PART 15
That evening, everyone sat around the beautiful tree and the warm fireplace next to it, silently enjoying the remainder of the day. Jo was the one to gently intrude on the peace in the room when she quietly said, "You know, one sound I don't think I'll ever forget is Beth, playing the piano on Christmas. The mornings would be filled with joyous music that we would all sing along with, and the evenings would be soft Christmas lullabies."
"They say that things like sounds and smells are what some of our earliest memories are linked to," Meg remarked.
"Well how about you?" Jo asked, "What's the earliest sound you remember?"
"Me?" Meg asked, thinking back, "Well…I suppose it would have to be Marmee. Before our…financial troubles…when she and father used to go out on occasion, I'd get to sit and watch her dress. And my favorite part was getting to hear the rustle of the fabric as she would walk around the room. It was the sound I listened for to know if they were gone, and the sound I listened for when I wanted them back."
"Mmm, you're lucky," Amy said wistfully, "Sometimes I wish I could remember those times."
"What about you Amy?" Meg inquired, "I'd be interested in knowing what you remember."
"Well believe it or not," she smiled, "I, for some strange reason, remember Jo."
"Jo?" Meg asked.
"Me??" Jo exclaimed.
"Yes, " Amy laughed a little, "I remember Jo sitting, writing, at some odd hour of the morning, mumbling to herself. I remember because if ever I was scared or felt alone, I'd creep near where you were writing and just sit and listen to you."
"So that's why we found out of your bed all those times!" Meg exclaimed.
"Wait, wait," Jo said shaking her head, "You listened to me mumble?" She looked at Amy, her face full of shock, humor, and disbelief.
"Before Amy and Jo get into an argument - discussion - about this, why don't I share my earliest memory?" Laurie offered, "I was a very young child I suppose, but I do remember the sound of my parent's voices as they recited lines from Shakespeare. Of course, I didn't know it was Shakespeare at the time…but I thought it sounded simply beautiful…"
"Laughing," Nick said, "I remember my Ma, Pa, and sister laughin'. Ben and I'd be playin' out in the snow, and when we came in for dinner, there she'd be, at the table makin' my ma and pa laugh. I guess that's how I like to remember 'em…"
"My father cutting things," Asia said softly, "He used to make me all these dolls. I loved watchin' or even listenin' to him shave away at the wood. And then he'd cut out small outfits for them. Those were the times that I felt how much he loved me…"
"Uncle Fritz reading to me," Franz grinned, "Every time he came to visit he'd bring at least one box of new books for me to dive into. And when the books were too hard and the words were too long, he'd read to me. He was the only person who took out so much time…teaching me. I guess that's one of the reasons I've always wanted to be like him…"
"When I was livin' in the streets," Dan said a bit hesitantly, "some of the older girls took care of the younger ones. Sometimes they'd hum these soft tunes to put the kids to sleep, but it always made me feel better when they did it because for a minute I could pretend like it was my older sister humming, and that I had a family…"
"I don't really know if you can hear this," Bess said with an embarrassed grin, "But I remember looking at Mother's paintings and hearing them come to life, in a way, as she painted them. I remember sitting there and just thinking how incredible it was that she could make such ordinary things seem so beautiful."
"Bess," Amy said, her cheeks a little pink, "I was hardly that good."
"You always were to me," Bess said meaningfully.
"My father's violin," Nat said with a dreamy look, "No matter how hungry we were, or how cold, he'd just take out his violin and play our troubles away. And when we played together! I think that was more honest than any conversation we could have had…"
"My mother's voice," Nan said softly, fingering the pearls at her neck, "Sometimes I forget her face, what she looked like. I can't really remember how she held me or what she smelled like. But I'll never forget her voice, telling me how much she loved me."
"You know," Jo said, "I've heard that even children separated from their mothers very early in their childhood never really forget their mother's voice."
"Well I don't think we ever forget the voices of the people we really, truly love," Nan said softly, hopefully, "Don't you?"
"Yes sweetheart," Jo gently put her hand to Nan's cheek, "I completely agree."
"Well," Nick said, breaking the silence, "I think it's about time we all turn in before Christmas is over!" With smiles and calls of 'goodnight!' everyone slowly headed upstairs.
"I'll get the lights," Jo said to Dan as he hesitated. He nodded and followed everyone else upstairs. As Jo carefully made sure the fire grew smaller she looked sideways at Nick. "Remember that one year when Amy put together that 'Enchanted Ball'?" she asked softly.
"I sure do," Nick said ruefully, "One of the most confusin' times of my life!"
"Hey!" Jo said, jabbing him in the ribs, "We had fun after the dance, didn't we?" Nick pretended to look confused at first, but then grinned when she threatened to start jabbing again.
"Oh! You mean when you finally agreed to dance with me," Nick said with his saucy grin.
"Finally!? I had to practically force you into asking me!" she smiled. Nick playfully slipped his arms around her and began to dance her around the room.
"May I have this dance?" he said as he twirled her around and she laughed. Suddenly he stopped and just held her in his arms with a look of content happiness on his face that made Jo blush a little.
"Nick," she said suddenly, "I'm going to the trial tomorrow."
"Jo," Nick gave a heavy sigh and dropped his arms from her waist.
"Look I know that the Bishops said I didn't have to, and that it was their fight…but Nick I need to be there."
"Jo," Nick said a little forcefully, "they've already tried to hurt ya once! If Dan and I hadn't found you…if something else had happened-" He gritted his teeth, refusing to finish the thought. "What is it going to take for you to just stay out of it!?"
"Nick," Jo sigh, "Look, I don't know why you don't understand but-"
"Jo, this ain't your fight!"
"You're right Nick, it isn't my fight. It's the fight. Between right and wrong. And I for one am going to stand with them tomorrow, whether they think I should or not!"
"Even if it means you getting' hurt?" Nick's words seemed to literally echo in the silence.
Jo squared her jaw and looked Nick in the eye saying, "I did not raise those children - I did not teach them to take a stand and fight for what they believe in only to show them, by my example, that when it counts - when it's really important - they should just sit at home because they're afraid of getting hurt."
"On the ships," Nick replied, "you always fought the fights you could win. You never fought the fights you'd lose 'cause that just didn't make no sense!"
"Funny," Jo said softly before turning away, "I always thought one should fight the fights that need fighting instead of only fighting the fights one can win." Nick looked after her as she went quietly up the stairs, and he ran a hand through his hair in frustration.
"Had to fall in love with a strong-headed, willful…" Nick muttered as he made his way towards the kitchen. It was a long time before either fell asleep that night.
"You're sure you want to do this?" Dan asked Jo for the third time as he hitched the horses to the wagon.
Jo glared at him and said, "Why wouldn't I?"
"Well…we all heard you and Nick fightin' last night," he said slowly, "So I guess I just figured…"
"Well you figured wrong," Jo said plainly, getting into the wagon. Nan was already seated next to Franz and Nat, holding one of the babies. Bess carefully climbed onto the front seat as Meg, Harrison, Laurie, and Amy came out of the house.
"Isn't this exciting Jo?" Amy called out, "We haven't had this much fun since Meg chased after Edward!" Realizing her mistake, Amy's face turned white. "Ooh," she said sweetly, "Sorry!"
"Amy," Meg rolled her eyes, "It's alright, but you act as if we're going to a circus! Honestly, the judge is going to make his decision today! I'd hardly call that fun!"
"Yes, well….when he decides in our favor, then it will be fun!" Amy smiled. Meg only looked to Jo who shrugged her shoulders. What could they ever do with Amy?
"All set," Dan announced as soon as everyone was in the wagon, "Jo, you sure you don't want me to go see if-"
"Dan," Jo said in a warning tone, "Let's just go."
"You're still the boss," Dan muttered.
"What was that?" Jo asked.
"Umm….uh….what a loss?" he gave a feeble grin and Bess elbowed him in the ribs as they made their way into town. A short time later, as they came within sight of the church, where the trial was taking place, Meg breathed a short, "Oh my!" It seemed as though the entire town had come out to see the verdict of the trial. Dan tied the horses by the jail, and everyone got out of the wagon. Dan looked at the small crowd gathered by the church and took a deep breath. He was about to begin walking when Bess appeared at his side.
"I'd be honored," she said, "if you'd let me walk beside you." Dan looked at her in surprise and then nodded as she took his arm. As the 'Plumfield Crew' made their way towards the church, the crowd parted to allow the Bishops to walk towards the church from the opposite direction. The two groups met in front of the church with the entire town watching, it seemed.
"I know you told me it was your fight," Jo said, stepping over to Simon Bishop, "But you were wrong. We shouldn't have to live in a country where everyone isn't treated equally - in fact we don't. And we're going to see that today." She spoke with such confidence that Simon simply nodded in reply. "After you," Jo said with a smile.
"Now wait jest a minute," said a man at the door, "You all can't be fixin' to come in here!"
"And why not?" Jo asked, "They have just as much of a right to be in here as you do!"
"Maybe you didn't hear me," the man sneered.
"I think the lady heard ya just fine," a voice behind Jo said firmly. A voice imprinted on Jo's heart so many times she didn't think she'd ever forget it. Nick. "Now I think you'd better let us in. All of us."
Eyeing Dan and the others, the man said, "Fine…but theys gotta stand in the back."
"If they stand, then we stand," Jo said firmly.
"Suit yerself, lady," the man said. As everyone filed inside, Jo turned to Nick, squeezing his hand lightly.
"I thought you weren't coming," Jo said softly.
"Sometimes," Nick began, "I forget about the fights that are worth fightin'. I just get so caught up in the fact that I found you that I don't want to think about anythin' except keepin' you safe." Nick's voice became gruff as he said, "Jo, I can't lose you."
"You'll never lose me," Jo said, squeezing his hand, "I promise." They quietly embraced one another, Nick breathing in the scent of Jo's hair.
"Thank you for coming," Jo said, looking deep into Nick's eyes.
"Couldn't let you do it alone," Nick grinned, and together they entered the church. Some time later the judge finally arrived with David Foggs, who looked worn down, yet still prideful and cocky.
"Everyone be seated," the judge's sure and powerful voice commanded. His eyes clouded over when he noticed everyone standing in the back. "Why aren't you seated back there?" he motioned towards the back of the room.
"Judge! They be niggers!" the man from before yelled out.
"I'll not have that language in my court thank you! And this nonsense will cease this instant. I'll not tolerate this kind of behavior in my court. Do you understand? Now everyone, be seated." No one said another word as everyone quickly found seats to sit in. "Now," the judge began, "I've carefully considered all the information I've been given, and I've thought about this often over the short break we've had. Mr. Foggs, I find your behavior and frame of mind to be quite frankly disturbing. The many things you are accused of doing are simply horrific and shameful. Personally and emotionally I sincerely doubt your innocence sir. However, due to a lack of sufficient and valid evidence, this court has no other choice than to find you not-"
"Wait!" a voice from the back of the room called out. Everyone in the room began buzzing and stretching their necks to see who had spoken.
"Silence!" the judge called out, "Silence!!" Down the center aisle walked David Andrews. Nan's mouth literally fell open and her eyes nearly popped out of her head.
"What's he doing?" Jo mouthed to Nan. She simply shook her head, unable to answer.
"Foggs told me about all of the things he did," David said, "And I have here notes from him to me. Notes that speak of meetings we had."
"Look, Mr..," the judge paused.
"Andrews. David Andrews," he said.
"Mr. Andrews. I appreciate your effort…quite impressive, stalking into my court as you did, interrupting my sentence, but I hardly think that notes about meetings-"
"In Mr. Foggs barn you'll find about a dozen crosses just like the one burned on the Sheriff's property a short time ago," David interrupted, "Along with that is jugs of kerosene used to start the fires we've been having around here lately. There's even some white robes, which sir, are currently being worn by people such as Mr. Foggs who are only interested in hurting others based on a sickening prejudice!" This sent the court into another frenzy.
"Order!" the judge shouted again, "Order!" The room slowly calmed down and the judge once again turned to David saying, "Son, you know that this incriminates you, don't you?"
"Yes sir," he replied. He slowly turned around and looked at Nan, "But someone had to do it."
The judge shook his head and sigh. "Well, in light of this new information, this court is unprepared to give a verdict in this case." At that the courtroom erupted in talk again, many people yelling out their thanks. "On a more personal note," the judge said, raising his voice over the commotion, "Mr. Foggs, I guarantee you that there will be a verdict soon. And while it may not be what you expected, I've not doubt it will wipe that smug grin off your face. This court is adjourned." As the judge got down from his seat he motioned to one of the prison guards saying, "Bring in that other fella as well!"
"Sorry about this sir," the guard said as he handcuffed David.
"It's alright, I deserve it," David said. Suddenly Nan appeared, fighting her way through the crowd trying to exit. "Annie!" David breathed in surprise.
"Why?" she asked, her eyes full of tears, "Why'd you do it?"
"I thought about what you said once, about trusting your heart instead of your head. You said the heart's not fooled as easily."
"I said that?" Nan tried to smile a bit and make a joke.
"You always knew," David said, pointing to her heart, "Your heart always knew it wasn't me, just as mine has always known it was you. Annie, if it hadn't been for you, my life might have been a complete waste. But it's not. It's not. Thank you Annie." He gave her a small, brave smile before the guard escorted him away.
"David?" she said in a small voice, looking after him.
"Nan, are you alright?" Jo asked, putting and arm around her.
"Yeah. Yeah…yeah, I'm fine," Nan said slowly and softly. She noticed Dan standing at the front of the room, giving her an unsure look. She smiled at Jo to reassure her and then walked over to Dan.
"I'm sorry it turned out like this Nan," he said softly.
"I have a feeling everything is as it should be," Nan said just as softly. She paused and looked up at him, her eyes still full of tears, "I'm proud of you." Dan's own eyes threatened to fill with tears as he hugged her tightly.
"I'm proud of you too," he whispered. She leaned her forehead against his and laughed through her tears. "What?" he grinned.
"I always wanted a big brother who'd save the world," Nan said, "I guess this year Santa was finally listening." They laughed together and hugged again, a small circle of calmness in the vast sea of commotion around them.
PART 16
