The characters are created by LM Montgomery, and are her property... the original characters & storyline are unique to this story are copyright 2021, by Nell Lime.
Kushinka: Yes. Complicated again… Though most everything now has been revealed.
Denie1943 - Yes, Gilbert needs to step up… but he'll need the gumption which may take him a bit, because he's just burnt out…
A Talking Cat: I think it's from Pride and Prejudice, but I couldn't find the direct quote so chose to just have Anne not quite remember. I seem to remember Mrs. Bennet loving to say that. Thanks so much.
— Gilbert —
Monday, August 2nd, 10:00am
A Cottage, Harbor Village, Glen St Mary, PEI
I had nightmares about the dream Annes, and was tempted to run back to Uncle Dave's home to confirm she'd not turned into that Anne Gardiner or worse evaporated like smoke. Instead I held my tongue to reason, and kept my distance. The first night I slept little between my thoughts and keeping an eye on the recovering boy, yet by the second he was sufficiently recovered that were it not for Anne's ultimatum I would have gone back and tried talking sense to her. But talk sense to Anne Shirley?
The evidence was all there. Anne was either a fool or a lier. The hymen does not stay in tack with consumption. Why could she not see sense? Yet I did grieve the child we weren't expecting, finding unshed tears also for Little Anne. It was though practical. We'd just confess the truth, hopefully to no harm to my scholarship, and wait the three years until I could support us. Anne would find another job, perhaps in Kingsport that I might see her regularly.
So as I waited for Uncle Dave to arrive in the buggy, to examine the boy and then take me back home to face Anne, I reviewed the arguments in my head. To Anne, and the community back home. How I'd address the scholarship committee if word did reach them I had no idea.
Uncle Dave came, commenting how Anne had not slept much and they'd left her asleep that morning when he went over to drop off Aunt Maud to see her cousin. He didn't say anymore though on the subject as I assisted with the examination, though with all in order I packed my things, and jumped into the buggy beside him, ready and eager to see Anne. Hopefully after a sleep she would have calmed down.
On the way we stopped for the mail briefly, the station master too busy to gossip I was thankful, only to hand a bundle to Uncle Dave before returning to answering a woman demanding answers about something, not that I paid attention. Instead soon as I could in the buggy, I sorted through the packet, four letters for Uncle Dave, and one to Anne and me from Fred. Perhaps I should have waited to open it with Anne. But I needed the facts, and the facts quickly.
So I ripped it open glancing over his accounts. Swallowing. It was my worse fears. I'd forgotten all about that promise to let the Carol's know I'd arrived home safely. So Mr. Carol had shown up and confused by the gossip informed them all that I'd left on the train a single man. And Mr. Philips with some sort of grudge had gone and threatened to write to the scholarship committee. I was seething by the time I entered the house, still quiet with no movement from Anne.
We went to work though, myself helping Uncle Dave organize his office for two hours, when still without a word from her and past time for the cold sandwiches Aunt Maud had prepared for our lunch in the cool room. He sent me upstairs to check on her. Three times I knocked with no answer to my calling out her name. Finally pushing the door open I saw the bed rumpled, and a letter on the pillow. There was no other sign of Anne.
My eyes widened. Rushing forward to grab the letter I gulped feeling her ring in the fold. Ripping it open I felt myself crumble at her words. "Perhaps it's for the best Gilbert, Providence shutting the door each time we tried to marry. I've gone back to Avonlea. To learn the worse, and you're right. I aim to take the blame. If I had not lied that evening at the bonfire we would not be in this mess. If I'd just confessed the truth of our mistake. So I've gone home to confess the truth. No doubt, if there's a threat to the scholarship I must take the full blame. I tried to seduce you. The only answer will be to keep my distance. I will speak to Jane, unlike her sister she's a fair one, and has placed no judgment on me. I will go out west as she did and hope to find a teaching position. I will remain faithful and true to our vows. Yet, for both our sakes, don't follow, don't contact me. I cannot abide a future where you despise me. Yours, Anne Shirley."
I gripped the letter and ring to me and weaped, then stood up anger blaring wanting to hit something. Only the sense of respect for Aunt Maud's housekeeping got me out into the yard, where seeing any thing to pour out my egressing I began to thrash. Chopping wood, forking hay for the horse, and digging out a tree stump that Aunt Maud had commented needed to be removed. Yet it did nothing for the emptiness. I wanted to chase after her, make her see sense. Yet when did anyone succeed in that? Making Anne Shirley see sense?
Uncle Dave came out eventually. "I'm guessing things aren't patched with Anne?"
"She's called off the wedding." I snarled, "Gone home and told me not to follow or contact her. I'm done with chasing her. Chased her for years. I'll be going home tomorrow, but not to chase her down, but to try to save my reputation and medical school position. Scholarship too if I can. Perhaps I would have been better off if I hadn't run into her on that train."
He sighed. "Isn't she worth fighting for? Isn't she the woman you love?"
"Love?" I laughed. "She's my life. But its clear that a choice between her or the ghosts I created as a crutch to get through life without her. I'm better off without either."
He sighed, said nothing more, but went to hitch the horse to fetch Aunt Maud. It was a quiet dinner, and the only discussion was that he'd take me to catch the morning train. My first order of business was clear. I needed to set right the gossip I could. Then, maybe I could deal with Anne Shirley. But with more thought I realized I had to secure my future. Let go of all those ghost Annes, for truthfully I realized even the real Anne was but a ghost I'd created. A dream that had burst into a nightmare.
—*—*—*—*—
Author's Note: So next chapter we're back in Avonlea… And the gossip… It was a short chapter, but then I didn't feel like Gilbert needed much thinking through. He's upset, stressed out, and about done with dealing with Anne for a while. Simple put - he's burnt out. Do you think so? Next chapter… we're back to Davy in a few days.