Part One
of Story One

by Melissa M. (Honey Bee), Age 18
January 7 & 8, 2002

The day was warm.  In fact, Dan was almost sweating.  He tried to smile and pass the teacup without rattling it, but the cup clinked noisily on the saucer.  He felt absolutely absurd in this fancy gray suit sitting in Amy's excessively fancy parlor.
     Dan had just turned twenty years old.  He had not gotten to see much of the West, as he had always hoped, but that didn't mean he wouldn't in the future.  He planned on it.  But he would do it with Bess. . . . If she and her parents agreed.
     "Uh, Mrs. Laurence, you know I really came here to talk to your husband," Dan said for the third time.
     "Yes, I know," Amy smiled.  "But I want you to stay and have tea with me.  He will be here in an hour or so.  You don't have any work to do, do you?"
     "No—no, not right now.  I'm—I—I finished it earlier."  Dan took a deep breath to calm himself.  He was more nervous than he had ever been in all his years.
     "Your work has been going very well, Daniel.  And you say you don't want to go to college?"
     Dan fiddled with his hands.  "No—I—well, I'm thinking about it, but, well, uh—I've just always wanted to go out West."
     "Maybe you can go out West and go to college," Amy reasoned.  "Surely there are colleges in the West.  I don't know much about it, but I know there are towns springing up everywhere."  Amy laughed.
     "Yeah, sure.  I mean—yes."  He cleared his throat.  "I might just do that."
     Amy set her teacup down and slowly poured more.  "Would you like some?"
     Dan shook his head.  He couldn't stand this waiting, this stuffy room anymore.  Yet he couldn't get the words past his lips.  "Mrs. Laurence?  I, uh—your daughter—"  His voice caught.
      "Why don't you just say it?  You want to marry my daughter."
      Dan stared at her, mouth agape.
      "It's been obvious!" Amy exclaimed.
      Dan swallowed.  "You, uh—what do you think?"
      She raised an eyebrow.  "You know I would never let you marry her."
      Dan blinked and started to get up.  He felt as if he had been punched in the stomach.
      Amy burst out laughing.  "Dan—wait!  Don't be silly—of course I would!"  She giggled in delight at his shock.  "I'm sorry; that was a horrible joke, but I couldn't resist!"  Amy covered her mouth and tried to stop laughing.  "You have my wholehearted permission to marry Bess.  As for my husband, I couldn't say."
       Dan gave a happy half-grin and swept Amy into his arms.  "Mrs. Laurence, you're wonderful!"

Part Two

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