Liberty kids: Henri meets Jolene

Chapter elevne

With a broken heart, Henri made it back to the print shop, although he didn't want to leave Jolene alone in that cabin by herself.

He just couldn't believe she was an orphan like he was. That was the last thing he'd ever want for her, and it just hurts thinking about it. When he opened the door, he was a little happy to see that Lafayette was there at the printshop too.
Lafayette was about to say hi but then noticed the tears falling from Henri's eyes. His smiled faded and he went over to him.

"Mom garçon, what's the matter? You're crying."
"It's about Jolene," Henri said.
"Her parents are dead."
Henri told everyone her story and how alone and in pain she was in. It tore his heart out again just by taking about it.

When he was done, the bright mood in the printshop dampened, as everyone felt a deep sadness for Jolene.
"Oh Henri, that's terrible," Sarah said, giving Henri a hug.
"Yeah, that is horrible," James said, then went silent with a sad look, as he could relate to Jolene's loss, as his parents died in a fire as well.
But no one was more devastated about the situation more than Lafayette. Tears filled and streaked down from his eyes as he took in the news of his best friend's death and especially hearing that jolene was going through so much pain alone by herself. It was something he couldn't bear thinking about.

"Mon dieu, that is absolutely horrible, just horrible! I could never imagine what that poor girl went through since then. I can't even imagine that my dear friend is dead too. It's bad enough that Jolene lives alone by herself. She shouldn't be living out there on her own, she's just a little girl. I have to go see her at once. Oh, sweet Jolene."
"I'll come with you," Henri said.
"I'll come too," James added.
"So will I," Sarah said.
"I must come see her out of respect. Besides, I would rather get to know this girl anyway."

"Alright, let's all head out then."
The four of them set out to Jolene's house. When they made it there, Sarah said,
"I don't ever think a little girl like her should ever live out in the woods. It can be a dangerous place."
"Aww don't worry, Sarah. She plenty tough enough to. She can fight off a wild pig after all."
Lafayette went to the front door and knocked.
Soon enough, Jolene answered the door, eyes red from crying. She smiled slightly seeing Lafayette.
"Bonjour, Lafayette. How are you?"
Immediately Lafayette engulfed her in a big hug.
"Dear girl, I heard what happened to your parents. I am so so sorry you had to go through that. I was just so devastated finding out that news. Why didn't you tell me this?"

Hearing this makes Jolene Burst into tears once again. She hugged Lafayette tightly, crying into his chest. Lafayette hugged her  back, not letting her go. Henri went over to comfort her, while James and Sarah watched, saddened at the scene.
Sarah decide to go over and comfort Jolene, too, so she walked over and laid a hand on her shoulder.
"I'm so sorry for your loss, Jolene. I truly hope you will recover."
Jolene stopped crying and turned towards Sarah. Her face turned pale and her eyes grew wide with fear.
"You-you're British! Please get away from me!"

Jolene took off running deeper into the woods.
"Jolene! Wait!" Henri took off after her, Lafayette following. Sarah stood there not understanding why she was scared of her.
"I don't understand why I scared her. I didn't mean her no harm."
"She probably scared of British people because two killed her parents," James said, and reassured her,
"It's not your fault. You're not like the other British."
Sarah still looked guilty and felt bad for frightening the girl. It sometimes made her hate being British a bit, with other people thinking she's the bad guy, when really she's not. She just grew up loyal to her country. Sarah wanted to make it right to Jolene, but she just has to get the girl to trust her.