Pleasantly Jarring

Mabel and Harry, although it was quite cold, decided to venture away from the adults to the outdoors. Harry told her about constellations, something he seemed to be quite well versed in.

"That one, that one right there is called the Eltanin. It is a star in the northern constellation of Draco."

"It's the brightest one."

"Indeed it is." Mabel stared longingly at the stars, not realizing that Harry shared her same expression, only he was looking at her. Harry leaned in to her, but Mabel pulled back. Her heart stopped.

"What are you doing?" she asked, although she was quite aware of what had just happened. Harry sighed.

"Mabel, I care very deeply for you." He placed his hand on hers. Mabel had heard enough. She wanted to leave. She swallowed hard and stood up from the ground.

"I think I ought to be going now." She said, turning away.

"Oh, come on. The party's not nearly over!" Harry said pleadingly, still on the floor. Mabel didn't respond and opened the door to walk inside.

"Where are you going?" Harry asked.

"Inside," Mabel said, holding back tears. She ran upstairs, and sat down on the floor. The warm air felt nice on her freezing cold skin. She sobbed quietly into her dress. She was heartbroken.

The Bjergsen's had hosted a beautiful party. Amos and Genevieve were formally introduced to Harry's parents, Bjorn and Clara, who seemed like very good folk. They got along well. The music was extraordinary. Everyone was dressed in the finest of clothing, Genevieve almost felt out of place. Amos reassured her that she fit in perfectly.

But while the adults danced inside, Harry and Mabel fooled around elsewhere.

Mabel rushed to tell Harry the news! She couldn't contain herself! Harry met her at the Bluffs, per usual.

"Alright, what's so important you've had to drag me all the way out here?" he joked.

Mabel shared recent events. Harry was shocked. Mabel was worried he would be upset she'd be leaving, but, he was thrilled! He was incredibly happy for her!

"I can't believe it!" he yelled.

"Me neither!" she squealed. They tumbled on the floor, laughing hysterically.

"We must celebrate!" he said.

"Celebrate?" Mabel wasn't quite sure what he meant. Her father planned on making a nice supper the night before she was sent off.

"Of course! My family will host a party! You'll dance to the finest music and meet the finest people! It will be a splendid night for a splendid girl!"

Just as winter settled in, Genevieve received a letter from Ida Smith, inviting her to her residence in Windenburg. Genevieve, although aware that the trip from Brindleton Bay to Windenburg was quite the journey, gleefully accepted and made her way over. In conversation, it seemed as though nothing had changed. The two were as close as ever.

When Ida asked how their home was by the shore, Genevieve couldn't give good news.

"With winter arriving, harvesting crops to sell has become much more difficult. Food and finances have been scarce for the past month." Genevieve hung her head in shame. Ida was horrified by this news.

"Oh, my dear, how can I help?" she asked. Genevieve shook her head.

"I'm afraid there is nothing you can do," she sighed. "But we will pull through. Our family is strong enough, although I greatly appreciate your offer."

But Ida wasn't satisfied. "No, I'm afraid I must help in some way. I will provide you with extra finances. Perhaps with this you will even be able to send dear Mabel to a proper ballet school."

Genevieve couldn't believe it - Ida had given them a generous donation! She refused out of politeness, but Ida insisted.

"Oh, thank you! Thank you so much! I am ever greatful! Mabel will be thrilled!" Genevieve's eyes welled.

Mabel savors her time outside of the house with Harry before the weather gets too cold. There is no other way to avoid her mother. Harry is so wild. He doesn't care about what his parents think about his behavior. He loves to sneak off with her into the nature. And Mabel does too.

Unfortunately, Genevieve has been making Mabel take along her younger brother, Gary, as she believes he needs to make more friends. Mabel got along with her brother, but she didn't need him ruining her special time with her friends. And what would Harry think if she was belittled to the status of a babysitter?

In an attempt to have more of an influence on her daughter's interests, Genevieve began teaching Mabel how to crochet. She felt guilty for not being able to send Mabel to ballet school, and decided to nurture Mabel's creativity elsewhere.

But Mabel didn't seem to have any interest. She could see what her mother was doing and resented her for it. Trying to make Mabel forget about ballet, her passion, was a nasty trick.

Now that she's given up hope on getting dance lessons, Mabel wastes away the time with her friends. She's met a good group of troublemakers. She likes them because they're so unorthodox. They don't care what their parents think or what the schoolmaster thinks - they're free. At least, they dream of being free. Especially Harry.

Genevieve was pregnant and went into labor. She gave birth to twins, Howard and Mara Harris. With the twins being born, their family was finally complete. With that, Genevieve and Amos had a portrait taken of them with their beloved children.

Mabel has been enjoying dance more and more as the days go by. One day, while her mother was braiding her hair, she decided to ask her if she could take it more seriously.

"Mama," she said quietly. "Can I take a dancing class?"

Genevieve was silent. She had never expected a question like this from her daughter, especially at such a young age. She wasn't even sure of where she had heard of dancing schools.

"What's got you asking a question like that?" she said. Genevieve's answer was no, obviously. But she didn't want to be so harsh.

"I want to dance. Brittney does dance, why can't I?" Mabel asked, aware of her mother's kind strategy.