The New World

Chapter One

1715

I never felt special. I never thought I had a purpose. My family thinks we were born for a reason. I just believe what my parents do. I lived in England and believed my purpose for being born as an only child is to do work and try and take care of my family. Work in the barn and try and get married to a wealthy man and give some money to my parents so they don’t die in a rotting wooden house. Though I never felt important, it took me years to come up with a reason to have a purpose. To me, I was just there, just a human being taking up space in the world. When someone else could be in my place and be extremely smart and invent something like a glass jar that glows to make light and never went out like a candle did. Now that’s smart. I would invent that if had an education. That’s how poor I am.

I try to learn as much as I can. My friend Bridget was wealthier than me but not by much. She went to school and when school was let out; she would come to my house and teach me things she learned. I haven't seen her in over a year. She and her family of seven had moved to another city in Europe. She never did tell me where.

My mom is a sweet-heart, a very kind woman, but not very honest. Her dirty blond hair was coarse from the years of improper care. It used to be soft to the touch, like a down feather. She had brown eyes that could melt your soul from tender care that was encased inside them. Worry lines had begun their first stage of marking her face before sinking in deep and doing most damage. The creases were built on lies she had told my father and I.

She sleeps with other men in our city. She’s very careful though. She’s been doing it for several years now and my dad doesn’t have a clue. I caught her in the kitchen one day with the butcher. She made me swear not to tell my father so I didn’t.

My father is a very good man. He works as a shoemaker. He’s a very good one too. His deep brown hair was speckled with grey and was most proud of his impressive handle bar mustache. He had warm blue eyes that filled with love every time he saw my mother or I, though I may be bias over myself. It was a shame that he didn't have a clue about my mother and her wrong doings with handsome men...

I asked Mother one day if she was worried if she got pregnant. Mother answered me sweetly and said that after she had me, she wasn't able to have anymore. I don't know how that works but Mother wouldn't explain further.

One night while Mother and I were in the kitchen, she was cleaning up dinner and Father was outside in the barn. It was only a few days after I had caught her with the butcher. She dropped the pan she was cleaning in the sink, startling me. I looked up at her worried and she looked at me with worn eyes. Something was on her mind.

"What is it, Mother?" I asked her, placing down the book I had been reading.

She pressed her pink lips into a thin line and then spoke with a hoarse voice, "He drove me to it, your father," she said a matter-of-factly.

I did not reply, afraid to say something wrong so I let her continue.

She rubbed her tired eyes, "He seems to care more about his leather shoes with buckles than me. He doesn't full-fill my needs. I have to get them on my own. I hope you understand that, Azaria."

"Mother, you do not need to explain to me. I shall not be dragged into this. Fix things if you wish, do not have me understand so I can vouch for you."

Mother sighed, "You are already in this, if you like it or not... You are my daughter. I brought this on you. Do what you may but you need to know why, Alice," she turned back to the sink and continued to clean the dishes. We did not speak the rest of the night.

She was right though. I had no choice, I was in the problem. We do not speak of it anymore but I can tell which men she has laid with by the way she would stare at them and how they stare back.

I’m usually by myself in the barn or walking around the town trying to get money. Being an only child has its ups and downs. Some ups are that I can wonder by myself, be alone when I need to, and not bothered contently. But a down is that I get lonely. I try to spend my time wisely. I work in the barn a lot and I go around town learning as much as I can.

My family never really liked England, though. I mean it’s a lovely place, it was home. But how we couldn’t believe what we wanted wasn't our cup of tea. Hearing about the New World and free religion made my mother and I excited. I wanted what was out there. Starting a new life would be amazing. I never really hear much about America. But I heard was that it was way different than England. I listened to a lot of my parent’s conversations. I had nothing better to do so I just sat there and listened.

“Richard,” begged my mother, “This is a once in a life time chance. We can start over. It will be good for us, for Alice.” I rolled my eyes.

My father sighed, “Yes, yes. I’m aware that it’s better for all of us, but do you know dangerous it would be? We could all die.” My father’s voice was sympathetic. I understood why he felt that way.

“We will if we stay here,” my mother’s voice was stern.

They’ve been having this conversation for an hour now. My father stared at her for a long time. I dared not say anything. Crickets chirped outside and the moon light shined through the window.

“Ok,” he finally said, “A ship leaves in 3 days, not including tonight. Start packing.” He walked out of the room.

My mom’s face glowed, “Alice, go pack your bags.”

I smiled lightly and slid the wooden chair from the table making it squeak. I walked to my small room and placed an old, green, canvas bag from under my bed. I walked to my chest and opened all the drawers and emptied them. I rolled the clothes of what I had (which wasn't much) into a cylinder and placed them gently in the bag, making more room. I didn’t have a lot. I always slept with a teddy bear I named Mr. Tubbzy so I wasn’t packing him yet.

I slipped into my sleepwear and climbed into bed. I blew out the candle and the only light I had was the full moon. I quickly fell asleep.

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