Washington looked at it carefully, holding it up to his eyes and turning it over in his fingers. “What did your mother tell you about this ring?”
“That it is a family heirloom, sir. I think she said the stone was a sapphire.”
“Is that all?” questioned Washington.
“Yes, sir.” answered Gabriel.
“And the note, does it give any explanation about this ring?”
“No, sir,” said Gabriel. “I just keep the note because my mother wrote it to me shortly before she died. I have never really figured out what she was trying to say, other than she loved me.”
“I can see why she loved you, Gabriel,” said Washington. “And I would never want to intrude into such a private note, but are you sure this note doesn’t provide any further explanation of this ring?”
“Yes, sir, I’m sure,” said Gabriel. “It doesn’t say anything about a ring.”
Washington sat silently, studying the ring for a moment longer. Then he carefully handed it back to Gabriel. “It is quite beautiful. I would hate for such a valuable item to become lost or, worse yet, stolen. Gabriel, keep your ring safe. It may be of great use to you some day.”
Washington rose from his chair. “Very well, I guess that concludes our business here this morning, then,” said Washington. “So much to do and so little time.”
Nathaniel, Artemas, and Gabriel looked at one another curiously. The other two began to rise from their chairs slowly, but Gabriel did not budge.
“Sir, what do you mean?” asked Gabriel in a confused and panicked voice. “What’s to become of me?”
Washington gave him a puzzled look. “What do you mean, what’s to become of you? Isn’t my decision good enough for you?”
“Excuse me, sir,” said Nathaniel, “but I don’t think you ever actually stated what your decision was.”
“It must have been so obvious to me I forgot to say it aloud,” chuckled Washington. “Is it not obvious to you?”
“No, sir.” stated Gabriel plainly.
“Well, let me make it clear and official, then,” said Washington with a ringing tone. “Master Gabriel Cooper, I would like to extend a formal invitation for you to be one of my aides. As part of this job, you shall assist me in reading and writing the French language, and you shall assist me in whatever other military matters I may require. Understand this job may also present certain risks, and you may be asked to accomplish other tasks outside the confines of my headquarters. You shall lodge here at this house, as I may need your assistance at any hour of the day. Do you understand the terms of this offer and accept this position?”
Gabriel sat in stunned silence for a moment, unsure whether he should laugh or cry from the joy welling up inside him. Finally, he jumped up from his chair. “I do — I mean, I will — I mean, YES, SIR!”
“You do not know how much it pleases me to hear you say that.” said Washington with a smile across his face. “General Greene and Captain Greenwood, I expect you to be the guardians of Gabriel Cooper, as well. He shall be your charge as well as mine. Now Gabriel, why don’t you take a break from the stuffy air of this room and go tell Mr. Greenwood’s son you are an official member of this army and, more importantly, part of my personal staff. Report back here promptly at three o’ clock, and let’s draft a response to our new friend Monsieur Beaumarchais. After that, you shall eat dinner here so I can introduce you to some other officers you will need to know. Can I expect you at three, then?”
“Yes, sir,” said Gabriel, barely holding back his excitement. He had never imagined a more glorious ending to his journey. A smile beamed across his face.
“Good, then,” said Washington. “I will see you soon, Gabriel, and I am looking forward to our adventures together.”
Gabriel turned and was ready to run out of the room and scream with excitement, when Washington gave a shout.
“Wait, Gabriel. There is one more thing. I about forgot to give this back to you. It’s your drum, or what’s left of it.”
Washington handed the mangled drum to Gabriel. Gabriel took it from Washington and held it lightly in his hands. As he looked at it, his entire journey played back through his mind. It was this drum that brought him here — a place filled with excitement, adventure, and people who would become his new family. Overcome with emotion, Gabriel’s eyes welled up with tears.
“I am so sorry,” said Washington. “If I had seen it sooner along the path, I might have been able to steer my horse around it. Take heart, though. I’d much rather have you as an aide than a drummer boy.”
Gabriel looked up, “These are tears of joy, not sadness. Without this drum, I’d not be standing here. It has brought me a long way.”
“Yes, it certainly has done that,” responded Washington.
Gabriel wiped his eyes, saluted, and then turned to run out the door with the broken drum in hand. He didn’t shout or scream with excitement, though, and he didn’t run to tell Jonathon the news, either. Instead, Gabriel went alone to the riverbank. There, he took one last look at the drum and then tossed it into the water. It floated along for a while before sinking out of view. He stood silently and watched it disappear. In a way, it was as if he was saying goodbye to a good friend, but he wasn’t sad. The drum had served its purpose, and now he was just returning it.
Watching the drum fade away reminded Gabriel that, for every end, there is a beginning. He
