Chapter 14
John - age 18
We celebrated Elizabeth’s 17th birthday five months ago. By we, I mean Mr. Richards, his beloved Ann, Elizabeth, and myself. I got her a locket with a picture of us inside. The Richards cooked dinner and baked her a cake. We have gotten very close to them since I have taken over teaching Mr. Richards junior fencing classes.
The pay isn’t bad, and Elizabeth helps Ann in the back of the apothecary, preparing and packing herbs while I work and train.
In those last five months, though, things have become even more tense and hostile at home. The most concerning is how mother and father keep looking at Elizabeth. It sends chills down my spine. I ignore the stupid rumors about Elizabeth, though.
I graduated early from high school, but in my senior year, I
