Humble Beginnings

Pennsylvania

"My my, look what the cat dragged in!" she laughed, "Come, sit, be blessed by my amazing presence! Would you like to pet the chickies?"

"Umm --" began Alfred.

"No," Jersey interrupted him, "Penny, this is America. The full colony."

Pennsylvania turned to look back at Jersey, grin never leaving, "Yeah, so? And don't call me Penny."

"Don't you know what this means?!" he hissed, ignoring her second statement.

"Sure. We're not considered fully separate. But wasn't that obvious before? Here." Pennsylvania gave Jersey and Alfred a chick each. Jersey began to mindlessly pet it, Alfred simply held his in wonder.

"Fine," groused Jersey, "be that way. I don't give a shit."

"Good," smiled Pennsylvania, "Pacifism is the proper way to react to any situation."

"What makes you think I was being a fucking pacifist?"

"If you don't quote give a shit, than you will not do anything. Ergo pacifism."

Their conversation went on for a while, both of them bantering back and forth. Alfred was content for the moment to be ignored. After all, there were two horses to look at and he could have sworn there was a cat somewhere.

Finally, Jersey decided that he had to head back to his side of the river. After he left, Pennsylvania turned her focus back to Alfred. He stood nervously as she walked around him as if he were a prize pig.

"You're a little scrawny to be the whole of the colonies America."

"It ain't my fault i haven't had my growth spurt yet."

"Eh, whatever. So how do you like it so far? This place is pretty amazing, right!"

"It's very pretty."

She looked at him again, "You seem like a good kid, America. I was afraid Jersey might've rubbed off on you. But it seems my fears were ill founded."

"Thanks Pennsylvania."

She pursed her lips, "I don't really like Pennsylvania. Penny also doesn't really fit."

"Do you have a name you would prefer?"

"No? Maybe Sylvania? I don't know."

At that moment a voiced called from the farm house, "Penny dear! Come help me in the kitchen!"

"Yes Mrs. Powell!" she turned to Alfred, "Come on, let's go."

Without waiting for an answer, she dragged Alfred with her to the house. A matronly woman was standing in the kitchen fussing over a pot of stew. When they both entered the woman just sighed. Alfred wasn't expecting this, but was glad she wasn't mad.

"Penny, why must you always find strays?" she sighed before turning to Alfred, "Hello child. What is your name?"

"I'm Alfred, Mrs. Powell. Alfred Kirkland."

"It's nice to meet you, Alfred. Now," she continued, addressing Pennsylvania, "You need to gather the plates and set out the cornbread for Dylan and Gavin. And go fetch the ale. Alfred, the plates are there in the cupboard, go fetch yourself one and I'll serve you some stew."

Alfred was sitting at the table with a full plate of stew and cornbread when two dusty men came in. One was about the age of Mrs. Powell, and the other was about 15 years old. Both immediately went to grab plates of food and tucked in as soon as they sat at the table. Pennsylvania had returned with a jug of ale after setting out the cornbread, and once everyone was sitting she poured everyone a cup of ale. For a few minutes there was silence, while everyone ate.