Chapter 3: A Walk in the Park

The next three days were very busy for Gilbert. He barely had time to think about Anne. He took a tour of the Kingsport Hospital (where every wing was named after a Pringle). He was able to take several medical sessions on the break through practices and medicines of the day. On the final day after the last session, the delegates were given free time before leaving Kingsport. Gilbert needed a break from academics. He remembered the lobby attendant mentioning Jane Pringle Park and decided to take a stroll to clear his head. Walks were very refreshing for Gilbert. He enjoyed mindlessly walking and felt that a clear mind would give him clear thoughts for studies. That was his secret for keeping up with academics throughout his life. The park was beautiful. The grass was so lushly green despite it being March. The air felt so clean compared to Halifax. Gilbert started feeling a little homesick for Avonlea. As he turned the corner, he noticed a young lady picking something off the ground. Could it be? Sure enough, it was.

"Anne Shirley, what in heck are you doing here?" Gilbert's heart pounded in his chest. She looked up in utter shock.

"Gil?" Anne ran up and embraced him. Gilbert felt his cheeks color. No one had called him Gil in a very long time and it was so good to hear his voice. "You're the very last person I'd expected to see here in Kingsport!" As luck would have it, it started to rain. Gilbert couldn't end the conversation like this and looked around for a dry area. He spotted a gazebo a few yards away.

"Uh, um, come on." They ran to the gazebo. As they shook off the rain drops, Gilbert said, "The Royal Academy of Physicians is convening here this weekend and I'm here as a delegate."

"You must be proud of yourself." Anne smiled at him. Gilbert looked deep into her gray eyes. It sure was good to see the same old Anne.

"Not as proud as I was of you when I read that clipping Miss Stacey gave me about the success of your play."

Anne giggled. "That's sweet of you, Gil. It's so good to see you."

Gilbert nervously fidgeted. "I was actually hoping we'd run into each other. I wasn't sure if you'd be happy to see me or not, so I—"

"Happy? I can't begin to express my happiness. Let me look at you!" Anne said as she eyed him up and down. There was something in her eyes that Gilbert couldn't quite read.

"Ah, yes, do I look like a young medical student now?" Gilbert adjusted his collar. Anne laughed again. How Gilbert missed that laugh!
"Not a bit; you can't fool me. You're still the same incorrigible Gil. Tell me all about the Avonlea news. Have you been back?"

"Uh, no. I've been spending most of my time with the Stuarts in Halifax. Doctor Stuart is a very prominent surgeon. You see," Gilbert took a deep breath. "Christine and I are engaged. It's set for next summer." It pained Gilbert to look at Anne for a moment. The sparkle in her eyes seemed to turn into disappointment. Does she regret last summer?

"I'm so happy for you, Gil," Anne smiled politely.

"I guess that's why I wanted to see you so much—to apologize for being a fool last summer." Anne shook her head. "No, I think I understand now what you meant. I meant what I said too. I won't ever forget you." Gilbert put his hand on her cheek and for a moment their eyes locked. Anne's eyes looked as though they were going to fill with tears, but she abruptly stood up.

Anne looked off to the distance. "You turned out as I always imagined you would." She turned to face him again. "Doesn't it seem like yesterday we were off to Queens and vying for those scholarships?" Gilbert was grateful the topic changed.

"I suppose you've kept up your writing?"

"Not really. I've been busy, and well, publishers aren't interested in those kinds of stories."

"Well, I wouldn't give up all together. You know, I always thought you should write about Avonlea. Change the name, of course, or Rachel Lynde would think she was the heroine."

Anne laughed again. "Avonlea is the dearest place in the world. But I don't think it's an interesting enough setting for a story."

Gilbert grew extremely homesick. He didn't realize how much he missed Anne and Avonlea until that moment. "Oh, I intend to take Christine back to the Island with me and set up my practice there. Doc Stuart has a lot of pull in Halifax and would like us to live there, but I don't want any hand-outs. Besides any other place just wouldn't seem like home to me."

"No, of course. The board of governors at the College just offered me a five-year-contract."

Gilbert was impressed and saddened that there was a potential that he wouldn't see Anne again for a while. "Well, that's wonderful. You certainly won your way into the hearts of this affluent, old town. You won't be lonely."

"I'll survive." Anne sighed again. Gilbert shuffled his feet.

"Well, I ought to go. The train leaves at 5:30."

Anne looked terribly disappointed. "Oh, no, really?" Gilbert gave her a half smile. Before he turned to leave, he remembered the note he penned the other day. He pulled the note out of his pocket.

"Oh, I was going to mail this, but a note just isn't the same." He handed it over to Anne.

"Thanks, Gil." She started to open it. Gilbert couldn't bear it any longer. He gave her a hug and they stood there for several moments.

"Good bye, Anne."

"Good bye, Gil." Anne whispered. They locked eye contact again and this time, Gilbert felt his eyes grow misty.

"Don't forget me." Gilbert whispered. He turned and ran out in the rain never looking back.

Back at the hotel, Gilbert packed the remaining of his belongings. He replayed the last half hour in his mind. While his short trip was mentally challenging, he felt more emotionally challenged than ever before. Why can't I stop thinking of Anne?

Gilbert found his seat on the train. He was glad that he had a bench to himself to rest. As he stared out the window, Gilbert noticed a familiar physique run out to the train stop looking around frantically.

"Gil!"

Anne, what on earth? He made his way to the back of the train.

"Gil! Thank you!" She waved the note. "Good-bye!"

Was she crying? Gilbert gave her a sad wave. "Good-bye, Anne!" He stood there until he could see her no more. Gilbert finally made it back to his seat. He closed his eyes. Was it sadness? Was it regret? Was it love? Love. What was love anyways? Love was laughter and joy. Love was spending time together, whether it was biking through the Haunted Woods, or studying for Queens. Love was never giving up on her even if she swore she would never talk to him again. Love was giving up a school so she could be close to home. Love was forgiving him for his past faults. Love was running back to say the last "good-bye."

Do I love Christine? Gilbert rubbed his temple. Sure, he may have been falling in love with Christine. But falling in love and being in love were entirely two different things. Gilbert knew what he needed to do when he got back to Halifax.