Years of Dying

Chapter Fourteen

This is going to work. A series of memoirs, not written by John, but by me. If a large mass of the slaves and rebels read these published memories, then maybe we can get John off this trial. But that raises another issue, two days ago, John was describing his mother for me as I was writing notes about his descriptions and memories. He then became silent. When I questioned him about this, he said: "it's just funny, Alex. How your plan involves writing, and I can barely read myself." If John went through school, even if the education he received wasn't the best, and he can't read, why should I assume that slaves who've been trapped their whole lives can? To better understand this issue, I decided to question Lafayette. I'm currently waiting for him to meet me outside of the rebel's prison, where he's currently speaking with John. But a few minutes later, he walks out by himself, spots me, and heads towards me.
"Bonjour!" he says cheerfully. Laf impresses me. He's told me that he has been in the mines for three years, while John and Hercules only for two. He's been exposed to this pain and suffering more than the other two have, and he's taken it remarkably well. He definitely not as beaten down as the other former slaves are.
"Good morning." I reply, smiling as he comes to stand next to me.
"You wanted to ask me something?" he questions, and I nod.
"Laf, can you read?" I ask him. Laf pauses for a moment to think about this.
"Only in French. I can't read very well in English. Why are you asking me this?" he responds.
"The other day, I came up with a plan to try and convince the slaves and rebels that John is innocent." I answer. Lafayette's eyes widen in excitement.
"Really? What is it? Can I help?" he asks in quick succession. I take a step back.
"Slow down! Okay so, basically, I question John about his past, and then write about his troubles during his childhood, in the mines and in the recent battles we've had against the Captain." I start, then hesitate as I continue. "I could actually use your help... see, I don't think John is fully ready to talk about the past, which is completely understandable. However, for this to work, I need the full truth. So if you or Hercules tell me more about him, that'd be a great help. And, these discussions might take us some time, and Jefferson always cuts our time short. So, I might have to ask you and Hercules to permit to see John more than you two. I'm sorry, but-"
     "Don't worry about it." Laf interrupts me. "I understand. I'm glad to help out in any way, so if you need me to step aside for a little bit, that's okay with me." he says, giving me a thumbs up.
     "That's great! I'm so glad you agree! It'll be difficult to do the same though, which again, understandable. I know they've been friends for nearly fifteen years, so obviously, Hercules cares about him," I pause again, wondering how to ask my next question. "Speaking of Hercules, he- he doesn't like me very much. I don't know if he's okay with me seeing John this much, and I want him to be alright with this as well. Could you-?" I start to ask, but Laf cuts me off again.
     "I'll speak with Herc. And don't worry Alex, I'm sure he likes you, he's just very, very, very difficult to understand sometimes." Laf says exasperatedly.
     "So you'll help me?" I ask excitedly.
     "I've already agreed to that, haven't I?" Laf responds, laughing slightly. "Just make sure this works, okay?" I stay silent for a moment before answering.
     "I'm not going to rest until this works." I know what John told me. I know he told me to take care of myself as well but... but John's the most important person in this world to me. I'll never forgive myself if anything else happens to him. I don't care what I have to do to protect him, because I'll try everything.

     "So John, do you want to talk about your friends?" I ask, picking up a pen I managed to find while looking through the desk in the front. I also grab a notepad Washington let me borrow. It's late afternoon, John and I are sitting back to back, only the cell bars blocking us from each other. I turn my head to see him smiling at me.
     "Alex, you know who my friends are." he says.
     "Of course I know, but the point isn't about me knowing, it's about the rebels and slaves knowing! They need to know more about you." I tell him.
"Should I give you names or...?" John asks me, unsure. I shrug.
"Tell me anything! How you met, how old you were when you met, anything and everything." I answer. John nods and lapses into silence for a moment before responding again.