Chapter 5: New experiences in the new world
After a month in limbo I'm back and better than ever! No, I'm not abandoning this story, at least, not right now. If I do ever abandon this story, I will give you guys some warning and explain my actions. I'm sorry for the very long wait, but the fires of liberty can be extinguished for a period of time by those whose tyranny is absolute (translation: my mom grounded me). On the plus side, I've had more time to work on more chapters, so all's well that ends well. I'm going to the release these chapters little by little over the next one-two weeks. I don't want you guys to OD on my story
I'm still debating adding this chapter to 3 and 4, but I think all the changing view would be hard to keep up with. Plus, the whole thing would be about 6,000 words long, so I'd rather not give anyone a stroke. Slow and steady wins the race, and all that. Normally, each episode will be about one to three chapters long, depending, on the importance of events and my personally feeling. Very important episodes may be as long as 8 chapters, but I doubt that will happen (at least, not more than once or twice). The chapters from now on will be a little longer, since the chapters already know each other and the conflict has come into play. Expect the avenge chapter to be about 2,300 words or so, but if a chapter is over 3,500, I will definitely spilt it up into two.
Also, I'm basically skipping most of the intolerable acts, not because I don't like it, but because I can't really change it, and I don't want to bore you with a basic rehashing of the events. I will skip a few episodes, for whatever reason, but I will not change major events (both historical or plot wise). I may mention the events afterwards though. Just think of it happening more or less happening as it did in the show. I'd rather skip episodes than rehash the events of the show.
I'm running out of creative ways to say this, so, Watashi no liberty's kids wakarimasen (I don't own liberty's kids)
Sarah pov
After James yelled at Henri for his comments, the three spent the rest of the ride in silence. Sarah studied the houses on the street, but most of them looked the same in her eyes. Almost all were simple white wash one or two story buildings with signs advertising the trade of the occupants or the name of taverns in some cause. Revere sliver, the pig and whistle, a few with crude pictures instead of words, they all began to melt together into a jumbled mess in Sarah's mind as they drove on and on into the night.
The bumpiness of the ride jerked Sarah out her thoughts every couple of minutes, and gave her the opportunity to observe the people she would live with for the rest of her life. Henri (she must assume that was the French boy's name) had fallen asleep a while ago. Sarah wondered how in the world someone could fall asleep during such a jarring ride, but he did. She couldn't blame him though, seeing as he didn't seem more than nine or ten years old.
Sarah then turned her train of thought towards Moses, who was currently leading the horse. Moses seemed to be the substitute parent of the group, making sure that the two boys were taken care of and didn't get into too much mischief, what he said goes. Sarah guessed that doctor franklin had order his slave Moses to do this during one of his many trips, and the orders stuck.
Suddenly Sarah felt the familiar shudder of instincts that warned her someone was watching her behind her back. She turned and saw James staring at her. The two locked eyes for a moment or two, then James abruptly tore his eyes away and found a very interesting knot in on the floor of the wagon. James was the biggest mystery her new life in the colonies. Who was he really? What would her life be with him?
James pov
James felt the blush creep across his face when Sarah caught him looking at her. After staring at each other for a few minutes, he quickly adverted his eyes, and praying that Sarah didn't notice him. He couldn't help himself. He was curious by nature, and Sarah intrigued him. She knew basic things about her, but other than that, he knew nothing. Yet, in a year or two, they would be married. Two strangers, previously unknown to each other for the first sixteen years of their life, now forced to become one legally, mentally, and physically (whatever that detailed) after just a year or two. James still wasn't decided whether or not this was a bad thing. People had been married for lesser reasons and after knowing each other for a smaller amount of time. At least he would have the chance to get to know Sarah before they would marry, and they both had the opportunity to reject each other, he hoped.
James had noticed Moses had come to a stop in front of the back door to a neat looking house. It was a white washed two story houses, with dark green trim. There was a bit of a yard behind the house, and a small barn. The people of the house were probably moderately well off.
"We're here. " Moses explained. James got out of the wagon, and held a hand out the help Sarah. She accepted it. It was the first time James and Sarah and really touched (at least, in a gentle way), and James hand felt like it was on fire, but in a good way, if that made sense. Their eyes met of a moment, and James felt a blush creep on his face again. After a moment, James felt his eyes tear away from Sarah's to look at a simply fascinating spot on the ground. He cursed whatever power had decided to make him so quick to blush.
James then noticed that Sarah had long since moved out the wagon, and he quickly dropped her hand. It was strange, but she almost seemed… disappointed. He had to admit, he felt his heart sink too when they released each other. Shaking it off, he moved to join Henri and Moses at the door. Standing in the doorway was a tall, well dressed Negro woman, most likely the household slave.
"Miss Wheatly? I'm sorry, but my associates and I need a place to stay for a little while. The axle on our wagon is broken, and we don't have the parts to fix it. We're from the Pennsylvania gazette. We publish your poetry in the gazette from time to time. If it's a matter of money, I can have dr. franklin write a letter to Mr. and Mrs. Wheatly." Moses explained in a calm manner.
The Negress, whom James now knew as Phyllis smiled and replied, "It's no trouble, you can stay in the barn. There are some tools there that should help you fix your wagon. Now come quietly, and be sure not to wake up the master or any of his children."
Sarah pov
February, 1774
Dearest mother,
It has been three months since I've move to the colonies, and life is not as bad as I thought it would be. We currently live in a barn, seeing how the British army has blockaded the city of Boston, letting no one in or out. They seem to think they can starve these colonists out of rebellion. No doubt word of the "tea party" as they call it here has reached you. Rest assured I am safe, excluding the loss of father's locket, and have meet up with dr. franklin's associates.
On the subject of the blockade, the Wheaties, our honored "hosts", currently have five British officers staying at their house. My feelings on this subject are mixed. While it is good to meet another English man from our rank, these soldiers are simply thugs who take whatever they want. Moses, dr. franklin's Negro assistant (he is paid, not a slave) has warned me never to be alone in a room with one, and I quite frankly agree. Since that, warning, James hiller (yes mother, my fiancée) has never left my side or out of his sight. It's a bit annoying to be honest.
Concerning James, I am not sure where I stand. On the one hand, he is boastful, uncivilized, and never thinks things through. On the other hand, he is also kind, generous, and extremely intelligent. He and I were introduced under an unusual situation and I think…
"Sarah, what are you writing?" a boyish voice asked. Sarah turned and saw James standing over her, munching on an apple.
"It's nothing, just a letter to mother." Sarah tilted the paper away from James as she spoke. "A private letter." She added decisively, closing her notebook when James tilted his head to look.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Moses announced to the barn, even though it was just the four of them." if I many interrupt, I have good news and bad news. The good news is that the wagon is fixed, and the Wheatlies have arranged a way out of town for us! The bad news is how we're going out."
Sarah and James looked at each other and shrugged. Being stuck in the old smelly barn was getting old. Anything would be better than staying in the same old place, till the blockade lifted, whenever that would be.
Well, almost anything.
James pov
The next morning, they made their daring escape as Odysseus did: under piles of wool. James hoped the trip wouldn't be too long; the wool stank and was uncomfortable. He knew that they would travel a short distance under the wool, and then hop out and ride normally, but currently James was displeased with the situation at hand.
Soon, they were stopped at a check point, and after a light examination, were allowed to pass. Moses had it lucky: he just had to answer questions. James, Sarah and Henri had to scurry on their hands and knees to avoid the dreaded probing stick. Sarah had come close to getting hit on the head, but she scooted away at the last minute. James had to admit; he almost jumped up and struck the British officer with the same stick.
"Cheer up James," Sarah said, taking his hand,"we'll be in Philadelphia soon." James waited for Sarah to move her hand away from his, but she kept it there. While he was doing this, Sarah snuck a kiss on the check.
James was glad Sarah couldn't see the blush in the dark.
April, 1774
Sarah pov
Sarah was finally at the print shop, after 7 months of travel and delays. Life in the print shop was better than living in the Wealthlies barn (next time Sarah was in Boston, she'd visit the Wealthlies and thank them). Sarah had her own room, and when it was discovered that she had a passion for writing, Moses put her on the gazette staff, despite other's objections (mostly James). her days were filled with writing now, the chores evenly divided among the members of the household. Sarah often did the laundry and cooking, while James and Henri swept and cleaned the shop. Moses took care of the shopping and finances, occasionally asking Sarah's help on certain matters.
But despite all this, Sarah couldn't help feel a little disappointed about her locket. The one thing her father had given her, the one thing she had promised never to lose and it was gone forever. Sarah sat at her writing desk one day, not really doing much of anything except moping. She knew that this wasn't really good behavior, but at the moment she didn't care.
A knock on the door alerted Sarah. She got up and opened the door. Henri was standing there, looking as though he was about to burst out of his skin. "Sarah! You must come down the stairs! There is a surprise for you. Come on!"
"All right, all right, Henri. I'll be down soon." Sarah laughed, following Henri down the stairs. Standing at the bottom were James and Moses, both smiling (albeit, James did so shyly). James held something in his hand, Sarah couldn't tell what.
Once Sarah reached the bottom, James began talking, "look Sarah. I know you're sad about your locket, and well I uh, made you something to feel better." James said the last part quickly, while handing the thing to Sarah. Examination of the object revealed it was a simple, plain golden pendant strung on a bronze chain.
"I love it James! Thank you! But where did you get… your ring!" Sarah exclaimed, realization coming to her.
"It was nothing. I think you'll probably have more use for it than I did." James admitted sheepishly, his face turning the color of new rose.
This time, Sarah didn't care if Henri saw them.
end
I know kissing on the cheek isn't the way a proper English woman would behave, but cuteness won in over accuracy. I love making James blush. I always pegged James as secretly a shy and socially awkward in his own special way. I was debating on adding the part on the end to this chapter, or putting it at the beginning of the next chapter, but I figured it worked better here. If I decide it doesn't work I may changing it sometime in the future. Anyway, please comment and fav, at least to try to make me feel less guilty about writing this in English and leaving you guys hanging for a month.