𝕄𝕪 𝕃𝕠𝕧𝕖, 𝕄𝕪 𝕃𝕚𝕗𝕖 - Theodore Laurence ✅

39

It's been a good two days since Meg and John's wedding, especially the day he confessed and was confessed to. Four, since the news of Cathy's run to be wedded off to Aunt March's choice. But here he was, locking himself in his room and Mr. Laurence countlessly attempts to get him out or talk to him.

Mr. Laurence had gradually come to terms with Laurie's feelings. He saw the clues before but his bond to Jo had blinded him to see the sparks when his grandson is around Catharine March. He felt useless that Laurie is locking himself with guilt and depression while all he could do was give words of comfort that won't bring back what he wants.

The March had been silent too, in fact, too silent that the town was getting worried. The March was the most bubbling and rowdy of the people, so their silence quickly brought news and words spreading about their daughter being wedded to a duke's son.

People have been banging on their doors in congratulation, anyone would be proud or happy that their daughter was engaged to someone with such power but each time they went to spread their glee and congrats. Hannah and Mr. March would slam the door right in their face, but not without glaring and warning them off first.

Jo had surprisingly left too. Causing not one but two of their daughters out of their life. Meg would continuously visit the house, forsaking her honeymoon as John understood and helped around the cheering in the March household. Amy had been writing non-stop, not a day she wasn't to Cathy, nonetheless, there was never a response that she even curses the presence of the postman when he would skip her house every day.

Beth had kept surprisingly calm, but so calm and silent she went back to being almost mute. She barely talks, almost becoming invisible to the family. However, they were happy to know that she continues to play the piano, but, not without a few tears shedding as she mutters under her breath for her sister's back. While, Marmee, wanted to avoid talking about Cathy not in a bad manner as she trusts her sister to keep her daughter safe, but for the sake of the family. She didn't want to put more gloom on everyone.

Eventually, after a week, Mr. Laurence and the maids were just as flabbergasted during dinner. Laurie had finally come out of his room. Without a sound, he simply slumps himself on his seat at the dining table as the maid hurried to place food on his plate.

Mr. Laurence watches cautiously at his grandson. He was no longer smiling and gleaming to tease him, instead, Laurie almost looked lifeless to him. But one thing that took his curiosity is the lack of a specific ring on Laurie's finger, it was no longer there.

Silence filled the room as dinner continue. Mr. Laurence kept his eyes on Laurie who played with his food, rarely placing them in his mouth. Abruptly, the young lad finally spoke his first words in a week, "I'm leaving." With no emotion or care, Laurie spoke intending to do so even if Mr. Laurence refuse it.

"Will you be back?" / "Maybe. No. I don't know." Laurie mumbles, taking a sip of cold water he continues, "Not in a long time."

Mr. Laurence let out a sigh, he could not stop his objective it seems. Once dinner concluded, Laurie stood off and left for his room once more. Spending another hour or two alone in the living room, Mr. Laurence glances up at the ceiling that should directly lead to Laurie's room. The loud banding and rattles told him that Laurie is packing, and his grandson is leaving him sooner than he thought.

Standing up, he reaches his hand for a specific piece of paper. Reaching Laurie's room, Mr. Laurence knock on the door twice and waited for a response. It took a minute for Laurie to open the door, with a disheveled look and bagging eyes, the male said in an almost annoyed tone, "What?"

"I always like writing letters. Especially to your grandmother back in the days," Mr. Laurence claims, easily walking past the male and into the room. The suitcase and chaotic chamber proved to him his concern that Laurie might even be departing tonight.

"Please get to your point," Laurie muttered, almost wanting to roll his eyes but holding in as he walked back into his closet to throw in more clothes into the luggage, "I'm not in the mood to listen to your, 'back in the days,' stories,"

"Alright. I shall," Mr. Laurence placed the paper he brought up on Laurie's desk. It caught the younger's attention, frowning in question at what the old man was doing. He was able to get a say when Mr. Laurence continue, "This paper is made out of the wood pulp. It makes it live longer. A great way to write a letter" He turned his attention to Laurie and spoke with clear words in his eyes as he continues, "Especially, when it contains deepest emotion that is not ready or a chance to be spoken out yet. Be honest in it, dear boy."

Mr. Laurence left the room, and Laurie continue to stare at the piece of empty paper on his desk. He stared so long as he debated. Dropping the items in his head, he let out a sigh before making his way to the desk. Hesitating, his finger picked up his ink pen, wisely considering his words.

He finally wrote something, "Be honest," he mutters.

The whole night, his attention and devotion were on this piece of paper, and by morning when Mr. Laurence went to check on him. His room was empty with no trace of him, just an envelope sealed with wax on the desk was left behind.