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

Aunt March

Aunt March

Jo waited and waited and waited for a response. Marmee told her every day that letters took time, but Jo didn't care. Every day she waited by the door awaiting Laurie's response. Three days had passed since her last letter and she, as always, was impatient. While Jo was awaiting the mail by the door, she started to grow tired and nodded off to sleep; until Amy barged in with Dario, "Hello, family!" and a crotchety old woman followed behind, "I always forget how quaint it is here... What this place would look like with a little more color!" Aunt March's criticisms were never-ceasing "Josephine, haven't you made a large sum from your book? Help your family with their house–Lord knows I'm not giving them any money."

"Hello and good afternoon to you too, Aunt March," Jo grumbled.

"Hmph. Where is your mother?" Aunt March questioned.

Marmee walked down the stairs, "What a treat! Aunt March, you came to our house! I am surprised that you have graced our home with your presence."

"Yes, well I came to talk to you all. Please gather everyone and I will find a place to sit... somewhere," Aunt March perused the living room in an effort to find a place worthy of her derrière. Finally deciding that Mr. March's chair was able, she sat down and crossed her legs, "Please, if you may, get my nephew in here as well. I know Meg has been struggling, so we will leave her out of this conversation."

Mr. March came out of his study and walked over to kiss his aunt on the cheek, "I am sorry, I was reading my Bible."

"Please, nephew, do not apologize for your piety. I need to practice your lifestyle more frequently than I do now," Aunt March's voice grew grim, "Well, the reason I am here is to tell you all that I am dying."

"Aunt March, you are not that old!" Jo rolled her eyes.

Mr. March glared at his daughter, "Sorry, I just mean you are too young to die, that's all," Jo apologized.

"Wouldn't we all like to believe that's true... The doctors told me that I had some type of incurable illness, they have found a mass in my leg and they are claiming that it is a disease that will eventually take control of my whole body. They have told me that my last days are approaching and that I should find all my affairs to be in order before it's too late."

The room was silent, "But, Aunt March... There has to be some cure! We have to know some doctor, or perhaps the Laurences know someone!" Mr. March pleaded.

"Even if they did, my chances are low. Dear nephew, I have lived a long, successful life and I intend to leave it gracefully. I do not want pity and merely came over to tell you all that I will be passing, my death shall reap reward for you. However, I only have one request: Jo, you must be married by the time I die–or else no one gets their inheritance."

"Now, Aunt March, that is a large request to make," Marmee started to contend for her daughter, "I do not want Jo to be forced into marriage for a bribe– she has made her success already and I do not intend to make her marry on the basis of acquiring money."

Aunt March looked at Amy, who then looked at Marmee, with an eye of mischief. Marmee was still confused at what the look meant entirely, but Jo interjected before her mother could say another word, "Aunt March, I would love to have you know that I will not marry for anyone or for any sum of money. I am successful enough on my own and do not need a man to supplement for that."

Aunt March rolled her eyes, "My dear, I know you have done well for yourself– a quality that is rare for women in our time. I am not saying you need to marry someone because you need money. I think you will understand my intention, for you are utterly and madly in love with the Laurence boy and I find it incredibly mindless that you are too prideful to allow yourself to marry him."

The room was shocked at Aunt March's boldness, everyone's jaws dropped. Jo's face was red with anger and embarrassment, "Aunt March, I am figuring it out. Believe me when I say that I have been humbled by your notices, but there is nothing that I can do to convince him to propose to me once again."

Aunt March crossed her arms, "Why, Jo. That's not something I would expect to hear from you. You proved me wrong once, I would love to see you prove me wrong again."

"How would I even get to him in time before his departure? There is a snowstorm, Aunt March. Even if I tried, I couldn't!" Jo was confused by her Aunt's request.

Aunt March waved her great-niece in, "There is a carriage waiting for you outside, go to New York and find him. This has gone on long enough, Josephine. It's time for you to be happy."

Jo looked at everyone around the room, everyone was in agreeance with Aunt March; even Marmee, who now understood the plan behind Aunt March's ploy, "There is no way someone would be willing to drive me in the snow to New York! It would be treacherous!"

Aunt March laughed, "My dear, money can't buy everything but it can buy you a good carriage. Now please, go to him."

Amy carried an already packed suitcase down the stairs, "I prepared this for you this morning, while you were asleep. I figured we could make your departure quick."

Jo hugged her Aunt March, "Aunt March, I will pray for your healing."

"And I will pray for your betrothal," Aunt March hugged her niece back, "Now please, I will say it again, please go get a ring on your finger."

They all said their goodbyes and Jo left the March house ready to embark on her journey of getting Laurie back.

Aunt March snickered as Jo trotted away, "Aunt March, how could you be laughing? You just told us you were going to die and you find joy?" Mr. March reacted.

"Dear nephew, do you know where Meg got her acting talent from? Me! It was just a little lie to expedite the process, I could bear it no longer." Aunt March lifted herself up from the chair, "My work here is done. I will see you all in a few hours when you come over for dinner."

"Did we say we were going over for dinner?" Marmee questioned her husband.

"No, but I think we were just commanded to go."

Aunt March left with an air of accomplishment and the family was overjoyed, what had been wanted for so long would finally come to fruition. Thank God for Aunt March!