Characters

M**ain Character- Matilda:** Young girl. Grew up in a small family while her parents built the coffee shop. She was born and raised in Philedelphia. Her and her family live above the coffee shop. Always trying to grow up fast and take over some of her mothers responsibilties, while her mother refuses to let her grow up. Her life is a big story of twists and turns. From crushing on the town hottie, to loosing her father in a tragic accident. She never knew what would come next but yet somehow she always had the optimism to get her through all the struggles. No doubt she's a strong girl.


 * Minor Characters:**
 * -Mom:** She's hard-headed, and work driven. She's extremely strict on Matilda because she's so scared to loose her like she lost her husband. She's a strong mom that knows whats good for her kid. She is persuaded by her dad alot to let Matilda grow up. As strong as she is, she catches the Yellow Fever, and gets extremely sick. She forces Matilda to flee so she can be safe.
 * -Grandpa:** Old war veteran. Matilda's favorite family member out of all. He's been her shelter since her father died. He has always been the one that convinces her mom to loosen up, and to let her get what she wants. He knows that she is mature enough to handle all the responsibilities her mother wouldn't give her.
 * -Father:** Died when Matilda was a young age. He was working on the outside of the coffee house and fell off the ladder and broke his neck. He died only two months after the family opened the coffee shop. He planned on adding a sitting room but never made it that far.
 * -Polly:** Polly was the servant girl at the coffee shop. She was always faithful to the family. She was one of the first fever victims. She was also Matildas bestfriend. She was the one to stick up for Matilda around the coffee shop. After she died, Matilda's mother wouldnt let her go pay her respects because she didnt want Matilda catching the fever.
 * -Eliza:** Eliza was the coffee house cook. Since mother couldn't cook, she took over the role of feeding the family and the customers. She was a free slave that moved to Philedelphia. Her husband was still a slave, and promised when he got free they would be together. He was killed by a runaway horse. Shared grief with Matilda's mother. She took care of mother when she got the fever, and took Matilda in as her own when she came home. Always had the families best interest in mind.
 * -Ludingtons:** Family friends that had a farm in the country. The fever hadn't spread to the country yet. Her mother told Matilda and grandpa to go there and be safe away from everyone sick. She went looking for them, not knowing that they went to the hospital. A 'safe house' for the family.
 * -Nathaniel Benson:** Matilda's secret crush. Everything she looked for in a man. He worked at the bake shop, and painted. When the fever started, he painted Matilda flowers. He promised her he'd see her and to stay safe. After the fever, he found her. And stayed around the coffee shop and got in tight with the family. I'd like to think they had a happy ever after! :)
 * -Silas:** Fat orange cat in the family. He always caught the loose mice around the place. The pet that stayed with Matilda, and always knew she would come home. She was Matilda's protecter.
 * -Mrs.Flagg:** Nurse at Bush Hill. Her and grandpa always flirted and played back and forth. She kept them healthy, and well fed. Even though she didnt want too, she moved them out of the hospital because they were healthy and she didnt want them infected again. Good intentions.
 * -Edward Ogilvie:** Oldest son. Rich family. Matilda's family wanted her to marry into the family. He was supposed to marrya rich family, and have a good life. Matilda's family wanted them to be together, but all Matilda wanted was Nathaniel.
 * -Pernilla Ogilvie:** The mother. She invited the Cook's over just so she could brag about how good her and her family had it. Her daughter married royalty, her other was beautiful, and her son was beyond cute. She knew that with a good life, she coudl rub it in their faces because she had everything and most people had nothing compared ot their family.
 * -Collete Ogilvie:** Engaged to a prince. She was the snobby daughter. She complained about not feeling good at the table, but everyone blew it off. Stood up and tried to tell her mother, then fainted. She ended up catching the fever, and the family moved out and dissappeared.
 * -Jeanine Ogilvie:** Beyond rude. She did everything to make sure that Matilda didnt get anything to eat. Pointed out that the only reason she's even at the house is that her family wants her to marry Edward so that the family can finally have money.
 * -2 Robbers:** Broke into the coffeeshop at night, even though they saw the yellow ribbon out front. One tall man, and one short man. Since the coffeeshop was already broken into, there wasn't much to steal anymore. They took whats left of the expensive things. Then when Matilda tried to stop them, they attacked her and Grandpa came in with a gun. Matilda stabbed one, and they ended up killing Grandpa. Then ran off into the night.
 * -Joseph:** Eliza's brother. His wife died earlier. He has two sons; Robert and William. Still grieving. Does all he can to provide for him, Eliza, and his children. He sends them off so they can be safe. He is mostly supported by Eliza. Wife died from fever also.
 * -Robert & William:** Joseph's sons. Rowdy, and rough. Young kids, so they are still hyper. Eliza and Joseph shield them from grief. End up catching the fever and almsot dying, then the frost saves them. They dont know whats going on, but everyone is trying to keep them alive.
 * -Nell:** Orphan that Matilda found on the street. Nell's mother was killed from the fever. Matilda took her in as her own. Nell caught the fever along with the boys. Tried taking her to an orphanage, but they were full so they gladly kept her. And she stayed with them since she had no where else to go and she ended up one more member of Matilda's new family.