The Ghost Of The American Soldier

Chapter Seven - Suspicions (Part One)

  It's been a year since the Hamilton affair, and the family, while still secluded and far from eachother, was healing. Philip and Laurens sit at the kitchen table, Philip is tinkering with his quills, and Laurens is tossing an apple back and forth between his hands

"Philip, you have a letter!"He makes his way to the porch to see his mother sitting on a bench, going through mail. She holds up the letter for him to take. He reads the address. "It's from Theodosia" she says softly.

"Alright lover boy, whats Theo talking about this time" Laurens says raising an eyebrow.

Philip wastes no time opening the letter. The slightly folded parchment smells of chocolate and mint, Theodosias favorite scents. the letter reads

"Dearest, Phillip,

It's been quite a while since i've shared your company, my father is out of town for the next few weeks on buisness, and I would be delighted if you would be able to take some time to travel uptown to share an afternoon together. I look forward to seeing you.~ Theodosia "

Philip smiles at the note, and folds it back into the envelope. His mother looks up at him with a slight smile "So, what was the letter about?".  Philip runs a hand through his hair

"Theo wants me to visit her, is that alright with you mother?" Eliza stands and places a hand on Philips cheek "You are almost seventeen now Philip, you don't need to ask your mother for permission anymore love"

Philip pulls his mother into a hug, and says softly "Are you going to be alright mother? Angelica isn't gonna be back from shopping for another few hours" Eliza sighs "I'll be fine son, I know my daughter, and she isn't the shopping type. She'll tire and be back in an hour at the most"

Philip lets go, and heads back into the house to freshen up

"Son, could you please get me a piece of parchment from your father's office" Eliza calls from the outside. Philip makes a detour to where his father does most of his work for congress. He walks in to see the room is an utter catastrophe of papers and books. Philip tries not to knock over the large piles of paper while looking for a blank sheet of parchment.

"How could a man who writes so much not have a single sheet of paper at hand to write on" Philip asks. Laurens shuffles through the years of old work. Philip almost gives up when he spots a tiny pile of fresh paper.

"Here we go" philip says taking the papers, he is about to leave when something catches his eye."Hey John, I think these are some letters that dad sent you back when you were... alive" He says while lifting a few of them.

Laurens stops dead in his tracks, and snatches the letters from Philip "Hey bud, that's personal stuff" He says while thumbing through the sheets. Philip furrows his brow "What's that supposed to mean? They're just letters."

Laurens scans some of the lines on the letters and reads them in his head.

"I shall only tell you that 'till you bade us Adieu..."

"my heart to set upon you..."

"I have still a part for the public and another for you..."

He puts the papers down and takes a deep breath in "Look, your father is an, interesting man, and trust me, you don't wanna read those letters... just go get ready for your little playdate with theodosia" Phillip scoffs "First of all, playdate? really? And second of all, if you don't want me to read them, I wont"

Laurens smiles slightly "Go on then" he says while leaving the room. Philip, in the last moment before leaving as well, grabs a stack of the letters and hides them in his jacket.

Philip travels to the Burr household alone, Laurens stays behind to allow the two to have some alone time. Philip exits the coach and makes his way to the door. He knocks twice and almost immediately the door is opened.

"Philip!" Theodosia exclaims. She glances down both sides of the street before grabbing Philip by the collar and pulling him inside. 

 It's just after sunset, and the house is begining to get dark, Philip shuts the door and cups Theodosia's cheek, greeting her with a kiss. He can feel her giggle against his lips. Philip pulls away "I got your letter" he says. she smiles "It's about time, i sent that almost four days ago, I was beginning to think you ignored me" 

Philip laughs "How could I ignore you" he says brushing the hair from Theodosia's face. Theodosia frowns a little bit "When can we tell them Philip?" She puts her head on his chest "I don't know Theodosia, you know both of our fathers, they'd freak out!" She looks up at him "I love you, you know that, why should we care what our parents think. We have each other, what do we need them for"

Philip sighs, "Soon, not right now. But soon" he reassures her. He feels the paper crinkle inside his jacket, a sudden reminder "Oh! I forgot" he says pulling it out of his jacket. "I found this in my Dad's office"  Theodosia touches the paper "They're so old, what are they?" 

Philip thinks for a moment, making a story "Um... My dad actually told me not to look at them" Theodosia clicks her toungue "Oh Philip, but of course you had to... what are they about" He blushes "Hey, That's pretty suspicious if you ask me, and anyways, I haven't actually read them yet, I wanted to wait till i got here"

Theodosia lifts an eyebrow "What if it's some super secret government stuff?" 

Philip smirks "I trust you more than anyone in my life, I know you'd be able to keep a secret" 

Theodosia laughs. They go over to a table and light a candle to be able to see the thin, faded print."I'll read the first one" Theodosia says, carefully flatening it on the table.

 "Cold in my professions, warm in my friendships, I wish, my Dear Laurens, it might be in my power, by action rather than words to convince you that I love you." 

They both go silent for a moment before Theodosia speaks 

"Maybe this was a woman your Dad was with before your mom?" Philips blood ran cold. 'That couln't mean what I think it means" He says chuckling "Keep reading"

" I shall only tell you that 'til you bade us Adieu, I hardly knew the value you had taught my heart to set upon you. Indeed, my friend, it was not well done." Theodosia laughs under her breath "Oh i think you know what that means Philip, your dad was a ladies man even before Mrs. Hamilton"

Theodosia continues. 

"You know the opinion I entertain of mankind, and how much it is my desire to preserve myself free from particular attachments, and to keep my happiness independent of the caprice of others. You should not have taken advantage of my sensibility to steal into my affections without my consent."

Philip begins to feel very uneasy, and has to sit down "There's no way" Theodosia sits down as well, and looks very worried "Why is this so shocking Philip, your dad is known to be a very flirtatious man when it comes to women"

Philip can't hold it in anymore 

"Laurens isn't a woman!" he spurts out. 

Theodosia widens her eyes in shock "How... do you know?" Philip tries to speak, but no words come out. "Breathe Philip, talk to me"

Philip takes a deep breath in "Laurens... John Laurens, he was a soldier that dad fought alongside of in the war. He died maybe a month after I was born" Theodosia nods understandingly "So, your dad is a- well was..."  Philip cuts her off

"A homosexual" He can barely say, Philip just sits there, confused, unsure of how to react to this news

"I'm very sorry Theo, I need to leave this is kind of an emergency, please don't tell anyone about this" He says gathering the papers. Theodosia gets Philip's jacket and gives it to him "Of course" She says. He kisses her on the head "I'll be back soon, I just need to talk to my father"

He heads down the pathway and gets the attention of a coach, as he is opening the door he mutters under his breath

"And John."