The Vicky Series: Book 1: Chasing a Dream

Chapter 05

"I've wanted this teaching position out west with the very marrow of my being for Three Years! It's been on my mind always. I've done so much already towards achieving that prize."

"Don't fret, Victoria. We'll think of something before its too late, we just have to!" Abigail's fist pounded her palm, "If only we didn't have to be so secretive about it. I could ask..."

"No! I grant you we've been limited by our means and circumstance, but I feel certain it's at last obtainable!"

"Are you certain you'll have enough?"

"I think so. I've scrimped and saved every penny. I even got money from mother for mending."

"Perhaps she was just pleased you were being more domestic and didn't want to discourage you. You know she's concerned because you spend so much time in your studies."

"Absolutely. She's very concerned that no acceptable suitor would like a wife to be more educated than he is."

"Fortunately for you Jeremy is the studious kind."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Abigail was caught completely unawares by the sharpness in Victoria's tone.

"I mean that your parents left off worrying you when Jeremy lined up in things. He likes you smart, so your parents gave up and let you pursue your education. Don't you recall? They suddenly changed their minds last summer?"

"Oh... Jeremy and I danced a lot together at the Mid-Summer Gala last year. He's a good dancer and I was enjoying the evening. I never thought twice about it."

"Obviously Jeremy did."

"Obviously." A heavy silence fell while they both thought frantically of a way out. Victoria broke the silence first.

"I need you to be my eyes and ears after I have gone."

Abigail flashed a devilish grin. Her eyes darted about as she looked about, as if checking to be sure no one was listening. Then she leaned close and whispered impishly.

"You can count on me, Victoria. Jeremy will be out-scooped on every story."

"No, silly. I mean keep me informed on what my parents are doing to get me home. You know they won't just accept that I've chosen to leave."

"I can do that easily. Just tell me where to send the messages."

"Therein lays our next problem. I can't send the messages to Lakeside or Rosewood. Can you get to Philadelphia, say once a week?"

"Actually, Daddy has recently moved us to a place in Baltimore. He doesn't like all the slave talk going on in Charleston. Things are really heating up, he says. He never had slaves himself. Grandma paid all her slaves regular and set them free in her will.

Daddy says if things get violent, which he is certain they will, he wants me out of harm's way and safely in the North. He probably would've preferred a move to New York. However he thinks now it's become too crowded. He said---"

"Abigail."

"Hmm?" she asked without missing a beat.

Victoria smiled. Abigail loved to talk. She hoped her friend wrote letters as well as she talked.

"Baltimore is alright for me to send messages, but how will you know what's going on here if you're there?"

"You have a point." They grew silent for a moment then Victoria burst out excitedly.