Jo and Laurie: A Re-telling of the Re-telling

The Dinner

Amy glanced around the room, "It feels so wonderful to have us all here. How I have missed all of you ever do dearly. Europeans are not nearly as jovial as Americans, that is with the exception of Dario."

"So, how did you two meet anyway?" Laurie asked, there was no romantic feeling at all towards Amy but she was still like his little sister. Laurie felt a certain obligation to keep all of the little women safe.

"Well, it's a funny story--" Dario started.

"Dario noticed that the author of Little Women happened to have the same last name as I did--"

"And I am fascinated with the book, truly Josephine. Your writing is a treat for all."

"Anyway, he started asking me if I was truly as annoying as my character in the book was..."

Jo felt a need to defend her writing, "Ahem-- that book was based on real-life experiences, Amy."

Amy noticed Jo's annoyance, "Even if it was, I have changed, hopefully for the better."

Dario chuckled, "Sometimes I do find that she acts very similar to the way she was described."

"That is neither here nor there! Anyway, we talked for hours and hours that night and haven't really stopped since then."

"That's a sweet story, my dear." Marmee was gladened by Amy's love for Dario.

"Josephine--" Dario started.

Jo corrected him, "You can call me Jo, Dario. That's what everyone else calls me."

"Right. Well, why did you marry Amy off to Laurie in the book? I have always been confused by that choice. It doesn't give the reader what they want at all. And Professor Bhaer? Not the person I thought she would have ended up with. Seemed kind of like a quick ending, I was really hoping that Jo and Laurie would have ended up in the novel."

Amy kicked Dario under the table, "Ow! What did I say?"

Jo decided to be truthful, well mostly: "Well you see, Dario, why give the reader what they want? Is that what writing is about? Giving the audience what they want? What about what I, well I mean Jo in the novel, wants?"

"Well, to be quite frank Jo I do think that is what she wanted. As much as she could refute her feelings, it was evident to many readers that she still felt romantic feelings for Laurie. If she hadn't there would not have been such awkwardness when Laurie told Jo the news."

Jo was offended, "How are you to know what I want?"

Laurie looked around at the faces being made at the table, the Marches were squirming in their seats. Poor Brooke was turning ever so red. Laurie was starting to dislike this man, he was too forward for his taste and did not understand the concept of boundaries.

Amy whispered to Dario, "Stop while you're still liked by my family! Please! I will explain it to you later."

"Sorry, Jo. I meant no offense."

Amy picked up the conversation, "Meg, when are you due?"

"In a few months, dear. When are you planning on coming back to America? I would love to have you here for the birth," Meg beggingly responded.

"Well, I think Dario and I are going to make one more trip to Italy so I can meet some special people. And then I will be back in America for something special after the babies are born, most likely."

"That sounds wonderful, dear. We cannot wait until you return," Mr. March replied, knowing the purpose of the trip was still to be fulfilled.

Meg, who was sandwiched between Jo and John, held Jo's hand as she thought: Poor girl, she has been through so much in these past few days.

Jo appreciated the kind gesture and squeezed Meg's hand in return.

"So, Laurie! How are your studies at Harvard?" John inquired of his past student.

"Fine, Latin, Greek, History, nothing new. Although, I do wish you were there to help me focus. Fred Vaughn and I are hardly held accountable for our distractions."

"Are you enjoying it though? It must be much more exciting being at a university than being tutored!"

"I guess, I find that I am homesick quite often. It is nice to be back here and to see everyone."

"Education is a privilege, Theodore," Mr. Laurence chimed in.

"What I wouldn't give to be at Harvard, all the knowledge you could acquire! Imagine the endless rows of books that are on those shelves... What a dream," Jo cooled down from her outburst as she fantasized.

"Yes, I guess you are both correct. I just wish that I could experience it with the people I love, that's all." Laurie looked at Jo who was seated across from him. She looked away rapidly.

As dinner concluded, Dario noticed the piano in the corner, "Was that Beth's?"

Mr. Laurence choked up, "Yes, it was. We miss her dearly."

"I wish I could have met her,' Dario added, 'she seemed like such a gift."

"She truly was," Marmee wiped a tear from her eye.

"Dario, do you know any songs?" Amy asked.

"A few."

"Well, why don't you play it for us? Lord knows it needs to be used, such a beautiful piano deserves to be played!" Mr. March encouraged.

Dario submitted to the request, "Alright.."

As his fingers strung along the keys everyone started to weep, Dario got lost in the music and did not notice until he was halfway through with the song, "I am so sorry to upset all of you."

"Please! Do not stop! It's just that was Beth's favorite song to play... I can't believe you played that without knowing! It's like a gift sent from Heaven, please Dario, continue," Marmee continued to cry yet felt comforted.

The whole room fell into harmony, Beth wasn't physically there, but she always knew how to make everything better. In an evening of tension, she knew how to alleviate it.

"Thank you, Dario." Jo, although still mildly irritated with him, was grateful.

"You are all welcome, it's a beautiful piano. I should really be offering thanks for letting me use it."

"It is always ready to be played." Mr. March added.

"Oh, Amy! Speaking of music, you and Dario should join Jo, Laurie, John, and I to a show tomorrow evening. It is probably one of the last nights I will be able to spend out without feeling exhausted! I would love for you to come."

"That sounds delightful! Dario, doesn't it?"

"Yes, quite!"

"Sounds great, meet us at our house at five so we can all dine together. On that note, John and I should get going. He has work in the morning and we shouldn't keep him up too late!"

"Yes, we bid you all farewell!" John and Meg hugged everyone in the room.

Everyone seemed tired after the eventful evening, as everyone gradually went their separate ways Laurie pulled Jo aside, "I am sorry all that happened tonight, Jo."

"I am sorry too..." Jo looked in his eyes and saw the sadness that she had never noticed before, and noticed that his eyes were actually kind of green. That's new, thought Jo.

Laurie kissed her cheek, "Goodnight, Jo."

Jo looked at him once more, "Goodnight, Teddy."