Billy Green Saves the Day by Ben Guyatt

once. Next time you might not be so lucky.”
    Isaac chuckled. “I’m a patriot, not a coward.”
    â€œNobody has ever questioned your courage, just you.”
    His grin vanished. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
    She kissed him on the forehead. “Let others fight. You’ve done your duty.”
    â€œOne battle doesn’t make a man, Keziah.” He began polishing the musket with a rag.
    Keziah sat across from him and took his hands. “You promised me you wouldn’t fight again after Queenston Heights.” She tenderly stroked his fingers. “I want you to keep that promise.”
    â€œFort George has fallen. Do you understand what that means, Keziah? The British Army will need all the men they can get just to keep this country free. If the Yankees get any farther, the whole war is lost. I have to fight.” He caressed her face, but Keziah moved away from him and folded her arms. “I’m leaving tonight,” he told her, setting the gun aside. Isaac started for the door and waited for her response, but none came. He sighed. “I have work to finish.”
    Keziah threw her arms up in frustration. “That’s it? Proclaim you’re going to fight and walk away?”
    â€œWhat would you like me to do? Do you think this is easy for me?”
    â€œWhat am I supposed to do? Wait until I hear you were killed and then move on with my life? I know so many women like that. I don’t want to be one of them. They change ... they have no soul left. You can see it in their eyes. They’re lost ... they’re dead, but still alive. I don’t want to be lost like that.”
    Frustrated, Isaac kicked the door hard. “Just what exactly would you like me to do?”
    She clenched her fists. “Stay alive. Stay with me. I have as much say in your life as you do.”
    â€œReally?”
    Keziah fought back tears. “I work as hard as you do.
    I’m always there for you.”
    â€œAnd I’m not?”
    â€œNot when you leave me to go and fight. I know it’s hard to go into battle, but it’s harder still to watch the man you love go off to fight in a battle and not know what’s happening.” She embraced him. “Please, I’m begging you to stay.”
    Isaac pushed her away. “I’m not going to argue with you about this anymore. I suggest you start dinner.”
    â€œMake it yourself! Why should I cook for a dead man?” Keziah flopped into a chair as Isaac slammed the door behind him. She closed her eyes and began to weep again, but suddenly stood when she heard the sound of horses. Keziah moved to the window and spotted a contingent of American cavalry approaching the property.
    Isaac was about to hammer a fence post but stopped and watched as an American officer cantered toward him. “I’m Major Thomas of the U.S. Army. Indians have been harassing us ever since we came into this wretched country, and I want to know where they’re camped.” The young major wiped sweat from his moustache, but Isaac ignored him and resumed working. Irritated, Thomas dismounted and spun Isaac around. “I’m speaking to you, sir! Where are the Indians?”
    Swinging the hammer hard onto the post, Isaac said, “I don’t know and I don’t care.”
    Thomas withdrew his sword. “I demand an answer!”
    Isaac lifted the hammer again. “It’s painfully obvious your parents never taught you any manners.”
    â€œWhat do you do for a living, sir?”
    â€œI’m a blacksmith, but right now I’m mending some fence posts, in case you haven’t noticed.”
    â€œIs that so? Well, the last blacksmith I ran into a few miles back deliberately put the nails in too deep on my horse’s feet. Would you do the same?” Thomas eyed an ox by the barn.
    â€œNo. I don’t care to work on your horse or any other that belongs to the U.S. Army.”