Valley Forge

Chapter XXII

Sunday, February 15, 1779

Benny studied me, and I, him.

He'd didn't seem different although it'd only been a couple weeks, he seemed feed, and healthier, and maybe a few fractions of an inch taller, He wore the same outfit as Samuel

Bellingham looked at me, then at Benny, then back to me

"Do you not remember him?"

How much has he told him?

If I pretended not to know him, he'd be suspicious. But if I admitted the truth, I might expose any lies that she had been forced to spin,

I touch the swollen knot on my head. "My mind is still clouded, sir."

"He was Your mother's sisters son," Bellingham said, "Lived on wall street." He stood up. "Mayhaps that guard hit you harder than I thought."

"Now I recollect, the memories," I said. "He has grown much,"

The din of stomping boots and loud voices in the front hall drew his attention. Bellingham began gathering up the papers in front of him, "Quick Ali!, Close up all the books with red leather bindings and stack them in the center of the table. Benny, to the kitchen for the wine. The wagons should be ready for you but prepare the tray first." Benny paused at the door that led to the kitchen and looked back at me. I could no longer tell what he made of any of this.

"Hurry!" he ordered.

As he slipped out, two gentlemen entered from the hall, brushing snow from their wigs. They were congressmen, yet I did not know their names.

"You've returned early!" Bellingham feigned delight with a false smile. 

The younger fellow who was not wearing a wig shivered once, "A rider came from Albany with the news."

"News about the scheme to unseat General Washington. Disrupted all of the business of the day. Total rot, of course." The older man dropped into a chair with a groan and wiped his nose with a handkerchief. "Is that your girl? He looks a bit worse for the wear, she needs proper clothing."

"There on there way from York," Bellingham said,

The younger gentleman pointed to the papers in Bellingham's hands. "Did you complete your study of the reports?"

Bellingham set the papers down and straightened the cuffs of his shirt. I'd seen him do it countless times, always when he was about to lie in his favor.

"I want to go over the numbers again, The situation could be much wore than anyone imagined." He plucked a paper from the center of the table. "These are the reports from New York"

The gentleman with the damp nose held up his hands. "Not yet, Charles, Please. Some food first."

"Agreed." The younger congressman sat next to him. "Your girl won't serve table dressed like that, Will she?"

"I should say not!" Bellingham, "She has an appointment with a bath and clean clothes right now. You can go, Ali." His eyes looked at me.

I took three steps away from the table before he stopped me.

"One moment," He called. "Have you forgotten how to take proper leave of your father?"

That word-"Father"-was a musket-bullet ripping through my guts. I almost bolted for the fireplace and grabbed that poker so I could beat him. They'd catch me, beat me, kill me, but it all would have worth it.

Except for Benny.

All three men stared at me, waiting.

I stiffened my back, held my arms tight to my sides, and bowed low, silently cursing every man in the room.

"Thank you, sir," I said as I again stood straight. "Will that be all?"