The Ghost Of The American Soldier

Chapter Four - Birthdays

It's Philip Hamiltons ninth birthday. He sits in his room reading a book while he waits for the rest of his family to wake up, he was simply too excited to go back to sleep. It must have been around 6:30 in the morning when a voice cuts through the ambiance of the household

   "Happy birthday little guy!" Laurens passes through the wall with a small bag in his hands. Philip jumps out of bed at the sight of his friend. Laurens opens the cloth bag to reveal a small cake. "I found it in the cupboard, don't tell your mother" He says offering the child the cake. Philip of course snatches the cake with a small "Thank you" and begins eating it.

    He's a few bites in when he stops for a moment. "Would you like some, John?" he says holding up the bit of cake that was left. Laurens chuckles and says "I don't need to eat, I don't even think I can eat!" Philip tilts his head, something he always does when he's in a curious mood. "Why? You're a person, and people need to eat" Laurens has never needed to explain to the young Hamilton what he is, and he's never really prepared himself to... What would he say? He fumbles a bit before saying "Well... I don't know why I don't eat, but that's nothing you need to worry about." Philip crosses his arms

"Why am I the only one who can see you?"

    a question even Laurens didn't know the answer to. Laurens gets down on a knee to be at eye level with Philip. "I don't know why I'm here, but all i know that it's my job to keep you out of trouble, which you are always getting into" Philips eyes widen "Like a guardian angel?!". Laurens didn't want to scare the kid by saying he was a ghost, so he just goes with what Philip says. "I guess you could say that..."

   Laurens looks to the boys desk, and sees a pile of papers stacked up, many crumpled up and in the waste bin. "How's that poem been going?" Laurens asks. Philip runs to his desk, shuffles around the papers for a moment, and pulls out a single sheet of paper. "It's okay, but i still think I could work on a few things..." Laurens pulls a chair "Well read it!". Philip looks at his feet, takes a deep breath and pushes his hair out of his face."Okay, here it is" He waits a moment before starting.

"My name is Philip

I am a poet

I wrote this poem just to show it.

And I just turned nine

you can write rhymes but you can't write mine!"

    Laurens gives an applause and a couple of whoops. "There are a couple more things I wanna add, but I gotta figure it out." Laurens stands up "That's really good! Your dad is gonna freak out!" The grandfather clock in the family room chimes, indicating that it's seven oclock, and time to start the day. Philip places the paper back down and turns to john. "I gotta go help mom with breakfast now" He says as he begins to walk out the door "Okay, i'll be here".

   Philip gives a tiny wave before finally leaving the room. Eliza and Her husband wake up at the sound of the chiming clock, and eliza is the first to leave the room. She walks into the kitchen to see her eldest son attempting to prepare something. "Philip, what on earth are you doing?". Philip turns around, there is flour all over his hands and face. "I wanted to make everybody breakfast!" he says with a smile. His mother chuckles, she grabs a dish towel and wipes his face "It's your birthday. Don't you worry about a thing today". Philip looks at his mothers stomach "Do you think the baby will come soon?" Philip asks. Eliza is pregnant with her fourth child and looks like she is going to burst soon. "Maybe Philip, Let's hope that".

    Seven year old Angelica and five year old Alexander Jr. walk into the kitchen. Angelica tackles Philip into a hug "Happy birthday big brother!" she exclaims. "Sis... Can't breathe... Room getting dark" Angelica releases him from the hug and nudges Alexander forward. "Happy birthday brother" He says quietly. Phillip ruffles the hair on Alexanders head "Thanks".