Disclaimer: I don’t own Across America, nor do I own any part of it!!!! Not the characters, not the settings, not the main story line, nothing!!!! I also do not own Pride and Prejudice nor Little Women! Thank you!

Authors Note: The things in Bold and Italics (other than this) are thoughts. Thank you!

Chapter 1:

Corrupt Grandmother

Dear Journal, June 9th, 1932

I’m not exactly sure how to start this. I haven’t written in a journal since my old one got burnt by accident. So, I guess I’ll start with the most tragic event in my life. It’ll be short though, I have to leave in a few moments.

Two years ago, my mother died. Some people say it was from a broken heart, but the doctors said it was because her heart was weak .Anyway my Grandmother took custody of me although I’ve always thought I should have been sent to stay with my Aunt Beth, but my Grandmother would never have tolerated that. She doesn’t like my aunt, though I’ve never known why. My name is Sarah Lynn Mathews. I live with my evil, corrupt Grandmother, and her servant, Amerie.

Oh, here comes my Grandmother. I must go I’m afraid. I shall write later, though. Perhaps tomorrow. Good day!

Always,

Sarah

Sarah closed the cover on the journal, and hid it in the vanity desk’s drawer. Then she grabbed her coat and hat, and scurried out the door.

"I’m here, Grandmother" she said, sucking up as she always did.

"Good. Now let’s leave" she said, pointing towards the door. Amerie opened it.

Her Grandmother was wearing a lovely looking dress, though it wasn’t too expensive. She never wore something of worth to the market. She had on a lovely hat with feathers sticking out of the brim. With her, she had a cane, that had been lovely decorated with velvet, ribbons, and satin. Her glasses sat on the bottom of her nose. She was always trying to wear the latest fashion, and hated her cane. It made her look old. She didn’t like looking old.

When they reached the market, Sarah leaned back on the wall and sighed. She hated being out here. All the other children were out playing and having fun. Grandmother had her locked up inside all day, reading books, or writing. Always learning, especially reading. Though Sarah loved reading, she didn’t like what Grandmother always picked out for her. Sarah listened in to the conversation with her Grandmother and the fruit seller. They were bickering again. She rolled her eyes, and leaned back up against the wall. Suddenly, her grandmother shot her a look.

"Don’t lean against that wall, Sarah, you’ll dirty your coat. Now stand up straight" she yelled. Sarah obediently agreed.

Suddenly, out of the alleyway, a girl ran across the street, and grabbed Grandmother’s purse. Before she could make it back to the alleyway, however, a passerby stopped her.

"Is this the girl who stole your purse, ma’am. I was watching the whole ordeal" said the man.

"Yes. What’s your name?" asked Grandmother.

"Jack. Jack Carson. And if your gonna ask bout parents, aint got none, an I’m glad" said the girl, trying to wriggle free. She looked barely 11.

"Where are the officers? They are never around here when you need them most. I pay plenty of taxes for that force, and I am not very well repaid. Come, Sarah. We are going home" she said, grabbing hold of Sarah’s wrist, and dragging her along.

When they got home, Sarah went straight for the library, trying to avoid the angered Grandmother. She reached up to a book that was 4 shelves up. There was no dust to blow off. The book was rather large. She brought the book over to one of the four lounge chairs that were scattered across the large library. This library had been like a family heirloom. It had been passed down for generations and generations, growing each time it was passed down the line.

Sarah opened the front cover of the book. It read Pride and Prejudice. She loved this book. It had always been one of her favorites. One of the only books that Grandmother made her read that she actually liked. She flipped the pages to chapter 1. She had read this book so many times now. This book, and Little Women. Those were her two favorites.

Sarah often came to the library to just get away. To get away from all the awful things with her grandmother, and all the tough times. All the times when she was angry or upset. It was a little dreamy wonderland for Sarah. A place where she could call home.

Suddenly, Sarah heard the front door open, and Grandmother greeting someone. They had company. She, as usual, would be called out for tea. She fixed the bows in her hair, and hurried down the corridor. She hated wearing bows. It made her look like a little girl, and she wasn’t. She was now 14 years old.

Sarah came out to see Grandmother sitting down with her friend, Lavinia. Sarah never understood her grandmother. She hated Lavinia, yet she often saw her, and talked to her.

“Good, Sarah, you can come and join us” said Grandmother, a fake smile filling her face.

“Thank you, Grandmother. Hello Mrs. Waters” said Sarah, sucking up and curtseying to Lavinia. She wasn’t allowed to call her Lavinia, of course.

Sarah sat down at the small tea table, as Grandmother poured her some tea, along with Lavinia. Sarah let her mind drift off into space as her grandmother and Lavinia got into gossip. Suddenly, she alerted herself when she heard something from Lavinia.

“What did you say?” said Grandmother in disbelief.

“I said, the rumor that is going about says that your awful daughter-in-law is in town” said Lavinia like it was nothing.

“She would have notified me first, so she could stay with her loving family” said Grandmother, sucking up and holding her composure.

About an hour later, Lavinia left, and Sarah went up to her room, avoiding her grandmother once more.

Could Aunt Beth really be back in town? Is it possible? Maybe I can convince Grandmother to have her over. I doubt she will agree, but it is always worth a try. What harm could possibly come of it? Perhaps I could stow away with Aunt Beth, if she does come. I am most definitely sure that she would not mind a bit. First, I must talk to Grandmother about it. I shall do so tonight.

Later that night, Sarah began to pack some things. She had made a plan. She was going to convince Grandmother to have Beth visit, and she knew just how to carry it out. Suddenly, Sarah’s door burst open.

“I have come to tell you that you shall not go to market with me for a while” said Grandmother, an angered look on her face.

“Alright. Why may I not go?” asked Sarah.

“You may not go, because there are things there that a young lady should never see” said Grandmother, beginning to walk out of the room.

“Wait, Grandmother”

“Yes, Sarah”

“May we please have Aunt Beth over for a visit?” asked Sarah.

“Never. You are never to mention that despicable woman in this household again. Do you understand? I will never except that woman as my daughter-in-law. She will never set foot in my home, and she shall never be spoken of in my home. Is that clear?” said Grandmother, shooting Sarah an angry glare.

“That is all I can endure! You have been a cruel and corrupt woman, and I believe you shall remain so for the rest of your days! You have squandered me, and belittled me for long enough! You drove my mother to her grave, at only thirty, and I refuse to be taken care of any longer by you! I have been squashed since you took me in! I am grateful that you did so, but I found who was truly supposed to take me in! Aunt Beth was my true guardian, not you! You never were. You probably just wanted me so that you could drive me to my grave as well! That way all of what you considered “bad blood” would be driven out of your life. You even drove your husband to his grave. I have heard stories from my mother before she passed on about it. You treated him just as you treat me!” Sarah burst out with anger. She was furious. She had never done anything of this sort.

“Sarah Lynn Mathews! How DARE you treat me in this way! Is that any respect for your guardian. This is what I am repaid with after all those years of taking care of you?!?!?!?” said Grandmother, now outraged. She swiftly slapped Sarah across the cheek. Sarah shook it off quickly.

“You take care of me? I would not think so! You are not my guardian either! I found my mother’s real will. Not the one you had drafted up after her death! You have no right to lay even a finger on me!” screamed Sarah, pulling out a stack of papers from her dresser drawer. Grandmother slapped them out of her hand.

“Your mother never knew what she wanted! I will never accept that will!” said Grandmother, getting angrier by the minute.

“You may not, but the law will! You do not want the police around here, do you?” asked Sarah, knowing she was going to win. Suddenly, Grandmother raised a hand to hit her, but Sarah stopped her.

“Amerie” yelled Grandmother.

“Yes, ma’am”

“I want Sarah Mathews out of this home this instant. She may gather her things, and then be sure to escort her out!” said Grandmother enraged and leaving the room.

“But, ma’am, are you sure?” asked Amerie.

“Yes. And be sure to never let her back again! If you do, you shall be fired! If you even deal with her, you shall be fired! Now get rid of her!” yelled Grandmother, finally leaving.

“Miss Sarah. I am most sorry. I do not wish to do this, but I am afraid that I must” said Amerie, feeling badly about what she had to do.

“It is alright, Amerie. There was nothing you could have done. Besides, I cannot stand to live here any longer, so it is probably best I go” said Sarah, opening her dressers, and filling them with clothing, some books, and a few other things. She headed out of the room to go to the library. She wished to pick up two books. Amerie sadly followed her. Sarah began to take in all she could of the house. She did love that house, and was going to be sad to leave it, but she knew it was for the best. She walked into the library, and picked two books of the shelves. Pride and Prejudice, and Little Women. Her two favorites. After that, she sighed, and headed for the door. Amerie, before letting her go, slipped her some money. Sarah had already taken some from her room, but Amerie slipped her some more.

“Amerie, I cannot take this” said Sarah, shoving it back into her hand.

“Please, you must. It is a cruel, cruel world, Sarah. You must take this. Be sure to write as soon as you can. I truly do care for you Sarah. I’ve watched you grow for so long. I am happy to see you free of you Grandmother’s care. Though, I am sad to see you go. I shall miss you, Sarah” and with that, she shoved the money in Sarah’s hand, hugged her, and shut the door behind her.

A tear rolled down Sarah’s cheek, as she realized that she was now all alone.

Please Review!!!! Thank you:D :D :D :D