1910s: in which Abigail realises why even women might want to be politically active
As Anna is struggling with unwanted romantic attention and non-existing university organisations, Abigail and Joseph are getting their own challenge in Willow Creek. As more and more people are visiting 'that place' (the Blue Velvet), they find a surprise in that weeks news:
Joseph finds it shocking and repulsive. It is bad enough that this NAP is a part of his son's community, but his own? Something needs to be done. He sits Abigail down to speak to her. It's time to get the women involved. "It is clear the men of this town have been corrupted by this evil and this will only be resolved if you ladies get involved," he says. "It's time to put that charity club to some good use."
Said and done, Abigail calls a meeting the very next morning, sharing the disturbing news that now all of Willow Creeks seems to be affected by this. "Our men drink instead of coming home, they cannot help themselves. It's not them it's this evil that is taking hold of them, disrupting families both poor and rich. We have to do something! We have to make our voices heard and get that horrible place shut down once and for all!"
In agreement, the women start forming a plan involving the reverend (surely he must still be uncorrupted by this), and a labour day protest. Preparations are made, plans are formed and Abigail and Joseph gets to work on the reverend immediately.
As labour day comes around, the women meet outside the Blue Velvet. "Vote dry!" "Something's the matter with Willow Creek!" "The liquor must go!" As Alice writes to her sister later: I don't think I've ever seen mother so involved in anything before. She reminds me of you!
Alice has more news in her letter, not so much about herself and Lizzie, for not much has happened in that department, but of other things that has happened in the family. Emily being pregnant again. Melanie becoming a child and having a birthday party, the progress on her acting, and as requested the story of Independence day.
It wasn't nearly as bad as you think. Mother had persuaded Mrs Duncan to host it in the park, during the day, and it was actually quite nice. I got to perform on the piano for everyone, and there weren't too much matchmaking. Not more than I could ignore. Father handled the fireworks, possibly because he was the one person who had not had any liquor. Unlike you, apparently. You have to tell me more about the situation!
I barely know where to start! Well, at home it suppose, because I can barely believe what I read. Our mother is politically active? Mother? Not only going to, but actually organising protests? I never in my life thought that was even possible. Well, good on her! And my one stint with nectar make me believe, and I never once thought I'd say this, that mother might be right about something.
So many things has gone on here, aside from school work. I started a debate club of my own! Why wait for University organisations to be started for you, when you can just invite people who feel the way you do, and then start it up yourself? You should start an acting club when you go, I don't think they have one, so if you want one you'll have to take matters into your own hands. I got Lizzie's brother to join (he's getting such a pot belly you wouldn't believe!). He agreed to debate the issue of women's suffrage with me 'as a favour' to 'show me women aren't made to debate serious issues'. I crushed him in the debate! I have to say that felt incredibly rewarding. Betty says I'm becoming right out ambitious. Maybe I am? If so, I kind of like it.
And yes, I know you want to know about George. I won't keep you in suspense any longer. I did the right thing, I talked it over with him. I think he took it fairly well, and I might have added a hint that there might be another friend who would be more open to approach. Well a long story short, he and Betty are now an item, which between her being raised to believe that all manner of showing affection is a sin to his social awkwardness is either a match made in heaven or a disaster waiting to happen. He's so worried about 'getting it right' and she is so worried about moving too fast or too slow and him finding someone else. As if he would. He's so utterly grateful she'll give him the time of day. It's sort of cute, but also a bit weird. It's like watching two people who just met, rather than people who have quite literary been friends their whole life.
Don't say anything to mother yet, but I think there might be a wedding in town in the near future. I know it's what Betty wants, and if I can just get George to remember that he needs to be the one doing the asking, it might just work out for them. Personally I don't see the lure of rushing into marriage and babies, but who am I to tell others what they should do with their lives?
I still wish you were here, and can't really wrap my head around the fact that when you get here, I won't be here any longer. I don't even know where I'll be. I can't really imaging moving back home, and yet I have no clue on how to get to where I want to be. I suppose I still have some time to figure that one out though.
Your loving sister,
Anna
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