Christmas Cheer
The little kitten kept pushing her soft fur against Anne's arm, nudging its cold nose under the limb in sweet anticipation of breakfast. Anne moaned, pushed the cat off the bed, and pulled the warm quilt over her head. She wanted to enjoy the sanctuary the blankets provided from the cold drafts seeping around her. The cat jumped back on the bed, reluctant to give up her efforts, and began kneading Anne's hidden form with retracting sharp claws.
"Go Away Patches!" Anne's muffled voice exclaimed.
Anne could hear the kitten's faint purr as it's shadow rubbed along the tent she had created. I suppose I should get out of bed. I can't stand when I am hungry and the poor kitten has a smaller stomach than I do. Anyway, I need to help Marilla so I can meet Diana later.
She threw the covers off her body, exposing herself to the chilly morning. Sounds of Marilla clanging pots downstairs in the kitchen let Anne know that she had being lazy and her chores needed to be completed before they could eat. Anne rolled her warm stockings and stuffed a foot in each one, slowly unrolling them up along the curves of her legs. She stripped her heavy nightgown off her body and slipped a blue wrap around dress over her shoulders.
Steam puffed from her mouth as her warm breath met the cold air upstairs. Shivers raced through her body, forcing her not to linger long. She fumbled with the bobby pins holding her hair into curls and released the long waves down her shoulders. She had pinned and unpinned her hair enough to make it look simple and routine. A flick of the wrist, and a moment later, she was brushing the waves smooth with an old hair brush. The mew of the cat reminded Anne of the chores and responsibilities she needed to tend.
Marilla stood at the stove stirring a pot of vegetable soup. The smell of onions, meat, and tomato juice simmering wafted across the warm kitchen and made Anne smile. Today was Christmas Eve, thought she wasn't a child anymore Anne still felt giddy and excited on Christmas Eve.
"Marilla, do you need any help?" eagerly asked Anne as she grabbed a cold biscuit sitting on the table.
"Not at the moment, but have you helped Matthew in the barn with your other chores?" reminded Marilla.
Anne shook her head and munched on the flaky starch. She had other things on her mind today, chores were not high on her list. Diana would be meeting her after lunch at the mile section between the two farms to finish working on their Christmas presents at the Sad House. Anne had carefully knit Marilla a red shawl and Matthew a new scarf, hat, and mittens. She just needed to trim the gifts in a soft white yarn Diana had left over from a doll blanket she made for Minnie Mae, her little sister.
Anne and Diana had been sneaking away to the Sad House ever since Matthew had given Anne a key. It was their refuge from the gloom of the winter and ever prying family. They had cleaned the parlor and swept the chimney, allowing them to keep warm by a fire. It was quaint- peeling wallpaper and cobwebs were the only adornments- but that didn't bother the two friends any. Laughter decorated the forlorn house, making it suddenly come alive, full of love again. The most expensive and elaborate wall paper or cultured art couldn't compare to the girl's comraderie.
A loud hiss at the stove brought Anne out of her dreams and back into reality. Marilla muttered something under her breath as she adjusted the pot and wiped at the red liquid bubbling down it's sides. Anne marveled at all the goodies and work the lady had created just for two days of the entire year. Sugar cookies, molasses chews, dinner rolls, fudge, and soup for tonight. Tomorrow promised even better fare: wild turkey, stuffing, rolls, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, and a pumpkin pie! Anne's mouth began salivating, making her day old biscuit suddenly seem unappealing.
Anne shoved the last of her breakfast in her mouth, grabbed her coat, hat, mittens, and slipped her feet into her boots. She looked at Marilla and waved, and she left the shelter of the house to find Matthew. Patches slipped alongside her feet knowing that soon her tummy would be full, too.
Matthew was busy milking the cows, so much so, that he didn't notice Anne come in and out fulfilling her daily chores. She know had time to help Marilla in the kitchen with lunch and soon she could be with Diana giggling and talking about their hopes and dreams. Anne couldn't wait to see Marilla and Matthew's faces tomorrow morning when they opened her presents for them. The morning seemed to drag on and on, but soon she had finished the lunch dishes and rang out her drying cloth.
"Marilla, Diana and I were planning to meet down the road for awhile. She has something she wants me to see," stretched Anne.
"I suppose you could run along, but don't you get into any trouble," warned Marilla as she fussed over some needlework at the kitchen table.
"We won't, Marilla," reassured Anne as she put on her coat and bee lined for the door.
"Anne, you don't be gone too long. We will leave for church about 6 to catch the Sunday School program," said Marilla without looking up from her stitching.
The banging of the screen door echoed among the still farm scene. Snow and ice glistened in the bright sunlight, causing Anne to squint. She slowed her run to a more lady like walk and drank in the scenery about her. It was beautiful, better than a Norman Rockwell painting on Marilla's magazine. Diana's dark blue coat stood out against the white blanketing the Earth. Anne immediately recognized her, but there was someone else standing beside her. Anne squinted against the glare and noticed that Diana was accompanied by a young man that Anne didn't recognize.
Suspiciously, Anne slowed her pace to get a better view of the couple ahead of her. Were they holding hands?, worried Anne. Why hadn't Diana ever mentioned this fellow to me before? Who is he?
Diana noticed Anne and suddenly a gloved arm brandished about, welcoming Anne upon the scene. A smile spread across Diana's face and she hastened her walk into a quick jog.
"Anne! Oh, Anne!" beamed Diana, "I have someone I would like you to meet. This is Fred Wright."
Anne immediately assessed the young man. He was average height, but a little on the plump side. Sandy blonde waves poked out from under his rabbit skin hat. He had an honest look about him, his blue eyes seemed pure enough. Anne nodded and shook his outreached hand. Atleast he has a strong grip.
"Nice to meet you, Anne," stammered a shy Fred, "Diana has told me so much about you."
Anne didn't know what to say. She hadn't heard a mention of him or any Fred for that matter. She looked him in the eye, and coldly replied, "Likewise Mr. Wright."
Diana stared at Anne, afraid of the wrath she might unleash on poor Fred, "Anne, I am sorry to bring Fred along, but I so desperately wanted you two meet and my parents won't allow Fred to visit me. I hope you don't mind."
"I don't really mind, Diana," said Anne, but then whispered into her friend's ear, "Why didn't you mention him earlier?"
The trio walked quietly down the snow packed road to Anne's birthplace. Anger was begining to well in Anne's mind as she mulled over Diana's intruder. She was supposed to know everything about her best friend. How could Diana have kept something like him a secret? What-ifs and why's ran circles in Anne's overactive imagination. After a mile walk she finally decided to let her inner voice rest and give Fred a chance. Afterall, he was Diana's friend.
Inside, cozy with warmth from the fire, the group began to chat. Fred was really a nice guy. He liked to fish and hunt, loved to play baseball, farmed with his father, and was looking into buying a few acres from Thomas Lynde a few miles North of town. Anne couldn't understand Diana's parent's adversion to him. Finally, Anne tied her last stitch and smiled. She was ready for tomorrow atleast.
"Fred, will you be escorting Diana to the Sunday School program tonight?" questioned Anne.
With hesitation, he responded softly, "No. I don't think a Catholic would be very welcomed by your church."
Shock showed on Anne's glowing face, "You're Catholic?"
"Anne, please not you too!" exclaimed a worried Diana, "I was so scared to tell you."
"I... I ... don't know what to think... I couldn't understand why you were not good enough for Diana's parents... now I understand... Diana! A Catholic!" rambled Anne.
"Nobody understands!", screamed Diana, "Catholics and Lutherans are basically the same religion, give or take a confessional and a priest."
Anne sat dumbfounded and stared at the pair. What a scandal! Diana came from a well respected Lutheran family, no body would accept a Catholic in the family. Catholics and Lutherans didn't even go to the same schools, yet date and get married!
Fred stood up and helped Diana to her feet. He held her hand and looked down at Anne seated on the rug near the fire. "Good day Anne. It was a pleasureful afternoon."
And that was it. The couple strode out of the Sad House, leaving Anne alone with the dying flames, ashes and embers.
Later that night, Anne and the Cuthberts sat in their usual pew in the crowded church. Large cedar trees, placed at the front of the alter, covered in white and gold ornaments filled the long room with the scent of evergreen. Everyone was dressed in their best clothes and women wore the hats reserved for funerals, weddings, Easter, and Christmas. The children of the Sunday School were busy fidgeting in their rows, barely supressing their joys for what waited at home tonight and tomorrow. Soon they would be feasting on Marilla's soup and sharing stories of Christmas's past. Anne couldn't hold onto the anger in her heart with so much joy surrounding her. Songs and verses of the wonders of the Nativity filled the space, she couldn't fight off the joy returning. It is so hard to be testy when it's Christmas Eve.
She gazed over to the Barry family and spied Diana. Diana looked sick and sullen. Anne hated seeing her so upset and withdrawn from the celebration. Anne vowed silently to herself and the angels around her that she would help Diana be happy, even if that meant with a Catholic.