Dreams Do Come True

Chapter 1

It was dark in the office I was seated in. I was the only one awake, but this letter was important. Every letter was important, but this letter was especially important. General Washington himself asked me to write this letter to Congress, asking for funds for more troops and supplies. The familiar scratching sound my quill made as I wrote was comforting to me. Sometimes when it seemed like hope was lost, I'd write with my lucky quill and things would get better. This quill was one of the only things I brought with me from Christiansted, besides the clothes on my back and a few of my favorite books. 

But now it was getting late. I found myself fighting sleep as I frantically attempted to finish this letter. I was in the middle of signing my name when I fell asleep. 

In my dream, there were three of the most beautiful people I'd ever laid eyes on. The first was a man, thin, tall, and perfect. His face was covered with freckles like the stars in the sky on a clear night and his long, curly brown hair was pulled back in a ponytail. He grinned widely when I looked at him. The second was a dark haired, black-eyed girl, short, handsome. She looked like an angel, in the way that she could do no wrong. She smiled at me sweetly when I passed by her. The last was a woman, all curves and long, wavy brown hair. She held herself with a confidence that led me to believe she'd had experience with men. She winked at me as I passed, and gave me a seductive smirk. 

Then they all said, "Me? I loved him." in unison. 

The man said, "I'll see you soon, Alexander."

I woke with a start. Who were those people? I tried to shake the dream out of my head but the three beautiful faces wouldn't leave. I looked at my desk and groaned. I had fallen asleep on my parchment while the ink was still wet! Now my beautiful letter was all smudged and I bet I had ink all over my face. Now I'd have to write it all over again. I went into the washroom and sure enough half of my face was smudged with ink. I washed my face the best I could, but I could still see grey smudges all over my face. I gave up on that endeavor and headed downstairs for breakfast. 

General Washington was already seated at the table with most of his other aide-de-camps, including my best friend the Marquis de Lafayette. 

"Ah, there you are, Hamilton!" Washington called out to me, "Stay up late writing again, son?"

"Yes sir," I said, embarrassed, "and please don't call me son."

He ignored me. "Come, eat. The cooks made us a feast today." He gestured to my empty seat at the table. 

"Yes sir," I said as I sat down at my assigned seat next to Lafayette. 

"Ham, you don't have to work so hard, you know," Lafayette told me as I sat down. 

"Are you kidding? Of course I do. How else will I rise up and leave a lasting legacy?" I wanted to say more, but the food smelled so good and I had skipped dinner last night, so I started eating. 

General Washington cleared his throat. All talking ceased. 

"I have decided to add another aide. He will be here later today. I expect that each and every one of you will treat him with respect and kindness."

We all nodded. This wasn't new news. General Washington was constantly adding new members to his "family". 

"What is his name, sir?" I asked. I was curious to see if I knew him. Maybe it was Ned, my old childhood friend!

"Colonel John Laurens. He is a promising South Carolinian who I think will be a wonderful new addition to our family." 

I was secretly disappointed. I have been hoping, every time he adds a new aide, that it is Ned who is chosen. I haven't seen him since college, and even then it wasn't for very long. But maybe this "Laurens" won't be so bad after all. Maybe we'll even be friends. 

That afternoon, we were all waiting in the parlor. General Washington's slaves had cleaned it up, preparing for the traditional welcoming party that is given to each new aide-de-camp. Everyone was gossiping about the new guy. 

"I heard he's a prominent abolitionist."

"An abolitionist? From South Carolina?"

"Apparently." 

All of a sudden, there was a knock at the door. All chatter ceased. The general excused himself to welcome the new recruit. 

General Washington came back in a few minutes later. 

"Gentlemen, I'd like you to meet Colonel John Laurens." 

Behind Washington walked in the last person I would ever expect.