Tales From the Cave-Little Women: Part Two

Sara Says Bon Voyage

For days, Arty locked herself up in the attic, telling everyone that she was working on a new story. She did not fool anyone, though. They could hear the screams and knocking over of furniture. Sara felt terribly guilty.  She hadn't meant to take anything away from her older sister.

"Oh, Marmee, this is terrible!", she pleaded to her mother.  "I'm happy that I get such a great opportunity for travel and art schooling, but I never wanted it to come at Arty's expense."  She hugged her knees to her chest.  "I don't know what to do.  I haven't felt this bad since I burned her story."  She flinched, the memory of the mentioned incident still a little painful for her.

"There there, darling.", Marmee said, trying to console her youngest.  "I'll go talk to her."  Marmee knew this was a wonderful thing to happen to Sara, after all those years being left out for being "too young".  She had grown so much since then, teaching herself to be less selfish and spoiled.  She had become a mature lady.  She deserved this chance of a lifetime, and to enjoy being given it.  But feeling bad for her sister meant she couldn't enjoy it.

Marmee left Sara sitting in the living room and walked up the stairs towards the attic.  It was time for Arty to face reality.
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Marmee knocked on the door twice.  "Artemis?  Are you alright?"  The sound of a table tipping over was her answer.  "Suppose not."  She cautiously opened the door to the room.  "Artemis?  We need to talk."  Arty looked at her mother.  Marmee could see that her eyes were puffy and her nose was swollen.  "About what?"  "About Sara's trip.", Marmee said, closing the door behind her.

Arty collapsed onto her favorite chair, her face tightening.  "How could she?!", she cried.  "How could she?!  Aunt Al Ghul knew how much I wanted to go to Europe!  Every year, she'd make me think that I could come with her next time.  Every year!  And now, she finally decides to take one of us...and she picks SARA?!"  She spoke that name like it were a curse, sending a punch to her desk.

Marmee knelt beside Arty, who stared hard at the surface of her desk.  "I know you're disappointed, dear.  But this is a marvelous opportunity for your little sister.  But she can't enjoy it while she knows you're upset.  Can't you be happy for her?"  "Why should I?!", Arty snapped.  "She knew how much this trip meant to me!  Its the whole reason I started working for Aunt Al Ghul in the first place!  All those years, reading those boring stories to her, putting up with her nagging, letting her treat me like a servant...it was all for nothing!"

Arty lay her head on her desk, distraught and inconsolable.  "Its just not fair!  I should be the one Aunt Al Ghul is taking to Europe!  I worked with her first!  I did everything she wanted!  I let her boss me around and throw as many fits as she wanted around me!  And for what?!  To have her give MY dream trip to my little sister when I'm the one who REALLY deserves to go!"

"Well, Arty, Aunt Al Ghul told me that she did consider taking you at first.", Marmee explained tenderly.  "But then she changed her mind at Meg's wedding.  She said you told her escort that you hate French and other people doing you favors." Arty mentally kicked herself. "Oh, me and my big fat mouth! Why can't I keep it closed?"

"Arty, from what you've said, it sounds as if you and Aunt Al Ghul do not get along very well.", Marmee pointed out.  Arty raised her head.  "So?"  "So, imagine if you had to spend all day and night with her for an entire year!", Marmee said.  "Do you really think you could manage that?"  Arty paused.  She had never thought of that.

Marmee continued.  "Remember all the libraries and museums you wanted to see?  Do you really think Aunt Al Ghul would give you the freedom to do that?"  Arty's frown became slightly stronger.  She had not thought of that, either.  "Y'know what, Marmee?  You're right!  She'd never let me do my own thing! I'd be at her beck and call every moment of the day!"

"But Sara is different.", Marmee went on to explain. "She and Aunt Al Ghul get along famously. Sara is happy going for tea and socializing, and has a taste for the finer things in life, just like Aunt Al Ghul. That's why she was picked to go to Europe." She stroked Arty's long blond hair. "Do you understand now why Aunt Al Ghul chose Sara to be her companion?"

Arty reluctantly nodded. "Yeah, I guess so. I guess I can't be mad at Sara. She didn't mean to steal my trip. She was just being herself. But you're right. Sara deserves this chance. She's always polite to everyone, no matter how mean they are to her. I hope she has a fabulous time in Europe." She rose from her desk and went downstairs to make peace with her little sister.
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Soon, the day of Sara's departure arrived at long last. The lucky girl was giddy and shaking with excitement as Kate helped her pack the last of her belongings. "I can't wait to get there!", she gushed. "Aunt Al Ghul says we're stopping in Great Britain first! Don't worry, Kate. We don't need to pack too much. Aunt Al Ghul is giving me an clothing allowance so I can buy European designers!"

She noticed Kate smiling at her. "What?" Kate beamed gently. "Remember when it was winter in 2012? You were thirteen and I was fifteen? You were all upset because Meg and Arty were going to a party, and you wanted to go, too, but you weren't invited because you were too young." Sara smiled at the memory. "I remember! I complained that I would never get to do anything fun because I was the youngest member of the family. But you said I'd get my chance someday."

"See, Sara?", Kate said.  "I told you so!  You're not left out of fun stuff anymore!  Now you're going to spend a whole year abroad, studying art in Europe!"  Sara pulled her sister into a tight hug.  "You were right, Kate.  It was definitely worth the wait."  She and Kate finished packing her bags and hauled them downstairs to load into the taxi cab that Aunt Al Ghul had ordered to take Sara to the airport.

With all her luggage loaded into the trunk, the family prepared to bid their little Sara farewell.  Grandfather kissed her at the top of her head.  "We'll miss you, darling.", he said.  "Enjoy your trip."  "Come home safe.", Marmee said with a hug and a peck on the cheek.  "Europeans are so cultured and stylish!", Meg said.  "I just know you're going to love it there!"  "Don't forget to bring home an Italian prince!", Conner added with a chuckle.

Finally, Sara had to face Arty.  They stood staring at each other for a solid minute before one of them broke the silence.  "I'm happy for you, Sara.", Arty said.  "Honestly, I am.  You deserve this.  You were right about showing others kindness.  Looks like the universe rewarded you, after all."  Sara smiled at her big sister.  "I wish we both go to Europe."  "Me, too."  They shared a sisterly hug.  "I'll write you everyday about everything.  I promise."

And so, with all her goodbyes done, Sara stepped into the taxi and closed the door.  Rolling the window down, she stuck her head out and waved as the vehicle started driving down the road.  "Goodbye!  Goodbye!  I'll miss you all so much!", she called out as she was carried off.  The family kept waving and waving to her until the cab turned the corner and disappeared from sight.