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

Christmas Part 1

Christmas Part 1

Jo was confused, yesterday night when he left she knew that he had had enough. She didn't want it to be like that, but it just was. She knew that she had pushed him too far, she had played with him too much, she had confused him too. She didn't feel like it was Christmas, she felt like she did prior to Laurie's arrival: lonely. Jo walked down the stairs and found Amy and Dario drinking coffee with their presents below them.

Amy saw her sister's saddened face, "Is something wrong? You're never up this early."

"I wanted to get some coffee, that's all," in truth she didn't want to be reminded that Amy was never going to be lonely again.

Jo had always had an internal battle when it came to marriage and relationships, she didn't want to appease anyone with the choices she made-- she wanted her life to be controlled by her desires and her expectations, not anyone else's. Yet, at the same time, she hated being alone. She didn't want to be married, but she wanted companionship. Jo sighed as she poured her cup of the fragrant coffee.

"Good morning, my beauty," Marmee hugged Jo.

"Merry Christmas, Marmee," Jo yawned.

"Will you be joining us for breakfast?" Marmee questioned.

Jo replied, "I am not quite hungry. I think I am going to try to write."

Marmee knew something was wrong, Jo never denied breakfast, "We would like you to be with us, Jo. It's Christmas, after all."

"Just let me know when it's ready," Jo backed down from her battle-she knew her mother was right.

Jo arrived back at her desk determined to at least get a sentence down but all she could think about was how Laurie was leaving in two days, I've really messed up now. There won't be anything I can do within two days; he won't even talk to me.

Nevertheless, she was determined to persevere. Jo picked up her quill and was reminded of Laurie, but she still tried to write. She wrote a sentence, "The March sisters had never been happier, all was well. Jo had her love, Amy had Laurie, and Meg had John, Daisy, and Demi."

Ugh, she thought, what could I possibly continue on with this story? It had such a beautiful close.

Jo sat in her attic frustrated as ever: trying to write something, but also trying to forget Laurie. Her mind wandered as she started thinking about his eyes again, how magnificent they were.

Across the street Laurie and Mr. Laurence were preparing for their departure, figuring out lodging, exhibitions, etc. It didn't really feel like Christmas morning, it was so busy.

Mr. Laurence found Laurie packing in his room, "Merry Christmas, Theodore."

"Merry Christmas, Grandfather," Laurie tossed one of his vests into his luggage.

Mr. Laurence sighed, "You know, I would expect that you would be more excited to leave for Europe young lad..."

"I am thrilled, Grandfather, really I am. I just wish we could leave sooner than later, it's getting difficult to be here," Laurie felt awful that his grandfather felt as if he wasn't appreciative.

"Ah, I see. You didn't talk to Josephine last night, did you?" Mr. Laurence inquired.

"No, but Grandfather how could I? One moment she is jealous of another girl, then she rejects my kiss, slaps me in the face, and then wants everything to be back to normal! How is that manageable?"

"If you love her you'd look past that," Mr. Laurence said quietly as to not offend Laurie.

Laurie remained silent and changed the subject, "Grandfather, I have to pack. Thank you for your concern, but I've got it handled."

"Alright, well we are eating at 11:00. Be ready by then please," Mr. Laurence quietly exited the room and shut the door.

Laurie didn't want to pack, he was too distracted. Then he remembered Jo's Christmas gift he had yet to open. He looked at where he had stored the present away, Jo had wrapped it roughly; the present was covered in newspaper. She had attempted to wrap a ribbon around it, but it wasn't great. However, it was Jo's way. Anything that she did, Laurie loved. He curiously shook the present and decided to open it, he tore the present apart and revealed the wonderful ring she had gifted him. It was amazing, I wish I could have given her a ring.

Laurie felt as if Jo was taunting him in a way, he read the card she had written him and saw the sentence 'eternality of our friendship.' He wished she had desired a ring to symbolize an eternality of love, but he knew it would never happen.

Laurie reflected on the last couple days the two had spent together, it had been different, I guess different doesn't mean that her feelings have changed; even if they had, she obviously would never act on it.

Laurie, although upset with her rejection, put the ring on his right ring finger, saving the left just in case she would ever change her mind; although he hardly doubted that she would.