The Untold Story of Mary Seymour

Chapter 35

I was reading through transcripts of this week's meeting for Ben in hope that I might be able to find a way to negotiate with some of these men without going to extremes. So far nothing seemed to be as simple as Ben hoped it would be. I never thought that I would read about such stubborn men, but this group would not give in until they got what they want. I leaned forward on the desk I was working from in my room and sighed.

I heard a knock at my door and without lifting my head from my hands I yelled to come in. I felt a hand on my shoulder and looked up to see Sam. I smiled weakly at him, and Sam reached over my shoulder to look at the notes that were causing me a headache.

"Why are you looking at these?" Sam asked as his eyes skimmed over Ben's writing. I could tell that he was just as annoyed by these notes as I was.

"Ben asked for a favor, and I thought I could do whatever to help," I sighed while leaning back into the chair. "But I can't be much help when everyone is selfish. I thought I could try and find anyone to win over but it is impossible."

Sam laughed and sat on the bed. "If only you could be inside those walls then you would understand the difficulty we are facing."

I turned away from the desk and faced Sam. I nodded at his statement and grasped my hands together. "Sam, I know that this is the last thing you want, but some serious action needs to happen in Boston. I am not saying that another battle occurs, but we need Boston back to show the weary men what side they should be on. Have you heard from Paul at all?"

Sam watched me from his spot on my bed and I noticed that he looked upset with my question. "Mary, I am not sending those men into a battle they will not win. We do not have enough men or supplies to win if we fight. I can't believe you would even suggest that after losing Warren."

I looked away from Sam, my anger rising. "You know, I thought maybe you could just listen to what I have to say for once. I am not saying that we send those men in without a fair chance, I am only saying we need to get back Boston. I have not forgotten Warren, I never will because I watched him die. Maybe if you actually listened then you would know that words are more powerful than bullets."

I got up from the desk, but Sam stood in front of me knowing that I was going to leave. "Okay, I am listening. I'll write to Paul seeing what him or Washington can do about sitting down with whoever is in charge of the British."

I shook my head in disagreement. "No, I will be the one writing the letter. Actually, I already did over a week, so Paul probably just got it."

"Mary, you can't just go making decisions without talking to anyone else first. You are not in charge of this. This kind of decision should have been voted on by the Congress," Sam shouted at me. I was growing aggravated every passing word, but I let it go for now.

"So we could sit here another four months with nothing ever getting done? Someone had to take action, and I was the one to do so. What is done is done. You know I can't believe-" I got cut off with a sudden pain in my stomach. It felt like someone was stabbing me. I gasped out in pain and leaned onto the bed post to catch my breath.

Sam rushed forward and grabbed onto my arms to support me. I could see the worry in his face, and I am sure my face held the same worry. "Mary, what is it?"

I felt a wave of fear wash over me and my body went cold. I let go of the bed and stood straight even though it sent a wave of pain through my body. I relaxed my face and looked Sam straight in the eyes. "It is nothing. Just hunger cramps. I haven't eaten all day because I've been too busy with these notes."

Sam looked at me questionably, but he nodded. "Okay, but Mary you should eat when you should. You have to care for two now."

I swallowed my nerves and nodded. "Yeah you're right. I will grab something to eat, I promise. Shouldn't you be leaving soon? I thought you had a dinner meeting with some of the members of Congress?"