Liberty kids: Henri meets Jolene

Chapter twenty (jolene's point of view)

I had only gone out to town just so I could sell some buckskins for a few shillings that I need. While then I saved this boy from a stray dog. I heard him in the alley way when I was about to head home, so I went and fought off the dog. The boy's name was Charles Montgomery, and he was my age.

He seemed like a decent boy, though awfully timid around me. Maybe I might see him again when I go out again today. Gilbert has to return to duty in the next day, so I'll visit him while I'm out. I rarely visit town due to the fear of seeing...well, you know who by now. But I have to trade in some potatoes that I farmed for some more shillings. I am trying to save up in case I need it for an emergency.

I mounted Sport and headed to town with the sack of potatoes. When I sold the person the potatoes and collected the money, I was about to  get on Sport to head to Gilbert's when I suddenly saw Henri,   Kicking a rock around.
"Hey, Henri!", I called out to him.
He looked up and grinned a huge smile as he laid eyes on me.
"Jolene!"
He ran over to me, but asked,
"What are you doing out in town? I thought you don't go out."
"Well I had to sell some potatoes I farmed for some shillings. I'm trying to earn and save up in case of an emergency."

"Where are you heading now?"
"Over to Gilbert's. He's leaving the next day to go back to war, so I'm going to see him before he leaves."
"Let me come with you. I want to see him also."
"D'accord alors. Come along with me."
Me and Henri got in sport and stared to head over to where Gilbert was staying. We got there and knocked on the door. Gilbert answered with a huge smile.
"Bonjour, my dear friends. I'm glad you had came to visit me."
"Oui. We just wanted to see you before you go back to war. I'll miss you very much, Gilbert. You are much like a father figure to me."

"And you are much like a daughter to me, Jolene, and I mean that. Now why don't you come in?"
"Gladly," Henri said. We were about to go in when I froze in fear hearing the most terrifyingly familiar voice, one I'd dread very much to hear. I was pale white all over and shaking.

Slowly I turned around and my heart leaped into my throat as I laid my eyes on who it was.
It was Richard, and in person, too! He was talking to a fellow British men. He was actually here, in Philadelphia!
Never in my whole life was I so horrified in that moment. I started whimpering, clutching my hands into tight fists.

Henri and Gilbert looked and saw my terror, a concerned look grew on their faces.
"Jolene, what's wrong? Why are you shaking."
"It's him..." I croaked out, barley able to speak.
"It's who?", Gilbert asked.
I chocked out the word,
"R-Richard... it's- it's him. Right there!"
I pointed over to Richard and they saw him. Henri's and Gilbert's face were with shocked expressions, which quickly turned into anger. I could barely move due to my heart thumping hard against my chest. I could barely breathe as I was hyperventilating.

Luckily, he didn't lay eyes on me yet.
I had to get out of sight, fast,  before he saw me.
"Get inside...now."
Quickly as I could I darted into Gilbert's house, pulling Henri and Gilbert with me and slamming the door shut.