Laurie Franklin

Laurie Irene Franklin is the title character of fifth volume in the Free Spirits series, Laurie's Liberation, and a minor character in Moira's Covenant. She is described as having black hair, brown eyes, and a "slightly aquiline nose". She admits to being an introvert, and is often anxious about certain situations, but is also very intelligent and well-read, and occasionally shows resilience and confidence.
== Early life ==
Laurie was born Victoria Martha Burgess, called "Vickie" by those who knew her, and raised Roman Catholic in south Texas with a brother and two sisters. At eighteen, she felt called to become a religious sister, and spent several years with the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, learning American Sign Language and library sciences, before declining to take final vows. Now on her own for the first time in years, Vickie looked at other spiritual communities and traditions, and explored her attraction to women. She eventually met and fell in love with Abbie Nolan, and continued a relationship with her for five years.
== Adopting new identity ==
When Vickie shared that she also felt attracted to men, Abbie became more possessive and controlling. After a brief but frightening altercation, Vickie decided to end their relationship, even filing a temporary restraining order against her. Abbie ignored the restraining order, however, and police were not much help in enforcing it. This led to Vickie deciding to alter her appearance - from blonde hair to black, darkening her skin, wearing brown contact lenses over her blue eyes, even plastic surgery on her nose and cheekbones - and contact the hacker Charlie to assume a new identity and find a new job in Stallbrook's public library.
== Life in Stallbrook ==
Now known as Laurie Franklin, she rented a small apartment in nearby Pattensville from Rachel Martini and her two partners, who soon became friends. She also befriended others, starting with library coworker Ruth Adler and her partner Tracey Bilodeau. Many of these friends were members of the Free Spirit Connection, and she became interested in this movement. Laurie also first acted on her attraction to men with the male escort Carlos, who also helped her understand the importance of communication and consent. At the east metro Local Gathering, Laurie first met Tony Graham, and there was a mutual attraction; he was also the opposite of Abbie in many ways, even welcoming her having threesomes with Bridget Torjesen and her clients. When Laurie learned that her identity might be compromised, Bridget and Charlie put together a plan, with the help of others, to protect her in the event that Abbie discovered her whereabouts. When that happened, Laurie and Tony were taken to a safe house, while the Major Case Unit of Stallbrook's police devised a plan to apprehend Abbie with minimal risk. With Abbie in jail, Laurie resumed a relatively normal life, moving in with Tony and becoming a member of the east metro Gathering.Category:Characters
Category:Free Spirits