Gunpowder and Tea Cakes: My Journey with Felicity

I have to listen to the little voice in my head. The situation here has gone from exciting to dangerous. Maybe this is why Dad always had so many rules. I pull Felicity aside and tell her that I was lying before. I explain that I didn’t really lose my father. I simply wanted an adventure and left without his permission. Felicity responds that she’s honored that I trust her with this secret. I can’t find the words to tell her how I feel about our time together, so I simply say I hope her dreams come true. But it’s time for me to say goodbye.

I watch as they slowly walk away. Will Ben survive the American Revolution? How about Ezra? I hope in my heart they both survive, but I know that it was a real war, and many lives were lost. Somehow, it never feels real in history books. Seeing those boys get hurt, and the mob go crazy. It was horrible.

I spot a deserted backyard and slip through the gate. I crouch down to where no one can see me and pull out the necklace. I don’t open my eyes until I feel I am back in my grandma’s antique shop. It’s empty and peaceful. When I feel calmer, I go upstairs to find Grandma. We fix up spaghetti and salad for dinner and talk about school. Before we eat, I go call Lauren.

I ask Lauren if she has picked out a puppy, and when she says yes, I say I can’t wait to meet it. And then I tell Lauren that I’m sorry I had to go home, and I hope I didn’t hurt her feelings. Lauren gets real quiet. I explain that I think my dad’s rules are so strict to keep me safe, even though they make me mad sometimes. Lauren says she’s isn’t mad. She continues to go on to talk about her new puppy, but I can tell something is still wrong.

When I ask her what’s wrong, she pauses. Then, she admits that sometimes she wishes her parents were more strict. She says she sometimes thinks her parents don’t care what she does or where she goes. In fact, the reason Lauren finally got a dog was because her mom just announced she’s going off on a trip with her boyfriend this weekend. Dad says she can’t stay with him because he’s with his new family, so Grandpa is coming over. All he likes to do is watch TV. I think fast. I tell Lauren that she, the puppy, and Grandpa should come over for dinner tomorrow. If Grandma and Dad are okay with it of course. Lauren, more brightly, says that’d be great.

After we hang up, I think for a few minutes. Rules are tricky things. Sometimes they’re totally unfair, like the rules the British tried to force on the colonists. But sometimes they are fair, even if we don’t like them. My dad is overprotective at times, but that’s better than not trying to be protective at all.

I head back into the kitchen, and tell Grandma we should make a special dessert for Dad. When she asks what the reason is, I simply say I just think he deserves a treat.