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Sara Jane Lawrence (80)
Project: Film (Four Part Harmony)
Known as: No nicknames
Real name: Sara Jane Lawrence
Group affiliation: Extra Adar Rhiannon (EAR – a college A Capella group)
Physical description: Sara Jane is a small woman in her early 60ies. She has gray hair and tends to dress conservatively in neutral colors.
Personality: Sara Jane is quiet and introverted. She is also very sweet and wouldn’t hurt a fly. She’s the first to offer comfort when someone is sad. She asks very little for herself and is timid.
History: Sara Jane grew up the dutiful and meek daughter of a single mother in rural Ohio. Her mysteriously absent father made Sara Jane at times question who she could trust in the world. Her at times bitter mother was quick to reassure Sara Jane that she could always count on her mother – and only her mother.
Sara Jane grew up a wallflower and was easy for people not to notice (a situation Sara Jane preferred). She had a beautiful singing voice that she only used at home by herself or for her mother. She was a good student however and one of her teachers (an Ohio State alum) encouraged and helped pave the way for her to attend Ohio State as well. With her caring nature, Sara Jane studied to be a nurse.
Sara Jane was equally withdrawn in college. Her friends were largely limited to her roommate (Heather) and Angie (who took an intro class with Sara Jane). She largely spent her time studying and nursing a crush on her roommate’s dashing and friendly brother (Mason). Angie overheard Sara Jane singing to herself once and began to aggressively try to persuade Sara Jane to join the A Capella group Angie was starting. To no avail – Sara Jane was simply to shy.
At least until Harmony entered the picture. Harmony had a way of seeing into people and had a tendency to take one by the arm and lead them where they needed to go (rather than asking where they wanted to go). After meeting Harmony, Sara Jane found herself a part of the group without having exactly deciding to join. She even sang lead for a song at their first concert (with an admiring Mason in attendance).
Just when things seemed to be looking up for Sara Jane, tragedy struck. Her roommate, Heather, died a death ruled accidental and Sara Jane found the body. Traumatized, Sara Jane left school and went home despite all efforts from her friends to get her to stay. Ultimately getting a job as a bookkeeper at a local business, Sara Jane spent a quiet life with her mother.
Now, she has gotten an invitation she can’t refuse: to Harmony’s funeral. She is happy to be reunited with her friends but is surprised when Harmony’s partner shares that Harmony left special instructions for Sara Jane and the others. Harmony’s cremated remains had been divided into several parts and Harmony had left instructions for each on how she wanted her remains scattered. Sara Jane was the first to receive her portion and instructions and suddenly found that once again Harmony was taking her arm and leading her.
Sara Jane’s instructions were to scatter Harmony’s remains at a park at a certain day and time and to read aloud a poem. Sara Jane did so but was surprised when Mason came by walking his dog. Mason greeted her warmly and shared how he walked his dog every day at this time and it was evident to Sara Jane and her friends that Harmony arranged this meeting. On the surface, it seemed that Harmony was playing matchmaker from beyond the grave and reuniting two people who were meant to be.
Sara Jane, however, suspected that there was more to it. Though it seemed impossible, she suspected Harmony knew Sara Jane was keeping a secret about Heather’s death. The meeting with Mason was not about rekindling some spark (at least, it wasn’t completely about that), but instead was about Sara Jane unburdening herself with the truth so many years later.
Role in the narrative: She’s one of our protagonists.
Abilities: She is good with numbers and taking care of people.
Inspirations: My wife and I volleyed ideas back in forth around what Sara Jane’s central issue might be. Certainly, secrets are a well-used plot device. At the moment, I can’t think of a single inspiration for Sara Jane as a result, though I did think about a nun in Sister Act who found her voice in singing.
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