Unforgettable

Chapter 4

Matthew went to bed a short time later, but Amanda stayed on the porch until it was almost pitch black. And even then, she only took herself off to bed to keep Marilla or any other members of the household from worrying about her.

Amanda had only just got to her room and into her nightgown when a light tapping came at her bedroom door. "Yes, do come in, Anne," she called softly, not at all surprised by the younger girl's appearance. In fact, she would have been disappointed if Anne had not come.

"I hope I did not awaken you," Anne said as Amanda motioned her to sit beside her on the bed. "but I just couldn't wait until morning. How did it go? I heard you and Matthew laughing together out on the porch. That means it went well ... didn't it?"

"Sometimes I don't sleep very well," Amanda admitted. "but, oh Anne, I don't know how it went."

"Well, it sounded as if you were having a good time," Anne pressed. "The lemonade is all gone. And I've never seen Matthew hold a ladies' hand like that," the girl added, putting a comforting arm about Amanda's shoulders.

"Anne, how did you know Matthew was holding my hand?" Amanda demanded, looking mortified. "Were you spying on us?"

"Absolutely not," Anne insisted, looking a little indignant. "I do many things, but I do not spy on people. I did walk by once and happened to look out the window, and—"

Anne faltered a little under Amanda's stern glare, then she laughed. "I swear you start to look like Marilla with that expression, Amanda," Anne declared.

Amanda's expression was still troubled.

"Oh Anne! Do you think Marilla saw?"

"No," Anne began slowly. ""NO, I don't think she noticed. I know that she did. Marilla did look in on you from time to time."

"Oh, Anne," Amanda groaned. "Whatever am I going to do?"

Anne hugged her new friend and took on a look she hoped would be wise and knowing and comforting. "May I ask you something personal?" Anne questioned.

"You may ask me anything you like, but I don't promise to answer," Amanda smiled sweetly.

Anne returned her smile. "How long were you with Matthew and Marilla when you were a child?" Anne wanted to know.

"um, about six months," Amanda said. "Why."

"I've lived with Matthew and Marilla for some years now. I think you should just go to Marilla and tell her the truth?"

"And here I thought we were becoming such chums. You're in a hurry to get rid of me, aren't you," Amanda said worriedly.

"Marilla will not turn you out of the house," Anne said stubbornly. "She is very stern and, as Matthew has said, fearful determined, but she's not needlessly cruel or utterly unreasonable." Anne laughed. If she didn't send me back to the Asylum with all my mishaps, you have absolutely nothing to worry about."

Amanda gave Anne a shy grin.

"Marilla wrote me all about your mishaps," she told the slightly younger girl. "It might help you to know that I tried to die my own hair once. I wanted the color that you have ... it turned blue and purple."

Anne gasped, and both girls fell to laughing.

A light flurry of knocks sounded on the door, and they froze, their eyes widening in consternation.

"You were saying?" Amanda whispered to Anne.

"Girls, I know you're both awake. May I come in?" came Marilla's quiet voice.