Part 2 of "In The Woods When First We Met"

211. What to Do

"There's someone who could spread rumors for us," Diana said. "But in her case, we really would need Anne's stockings." Then she sighed, a depressing thought forming. "Even if we get the whole town to believe us, what if it only gets worse? I wouldn't put it past people to think Anne deserved what happened to her!"

Jane was quiet, staring ahead, unfocused. Then she said quietly: "Maybe once everyone in town knows what Billy did, then Mother and Father would send him away somewhere. ...I don't know where, but...I don't see any other way for this to get better for Anne..."

No one said anything.

Gilbert was thinking. "You got Billy to leave school, but, Jane, that's a lot different than trying to get him out of town."

"Well, what else will help Anne?" Jane asked louder, upset. "Trying to fix her reputation might not do it. Even if the whole town decides to be on her side, she's still going to have to see Billy!"

There was no way for Anne and Billy to coexist.

Jane continued, on the verge of tears. "All of it matters- her reputation, everyone seeing her, her seeing Billy...I have to fix everything!"

"You mean we," Diana said gently, her hand on Jane's shoulder.

Jane shook her head, wiping her eyes. "No, I mean I do. I feel like this is all my fault..."

Gilbert's eyes melted. "Jane, how could any of this possibly be your fault?"

"I don't know...because he's my brother, I guess," Jane whispered. "I just feel so bad."

Diana hugged her. "I'm so sorry, Jane. This is just awful for you."

Jane tried to hold back the tears she felt coming, very aware of being at school and not wanting anyone to hear her crying. "Well, it's more awful for Anne than it is for me. But still-"

Diana hugged her tighter when Jane could not continue. "It's awful for you, too. It feels like you're losing your big brother, doesn't it?"

"I feel like I'm not supposed to love him anymore or something," she cried. "But I do! I hate what he did, but he's still my brother and I still love him!"

"Jane," Diana said comfortingly, "It's all right. You don't have to stop loving him."

"Well, trying to make him leave town doesn't seem much like I love him, does it?" Jane broke off, crying. "I knew it might come to this. But- " Sobs that had been building for a long time came pouring out as she sputtered, "But he's my brother...I want to help Anne, but I don't want Billy to go anywhere..."

Diana just sat quietly, Jane huddled against her.

Finally Diana spoke up, saying, "He doesn't have to go anywhere. Maybe with more time, Anne will be better."

"Yeah," Gilbert said gently. "She's strong. She'll figure out how to put one foot in front of the other and keep going. We all love her and we'll keep doing whatever we can to make it easier for her. We can make it work out. There's no reason for you to have to be the sacrificial lamb here."

"No," Jane said, shaking her head emphatically. "This is the only way. Anne needs this."

But she looked miserable.

Diana looked like she did not want to bring this up, but finally said: "Jane...your parents are already unhappy with you. If they know you're trying to get the townsfolk to know what Billy actually did..."

Before Jane could react, Gilbert stated: "We can do this without you."

Jane choked on a sob and looked up at him.

Gilbert explained quietly: "You don't have to be a part of it. I know this whole thing has been your idea all along, but that doesn't mean you have to be the one to take the fall for it. Tell your parents I betrayed you."

"What do you mean?" Jane asked in a whisper.

"Tell them you took Billy's bloody shirt from the laundry because you didn't want your mother to be upset by it. You couldn't leave it soaking at home because she'd see it, so I offered to take it home and wash it for you. But then I kept it and betrayed your family with it. ...They'll never have to know you were involved in this plan. They'll be angry with me, not with you."

Jane looked like she was thinking. Finally, she shuddered, wiping her tears away, and sitting up straighter, "No. I'm in this now and I'm in it all the way. There's no backing out."

"Are you sure, Jane?" Diana asked kindly.

"I hate what I'm about to do," she said. "But I don't think I'm wrong for doing it."

Gilbert didn't say anything. He and Jane's eyes were locked together. Gilbert squeezed her hand.

They were interrupted by two pairs of boots. They looked up into the faces of Ruby and Tillie.

"We overheard you," Tillie began nervously.

"And we want to help," Ruby said.

--

That afternoon, Jane got the shirt from where she'd hidden it in her closet. It was now stiff with dried blood. She folded it carefully and placed it inside a shawl. She left on her own to walk into town and talk to Dr. Carter.

Gilbert stopped at Green Gables before heading home. He asked Marilla if he could see Anne just for a moment, and with a sigh, she waved him up.

The same afternoon, Diana walked into town all by herself, nervously knocked on a door and asked if Morgan Ryland was at home.