What if...

Chapter 3: He Came From Under the Porch

Scout woke up the next morning to hear the birds singing. She ran into Jem's room to see him laying in bed, with a cast over his arm. Then she remembered: the pagent, the ham costume, Jem, her, Bob Ewell, a kitchen knife, and Boo Radley. She sighed and walked into the kitchen, Atticus was already sitting at the dinner table reading a newspaper. Scout sat next to him and Calpurnia walked into the kitchen, holding two plates of bacon and scrambled eggs. "Scout, did you see if Mr Jem's awake yet?" She asked.
"Yeah. He wasn't awake." Scout told her. Aunt Alexandra walked down the stairs and sat at the table with Scout and Atticus. She already had on a dress and her face had been perfectly powdered. But no amount of talcum powder could hide the lack of sleep under her eyes. Scout had to admit, she pitied Aunt Alexandra. The young girl quickly finished her breakfast, changed into her overalls, then she ran outside by herself. She knew she'd have to play by herself since Jem wasn't doing so good. She went outside and hopped onto the tire swing next to the house.  She swung back and forth on the tire swing, counting the times she went up and down. She was so caught up in her counting that she nearly missed a cough under the porch. She waited til she slowed down, then got off the swing. She carefully walked over to the porch and sat on it. When she gained enough courage, she leaned down and peaked under the porch. Then she smiled. "Boo?" She asked. He looked at her and tried to smile back. Then Scout giggled. What are you doin' under there?" She asked, her smile widening. Arthur couldn't help but silently laugh at himself. "You can come out. I ain't gonna hurt ya. As long as you don't hurt me." She compromised. Then she moved out of the way as Arthur began to crawl out from under the porch. Soon he stood in front of Scout. "Aw, Mr Arthur, you're covered in mud now." Scout said, laughing at him. Arthur looked at himself and noticed his white kakhis and button up flannel were stained with mud. "Maybe we could clean ya off in the pond." Scout offered. Arthur smiled. Scout ran back inside the house. "Atticus!" She called, "Is it alright if I go to the pond?" She asked.
"Not by yourself Scout." Atticus warned.
"Oh, I'm not by myself Atticus. Boo Radley's gonna be with me." She said.
"His name's Arthur, Scout." Atticus lectured.
"Sorry, Atticus. Can I go to the pond?" She asked again. Atticus looked out the window to see Arthur standing outside looking at the grass.
"Yes, Scout, you can go to the pond." Atticus said with a smile.
"Thank you, Atticus!" She shouted and hugged Atticus before running back outside, slamming the door behind her. Calpurnia walked back into the kitchen after feeding Jem. She looked at Atticus.
"What was that about?" She asked.
"Scout's going to the pond with Arthur Radley." Atticus explained. Calpurnia picked up Scout's empty plate and looked at Atticus.
"Nathan finally let him out?" She asked.
"I guess so." Atticus said. "I hope this was not because Arthur saved Jem and Scout."
"Sir, you know it is." Calpurnia said sadly.
"Yes, we'll just have to keep Miss Stephanie away from him." Atticus said with a smile. Calpurnia smiled, then grabbed his plate and walked into the kitchen.