#finchlegacy1

Florence: You would move to Italy?

Beatrice: Well if mother and father arrange a marriage with a man there, that is where I will have to go.

Florence: But...but...what about us?

Beatrice: You would come with me silly.

Judith: That's a fantasy! Florence, you'll marry whoever your mother arranges you to marry.

Florence: That sounds terrible. Yes, grandfather left us a nice townhouse. But we don't have money and well, with me not having a father and that being well known in Maine society...*shudders*...I cannot imagine who I would be stuck with. Besides men are gross.

Judith: Don't you just find them handsome though?

Beatrice & Florence: Eww

Judith: You really don't think so?

Beatrice: You haven't grown up with brothers. Trust me, men are gross. Besides, have you seen how my father talks to us? Men are terrible.

Judith: Then why are you so content to marry one?

Bea's birthday went unnoticed in the Dooley household. Clara and Jesse too focused on college coursework, while Lizzie is away at a home for girls in Massachusetts where she will stay for the duration of her pregnancy, the baby being passed on to a loving couple for adoption. Fortunately for her name, Lizzie had just finished her secondary correspondence schooling. Lizzie was a good student, just like Clara and Jesse, and she was all ready for college when she fell "ill". She will not be starting her college courses until her return and the family has let everyone know she is staying with her aunt in Italy before she starts university.

It has been quiet in the house ever since the news broke. Well, almost quiet.

Bea's parents have always had a rocky relationship. She see's her friends parents sharing glances, brushing hands. Mama and Father never did that. They were distant. Yet, now, they were screaming.

It was Bea's birthday and no one said a word about it.

Now Mama and Father were screaming at each other.

Bea was crying in bed when Clara knocked softly on her door.

"Race you to the lighthouse, last one there bakes cookies" Clara uttered softly, before darting down the hallway with a giggle.

Florence: I really like you Bea...

Beatrice: Of course Florence, you're my best friend.

F: No I mean something more...

B: Florence, you know what people would say?

F: But do you like me that same way?

B: Of course, Florence. From the day I met you in composition class I have been in love with you.

B: Can I hold you?

F: Oh Bea I've dreamed about it. Ever since that day you sat in front of me and I could smell your perfume. It was mixed with just a little bit of sweat, and old books. You smell like books underneath your jasmine perfume.

B: Is that a compliment?

F: Yes oh yes of course it is!

F: Oh my God is that Mrs. Dumont or Judith coming up the stairs!

B: Just one more minute in your arms my love.

F: *giggling* I think I love you

Judith: What are you two doing up here? I thought you were changing into your swimming gowns?

B: Sorry Jude we just got caught up talking! We'll be right down to the pool!

J: Well I'm gonna go back to the pool. You know how much I love the water.

Marianne: Florence! Beatrice! Judith! Dinners ready!

F: Well I guess that's it for our alone time...

B: We can see each other between classes tomorrow. And maybe you can take the train to the bay and we can hang out at my house this weekend. Maybe even have a sleepover?

Dear Diary,

The house feels so empty since Judith and Florence took the last train back to Britechester. Even more so with Clara and Lizzie gone. Oh I miss Clara so much. She was always so kind to me. Now she's married and already expecting a baby!

I wonder how long until Lizzie gets the family she dreams of. It really is a pity what that man did to her three years ago...and how Lizzie had to give up her baby. I wonder what that baby's life is like? I hope it's parents love it. Lizzie was never even told if it was a boy or a girl.

Judith: How does it feel having your sisters married?

Florence: Isn't it weird how Lizzie moved all the way to Colorado? I mean who would want to live out west? And with that guy? What is he? 40?

Beatrice: Mister Robles is 38 I believe, and well, Lizzie, you know how she is, always moping around. There wasn't much of a match for her here, so my parents used their connections from growing up in Chestnut Ridge.

J: And Clara marrying the heir of the Brindleton family! That is shocking. I mean you all are rich, but you're new money, they're old money.

B: Well I think Clara's million dollar inheritance probably sweetened the deal for Stuart's parents.

F: So Lizzie just dropped out of college? Are there even colleges in Colorado?

B: Well I think Lizzie cares more about having a family and having babies than she did about getting a degree. Plus you don't exactly need a degree to look enticing to a man who is single and thirty eight. Plus...you know...the million dollars and everything...

J: Who will you marry Beatrice? *Judith says teasingly*