Chapter 7 – Never Marry an Angel

Melanie sat with a copy of Thomas Hardy's Tess of the d'Urbervilles. Pity filled her for the heroine of the story who had just been rejected by her husband after discovering the truth about her rape by a man she thought to be her cousin. Melanie was almost in tears.

"Oh, I hate you, Angel!" She declared in tears and slapped her book onto the coffee table making Daisy look up from her book of poems.

"What the devil is wrong with you, Melanie Louise?"

"Oh, Aunt Daisy, it is just terrible!" Melanie cried.

"What is wrong?"

"Poor Tess raped by Alec then has his baby that dies and when she finally falls in love and marries this man called Angel he rejects her because she was raped. It is just awful! Angel is a terrible man! It wasn't her fault! Yet he treats her as if she was the seductress. He is terrible and hypocritical. Did you know he had a willing relationship with a woman before he met Tess and yet he rejects her! He pretends to be such a good fellow just like his name suggests and then he turns out to be a total louse! I hate him! I hate him! I never want to marry a man like that!"

Daisy stared at her passionate niece and began laughing.

"You are upset over a book? That is quite humorous," Daisy chuckled.

"Why is it humorous? Is it funny that I pity a woman who has been so ill-treated? Aunt Daisy, just think there were and are woman just like Tess out there! That means there are terrible men like Alec and Angel out there too! I sincerely fear I should meet a man such as these."

"Oh, honey, you should not worry about such things especially now that you are here. I have made sure that only good Christian men are around you like Atticus."

"Angel was thought to be a good Christian man," Melanie muttered.

"Do you think Atticus is like this Angel you speak of?"

"Well, no. Mr. Atticus is much older and less focused on physical beauty as well as more understanding than Angel."

"See, there. He is not like Angel. Atticus is such a fine, understanding gentleman. I'm always hearing people say so too. He is such a fine man and a good catch for any young woman," Daisy looked at Melanie as if suggesting her to be the young woman but Melanie seemed to be oblivious to the suggestive look.

"Yes, any woman would be lucky to marry Mr. Atticus. He is one of the nicest men I have ever met and so diligent and intelligent. You know that when he walked me home this evening he gave me his coat when the wind began blowing even though my shirt was dirty. He also told me about who lives where which was actually very helpful, you know. It was very pleasant," She smiled to herself making Daisy excited and smile too. Daisy returned her eyes to her book thinking her plan to push Atticus and Melanie together was working.

"That reminds me of Dr. Reynolds. He was very chivalrous this morning when I almost fell. He caught me and helped me stabilize myself. He is quite a handsome man too with those gorgeous blue eyes," Melanie sighed disturbing Daisy immensely.

"No!" Daisy exclaimed her lie for she knew Dr. Reynolds was a kind good man too but he was not the one for her niece.

"What?"

"I mean I think Dr. Reynolds's eyes are average and one dimensional unlike Atticus's eyes. Oh, that man's brown eyes seem to be different shades of chocolate instead of those pale blue ones of Dr. Reynolds."

"Yes, Mr. Atticus's eyes are nice, too."

"Miss Daisy, it's time for bed," Lorna entered the room.

"Oh, yes, it is. Thank you, Lorna. Good night, Melanie," Daisy said. Melanie came to hug and kiss her aunt goodnight.

"Good night, Aunt Daisy. Good night, Lorna," Melanie kissed Lorna's cheek too.

"Good night, Miss Melanie," Lorna replied then wheeled off Daisy.

"Oh, Lorna, I think my plan is working," Daisy grinned when Lorna tucked her into bed.

"Really?"

"Yes! I swear she is half way in love with him already. But we must be wary of Dr. Reynolds. He and his beautiful eyes could mess up everything!"

"His eyes are fine," Lorna almost blushed remembering the doctor's kind eyes.

"Yes, they are," Daisy sighed. Both women laughed at their girlish musings and then bid each other good night.

Meanwhile, Melanie had prepared herself for bed but decided to write a quick letter home to Ellie. She addressed in it in a familiar way and proceeded to inform Ellie about her experience at Lorna's church then her encounter with the dashingly handsome Dr. Reynolds and her afternoon spent with Atticus. Melanie did not realize it but her short letter turned long as she described the way Atticus worked and spoke and acted towards her. She also informed Ellie on the book she had been reading and her distain for Angel. She clearly stated that she never wanted to marry an Angel. She finished the letter and put herself to bed.

I hope I never marry an Angel. I am glad Atticus is not like him. Her mind muttered her true thoughts as she rapidly slipped into a deep slumber.

Author's Note: I know it was kind of short so I'm sorry but still review please! Also I apologize for my ranting on Angel from Tess of d'Urbervilles but I really hate that character for I have read the book and watched the BBC special. I don't know why Thomas Hardy had to make it so sad. Anyway I also want to mention that for me I am mentally picturing Chris Pine with his new beard for Dr. Reynolds just in case anyone was wondering...but if you had someone else in mind that is wonderful. So thanks for reading and stay tuned for more! :D

HUGE EXTRA NOTE: I thought I published this days ago but I guess I did not. I am sorry. *gets on knees to beg for forgiveness* Thank you! You are awesome! *Smile and thumbs up like Gai-sensei from Naruto!* (If you don't know who I'm talking about it is okay I will forgive you. lol)