Abra Bacon's Love for Aron and Transition to Cal

Abra's journey from her idealized love for Aron to a more mature, real love for Cal.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

The Childhood Sweethearts

The Perfect Romance The First Meeting Abra meets Aron when her family stops at the Trask ranch. She is immediately drawn to his beauty and innocence. She takes control of the relationship. The Willow Tree They create a secret world under the willow tree. They pretend to be married. Abra plays the role of the mother. This is a perfect, safe love. The Idealization Abra idealizes Aron. She sees him as pure and good. She does not see his faults. She is in love with an idea.

The Growing Apart

The Cracks in the Ideal The Religious Turn Aron becomes obsessed with religion. He talks about becoming a monk. Abra is furious. She feels rejected. The Passivity Aron is passive in the relationship. He does not truly see Abra. He is in love with his own idea of her. This frustrates Abra. The Confession to Lee Abra confesses to Lee that she is not good enough for Aron. She knows she cannot live up to his ideal. The relationship is beginning to fray.

The Letter from Aron

The Break The Postcard Aron sends Abra a postcard saying he is not fit for her and she should not go near his father. This is a cowardly way to end things. The Anger Abra is not sad; she is angry. She sees that Aron has run away. She decides to burn his letters. She is done with the ideal. The Freedom Burning the letters is a liberating act. Abra is free from the need to be perfect. She can now be herself.

The Confession to Cal

The New Love The Walk Home After Cal tells her the truth about Aron, Abra admits that she no longer loved Aron. She was in love with a story. The Love for Cal Abra tells Cal that she thinks she loves him. It is not an idealized love. It is a real, complicated love that accepts flaws. The Acceptance Cal is stunned. He is not good, he says. Abra responds that she loves him because he is not good. This is a mature love.

The Support for Cal

The Steadfast Love The Night of the Stroke Abra goes to the Trask house after Adam's stroke. She does not abandon Cal. She is there for him. The Walk in the Dark Cal tries to run away. Abra stops him. She tells him they must go back. She is his anchor. The Future Abra's love for Cal is a source of hope. She is a strong, practical woman who can help him find his way. Their relationship is a promise of a new beginning.

The Acceptance of the Past

The Wisdom of Love The Knowledge of the Truth Abra knows about Cathy. She is not shocked. She accepts the past. She is not afraid of the darkness. The Love for Lee Abra forms a deep bond with Lee. She becomes his surrogate daughter. She is part of the family. The Maturity Abra has grown from a girl into a woman. She is ready for a real relationship. Her love for Cal is based on truth, not illusion.

Aron and Abra's early relationship, 1911-1915

Abra realizes she does not know Aron, 1915-1917

Aron enlists and sends Abra a postcard, 1918

Abra confesses her love for Cal, spring 1918

Abra stands by Cal after Aron's death, spring 1918

Abra's final understanding of the family, 1918