Origins of the Separation

Cracked walls showed age. None of the buildings was under one hundred and fifty years old. The cerulean sky painted a wondrous backdrop against the brick. The roads had been paved along with the sidewalks but there were still those things that you use to get manure off your shoes in front of shops and houses.

“No, Pennsylvania was part of Delaware.”

Petty Boers asserted.

“Oh, no. Delaware was part of Pennsylvania,” corrected Kunsler Adamai.

“We can fight this out in the streets, my friend. I’m telling you you’re wrong,” Boers said with a smile.

“Okay, okay, let’s ask professor Google.”

He felt around for his phone. “You got your phone on you?”

“No.”

“Well, what the hell—”

“Alright, it’s in the car we’ll settle this somehow, someway,” Adamai said. He retrieved the device. “Aha! We’re in the money!” Adamai shouted. “Read that right there.”

It clearly stated that Delaware declared independence from Pennsylvania a few weeks before the Declaration of Independence.

“I stand corrected,” Boers replied.

“I knew I should have put up a twenty,” Adamai mentioned.

“C’mon. I’ll buy you a cup and a slice,” Boers replied.

The coffee shop was a nook. It featured peeling wallpaper and a cat and good air conditioning. It also gave off a golden glow and warm smiles all around.

“Okay, Addy. You got that one but you better enjoy that coffee and cherry pie. I’m cooking up some trivia you’ll never get.”

“Call my bluff,” Adamai said.

“I can do that,” Boer replied.

“What is the problem with people not acknowledging the history of Delaware?” Adamai asked.

“That’s two strikes that have been traditionally boring: history and Delaware. People don’t care about the record of history and even their own state in which they live,” Boers explained.

“It’s a goddamn shame. I mean there’s a treasure trove of knowledge just waiting to be explored. Like the sales tax…where the hell did it come from in this state? Why is it among only a handful of other states that don’t impose a payment for governmental services on consumption?”

Boers shrugged. “I don’t know. Can anyone answer those questions?”

“I think we should embark on a little history sleuthing. I think we should band together and seek the richness of this state. Delaware is too good and too pure to be sullied by the cynical and the disinterested.”

“You’re right,” Boers replied. “The many too many people across our little but nimble state ought to know about the advances that were made to secure the future of this place.”

The two men sipped their coffees. “You see that woman behind the counter with a crooked smile?” Adamai asked.

“Yeah.”

“She can help us. She's a good person. She’s majoring in English history at DIT. She should be a big help.”

Boers’ eyebrows raised. English? What the hell is she going to help us with in American History? Particularly that of the First State?”

“Ah, you see she’s gained more knowledge than most about the early colonies and settlers. Not just English, but Swedish and Dutch,” Adamai added.

“Oh,” Boers replied.

“Yes. She can be the best ally in our great battle for supremacy of the mind over whatever makes the state move,” Adamai mentioned. He walked over to her. She washed out a mug.

“Mr. Adamai. How are you?” Caldwell Rose asked.

“Haven’t been better. Say, what are you doing after your shift? My friend and I would love to delve into the history of Delaware and beyond.”

“Oh, yeah? I’ll clock out right now and begin the journey. It’s my break right now.”