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It’s was a few weeks before Halloween and the whole camp was abuzz with festivities, not to mention a the aftermath of Octoberfest. They had moved camp into Pennsylvania, per Washington’s orders, and the Pennsylvania Dutch had introduced it to them. Now, Halloween was right around the corner, and John, Charles, and John’s other friends, Burr, Hercules, and Lafayette were trying to plan Halloween costumes. Laurens wanted to do a couples costume, but they couldn’t agree on anything.
“Come on, Char a turtle and a hare would be so cute, just like that old fable,” Laurens urged, softly rubbing his face in Charles’s chest.
“Johnny, I know you want to be a turtle, but I am not dressing as a damn bunny,” Charles scowled, rubbing his sinuses out of irritation.
“Lee, you will never agree with me,” Laurens huffed. “And I’m still gonna dress as turtle,” he added softly.
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Meanwhile, in Lafayette’s tent, since it was the biggest, Burr, Hercules, and Lafayette were coming up with their own Halloween costumes, oblivious to the bickering of Charles and Laurens.
“Come on, we can just stay home, think of the…” Lafayette trailed off, unable to think of the right words.
“I think you’re looking for mischief,” Hercules offered.
“Ah, oui, this is the word,” Lafayette yipped.
“So what should we do for our masks?” Burr questioned in his usual monotone voice, as he knew only kids dressed up. Adults wore masks and went out to bars or out to cause trouble.
“Oh, how about a devil?” Lafayette giggled, making faux devil ears with his hands.
“Oh! Oh! I should be Washington, I’ll even sew a generals uniform!” Hercules added excitedly.
After a few minutes they had decided what they wanted to be and got crafting their masks. Lafayette would be a devil, Hercules a general, Burr would be Ebenezer Scrooge from Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol.
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Tonight was the night, for it was finally Halloween and everyone had miraculously figured out and finished their costume on time, including Charles, who had proclaimed himself a ghost.
Charles and Laurens were about ready to head out for a night of merry making and fun, and pretty soon after leaving they arrived to their favorite tavern.
“I can’t wait for the bonfire at camp tonight,” Laurens said excitedly, his voice a little muffled from the turtle mask he’d made yesterday.
“Yeah, yeah, calm down, Johnny,” Charles said, voice as easy as whiskey down a drunkards throat.
Laurens forced a smile and playfully rolled his eyes, “Ok, fine, Charles. I get it, it’s childish.”
Charles just smirked like he always did and grabbed their beers to bring back to camp.
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Later at camp, with the bonfire burning high, taps running freely, and the air abuzz with the scent of a happy man, they gathered round the bonfire, hand in hand and singing old bar songs. The night was going perfectly for Laurens until a very drunk and unmistakably French voice cut through the merriment.
Lafayette.
“Ach! Mon ami, come on, let us show you some real fun! Our friends are waiting just over there,” Lafayette slurred, waving his free hand. He was handed a very precariously filled wine cup and soon enough they were in the middle of the woods by a little fire in a clearing.
“Laurens! Ya came! I really didn’t think you would show, since you’re with… ya know, ‘the one who should not be named’ up your back all the time,” Hercules joked, throwing a casual arm around his shoulder.
“Heh, yeah, Laf just pulled me out here. Speaking of here, where exactly are we?” Laurens questioned with a soft laugh.
“Ahh, it’s, uhh, the woods! Oui, la woods,” Lafayette explained helpfully with a wild smile.
“Will Charles be mad that I ditched him?
Well, that’s a problem for another night,”Laurens thought to himself, giving a little shrug, for tonight was about Halloween and his newfound friends.
HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE!!!