Broken Promises

Sparrow realized she needed to apologize for misjudging Clara. She’d assumed Clara only cared about her fancy clothes and parties. But now, Clara showed Sparrow exactly how to be a part of saving the territory from the Americans. No other adults gave Sparrow this type of respect.

“I’m glad I’m with you and not in school today.” Sparrow and Clara rode in the wagon past the convent school toward the harbor. Sparrow smoothed the ruffles on her dress, feeling grown up. She didn’t want to miss whatever was coming next.

“At the dock, we will board a small boat that will take us to that big American ship.”

“An American ship?” Sparrow’s high-pitched voice revealed her excitement.

Clara waved her hand toward a large vessel anchored in the bay. “I know the captain personally. I’ve been there before.”

Before? Sparrow began to suspect that Clara might be up to no good. Or worse, was she a traitor like Papa? Sparrow had no time to turn back as they were escorted up a ramp on the side of a gigantic, three-tiered wooden ship. The vessel flew a red, white, and blue flag from its mast—the traitors’ flag. Sparrow remembered Salvador’s remarks about the Americans wanting their land. She relived the words Papa had spoken about getting the governor out of the way. Now she was in the heart of his plot, about to face the enemy, in this fancy pink dress.