Hurts Like Hell | John Laurens

Trois

The next day is spent training. I aim the gun at the target and pull the trigger. It hits directly in the center of the target.

"You're a pretty good shot." General Washington compliments.

"Thank you, sir." I say.

"Who taught you to shoot, son?" He asks.

"My dad, sir"

"He taught you well" Washington moves onto the next soldier.

***a few months later***

Mine and Peggy's plan has been going smoothly. So far no one knows I'm a girl, and General Washington is quite fond of me.

I've been here for almost a year now, and the revolution doesn't seem to be coming any closer to ending. I finish writing my daily letter for Laf, and I stamp it. I write a letter for Peggy as well.

Dearest Peggy,

It appears our plan is working. I'm getting all of Laf's letters, and he's been getting all of mine. He does talk about me quite a lot, and it appears John has grown quite fond of me as a boy, and what Laf has told him about me, as a girl. That's confusing. Do you think he like me Peggs?

Oh I hope he does! I think I love him Peggy. Should I tell him? I can imagine how my brother would react. He'd probably murder me if he knew I was here.

How's things in Albany? How are Angelica and Eliza? Do tell them I said hello. I hope to receive a letter from you soon.

Sincerely,
Toni

I let the ink dry and stamp that letter as well. I lay on my bed, and close my eyes.

What would happen if Laf found out who I really was? Would he hate me? He'd probably beg Washington to send me home. Washington would probably send me home because I'm a woman, despite how good of a shot I am.

"Tony! We're going to the pub! Let's go!" Laf says. I rub my eyes and sit up.

"No time for sleeping!" Herc shouts. I laugh and join the four men.

All the boys drink a lot. I sip on one beer, not really enjoying the taste, but still drinking it.

"I may not live to see out glory," Alexander raises his glass.

"I may not live to see our glory" Herc, Laf, John, and I repeat.

"But I will gladly join the fight" Alexander says.

"But I will gladly join the fight"

"And when our children tell our story" Alexander sings.

"And when our children tell our story," John puts his arm around me, making my heart skip a beat.

"They'll tell the story of tonight" Alexander sings.

"Let's have another round tonight" Herc says.

"Let's have another round tonight" Laf agrees

"Let's have another round tonight" we all clink our glasses together.

"Raise a glass to freedom," John sings. He has a beautiful voice. "Something they can never take away, no matter what they tell you"

"Raise a glass to the five of us,"

"Tomorrow there'll be more of us, telling the story of tonight"

We continue to sing our drunken song. John's arm stays around me the entire time, and I can't help but feel some sort of connection.

**********

I'm sorry this is shit but I'm trying