When Christine got home, James was nowhere to be found. Only a note was left, that said he was near the lake outside of town. Christine thought of staying home, but then thought better. She hemmed up her skirt with a few ribbons and changed her heels into flats. She walked to the edge of town, stopping at a tree a ways away from the lake. She stared at him, sitting with his knees up, feet almost in the water. She went over to him and sat down next to him, taking off her shoes and putting her feet in the water. Only a few months ago, she would have expected James to give her a dirty look, but he didn't. His focus stayed on the distance, squinting at nothing in particular.
“What’s on your mind?” Christine reached for his hand but he shifted it around his leg.
“Christine,” he said, “I lied to you. Maybe not a lie, but a misleading situation. I did tell Thomas to stop sending you letters. I want to tell you why….because you deserve that truth. I was worried about the way those letters would affect both you and Thomas….but that isn’t the only reason. I told Thomas to stop because I started to like you. Then I started to love you. I was selfish. That was when I realized what I’d been doing my whole life. I decide not to like people when I think they won’t like me. I back up my selfish acts by feigning kindness. Just because I wanted the better health of you and Thomas did not mean the selfish reason for it was suddenly alright. What I did was wrong….and I promise I will never lie to you ever again. I’m sorry”
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Christine didn’t say a word.
“I understand if you hate me,” he whispered
“That was very brave and good of you to say,” She put her head on his shoulder, “and I don’t hate you James….I never did”
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The next day, James and Christine walked hand in hand into town square. It was a very sunny day, plenty of people outside enjoying the many stands in the market. Christine was persuaded by James to come this far into town on such a busy day. She was scared to see Thomas and she was scared to see her mother, avoiding confrontation. James was still reassuring her when Nickolas came up to them. James smiled but he didn’t smile back. He tipped his hat to Christine and put his hand on James’ shoulder, quietly saying, “I think you’d better come look at this”
He led them through a large huddle of people and to an announcement posted by King George the third.
Hushed and worried whispers rang out around the crowd.
It read, “This is a message from your king, George the third. We have news of possible war with some revolutionaries in the somewhat near future. The fact of being called to fight is not out of the realm of possibility for England’s young and able men. Please know that these things may come to pass, but also know this: I am with you all, as loyalists to England.
~King George