Welcome to Avonlea

Chapter 20

"What is the purpose of kissing?" I froze with a spoonful of soup in my mouth, staring wide eyed at Anne, then to Marilla and Matthew who also look taken aback by the question. "Is it... supposed to feel good? 'With one long kiss my whole soul through. My lips, as sunlight drinketh dew'. Tennyson. But kissing reminds me more of a... mother bird feeding its baby." I choked on my food when I inhaled it to laugh. "Lydia!" I coughed a few times waving that I was fine. "And what is the perfect kiss? Is it really sweeter than honey cake? And if a kiss is such a big idea, then why is it such a small word? It should be long and difficult to say. I've been trying to think of a more appropriate name for it, but nothing gives me a thrill." I stopped even trying to eat at this point. "I assume kissing should give you a thrill, but I'm afraid I'll never find out. Do you think one can have a tragical romance without being kissed?" It was a deadly and awkward silence as I glanced at Matthew and Marilla. "Well, now, um...  I dunno." "Have either of you kissed anyone?" I cringed at the question. "I... I should... uh... barn." I looked outside and saw it was really dark. It seemed when he was uncomfortable, that was his safe haven. Marilla stopped him thank goodness. "For pity's sake Anne, hold your tongue. Show some propriety at supper." "Sorry." I finally felt like I could eat again. "When would be a better time to ask?" "Some other time."

I came downstairs brushing my hair. "Lydia? What are you doing?" "I can't get one look in the mirror to braid my hair so I thought I'd use whatever reflection I can get from the cabinet." I brushed my hair to one side while heading to the parlor. Getting somewhat of a look, I was able to braid it carefully but did bite my lip when I was done. Inviting, smooth as silk lips. I touched them but just unlike Anne. I would never know what it was like. "Isn't it wonderful to be alive on winter mornings just like this?!" I came to the dining room and stopped staring at Anne's hair, covered in ribbons. "Anne Shirley-Cuthbert! Goodness gracious, what's happened here." I went and took a seat. "It's decorative. For beauty's sake. Even birds have pretty plumage Marilla." "Plumage, Fiddlesticks. Take all that out of your hair at once. You look ridiculous." "Marilla, please, let me wear them to school!" "For the land's sake, that's the last place you want to wear them, believe me." "I know you don't understand or imagine, but if you had red hair, you would want to cover it too!" "I do not condone unnecessary adornments. Off they come." "Marilla, how can you be so unfeeling?" "Years of practice. Now, you know I always mean what I say." "But I need to be beautiful." "Enough of this foolishness. You'll take them out at once."

I stared with wide eyes at Anne. She had me go on ahead and now I saw why. She was told to take the ribbons out but put them back in. "What do you think?" I covered my mouth not to say anything. She hates our hair color this much. "Well... you hold your head with such an air." I elbowed Cole urging him. "Here. If you don't mind, I'd just make one or two adjustments. For balance. May I?" He had her sit on one of the benches and he looked happy that he was able to be close. "Oh, Anne. That'll look divine." She looked excited. "Uh... Diana, could you...?" She helped take the ribbons out. "Sorry everyone's staring at us." "Don't worry about it Cole. They only wish someone would be kind and chivalrous as you are." I eyed Josie then Billy. "How I wish we were doing recitations today, when appearance is of paramount importance." "Recitations... are the purest forms of torture." "Torture?! You can't be serious." "Standing up in front of a classroom, everyone staring at me?" "That's the whole joy of it!" "No joy at all. It's like being under a microscope. I just feel... too... tall, too seen, too... weird." Seeing he was finished, it did look wonderful. "It's beautiful Cole!" "Cole Mackenzie! Since you seem to have such... feminine proclivities, we shall indulge your taste of it this morning. You can sit with the girls." I looked around glaring when some laughed. I sat on the bench to my desk and scooted over. Hannah wasn't here. He sat next to me and I waited until Mr. Phillips turned back to the board. "Must be a little jealous that he can't make a girl feel happy and special." I looked at him and got a small smile back.