Beth shivered under her covers. For days now she had been quite ill and the doctor finally diagnosed Scarlet Fever. It had gone too far.
"Nothing short of a miracle can save her now," the doctor told The March Sisters, "It's time to send for your mother"
"Come on Dr. Mathiquices," Jo begged, "Isn't there anything you can do?"
The doctor thought for a bit.
"Well actually," the doctor said, "There is an experimental injection that may kill the disease. They're expensive however and can be quite painful"
"How expensive are we talking," Jo asked
"$45.
"It's $15 per shot. There are three shots. She needs to have it within hours"
"Wait here," Jo said, "I'll be back in an hour with the money"
Jo left the house.
She came back an hour later with the money. She looked shaken up.
"I have the money," Jo said handing it to the doctor.
The doctor went into Beth's room. Amy followed him in while Meg stayed with Jo.
"Jo what happened," Meg asked, "You look positively shaken"
"I had to borrow the money from aunt March," Jo said softly
"Oh… okay"
"She's making me work for her every day for the months of June, July and August"
"That means you'll have to give up your trip," Meg said
Jo nodded
"It's all worth it though," Jo said, "Selfish as it is I must admit I'm disappointed"
Meg shook her head.
"Jo that's not selfish," she said, "You've been planning this trip since forever"
"But Beth is going to recover. That's the important thing"
Beth did recover. She would go on to live into adulthood. Aunt March discovered the reason Jo borrowed the money and forgave the debt. That was her way of telling Jo she was proud of her and she loved her. Jo was going to take Beth on the trip with her but Beth was still not entirely well until after the summer so she ended up taking Amy.