Abandonné looks around at the other people sitting near her. There had to be at least ten other people that were either younger or older than her. They were sitting outside under a simple covered shelter. There was a black slate board on wheels at the front of the setup.

Tabitha had informed her that her father insisted that all his crew members could read, write, count, and do simple math. So, she along with several other newcomers were attending a class.They were informed they would be taught how to do these things.

She was given a black rectangular slate along with some colored chalk and cloth to erase the chalk. Tabitha informed her that she was going to use it to write on and how to do simple math. She said that when she gets proficient. She will be issued paper and ink to write on.

She couldn’t believe that the people she was attending class with were new arrivals like her. None of them had been on the ship she had been a prisoner on.

“Good morning students. My name is Brooke Summerset. You can call me Mrs. Summerset. For the next six months, I’ll be teaching you how to read, write, count, and how to do simple math. If any of you need help after our lessons. I will stay after to help you. There will be a break around midday for you to grab some lunch. The break will last for an hour.”

Brooke stops and looks at everyone in her class. Most of the class were older students this time around. She had some younger students, but this time around there were more older students.

“Now, I will call your name and if I mispronounce it, please raise your hand and to me how to pronounce it. Also, if you have any questions. Please raise your hand and I’ll call on you.”

Brooke starts calling people’s names and watches as each student responds. She wanted to get a feel for what each of her students was capable of. Once she gets done calling each person’s name. She walks over to the blackboard and picks up a piece of chalk. She turns round to face everyone.

“Now everyone, if you would pick up your white piece of chalk. I want you to watch me first and then afterward, I want you to make an A on your slate.”

Brooke turns round and makes an A on the blackboard. She draws an apple next to it. Once she is done, she turns around to face everyone
“When you think of an A, I want you to associate it to an apple.”

Brooke watches as each of her students copies the A. She walks by each person so that if they are having trouble, she will be able to help them. She liked that they had an outdoor classroom.

During her days of going to school, she was stuck inside a building. She saw that the outdoor classroom helped her students relax more. Plus, the weather was nice and helpful as well.

Around midday, Brooke calls for a break. She looks at her students “Remember, you have an hour so grab something to eat and relax.”

Abandonné walks over to where food was being served and makes a selection. When she first learned about the buffet-style serving, they did. She would load her plate up, but Tabitha informed her that she didn’t need to do that. If she wanted seconds or thirds, she could go back. Also, no one was going to take her food from her.

One of the women in Abandonné’s class comes over to the table she was sitting at “Do you mind if I join you?”

“Please.” Abandonné motions to the empty seat at the table.

Carol sits down and picks up her fork. Everything about this place was still new to her. She looks at Abandonné “Where are you originally from?”

“A place called Britain. How about you?” Abandonné looks at Carol.

“Same place as you, but I guess, I came from a different time than you did?” Carol could tell from Abandonné’s thick accent, that she was from a different time.

“What were things like back from where you came from?” Abandonné was curious.

“Well, King George the Third was in power. The colonies in America had fought and won their war against him.”

“Colonies in America?” Abandonné looked confused.

Carol noticed the confused look on Abandonné’s face. She wonders what time frame she came from.

“Who was the king from where you came from?” Carol was curious.

“Henry VIII. I think that’s right?” Abandonné wasn’t sure who the ruler was.

She came from a poor family and no one cared who was sitting on the throne. All she knew, was life was hard.

Carol looks at Abandonné and couldn’t believe that this woman was almost three hundred years old. She knew Henry VIII ruled up to the year 1547. She wasn’t a history person, but she did come from an influenced family until she was disowned by her family.

“Were you on a ship?”

“Yes, I was convicted of murdering my employer, but I didn’t. I tried to save him.” Tears start to form in Abandonné’s eyes.

“You must have liked your employer a lot.” Carol wonder what type of relationship Abandonné had with her employer.

“Not really, he would chase after any female under his employ and force them to have sex with him. It was his favorite that killed him.”

“And you got blamed for it?” Carol couldn’t believe it.

“Yes.”

“I heard justice back then was corrupt.” Carol knew a lot of people were wrongfully convicted by the courts. Even during her trail, she was
wrongfully convicted.

Abandonné and Carol hear the bell their teacher was using to let them know lunch break was almost over. They finish up and head back to class.