Finding Home

Chapter Nine

It was now December 1776; Captain Jones and his crew had captured seven more ships in the name of the new 'American' colonies.

One day, Captain Jones sent for Olivia. She proceeded to knock on his door.

            “Come in,” came a strong voice from the other side.

She stepped in and shut the door behind her. Captain Jones offered her a seat and then sat across from her.

            “I have been hearing rumors that you are taking lessons from the crew in sword fighting?”

            “Yes, Captain,” she answered.

            “I also have seen you topsail doing a fantastic job. You seem to have a knack with a rifle.”

            “Thank you, Captain,” she answered again.

            “How have you been getting along, Olivia, or should I say, Oliver?” stated Captain Jones as he winked.

            Olivia smiled, feeling at ease, and sat back in her seat. “Everything is perfect. I am feeling quite at home here among the crew.”

“Wonderful.” He paused for a moment before continuing, “That is why I called you here. We will be docking in Boston soon, and I wanted to know your thoughts on where you stand. Would you like to remain with the crew and myself or would you like to go out and find a new adventure?”

Olivia thought for a long time, contemplating the next step in her life, how long she could pull off her ruse. She leaned forward in her seat and looked at him. “Captain, I wish to stay. I love being on the ship and part of this crew, but I also know in my heart that coming to the colonies and making a life was my parent's dream for me.”

            He smiled sweetly. “I understand it is hard to make a big decision such as this. I propose that when the crew leaves the ship, you go with them. See what Boston has to offer. Then make your decision. If you don't return with the crew, I will know your answer and understand.”

            Olivia nodded smiling. “Thank you, Captain.”

“One more item to discuss,” stated Captain Jones as he walked over to his desk and opened the top drawer.

            He pulled out a small bag of coins and handed it to her. “When we reach the harbor, I would like it if you went into town and bought yourself a fine coat that fits you. Then you can stop wearing this oversized worn out one.”

            Olivia agreed. “Aye, Captain. You have been more than generous, and I appreciate all you have done for me.”

The Captain nodded, and she soon left his Quarters, a big decision left in front of her once more.

            Within a few days, they arrived in Boston for supplies and much-needed repairs.

Olivia had dreamt of this moment for so long. Another of her aspirations coming true.

It was the first time she had set eyes on American soil; from what she could see, it was beautiful. Once they were anchored, some of the men decided to spend their personal time over at the local tavern, while others went to visit with family and friends if they lived nearby.

            Captain Jones had business to attend to with General Washington before heading back out to sea. It took Olivia some time to get used to standing on land again. Gibbs smirked at her inability to walk straight. Once she was able to get her bearings, they stepped onto a side street close to the harbor.

            Even for a mild winter day, the streets bustled with people going about their daily routines. She was amazed to see how some things seemed the same as the streets of England and yet some things didn't. As Gibbs and Olivia walked, she could see the tanner hard at work turning animal skins into leather to her right. Across the street, a lady wearing a plain lavender dress was ordering new pots at the potter's workshop.

Next door at the small post office, a man on horseback had just arrived with a satchel full of letters. On the right, neighboring the tanner's workshop, the printer was setting type for the next headline in the newspaper office. The barber was cutting a gentleman's hair while two boys sat on the floor spinning wooden tops.

Olivia, after observing them for some time, guessed the object of the game was to knock the other person's top over.

            The blacksmith was next, and he could be seen in his Livery stable hammering iron into horseshoes close to a hot bed of coals. Neighboring the blacksmith was the graveyard, a church with a sign that read 'Meeting this evening', and a school. All of which seemed eerily quiet. Across the street, next to the post office, they could hear loud laughing and the clanking of glasses in the tavern as men relaxed from a long day's work.

            Through the general store window, Olivia observed two elderly gentlemen deep in thought over a game of chess. Neighboring the general store sat a beautiful two-story house surrounded by a white picket fence. She thought the fence was marvelous considering white fences were not that common in the colonies from what she understood.

Attached to the fence was a tall sign that read, 'Dr. Zimmerman's Office' and under it, 'The doctor is in'. In the front yard, two young girls wearing heavy cloaks stood a distance apart. Each held two metal sticks. They were throwing a medium-sized metal hoop between them. As Olivia watched, she noticed that to catch the hoop one would simply hold the sticks straight out in front and to throw, one would cross the sticks like scissors. She thought this game looked very fascinating and wanted to try, but she knew that doing so might bring unwanted attention upon herself.

Beyond the Doctor's home, Olivia could see the tailor's shop, a few more small businesses and houses, and at the end, a patch of woods.

            As they walked together, Olivia noticed a well-dressed man coming towards them. He then purposely stepped to the opposite side of the street, all the while glaring at Gibbs. Olivia, feeling uneasy, looked back at the man and watched as he moved back into his original path once he had passed them.

            She looked over at Gibbs. “I hope you don't mind me asking, but whenever you set foot on land, do you ever wonder if someone would try to capture you and put you back into slavery?”

            Gibbs smiled down at her. “I do worry, but that is why I carry my papers.” From a hidden pocket in his shirt, he pulled out a folded document. “These are my 'Freedom' papers. This tells anyone that I am a free man not a slave. Imma and our children have papers too,” Gibbs continued, placing the document back in his pocket.

            Her uneasiness faded knowing Gibbs had proof of his freedom, but the way the man had reacted still made her slightly weary for Gibbs and his family's well-being.

            After a moment had passed, Olivia turned to Gibbs. “Captain wants me to go to the tailor's shop and buy a proper coat. Could I meet you back here?”

            Gibbs smiled. “Aye, Oliver. I am going to the general store. I can meet you outside the tailor's shop.”

            She nodded and strolled away. In the window, Olivia could see dolls of all sizes dressed in the latest fashions. One doll was clothed in a yellow, diamond patterned dress with a ribbon crossing its bodice topped with a ruffled collar and sleeves. Another was wearing a crimson red dress with white lace on the apron, sleeves, and bodice. On the doll's head was a lace bonnet with six evenly spaced, small crimson red bows that framed the face.

            Olivia walked through the door to find shelves of different types of bolts of fabric. On one side stood a woman wearing a plain light blue dress and apron, showing dress patterns to a woman in a long purple cloak and white bonnet. Close by sat a boy playing with two wooden toy soldiers. In the back room, Olivia could see two ladies hard at work sewing a beautiful rose-colored dress. She assumed the dress was for a customer who was browsing through a table of flowered fabrics nearby.

            The woman in the light blue dress approached Olivia. “How may I help you, young sir?”

            Olivia removed her cap, thankful the Captain had been keeping her hair trimmed, and looked up at her. “I came to shore with Captain Jones and require a new coat, Miss.”

            “Well, my name is Delilah, and we mostly sell bolts of fabric. If you would like, you can place an order.”

            Olivia shook her head. “I am sorry I may not be here when the fabric arrives. I am in need of a coat as soon as possible.”

            Delilah thought for a moment then said, “Sometimes we keep a small stock of clothing in the back for sailors when they come to shore, but I am not sure we have anything in your size.”

            Suddenly, she seemed to remember something, “Come with me.” She led Olivia towards the two tailors in the back.

            Delilah asked one, “Abigail, did you say earlier you were dabbling in the patterns for young men?”

            Abigail laid her work down, “Why, yes,” she reached into a basket beside her. “I was just about to finish this one.” She held up a long, wool button up coat with a folded triangular collar and buckles at the bottom of each folded sleeve. Abigail continued, “I just need to finish sewing the buttons on the front.”

            “That is perfect.” Delilah smiled delightfully, as she pointed to Olivia. “This young gentleman just so happens to be needing a coat.”

            Abigail grinned, glancing over at Olivia, “If you would be so kind as to give me a few moments, I can have these buttons sewn on for you.”

            Olivia nodded her head 'yes'.

            Abigail finished her original piece and then went to work on the buttons for the coat. Delilah stepped away to attend to a customer who had just walked in. Olivia walked around the shop looking at the different bolts of fabric. There were flower patterns, plain colored fabrics, bold colored fabrics, and many different designed fabrics as well. There were even some thicker bolts of fabric made of wool, some thinner made of cotton, and some fabrics varying in size between the two.

A lot of variety to choose from.

            In no time, Abigail had finished the coat and held it up as Olivia slid her arms in. It was surprising to Olivia how well it fit and how wonderful it felt to have something new of her very own. She paid for the coat and gave them her old one to use for fabric scraps. She thanked the kind ladies, placed her cap on her head and stepped back outside to watch for Gibbs. He walked up the street towards her, a mule and cart by his side.

            “Gibbs, what do you think of my new coat?” she asked, spinning around for him.

            “It is very becoming of you,” said Gibbs, smiling.

Olivia peered over at the mule. The cart was full of sacks of grain, a few crates, and other random items.

            “What are you planning to do with all of that?” asked Olivia.

            “I am making a trip to see my family for a few days. You should come with me,” Gibbs mentioned, a hint of eagerness in his voice.

            She thought for a moment. “Aye, Gibbs. That would be very nice. I have nowhere else to be; I would love to meet your family.”

            Gibbs handed Olivia the rope from around the mule's neck. “Oliver, will you hold this for a moment while I get some fabric?”

            She agreed and took the rope; the mule kicked his foot and neighed as Gibbs disappeared into the tailor's shop. He came out a few minutes later with a couple bolts of fabric under his arm. One was blue, and one had a beautiful pink flower pattern. Olivia believed the fabric must be a gift for Imma.

            He placed the fabric in the cart and took the rope from Olivia. He then told her to climb in and she did so, squeezing between two bags of grain.

            “Tis a three days journey. I put a sack of candies in the front of the cart for my children. You are welcome to some,” said Gibbs as he pulled the mule and commanded him to move.

            “Thank you, Gibbs,” Olivia stated as she reached for the bag.

            She pulled out a stick that had a sugary red substance on the other end. Olivia smiled. It tasted like peppermint, a sugary sweet gift she hadn't had in so long. Olivia laid her head back on the edge of the cart and gazed up at the sky. The clouds slowly moved past, and she thought for the first time in a long time about the orphanage and Ms. Rebecca.

            Hours later, she awoke to darkness around her. They had pulled off the road near a grove of trees and stopped for the night. Olivia sat up and saw Gibbs had made a fire. She jumped off the cart and plopped down next to Gibbs to warm her freezing body. He appeared to be reading what looked to be a newspaper.

            He handed it over to her, “It looks like we have something called the Declaration of Independence now.”

Olivia took the paper and saw it was from the Boston Gazette. It was entitled All for Our Independence. As the article continued, it talked about how each colony chose a representative and all the representatives then met in Philadelphia to discuss the Declaration. It was approved on July 4, 1776 and on August 2nd, it was signed by all the representatives.

            Leading delegate, Thomas Jefferson, honored to have written much of the Declaration, stated that the decision to create the document was made when the fighting continued for over a year. They wanted to settle things peacefully, but King George wouldn't take the colonists seriously. He spoke of how the representatives hated the British meddling with trade, driving out businesses with endless taxes and countless regulations.

            The representatives had decided to turn the colonies into states, creating their own country. The article concluded by stating that the representatives understood that their participation in signing the Declaration was a matter of life or death. If they decided to sign and the British win the war, all 56 men would be tried for treason and hung. The representatives also believed that if the colonies stuck together and found allies among other countries, they would succeed and finally be rid of England's rule over them.

            Olivia gave the paper back to Gibbs. “This is happy news. This will show England that we are serious and no longer need them. I am just hoping that since we finally have a Declaration of our own, more people will be willing to fight for our cause. If they don't join us, then it won't turn out well for the representatives if we lose this war.”

“I agree with you, Oliver, but either way, there will be much bloodshed,” Gibb uttered as he hung his head.

Olivia knew he spoke the truth, but there wasn't much more that needed to be said on the matter. She could tell the whole idea of war upset him, but what she didn't know was that one other issue weighed heavily on Gibbs's heart. He thought often about his fellow slaves and knew that it didn't matter who won the war, slavery would still continue; there was no end to it in sight.

            Gibbs had made some salted cabbage stew for supper from the items he had picked up from the general store, and the smell had made her stomach growl. Olivia poured a bowl for Gibbs and then herself as they sat in silence, listening to the night sounds as they slowly ate their meal.

            When they finished, Olivia curled up as close as she could to the fire and fell asleep, curious as to what the days ahead held for them.