𝕄𝕪 𝕃𝕠𝕧𝕖, 𝕄𝕪 𝕃𝕚𝕗𝕖 - Theodore Laurence ✅

19

Everything is topsy-turvy in the March house, anxious and worried. That afternoon Marmee had received a telegram from a soldier sent by Washington, and that could only mean one thing. Their father. Their father was in critical condition and is in the hospital for aid. Marmee had no choice but to live the house and her children and aid her husband back to health and hopefully return home to their children.

Hannah and Meg run about getting everything ready for the mother, Beth can be seen in the corner and cries but tries not to which ends up with her sniffling and biting her lips swollen, Amy packs her mother's trunk with clothes and dresses.

Catherine and Jo cannot be seen anywhere. "Is Cathy and Jo back yet from Aunt March?" Marmee spoke out in a hurry when she glances at the clock, it was late. And Amy's response to not seeing her older sisters worried the mother more, "I can't miss the last train..."

Just then Laurie, Mr. Brooke, and Mr. Laurence entered the house, seeing how chaotic the household was yet filled with anxiety and concern for the father. Laurie went by Beth's side, condolence the girl as he looks around in confusion. Why wasn't Cathy here to comfort the crying Beth and panicked Amy, the girl was always there in the shadow of her sisters. And Jo too was missing.

"What can I do to help?" he whispered cautiously at Beth, he never comforted someone, especially one breaking into tears. While that happened Mr. Laurence went up to Marmee and spoke, "If I may be of any more assistance, please tell me. I will look in on the girls every day, without fail." Marmee let out a breath of relief, her eyes were going to break into tears at those words, "Thank you. Thank you, for everything." She was able to calm down her concern about living her family behind with Mr. Laurence's aid to care for them.

"I have always admired your husband, and I pray for a quick recovery." Mr. Laurence was able to break Marmee into a smile instead of that anxious frown since she has gotten the telegram from the soldier.

Meg is nearly running into the hallway when she bumps straight into Mr. Brooke, she looks up in surprise but in hurry by her state, not desiring a chat now, "Oh - I'm, I'm sorry." But Mr. Brooke cut her off, wanting to say something important that would ease her worries, "I came to offer myself as escort to your mother. Mr Laurence has commissioned for me in Washington, and it will give me real satisfaction to be of service to her there."

Meg let out a surprised gasp, and without thinking, she spontaneously kissed him on the cheek. Instead of being embarrassed, Meg looks at him with pure gratitude and says: Thank you. She runs back into the living room, followed by a stunned Mr. Brooke.

"While I'm gone, Hannah is in charge - and please remember to check on the Hummel's, it will be a difficult winter for everyone..." Marmee spoke up, gaining her children's attention and everyone else as she was about to pick up her bags and leave.

At just that moment, the door swings open, and Cathy and Jo rush in. Shocking everyone at the sudden burst of the entrance door, both girls had their hair under an enormous hat but no one judges that for now. Jo was the first to step up at Marmee while Cathy ran to Beth to help calm her breathing, ignoring the staring confused Laurie. Jo places money in her mother's hand and spoke proudly, "Will this be enough for the train?"

Everyone looks at her in confusion before Marmee gasps at the money in her hand, "Fifty-five dollars! That isn't like Aunt March to be so generous!" Jo glanced at Cathy who gave her an encouraging smile, "We didn't go to Aunt March, couldn't bear to." This made everyone more confused, if she didn't go to Aunt March then where did the money come from?

"Where did the money come from?"

"I sold my own," Jo removes her hat, and beneath, all of her beautiful long hair is gone, now it's just a short, blunt crop. Gasps from everyone and exclamations came from each mouth. "Oh Jo, how could you?" Meg had her hand on her chest, she wouldn't even dare cut hers for anything as she treasures her hair.

"Your one beauty!" Surprisingly, Amy praises the new look. It suited Jo's features and her personality so much. She had a huge smile on. "Now your hair is off." Beth had to stop her sniffling since her attention are focused on the back of Jo's head, seeing her head size easily.

"You look like a boy," Hannah's comment is probably the bluntest one. Stated the obvious to anyone who did k glance at Jo's hair. Jo had rolled her eyes, seeing that everyone was overreacting about hairs. But what they didn't know, and defiantly something Jo doesn't want to know is that she was scared and anxious about her new look.

"I am so proud that you are my daughter." Marmee pulled her daughter in a hug, embracing Jo tightly as the girl whispered only between them, "I was crazy to do something for Father. It'll be good for my vanity, anyway." Marmee did one last glance at the family. Jo runs to Laurie, hugging him. They now look like twin boys as they both ruffle each other's hair.

"I love you more than words can say. Be good to each other. Pray for Father'srecovery. I will come back as soon as I can." Marmee spoke softly to them, her words gentle as it touches everyone's heart. The men in the room watch solemnly, more determined than ever to help these women that they care for so deeply.