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CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE


January 4, 1777

Trenton


The wagon containing the squad’s rifles and extra gear stood in front of Washington’s headquarters. Lieutenant Monroe was already aboard and a platoon of cavalry stood ready to escort the wagon and its occupants to Baltimore. A second wagon, one fitted with seats like a coach, sat in front of the supplies. Washington and Jefferson stood on the porch talking quietly. Mason strained to hear them but could not. A hand grabbed his arm and he turned. Higgs stood there with tears in her eyes.

“Hey, it’s okay,” Mason said.

Higgs wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled them together. Her breathing hitched once but she did not sob. The strength of her embrace surprised him, and he squeezed back as much as he dared. She needed to know it would be okay. He needed to know it would be okay, too. He could feel his own eyes filling with tears and he let them come.

“This isn’t goodbye, Ashley,” he whispered into her ear.

“I know—” She paused. He could feel her swallow the sob threatening to come out.

“We’ll see each other again. Very soon. I promise.”

She nodded her head against his collarbone, but did not speak. For a long moment, they stood there in each other’s arms. Two friends, two peers, a man and a woman of different skin tones locked in a fierce embrace of support. Mason could feel a thousand eyes on them, but he didn’t care. Moreover, the whole damned continent needed to see it. A man embracing his sister-in-arms with their different skin color be damned. She needed his support and he would be damned not to give it to her. He knew that all of them felt the same way. They’d buried Kennedy and Porter along the way. Maybe none of them would survive the next year—it didn’t matter. They were much more than friends or family could ever understand.

Higgs snuck a hand up to her face and wiped her tears. They pulled apart slowly, Mason looking down at her to make sure she was okay. “You okay now?”

“No. I’m not, and I might never be. But I have all of you guys. You’re just a letter away.”

Mason nodded. “And we’ll come running if you need us.”

Martinez was the closest to them. “Damn straight,” he answered. “You call, I’m there. Even from Philadelphia or wherever I’m supposed to go.”

Higgs nodded with tears in her eyes. “Okay.”

Mason touched her arm. “You need to know something. These men may not consider you a soldier, they may not believe that a woman can make a difference in the fight, but we do. You saved a future President of the United States by charging into the middle of a firefight. Nobody here thinks you don’t have what it takes to be a soldier. You are a warrior, Higgs. A damned fine one at that. Don’t forget that.”

Fresh tears squirted down her cheeks. “Thank you, Mason.”

They hugged again for a long moment until Washington’s voice cut them apart.

“Before Miss Higgs makes her goodbyes with Mister Jefferson and Lieutenant Monroe, there is something I need to do,” the general said. He looked at Mason. “From the moment I met you, Mason, and you told me the story of who you were and where you came from, I could sense an enormous patriotism in you and your squad. You wanted to serve your country. And all of you have, honorably. For that, I will see you are all decorated appropriately, but as that depends on the Congress it will take time that we do not have. They have, however, acquiesced to my request from a few days ago. I do believe there is something you all would want and appreciate for what it is. Something that I can do for you as the commander of this army. But, all of you should be present.”

Washington turned to his right and nodded. Out of the rough home the army used as a hospital came a stretcher born by four uniformed men from the Pennsylvania regiments. Propped up on the stretcher, bandaged about his head, was a smiling Stratton.

They rushed him at once, each of them hugging their friend. There were a few fresh tears in the group, Martinez leading the way. Mason approached last and looked down with a smile. “About time you woke up.”

Stratton chuckled. “Could say the same to you, Mason.”

Heat flushed Mason’s face. Tears threatened his own eyes as Stratton reached up with a hand, which Mason took, and they wrapped each other’s hands with their own in a clasp of brotherhood. “I’m glad you’re okay, Stratton. You’re a hell of a soldier and exactly what this army needs.”

A tear ran out of Stratton’s right eye. “So are you, brother.”

Booker stepped in and hugged Stratton silently. The young man cried openly. When he released Stratton, he grabbed Mason in a fierce embrace.

“We’ll follow you to hell, Mason.”

Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.

Washington stepped forward and put a hand on Stratton’s shoulder; the stretcher separated him from Mason and the others. He looked down and nodded at Stratton with a smile and his eye twinkled. “As the commander of this army, I have certain powers and authorities which I take seriously. Over the course of the last weeks, I have seen your bravery, your commitment, and your duty charge this army with spirits unimaginable just weeks before. Our winter will be hard and the British will not leave this continent without a fight. I cannot do anything about that at the present time. I can, however, grant something that will mean as much to you as it does to me.

“This is for all of you, including Miss Higgs. I understand there are some necessary modifications to what you would be accustomed to hearing, but this oath will be taken henceforth by all new officers in the Continental Army. Each of you shall raise your right hand and repeat after me. Mason, you’ll say your appointed rank to be captain instead.”

Mason shivered. I still can’t believe this is real. He raised his right hand, wishing his parents could see him standing there to receive what he never thought he’d receive and from a man whose honor was beyond reproach. The father of the United States of America.

As Washington spoke, the cadets echoed him in strong voices. “I, state your name, having been appointed an officer, in the Army of the United States, in the rank of lieutenant, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the United States of America, against all enemies foreign and domestic. That I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same. That I take this obligation freely, without mental reservation or purpose of evasion, and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office upon which I am about to enter. So help me God.”

Washington smiled at them. “Congratulations, lady and gentlemen.”

Mason turned to Higgs and they hugged again. In a moment, Martinez joined them. As did Koch, Murphy, and Booker. Together they pulled up Stratton into as much of an embrace as they could muster and simply held each other.

Someone in the crowd, it may have been Jefferson, clapped loudly. It was joined in a chorus of applause that rang out around them. Not a word was said as they clutched each other like brothers and sisters. Undaunted by their assignments and ready for their challenges, they held each other as long as possible before standing tall in their commissions.


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Framed