JUST PLAYING A PART
I don't think this scene is actually necessary for the play,” Enola said when Lola had outlined each of their parts. “I think that she just wants us to...be close, on stage. Because she's a romantic.”
“It's not the worst thing in the world,” Patrick said to her as they sat by the river. Lola had outlined a scene at the top of the play that had Enola and Patrick meeting in the middle of the stage, coming from their respective groups. They would join hands, and then they would kiss, a forbidden love story that was supposed to shock both sides. It was also supposed to draw attention away from weapons and sharpshooters that would be getting into position. The attack would start not two minutes later.
It was a good plan, whether the audience was for or against a mixed race relationship. It would get their attention; distracting them from the fact that they would soon meet their makers.
Enola knew all of those things; she had listened to Wesley outline the plan. Nevertheless, it still made her blush fiercely.
“And I actually have to say...lines,” Holde said, looking at the scribbled notes they had been given. “I am not an actor, that's for sure.”
“It's not hard.” Enola leaned over his shoulder. “Just say the words like you mean them.”
He chuckled. “Oh, I forgot all about you and your extensive experience.”
“Just around the campfire,” she answered. “Nothing like Lola's thousand seat theatre.”
“So are you nervous too?” he asked. She leaned her head against his shoulder.
“I'm just....it's so radical, so different, and we have such a short time in order to do it. And if it succeeds and drives them back...it could bring us peace, at least for a time.”
“Peace,” Holde said. “What would we do with ourselves?”
She noted that he said we and not I. She chose not to comment on it, looking down at the scribbled notes that she had received.
“Shall we practice this?” she asked. He stretched, yawning.
“Yes,” he said. “But let's remain sitting. This is comfortable.”
“Mmm.” She wanted to nestle deeper against his shoulder, agreeing that it was comfortable. “Alright. So I move forward and say...your name. What should your name be?”
“Cameron,” he said without thinking, and she brought her head up.
“Oh?”
“It's my middle name,” he replied. “I thought it would be easier for you to remember.”
“I didn't know that,” she said with a smile.
“Do you have a middle name?”
“Not...really,” she said. “Our names are chosen to decide our fate, in a way, and then we are just known by our tribe, our rank.”
“And what does Enola mean?” he asked.
“Solitary,” she answered. She thought that she had told him that already, but it was possible that he forgot. There was so much to learn about each other. “Which seemed accurate for a long time.”
“No one wants to be alone forever,” he said. “Even if they pretend that is what they want.”
“I know,” she said. “But sometimes it's easier...if there isn't anyone.”
Their faces were just inches apart. She knew that she wasn't supposed to be feeling anything for him. She knew that this was an arranged marriage, and she knew he had come into it with a broken heart. He had done this for Britain, not for loving her.
However, it didn't stop her from leaning in and kissing him. Her body tingled as it had done the very few times they had kissed before.
They were starting to learn each other’s crevices; each other’s movements and touches. She knew when to tilt her head, when to lean back.
It was the longest kiss they’d had to date. She broke away only when she felt she couldn't go a moment longer with air. Their hands remained joined together, and their shoulders still touched. It felt natural to lay her head against his shoulder and shift so she fit into the way his body curved.
“Was that alright?” he asked, stroking her hair.
“Yes,” she whispered, shivers going down her spine as he worked out a knot in the ends of her hair.
“Good,” he said with a smile. “Because one day I'd like to do it again.”
“One day?” she asked, and he realized she was teasing him.
“Maybe before one day,” he said, kissing the top of her head. “If your father approves. He looks like he constantly wants to knock me over the head.”
“That is the way he behaves toward everyone,” Enola said with a smile. “Don't be afraid.”
“Afraid isn't the right word,” he answered. “I was worried about him seeing through our charade when the idea was first suggested...and now, it's different.”
“Because it's not a charade.” She played with his strong hands, entwined in hers. “At least...I don't know. There could be...a future.”
She was afraid of saying that, but he didn't react negatively.
“There could be,” he said, glancing down at the crumpled piece of paper in his hands. Then he chuckled. “Look.”
She glanced at his sheet, and chuckled. She realized that they had basically been trading the lines that Lola had scribbled for them.
“She knows us well,” Enola replied. “It's as if the words were taken from us.”
“Some sort of magic,” Holde stared at the fire. He heard the snap of a twig in the woods, and spun around, but saw that it was just a deer. “Where is your Jacob, by the way?”
“Jacob?” she asked, surprised to hear his name after they had just shared such an intimate moment. “I don't know. Asleep, likely. Why?”
“He's just not been around lately,” Holde said. “Usually he's glued to your side.”
“I can get him if you want.” She started to get up and he pulled her down, laughing.
“No,” he said and she laughed.
“Jacob does this sometimes. He's around and constant for days, and then his mind...requires space, and I don't see him much. It's a pattern, it doesn't bother me. It gives me space to breathe as well.”
“Hunter is like that,” Holde answered. “He's a wonderful sergeant, but sometimes the crowds that are constantly around us bother him.”
“And you?” she asked. He shrugged.
“Sometimes,” he said. “Crowds don't really bother me. You are either alone in your heart or you are not.”
“Mmm,” she murmured happily and laid her head on his shoulder again. “Shall we rehearse it again?”
“Rehearse?” His eyes got a devilish twinkle. “Yes, we can do that.”
She chuckled. “The words, Patrick. The words.”
“The words, right,” he said and smiled, looking down at the paper again. “Do you think that we'll actually get these words out or do you think they will be onto us before then?”
“Aren't you in the military?” she asked. “You can answer that question.”
“I think we’re all guessing here,” Holde answered. “This isn't a typical military strategy.”
“I don't think they will be suspicious,” she decided. “To be honest, I have faith in Lola to pull off something amazing...even with untrained actors.”
“Is that your kind way of saying bad actors?” he asked. “Not all of us have had a lifetime dancing around the campfire and not being afraid of speaking in front of people.”
She picked up that note in his voice. “It makes you nervous to address a crowd?” she asked. “But I see you speaking to your men all the time.”
“That's different,” he answered. “But there have been times when I have had to speak in front of larger groups, and I find it nerve wracking. You don't have that issue?”
“No,” she shrugged.
“And your secret to remain so calm?” he asked.
“When we speak in groups, we are all equal, equal footing. It's not so much different speaking in front of people than with them. I try to visualize it like that.”
“Hmm.” He went back to running his fingers through her hair. “That is one way of doing it. I don't know if I'll be able to switch my mindset.”
“You'll be with me,” she said. “And for so long, you have all kept me safe. It's my turn to keep you safe now.”
“When the fighting starts,” he said to her. “You have done your part. I want you to move on, to hide in the back and keep yourself safe.”
“I can fight,” she said.
“I know you can,” he said. “And I heard your argument for Lady Bamber. But you have done your part in gaining us the Native warriors, and in speaking these lines. Please let me do mine.”
She sighed, closing her eyes. “You said you wouldn't ask me such a thing.” She was slightly angry that he would do this not too long after that conversation. She had believed him then, and she didn't want to think that he went back on his word.
“I just want you to be safe,” he answered. “I have an overwhelming need to keep you safe. If you could stay and be safe, I would have no issue. ”
“I will be safe,” she promised him, closing her eyes. “I will be.”