bsc_squee | #131 - The Fire At Mary Anne's House

For as many times as we're told that Kirsty and Mary Anne are BFF's, we only occasionally get to see their closeness in action. But one of my favorites is when Mary Anne is waking up at Kristy's house after the fire:

I heard a light tapping on my door.

“Mary Anne?”

It was Kristy.

It took all my energy just to say, “Come in.”

She entered and sat on the bed. She looked into my face. “How are you?” she asked quietly.

Wow. Kristy was being, well, different than usual. The Kristy I know would have barged into my room and started yakking away. This Kristy was gentle and cautious. It was almost weird. I felt the way hospital patients must feel when their long-lost relatives start trooping into their rooms. When Uncle Stan shows up, you know it must be serious.

“I’m okay,” I said. “I mean –”

“I know,” she said in a quiet voice, laying her hand on mine. “You’re totally not okay, but what else is there to say?”

I stared at her. Where had this new, sensitive Kristy come from?

“What?” she asked, flashing a sudden grin. “I’m just trying to act the way you would act if our roles were switched.”

We know each other so well.

“Well, stop it,” I demanded. “You’re scaring me.”

“Okay,” she said, jumping to her feet. “So, do you want something to eat? Do you want some clothes to wear? Who should I call to meet us at your house? I was thinking we could arrange shifts, so that you always have someone there to help you go through stuff. Also, I’ve already spoken to the rest of the club members about taking over any jobs you were scheduled for. And Abby’s going to be the secretary for awhile, so you don’t have to worry about that –”

I held up a hand. “Thanks, Kristy,” I said. It was good to know that at least one thing hadn’t changed. My best friend was still herself.

Where to start? I love that the writers let the two of them have a close moment at such a hard time for Mary Anne. I absolutely love that Kristy can be sensitive by acting like Mary Anne would act, and that Mary Anne knows exactly how Kristy should be acting. And I love the flash transformation back to Kristy, and how that's comforting to Mary Anne.

And I find it sweet that this is in the last book in the regular series. It makes me feel like some things will never change.

#131 - The Fire At Mary Anne's House

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