The New World

Chapter Six

1719

It had been three years. Three years has passed from my father's death. I had just turned nineteen. Mother married Harold a week after the funeral. We sold the house and the shop and the remaining of Father's shoes. Here at Harold's, he has many slaves. I don't have to go out to the barn and tend to the animals. Harold has slaves for that. He also had them tend to the crops that lay behind his house. Mother stopped her whoring about. She did actually love Harold.

I have new clothes. I dress in 1st class cloths and threads. Every year the town adds almost four to five more familes. Here in Amsterdam was peaceful. Everyone knew everyone, which wasn't always the best....

~~~~~

I walked to the bakery down the stoned path. My shoes clicked across the polished stones and I held my bonnet onto my head. The wind was strong this evening. I reached Mr. Raulf's bakery and opened the door. The smell of freshly baked bread and pastries filled my nose and made my mouth water.

"Good evening, Milady!" Mr. Raulf emerged from the bagel basket.

I smiled, "How are you, Mr. Raulf? Has it been busy?"

Mr. Raulf bellowed a laugh, "Ah, ma dear, not since the weekend! Been slow but able to switch things out here and there. Now, what can I do for you Miss Sparrow?"

"I'm afraid that it is Miss Toft, but I just need a few loafs of bread, sir," I replied, placing the basket onto the counter, "And a few muffins as well."

He nodded and went into the back with the basket. As I waited patiently, I heard two women gossiping in the corner eating sweet pastries and sipping coffee.

"I dear say! That man couldn't do worse to his family!" said one.

"Pish, posh! He could. He was kind enough to marry that widow and take in that daughter of hers, ya know!" stated the other.

"But that man is dealing with those savages! Might as not have married the lady," the first lady sipped her coffee.

"That is true... But what I heard is that those natives are becoming greedy! Wanting to take our land, they do."

"Is that a fact? I've seen them. I was in me yard washing clothes. Then come out with scraps of clothes and weapons! Thought they were gonna slit me throat!" she said with wide eyes.

"Good Heavens! What did they want?" her hand went to her pale throat.

"Didn't talk to me! Just looked and cut across the yard. Never saw them again!"

"Savages... Why do they think they can waltz on to our land and take it?!"

"That's what we did," I caught myself saying.

The two ladies blushed scarlet, "Uh-- I, um-- Miss Toft!" exclaimed one, "I am afraid we didn't see you standing there!"

My face held no expression, "Indeed?"

"Quite, milady!" called out the other, "We were just talking about the natives! Care to join us? I'm sure you know a thing or two about them from your father, Sir Toft, am I correct?"

"He is merely just my mother's husband. But, I assure you, I know a bit about the natives."

"Share your opinion, Miss!" excalimed the other, "Please sit while you wait."

I nodded and walked over and sat at an empty seat. It was Mrs. Alliott and Mrs. Murphy. The two women where a bit older than Mother and were almost as rich as me. Mrs. Alliott had dark brunette hair with grey streaks and amber eyes. While Mrs. Murphy had bright orange with freckles and green eyes. They exchanged nervous glances between one another. I looked at them from under my brow as I slid off my satin gloves.

"Would you please continue what you began to tell us, Miss Toft?"

I burden a simper, "I don't mean to intrude," I added simply.

"Of course not! We were just saying how those savages were trying to take our land!" said Mrs. Alliott.

"Yes, I heard your father is having some troubles with 'em. I sure did!" replied Mrs. Murphy.

Mrs. Alliott kicked the ginger, making her wince. I picked up one of their muffins and picked off a piece, "Is that so?"

"Mhmm," Mrs. Murphy groaned in agreement, in pain.

"And why do you think they're trying to take your land?" I popped some muffin in my mouth.

Mrs. Alliott stuttered, "Uh-- I-- Because they're primitive! They are ungrateful and a terrible excuse for a human."

"Well, I'm glad you think they are at least human," I muttered, continuing to eat their muffin.

"Wouldn't you agree, Miss?" Mrs. Murphy, quickly.

"I couldn't say. I barely know them. I think it's quite rude to judge someone you don't know," shooting them a glare, "Besides, I think they have all the right reasons to be mad."

They blinked and blushed in embaressment, "And what would those reasons be, milady?" one of them asked.

I swallowed the last of the muffin, "This was their home first. I would be mad if someone just moved into my home and took over. Wouldn't you?"

They were silent. ".... I guess I would be..." said the other.

"Miss Sparr-- I mean, Miss Toft? You're basket is ready," Mr. Raulf said behind me.

I stood from my chair and smiled, "Thank you for the muffin. I hope we can talk more soon."

I grabbed my basket and took my leave.

~~~~~

"Thank you for going to the bakery, Alice," said Harold, cutting his cooked rabbit.

I grunted.

"Azaria, please," harped my mother, "Do not start this at dinner."

"OK, I'll wait till desert," taking a bite. I felt Mother's anger radiate heat from the other side of the table.

"I heard that you got into some trouble with the natives," I said dryly.

Mother shot Harold a look, "Harold?! What in God's name is she talking about?" Harold sighed and placed down his silver wear in defeat. I rose my eyebrows at him.

"I was hoping things would blow over so I didn't have to worry you," he said to Mother with puppy-dog eyes. I rolled mine.

"For Heaven's sake, Harold! In this small town, I would have found out anyway. Now what happened?" she said, understanding his 'worries'.

"The natives have gotten mad at my incline of success with the crops," Harold said a matter-of-factly.

"I don't think they care about your company, Harold," I said.

He glared at me, "That's not what I meant. Because of the success of selling my crops, I had expanded the farm land and they were not happy about it."

I looked up from my soup. "How much expansion?" I asked, worried.

"Almost 200 acres," he said. My spoon dropped in my soup, splashing broth onto the table.

"Azaria!" exclaimed Mother.

"Did you buy the land from them?" I asked, ignoring Mother.

"No. Why would I? They don't have any papers saying that it's theirs!"

"Are you crazy?! That is their land! Of course they're mad! You took it without permission!"

Harold swatted his hand at me, "Nonsense! Quite fussing. They don't own it. I do."

"You're making a mistake," I told him, furious.

"Alice," Mother interrupted again, "I think you've had enough of your dinner. Go to your room."

I promise the natives will come soon! Comment and vote! <3