Hidden Anguish

Chapter 2: The Plan

Gilbert stepped off the train in Charlottetown and breathed in the fresh air. No one knew he was coming. He didn't have time to send a telegram, so he wasn't expecting to see anyone he knew. Needless to say he was very surprised when he saw Cole, he chuckled.

Gilbert: Cole?

Cole was dodging people trying to get to the train when he heard his name and turned surprised.

Cole: Gilbert! Does Anne know you've come?

Cole walked up to Gilbert with a smile and greeting and Gilbert shook his head.

Cole: She will be ecstatic to see you.

Gilbert: How has she been?

Cole's smiled faded. He didn't want to put a damper on Gilbert's excitement, but felt that maybe Gilbert should know the truth.

Cole: She really hasn't been herself lately to be honest.

Gilbert nodded.

Gilbert: That's what I've heard and why I am here. Do you know what has caused this?

Cole shook his head.

Cole: I thought things were going great, then suddenly she lost her light. Like it faded and blew away with the wind. I am very worried about her.

Gilbert: So am I

They both inhaled deeply and nodded.

Cole: Where are you staying while you're in town?

Gilbert: Well honestly I hadn't thought of it. When I heard about Anne, I simply jumped on a train and came here.

Gilbert looked around and scratched the back of his neck nervously.

Gilbert: Probably should have thought this through a little more.

Cole: Come with me. You can stay and Aunt Jo's.

Gilbert: I don't want to be of any inconvenience.

Cole shook his head.

Cole: Nonsense. She would be glad to host you, and I would bet once Anne knows you're in town, she will probably be staying there as well.

Cole looked towards the train, then back at Gilbert.

Cole: Wait here I just have to retrieve something off the freight car, then I will take you.

Gilbert nodded.

Once alone with his thoughts, Gilbert wondered what he was going to do once he saw Anne. Would she cheer up? Would his presence help with her depression? What could he do to make it better?

Cole came walking up and startled him out of his thoughts.

Cole: Ready?

Gilbert nodded and followed Cole through town straight to Aunt Josephine's.

Aunt Josephine: Cole, did you bring a guest with you?

Cole: Aunt Jo, this is Gilbert. I found him at the train station.

Aunt Josephine tilted her head

Aunt Josephine: Are you Anne's Gilbert?

Gilbert smiled at that, because in every sense he was Anne's Gilbert.

Gilbert: Yes Ma'am. I came to surprise her, but I'm afraid I didn't think far enough ahead to get accommodations.

A smile broke Aunt Josephine's face.

Aunt Josephine: Awww yes. To be young and in love.

Gilbert smiled and nodded.

Aunt Josephine: I do believe I have been in the same predicament before. You are more than welcome to stay here Gilbert. Rollings will prepare a room for you, while you seek out the other half of your soul?

Gilbert looked confused by that statement.

Aunt Josephine: That girl really loves you, don't take it for granted young man. Love is one of the purest forms that God has bestowed upon us.

Gilbert nodded.

Gilbert: Miss Barry…

Aunt Josephine: You may call me Aunt Josephine, to say Miss Barry makes me feel rather old.

Gilbert: Aunt Josephine, I promise you with everything I am, with everything I have in me that I will never take Anne's love for granted. I couldn't dream of or fathom it.

Aunt Josephine: Very well, off you go.

Gilbert turned and walked towards campus. How was he going to find her? He chose to wander around looking at the surroundings. Maybe by some chance he would get lucky and find Anne walking to or from class. What he found was the next best thing. Walking in a group was Diana with what he could assume were her study group companions. Once Diana noticed him, she excused herself from the group and walked up to greet him.

Diana: Gilbert? What? How?

Gilbert smiled.

Gilbert: I got your letter, and immediately came. How is she? I would very much like to see her.

Diana bit her lip and looked at Gilbert with worry in her eyes.

Diana: Not much has changed I'm afraid. I am desperately worried about her. I hope your surprise will lighten her mood and cheer her up.

Gilbert: Do you know where she is? I want to rest my uneasy heart.

Diana nodded.

Diana: She still in our room. But you wouldn't be allowed to see her there.

She looked towards the ground trying to come up with a plan that Anne could see her beloved. Then a light bulb went off in her brain.

Diana: What if I forge a letter from Aunt Jo? Mrs. Blackmore doesn't know that it's not really Anne's aunt.

Gilbert looked at her taken back.

Gilbert: Won't Mrs. Blackmore catch on that you're actually her niece, you do have the same last names?

Diana: Who is to say Anne and I aren't distant cousins? Where are you staying?

Gilbert: At Aunt Josephines.

Diana: Perfect she can stay there with you.

Gilbert: uhm…. Are you sure that's such a good plan? It is very much so a contradiction of propriety.

Diana: Once you see what I am talking about Gilbert propriety will not be of importance. Also, I think a change of scenery will be good of her.

Gilbert nodded with skepticism in his eyes.

Gilbert: But what if you get caught? What if she gets caught? Will you not both get in trouble? Or worse thrown out?

Diana: You let me worry about all that. The worst is that we will be banned from the boarding house and to be honest if that happens, we always have a place with Aunt Jo. This takes precedence over everything right now.

Gilbert inhaled deeply and got lost in his thoughts. Would Anne appreciate us meddling like they were? Would she be upset that they risked everything that is normal right now for her mental health?

Diana: Are we agreed?

Gilbert looked her straight in the eyes. Anne's happiness was superior to everything right now so she could succeed in life.

So, he nodded risking everything for her.

Diana: Alright, no time to waste. Could you meet us here at, say 6 o'clock?

Gilbert: Are you sure she won't be upset though?

Diana stepped up to Gilbert and put her hand on her shoulder.

Diana: Honestly, Gilbert, she might be….at first. But once we explain to her that this was all done for her, she will be grateful.

Gilberts worried eyes looked at Diana.

Diana: Trust me Gilbert this is the right thing to do.

Gilbert nodded, then turned to head back to Aunt Josephines.

Diana: Gilbert!

Gilbert turned back to Diana.

Diana: 6 sharp!

Gilbert nodded.

Gilbert: I'll be here.

Note: Sorry for the delay. Between computer problems and life, time got away from me.

Thank you for the reviews.