In the Woods When First We Met

134. Ruby Gillis

At lunch time, Anne slipped outside, feeling sick and wanting fresh air. Ruby didn't think anything of Anne going outside until she noticed Gilbert watching her intently. When he got up and went outside too, Ruby became suspicious.

She hesitated a moment, then slipped out the door.

She wondered where they'd gone, then she saw Anne's elbow sticking out from behind the privy.

Ruby walked quietly over and slipped into the privy. Anne and Gilbert were standing right behind it, just on the other side of the wall.

Ruby knew she was being ridiculous, spying on them, especially since Diana had told her they were not seeing each other romantically.

But I just want to know for certain, she thought. I don't want Anne to be my friend if she's intent on stealing my beau right from under my nose! ...Well, so maybe Gilbert isn't my beau yet, but....he will be, as soon as we're old enough!

She heard Anne say, "I didn't even notice your father's name written on the back, or I wouldn't have brought the magazine to school at all."

"Well maybe something good came out of it," Gilbert said. "You told Diana."

She told Diana what? Ruby's brow creased. Diana told me there was nothing. Diana knows about them and she's keeping it a secret too! She lied to me!

"You think the girls will give you any trouble?" Gilbert asked.

"No, I don't think so," Anne said. "Diana won't let it get out. And she's got Ruby convinced that nothing's between us. I'm so relieved. I don't know what I'd do if the girls all knew."

If the girls all knew about what? Ruby thought, a sob rising. Your secret love affair?

That was enough for Ruby to know that things were not what they seemed, and she was dead set on spying again to get the whole truth.

She hesitated after her friends left school at the end of the day, noticing that Gilbert and Anne both seemed to tarry until everyone was gone. Finally Ruby left the building, getting the distinct feeling that they were both waiting for her to leave. She hid behind the building until she saw them walking together toward the woods. Then she began to follow.

She kept a good distance behind, and saw them both duck into a ramshackle structure. One she knew they were inside, she crept up to it to listen.

"How are you feeling? Has the nausea gone down now?" Gilbert asked.

Anne must have either shaken her head or nodded, because there was no audible answer for Ruby to hear.

"I wish we could find out how much nausea there has to be, or...or what kind of other symptoms you're supposed to be looking for. Not because I'm worried- I'm sure you're fine, Anne- but just so we could know sooner that there's nothing wrong."

What's he talking about? Ruby wondered.

"I probably only got sick because I let myself worry so much," she said. "But then I also can't help...every time I even feel the slightest bit sick, I panic..."

"I know," Gilbert said softly.

You know about what?! Ruby wanted to know.

There was a silence for a long moment, then Ruby heard Anne say wistfully:

"I know this is going to sound silly, with everything else going on, but it keeps cropping up in my mind so often...I've always dreamed of wearing a lovely crown of flowers in my hair, and a long, long lace train that flows behind me as a I walk..."