mon ange {t. laurence}

chapter 3: 'bonds can be broken'

Setting: Aunt Marches 1861

It had been a week since Christmas, Abby and Laurie kept on taking their late night strolls, and greatly enjoyed each other's company, but it did make Abby tired in the morning.

No one else knew of course, as Marmee would be quite disappointed if she found out about their late night outings, so it was kept a secret, and soon after the holiday festivities, all the March siblings had to go back to work.

Jo put the bedazzled version of Belsham down and tiptoed into the next room, where her sister was sat with her wool blanket she was making for Aunt Marches easy chair.

"Is she asleep?" Abigail whispered to which Jo nodded.
"Basically knocked out," Jo commented, before slumping next to her sister. "Do you think that Aunt March still wants to take me to Europe?" Asked Jo, talking about the news she was told the other day.

"I don't see why not," Abby replied, noticing how anxious the girl seemed. "There's no need to worry though, you are the most capable of that out of us all anyway." She reassured.

"Thanks Abs." Jo cooed, taking up a more exciting book that lay on the couch.

"Is there a reason why you stopped reading Belsham?" An agitated Aunt March stormed into the room, on a rare occasion that she actually got out of her chair.

"I'm sorry Aunt." Jo apologised, rushing to pick up the book from the other room before Aunt March stopped her.

"There is no need, I must speak to you both." She reprimanded.

The two young girls sat on the couch, awaiting what their Aunt had to say.

"I've had a change of mind." She said decidedly. "I shall take Abby instead of you, Josephine, to Europe."

Jo's mouth resembled a fish, and Abby noticed the sadness in her eyes.

"Aunt, i'm sure you can reconsider," Abigail spoke. "Jo is really the best choice out of us girls, truly."

"I'm afraid not," The frail lady snapped back. "For Jo doesn't care for marriage, and I wish to find a wealthy husband for one of you there, I figured you would be most fitting Abigail."

Abby looked over at her sister, who seemed to be just keeping it together, her heart was breaking for the girl, she needed to convince Aunt March that Jo was the best choice, even if it meant lying.

"I can't," Abby defended. "I'm afraid i've had my head turned by somebody else."

"By who? child!" Aunt March fumed.

Abigail tried her best to think of a fake name to please her Aunt, but nothing came to mind, before she could stop herself, someone's name slipped out of her mouth.

"Theodore Laurence."

"Ugh that wretched boy! I honestly don't care," Aunt March said nonchalantly. "You're to young to know what love is."

"Which is exactly why we shouldn't be getting married!" Abigail stood up as her aunt walked over to her. "I love him auntie, I truely do!"
Another lie.

It wasn't that Abby didn't love him, it was more that she loved him as a friend and childish crush, but never a husband.

"I don't care if you love him, Bonds can be held ever so dearly to ones heart, child. If that bond breaks, so does the heart," Aunt March said sternly. "And that boy isn't capable of breaking your heart, because you will come with me and you will marry and fall for someone else!"

"No! It's either Jo or no one!"

Slap.

...

Abigail walked home holding her cheek, for she had been dismissed angrily and Jo was to stay, completing her duties, she wanted to go and help her hurt sister, but fear kept her from doing so.

Abby's attention was taken away from the stinging in her cheek when she heard crying coming from near the Laurence house.

Amy.

"Amy! Darling! What's wrong!"

"Oh i've done it! I did a drawing and Mr. Davis hit me!" She cried, showing her bloody hands.

"I can't possibly go home Abby! You mustn't make me!"

Abigail ran to her sister and held her close. "It's okay, sweet girl."

"Hello there! Oh! Abby! Amy! Are you alright?" The Laurence boy called from the nearby window.

"Amy's teacher had the nerve to strike her." Abigail shuddered at the thought.

The boy quickly invited the girls inside, upon entry, both the sisters mouths were left agape and eyes sparkling.

They were led up to a study room were Mr. Brooke attended to Amy's hands.

"Can I talk to you?" Abby asked Laurie, slowly getting nervous about what she was going to tell him.

"Of course," He said. "Follow me."

The two teenagers left into the hallway, where they couldn't be heard.

"I've made a mistake." Abby said gravely.

"Abby March! A mistake, never!" Laurie joked, but became sober when he saw the red mark on her cheek. "Who hurt you?"

"That's not the poi-"

"Who hurt you mon ange?"

"Aunt March, she wants me to go to France instead of Jo, I don't want to take that away from her."

Laurie gave her a look as if to tell her to continue.

"And i've lied to her Laurie! I'm so sorry!" Abigail cried.

"Sorry for what?"

"She wants me to marry there, Teddy. And I said I had had my head turned, by you."

"You lied?" Laurie said, looking crestfallen, not mad, but disappointed. "You shouldn't have to do that."

"And i'm so very sorry about it! I tried to think of a name, any name! but yours slipped out!" Abby replied.

Laurie just nodded with a straight face.

"I'd hate to ask this of you, but please, can we pretend for awhile Teddy, just for a bit, just until Aunt March sees it and changes her mind and let's Jo go, please."

"No"

"What?"

"I said no, I won't do it, figure it out yourself mon ange."