around his partner. "C'mon kid. Let's go!"
Bogg and Jeff left Mr. Jefferson in the vineyard, walked to the portico and sat down.
Jeff sensed something was wrong with his partner. The look on Bogg's face spoke volumes.
"Bogg, what's going on?" Jeff asked, with a heightened state of concern. "You look as if you have just seen a ghost."
"Kid, you won't believe what just happened inside." Bogg exclaimed as he was still in denial over what had happened.
"What happened?" Jeff prompted. "You were supposed to be touring the house with Mrs. Jefferson."
"Yes, but first, let me tell you, I had nothing to do with it!" Bogg exclaimed.
"Bogg! Calm down and tell me what happened."
"It's like this. You remember last night when I told you about Mrs. Jefferson staring at me at the table?"
"Yea, it was just your imagination, right!" Jeff confirmed.
"No, kid. It was for real."
Jeff's eyes lit up with surprise. "What do you mean, Bogg?"
"Well, we were touring the house and then she took me over to see their bedroom…" Bogg explained as his breathing became labored.
"Bogg, please." Jeff pleaded. "You have to calm down. Everything's ok. Now, tell me what happened next."
Bogg paused for a moment and took a deep, calming breath. Upon regaining his composure, he continued with his story.
"We went inside the room. After she closed the door behind me, she commenced to… how should I put it…Put the move on me." Bogg said while still in a state of disbelief.
"She what?" Jeff exclaimed.
"She cornered me in front of the bed, put her arms around me and put a lip lock on me."
Based on the events of the past, Jeff began to read more into this situation and started laying the blame at his partner's feet.
"Well, I knew it. I knew it was coming…" Jeff chided. "You just can't resist the power of a beautiful woman."
Bogg, visibly shaken by the incident, exclaimed. "Kid, I had nothing to do with it! She came on to me!"
"Right! I don't believe it for one minute. I'll bet you went all googley-eyed at the sight of her. And in Jefferson's bedroom too. Geeze!" Jeff admonished.
"Kid, you really don't believe me, do you?" Bogg said as he stood up and began to pace. "I can't believe it. As long as we have been together, I thought you of all people knew me better than that. That's just not fair!
"Ok… Bogg! Don't get so upset. I believe you, honestly. I was just having a little fun with you." Jeff reassured. "Come back over here and sit down. Please Bogg."
Bogg stopped his pacing, walked back over and sat down next to his partner. Jeff smiled at his partner and then asked. "Ok, she put the move on you, so, now what are you going to do?"
"I cannot let this jeopardize our mission. I'm going to have to avoid her at all costs. Besides, you don't fool around with someone else's wife, since there's always a jealous husband not too far away in the distance." Bogg stated with fervor.
Jeff laughed.
"Kid what are you laughing about?" Bogg asked as his voice increased in intensity. "I'm serious here. This is so not funny!"
"I'm sorry Bogg. I know it's not funny, but in a way it is." He acknowledged.
"What do you mean, kid?"
"Well, to see you running away from a beautiful woman." Jeff stated with amazement. "That has to be one for the record books."
Suddenly, Bogg reached over and began to tickle Jeff in the ribs. "One for the record books, huh? I'll show YOU, kid."
"Bogg stop!" Jeff yelled as he started laughing uncontrollably. "C'mon Bogg, stop."
"No, I'm not going to stop 'til you take it back." Bogg exclaimed as enjoyed torturing his partner.
"No! It's the truth! I won't take it back! Never!" Jeff exclaimed as he laughed and gasped for breath.
"Never, huh?" Bogg taunted.
"I can continue this for hours if you want." He threatened while continuing his torture.
"Ok…Bogg! OK, I give up!!! Stop! Please!" Jeff exclaimed.
"Say it kid! Say it!" Bogg taunted.
"Ok….OK! I take it back. I take it all back." Jeff responded.
Bogg stopped his torture and sat back in his chair. After they both had a chance to catch their breath, Bogg looked over at Jeff and asked innocently. "Kid, what am I going to do?"
Jeff sat there for a time, pondering his partner's question.
"Well, it's been a few minutes since you've said anything." Bogg teased. "How about it? Any ideas?"
In response to Bogg's prodding, Jeff spoke up.
"Hey, instead of avoiding her, what about just sitting down with her and discussing it openly. You know you've always been good at that. Take us, for example. Look at all those times, we've had conflicts and been able to discuss them and work them out."
"Yea, but you're a kid. Besides, this is different." Bogg replied.
"What's so different about it?" Jeff asked. "Just because she's an adult, doesn't necessarily make it any more difficult."
Bogg sat there, silent for several moments as Jeff stared at him and waited for an answer.
"Well, Bogg! What's so different about it?"
"I guess you have a point. If I can sit down with you and discuss our problems, then technically, I should be able to do the same with Mrs. Jefferson." Bogg replied with a note of confidence in his voice.
Bogg rose from his seat and started back into building.
"Bogg! Where are you going?" Jeff asked.
"Well, kid. There's no time like the present." Bogg said confidently. "I'm going to find Mrs. Jefferson and straighten out this mess right now!"
"Do you need me to come along?" Jeff asked with a hint of concern in his voice. "You know if I'm around, maybe she won't be able to take advantage of you."
"Thanks for the offer, kid, but no. You stay here. I'll be ok. Honest. If I need you, I'll yell or something. Ok." Bogg said with a smile.
"Ok, Bogg."
Bogg went back inside and began to search for Mrs. Jefferson. He walked down the corridor and peeked inside Jefferson's bedroom.
"Mrs. Jefferson?…Mrs. Jefferson, it's me, Phineas. Are you in there?" Bogg asked.
There was no one in the room. Bogg went on with his search, making his way to the parlor.
"Hello! Anyone there?" Bogg whispered. There was no sign of Mrs. Jefferson in the parlor. Bogg continued walking until he reached the dining room. He strolled into the room, but like all the other areas, there was no one around.
"She must be here somewhere." Bogg thought. "But where?"
Somewhat frustrated with the situation, Bogg went over to the window and looked outside. There in the midst of the garden was the one lady he was searching for, Mrs. Jefferson herself. He quickly made his way through the door of the tea room and out into the garden where she now was seated.
"Phineas!" Mrs. Jefferson exclaimed, surprised by his presence.
"Mrs. Jefferson." Bogg replied in a gentleman like manner. "Do you mind if I join you?"
"No, I don't mind at all. Please, make yourself comfortable."
"Mrs. Jefferson. I believe you and I need to discuss what happened earlier during our tour." Bogg said openly.
"Phineas… I… I'm ever so sorry for what happened. I'm very surprised you even want to speak to me again after such a shameful act. I am so embarrassed by what I done."
"Mrs. Jefferson… Martha… Please… We're adults here." Bogg assured. "Can we discuss this rationally and try to resolve this apparent misunderstanding?"
"Can we Phineas?" Mrs. Jefferson pleaded. "Oh I wish I could go back and undo what I did."
"Martha…Please…Don't fret about it. It's not your fault."
"Yes it is. Phineas, next to my husband, you are the most handsome man I have ever met. I have to tell you a little secret. The first time I saw you, I swooned at the sight of your beautiful manliness. I guess you could say it was love at first sight. From that point forward, all I wanted to do was to press my lips against yours."
Bogg's cheeks now had a touch of red in them as he was a bit embarrassed by Mrs. Jefferson's candor.
"Martha… uh…You have left me speechless. I'm truly flattered by your comments." Bogg said as he smiled at his hostess.
"Please, listen to what I'm about to say. Martha, I would never want to hurt you in any way. You are a very beautiful woman, one that any man would be proud to have as his own. You have a wonderful, loving husband who cares about you deeply. You only have to look around at this home and its beautiful gardens to see that. It's the ultimate tribute to the woman he loves so dearly. I would never forgive myself if I came between the two of you.
"Oh Phineas! Your words are so comforting and beautiful." Mrs. Jefferson said softly.
"You know, it's not easy being handsome." Bogg said with a bit of his usual wit and charm. "But I have a confession to make also. You are not the first woman that has ever fallen head over heels in love with me, in a circumstance such as this one."
"Well, that's hard to believe."
Bogg continued. "There have been others in the past who have tried to catch me in their web, so to speak and failed. Their failure was not because of a lack of effort on their part, but due to my own inability to make a commitment."
"What! A handsome man like you, afraid to make a commitment?" Mrs. Jefferson exclaimed in disbelief. "I don't believe a word of it."
"On the contrary, Martha…I have already made a lifetime commitment to someone. He's sitting out on the porch right now. It's Jeffrey! That little kid, who stole my heart so many years ago, is now the most important person in my life."
"But young Jeffrey is not your son, is he?" Mrs. Jefferson asked.
Caught totally off guard by Mrs. Jefferson's statement, Bogg attempted a response.
"What? How?…."
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to surprise you." She said as she took hold of his hand and held it reassuringly. "How did I figure it out? Well, you could call it mother's intuition…or… it's could be the fact that the two of you bear no resemblance to each other."
"Well, no, he's not my actual son, but he's just as much mine as if I had conceived him myself." Bogg admitted.
"If I may be so bold, Phineas. I'm curious. How did your paths cross?" She asked.
"I met him, quite literally by accident several years ago. He had just lost his parents in a tragic accident and had been pretty much left an orphan. He had some living relatives, but they really did not want to take responsibility for him. I had just arrived in town on some important business when he got himself into a bit of trouble. That's when we first met. At that point, I helped him through his predicament. After that, he decided he wanted to stay with me instead of being alone."
"Phineas, so you decided to take him under your wing as your own?" She asked.
"Uh… yes and no. For years, I had traveled the world alone, going from place to place working for my keep. I had nothing to tie me down. No responsibilities, no family, no friends, nothing. I had always felt that something was missing from my life, but I had no earthly idea what it was. When Jeffrey came along, I was very reluctant to have him around at first. He was, for all intents and purposes, a thorn in my side. At one point, I almost left him at an orphanage."
"Phineas, how could that sweet, loving little boy be a thorn in your side? And if that thought wasn't bad enough, you were going to abandon him at an orphanage? How could you?" She asked with a tear in her eye.
"I know…I know…At the time, the only person I was thinking about was myself. I didn't realize for one moment, what joy this one little person would bring into my life." Bogg said with an overwhelming sense of emotion coming from within.
"What changed your mind?"
"Well…" Bogg paused for a moment, now embarrassed by what he was about to say next."
"The turning point came, when I threatened to leave Jeffrey at the orphanage." Bogg said, as tears began to well up in his eyes. "
"Oh Phineas, I didn't mean to upset you." She said reassuringly.
"It's ok, really. It's still very painful for me to talk about. Someone should have hit me with a stick after making that threat. To this day I wish I could take back those terrible words that I said to him." Bogg wiped his eyes on his sleeve and continued his story.
"Anyway, I had threatened to leave Jeff at the orphanage. The little guy ran over to me, tears flowing down his cheek and told me how much he wanted to be with me. The look on that sad little face was enough to soften even the hardest of hearts. At that point he took my heart prisoner and I knew we were meant to be together for the rest of our lives."
"As time passed, we became closer and closer. First, we became buddies, then close friends and after a while, he began to think of me as a father figure. In return, I also started thinking of him as my own son. Because of this unique relationship, I would do anything for him, from climbing the highest mountain to crossing the widest ocean. I have made a 100 percent commitment to him to raise him up properly and see him on into his adulthood." Bogg said proudly.
"Oh, Phineas. What a wonderful person you are to take on such a task. Jeffrey should be very proud to have you as a father. Now I understand completely. Once again, I'm sorry for what I did to you earlier, and I hope you will find it in your heart to forgive me." She pleaded.
"My dear Martha, all is forgiven. Please don't give it another thought." He reassured.
"Martha?" Bogg asked.
"Yes dear, what is it?" She replied.
"There's one other thing."
"What's that?" She asked.
"Jeffrey and I were sent here by Franklin and Adams, as you well know, to convince your husband to come back to Philadelphia and finish writing the Declaration." He stated.
"Yes, I know."
"As you well know, we're not having much luck at changing his mind." Bogg said sullenly.
Mrs. Jefferson put her hand over her chest and began to laugh. "Sometimes, Phineas, Mr. Jefferson can be quite stubborn. I should know. I have to live with him."
"Mr. Jefferson, stubborn?" Bogg said as he chuckled. "I would have never guessed."
"Martha, he really must return and finish his work. Things are not looking very good for the people of this land. The King is using his power to take advantage of those who live here and this must be stopped for the good of everyone. We the people of this great land must be allowed to form our own government and to govern ourselves as we see fit. Mr. Jefferson and his Declaration of Independence are the keys to making this happen."
"But what can I do, Phineas?" She asked. "I'm just his wife."
"Jeff and I would be ever so appreciative if you would speak with him and help us convince him to return." Bogg pleaded.
"Phineas, after what I put you through this morning, I believe I am in your debt. I will speak with Mr. Jefferson once he has finished with his chores. Maybe, I can convince him to go back with you."
"Thank you…Martha." Bogg said as he stood up and kissed Mrs. Jefferson on the cheek. "You are one beautiful lady. Whatever you do, always remember that."
"I will, Phineas… I will!" She replied.
"Now, if you will excuse me, I must check on Jeffrey." Bogg said as he made his way back inside.
Bogg walked out onto the porch where Jeff had remained. Much to his surprise, his partner had been overtaken by the cool breezes and the quiet surroundings and had fallen asleep. He went over and sat down next to him.
"Kid." Bogg whispered. "Wake up!"
Jeff raised his head, slowly opened his eyes and yawned a bit. "Bogg, you're back."
"Yea, I'm back and all is ok."
"You spoke to Mrs. Jefferson?" Jeff asked.
"I did. She was very sorry for her actions and apologized profusely. We discussed what happened and all is now forgiven."
"That's great, Bogg!" Jeff exclaimed. "Looks like we'll be able to complete the mission after all."
"That's not all, kid. I spoke with her about our problem with Mr. Jefferson and she has agreed to help us convince him to return to Philadelphia. "
"See! I knew you could do it. I'm proud of you Bogg!"
"Thank you kid. That means quite a lot to me." Bogg acknowledged with a smile.