Read Online A Modern Day Sense and Sensibility: An Adaptation of Jane Austen's Classic by Kaitlin Saunders - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Kaitlin Saunders
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Ellie?” Francil’s sugary-sweet voice inquired in between bites of her quiche. They were all seated around the kitchen nook table sharing a Sunday brunch.
Taking Ellie’s forlorn expression as a satisfying reply, she continued to chatter away while Edward glanced at the Dashwood women with surprise.
“So soon?” Edward interrupted Francil to ask. The disappointment he felt was reflected in his eyes, warming Ellie’s heart.
The ever-observant Diane caught a glimpse of the interaction between the couple and her heart swelled with romantic anticipation. “The day after tomorrow,” she answered.
“This seems rather sudden,” Edward probed, looking defeated.
“Edward, I’m sure they’re eager to be settled in a place of their own,” Francil cut in.
Diane eyed the conversation intruder with cagey eyes. She felt like telling Francil they did have a place of their own, only John and her had ripped it out from under their feet—but she held her tongue.
“It just seems so abrupt though . . . it won’t be the same here without you,” Edward smoothed over the tension, at least on Diane’s part. His eyes wandered to Ellie and held her gaze for a moment before glancing down to his half-eaten breakfast.
“We will miss you as well,” Diane said with extra feeling to spite Francil. “Remember, Edward,” she continued, “You’ll always be welcome wherever we live.” She finished by flashing a defiant look Francil’s way, and then smugly took another bite of her oatmeal.
Edward glanced again at Ellie for any sign of confirmation that she held the same sentiments as her mother, and her hopeful smile did just that.
The last two days of packing were stressful to say the least, but with Edward’s help they now stood with a sense of accomplishment before the overflowing vehicle. Since it had been obvious not everything would fit into Diane’s Volvo Station Wagon, they had sent ahead the items from the storage unit, their bedroom furniture, and any remaining things too large to make the road trip. What would now accompany them on the long drive to their new homestead this chilly March afternoon were their wardrobes, the more treasured keepsakes, and enough food to tide them over on their journey.
Marianne, with sorrowful eyes, climbed into the backseat next to Margaret who had already positioned herself inside. Marianne knew visits to her beloved home would be few and far between, or perhaps never, and the idea made her heartsink. Settling herself onto the seat cushion, she buried her face in a pillow and began to shed a few tears while Margaret, still excited by the hype of moving and the expectation of exploring new surroundings, had already pulled out her Game Boy and was on the third level of Zelda.
Meanwhile, Ellie and Diane took care of the last few items on their checklist before closing the jam-packed trunk and turning to John and Edward who were waiting outside to say their goodbyes.
“I’m sorry Francil couldn’t be here,” John started apologetically, “She really did try to reschedule her facial.”
“It’s fine, John,” Diane sighed, but it was a sigh of relief. If Francil had been there to see them off, Diane couldn’t have enjoyed her last few minutes at home. Glancing one last time at the beloved house which encased so many loving memories of her husband, Diane gave John a hug before turning to Edward. Having already expressed her goodbyes to him earlier, she squeezed his hand comfortingly before getting into the passenger seat of the car.
John hugged Ellie goodbye and excused himself to make an important conference call while Edward waited his turn. When the two of them were finally alone, Edward scuffed his feet nervously. “I hope you all have a safe trip,” he began, then added, “I’ll try to be in touch soon.” Edward gazed tenderly at Ellie.
“Goodbye, Edward,” Ellie said, her heart sinking as she began to feel his loss already. Would he really come and visit them?
Taking Ellie’s forlorn expression as a satisfying reply, she continued to chatter away while Edward glanced at the Dashwood women with surprise.
“So soon?” Edward interrupted Francil to ask. The disappointment he felt was reflected in his eyes, warming Ellie’s heart.
The ever-observant Diane caught a glimpse of the interaction between the couple and her heart swelled with romantic anticipation. “The day after tomorrow,” she answered.
“This seems rather sudden,” Edward probed, looking defeated.
“Edward, I’m sure they’re eager to be settled in a place of their own,” Francil cut in.
Diane eyed the conversation intruder with cagey eyes. She felt like telling Francil they did have a place of their own, only John and her had ripped it out from under their feet—but she held her tongue.
“It just seems so abrupt though . . . it won’t be the same here without you,” Edward smoothed over the tension, at least on Diane’s part. His eyes wandered to Ellie and held her gaze for a moment before glancing down to his half-eaten breakfast.
“We will miss you as well,” Diane said with extra feeling to spite Francil. “Remember, Edward,” she continued, “You’ll always be welcome wherever we live.” She finished by flashing a defiant look Francil’s way, and then smugly took another bite of her oatmeal.
Edward glanced again at Ellie for any sign of confirmation that she held the same sentiments as her mother, and her hopeful smile did just that.
The last two days of packing were stressful to say the least, but with Edward’s help they now stood with a sense of accomplishment before the overflowing vehicle. Since it had been obvious not everything would fit into Diane’s Volvo Station Wagon, they had sent ahead the items from the storage unit, their bedroom furniture, and any remaining things too large to make the road trip. What would now accompany them on the long drive to their new homestead this chilly March afternoon were their wardrobes, the more treasured keepsakes, and enough food to tide them over on their journey.
Marianne, with sorrowful eyes, climbed into the backseat next to Margaret who had already positioned herself inside. Marianne knew visits to her beloved home would be few and far between, or perhaps never, and the idea made her heartsink. Settling herself onto the seat cushion, she buried her face in a pillow and began to shed a few tears while Margaret, still excited by the hype of moving and the expectation of exploring new surroundings, had already pulled out her Game Boy and was on the third level of Zelda.
Meanwhile, Ellie and Diane took care of the last few items on their checklist before closing the jam-packed trunk and turning to John and Edward who were waiting outside to say their goodbyes.
“I’m sorry Francil couldn’t be here,” John started apologetically, “She really did try to reschedule her facial.”
“It’s fine, John,” Diane sighed, but it was a sigh of relief. If Francil had been there to see them off, Diane couldn’t have enjoyed her last few minutes at home. Glancing one last time at the beloved house which encased so many loving memories of her husband, Diane gave John a hug before turning to Edward. Having already expressed her goodbyes to him earlier, she squeezed his hand comfortingly before getting into the passenger seat of the car.
John hugged Ellie goodbye and excused himself to make an important conference call while Edward waited his turn. When the two of them were finally alone, Edward scuffed his feet nervously. “I hope you all have a safe trip,” he began, then added, “I’ll try to be in touch soon.” Edward gazed tenderly at Ellie.
“Goodbye, Edward,” Ellie said, her heart sinking as she began to feel his loss already. Would he really come and visit them?
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