Typhoid & Gossip Ch 57: Anne - The Future, an anne of green gables series fanfic

Author's Note:

Alright we're almost to the final stretch... Almost... For those frustrated with the lack of romance right now. Honestly I think it's in character for them to blow up at each other when things get too tense, and try to be romantic and heroic to save by leaving (Anne)... Remember her grudge just for calling her carrots?

Denie1943 - Have faith! The HEA is coming... Think of it like a rubber band sling shot... The angst will turn into well deserved romance.

Frosted China doll - Yes... they're not good people in this story the Philips

MadwomaninAttic - Yes... see below- Anne breaking something heavier then a slate. And your guess when you went back and reread is accurate about what really happened.

A Talking Cat - Yes actually I agreed. Now in comment to your response… the whole purpose of Anne being half dressed is it's totally inappropriate for Gilbert to slam his way in there - which is to show how pushed to the brink he is because that's not who he is. Anyways…

Astrakelly - thanks for catching the format issue... was trying to quickly update during a break.

— Anne —

Tuesday, August 3rd, 3:30pm

Home of Fred & Diana, Avonlea, PEI

I shrieked when half way through changing out of a baby messed up dress into the only clean one as Gilbert slammed his way into the room. Frantically covering the front of my undergarments with the smelly shirt I glared at him. "Gilbert Blythe don't you have any decency?" I glared.

"Far as the world's concerned you're as good as my wife." He slammed the door shut behind him. "Mr. Philips right now is off to Kingsport to destroy my reputation and any dream I had of being a Doctor. Well fine. I won't be Dr. Gilbert Blythe. Fine I'll loose the scholarship, or maybe I will but will have to work my way through school. But I'm not letting you be a martyr taking all the blame. The Anne I know doesn't run away."

I felt my fingers tightening around the dress glancing about the room, for any means of escape. "Well the Gilbert I know doesn't call me a fool." I spat back.

He stepped closer. "Anne Shirley... We never were expecting and you knew it. You can't tell me that a farm girl doesn't know how a baby is made."

My eyes glanced away from him, spying the vase I'd given Diana as a wedding gift. Heavy was something I'd remembered when I had picked it out in Kingsport. The weight of it, such that it would never tip over. Grabbing it as I dropped the dress and his eyes darted down following its fall I took the distraction to grab the vase and do quite the unchristian thing. "Gilbert Blythe, I did it all for our future. And if you're right and he's questioning our morals. Final, give me the blame, but I won't spend a life time with the man I see before me, go back to Kingsport, fight for your scholarship and place in medical school."

"Anne... I'm not going to. It's you and me. We'll go back to Glen St. Mary perhaps, start a life there... I'll get a job as Uncle Dave's nurse. Save up for medical school... I'm not moving until you agree to stand before the minister..."

That was too much. "Gilbert Blythe, may I make one thing clear. Go back to Kingsport, save your career. But we're done." With that I slammed the vase onto his head, he didn't fall but winced, and I saw his eyes. They broke me. My voice broke out in a whisper. "Gil... I'm sorry. Maybe one day we'll be able to pick up the pieces. But this future you suggest. We'll just regret it. You don't trust me, or I you. Now, please... if you want that future one day. I can't promise I'll say yes one day. But if you want a hope. Please, leave me alone and go. That future you propose. I... I can't."

I turned then, staring at the painting on the wall of the sea. Hearing softly the door slam behind me and steps down the stairs. Then I sank into the floor in tears. Not coming up until Diana slipped into the room.

"Oh Anne..." She rushed towards me, wrapping her arm around me. "I'm afraid we all heard, even Josie. Which means it's spread far and wide. Living so close she likes to come often. A telegram came too. For Gilbert, he's been called to meet with the committee for his scholarship later next week. I'm so sorry..."

"I..." I sobbed. "I can't imagine a life without Gilbert, but I can't risk him looking at me and seeing me as the cause of the loss of his dreams. He's got a chance to argue to keep his scholarship if he blames it all on me. Instead he wants to give it all up. And how can I? How can I even imagine a future with him?"

"Go home Anne." Diana spoke softly. "Where's the Anne who refused to leave Gilbert's side when he was dying of Typhoid no matter how much it scandalized that aunt. What was her name?"

"Aunt Mary Maria."

"Where is she?"

"Gone. Oh Diana, he called me a fool for not knowing how pregnancy worked, manipulative and a liar. Oh I guess I have been, but it was to protect us and the child I thought..."

"Shuhhh..." She soothed. "He'll be stronger with you beside him..."

"I..." I shook my head. "One day. We did make our own vows out in Hester Gray's Garden. And I will remain faithful to them, but I can't be by his side. Maybe one day..." I paused hearing a wagon approaching.

"Oh Jane wanted to stop by and introduce her new husband. Finish freshening up and come down..."

He was perfect for Jane, her Mr. Inglis. We all sat in Diana's parlor, eating Diana's cream puffs while he and Jane spoke of their life out west. When suddenly Jane turned to her future husband pausing him with one hand on his arm. "Darling, you and your friends were talking about the future. That we'd need a high school and Anne always was the best student. She's in rather a pickle due to Prissy and her husband and the gossip. We all make mistakes."

"You're right Jane dear. What you say Anne? Come out west? We've got a wedding tour but I'll write a letter this minute to Mrs. — who runs a boarding house, very reputable. Tell her you're my guest and the principal of the new high school we've been talking about. Might not have any students until winter. But we'd appreciate it."

And there was a new future. To teach. Build my own future.

"Oh you should. I heard about the falling out with Gilbert over the mess." Jane spoke. "It's quite practical. For what I overheard of him talking with Prissy, I rather think you're better off out west. The men there are real men."

Perhaps it was impulsive. "Then I shall go quickly and come. To be the foundation for a high school!" With that while Mr. Inglis wrote the letter of introduction and credit for me, we spoke excitedly about the new high school, the west, and a new and bright future. Perhaps Gilbert would be a part of it one day, but with each description of the west, and how confined I felt with Gilbert's anger. I chose to not think of him.

Which was why, with excitement I left an hour after Jane, valise in hand to wander the woods on my way home, detouring far and wide to visit every favorite haunt. For I knew I'd likely not have the funds or time to return home for a few years.

Stepping into Hester Gray's Garden though I broke down into fresh sobs and cried. For the truth was staring me in the face. When we'd hit the dark days, he couldn't trust my judgement. What future was that? So alone. I'd stepped back to the main road when Dr. Spenser riding past in his buggy pulled to a stop. "Offer you a ride Anne?"

"Thank you." I smiled, my eyes cracked and dry that I felt no more hunger for my woods but to curl up in my east gable, the east gable that was now Dora's.

"Just stopped by the Blythes. Gave my bill of health to Gilbert. That young man survived on will to stay with you. Didn't bother much with gossip, but know it's been mighty intense about you too. Said he's loosing his scholarship over the gossip... Said I'd help any way I can."

I gulped. "Could you write what truly happened. The typhoid, your observations and examine and make the statement I am a maiden. Gilbert says I should have known how it all works. Truly if you have that, perhaps he's got a chance. I... I'll write him a letter explaining it all. I can't bare to see him right now."

"Sure Anne. Come have dinner with my wife and I and this evening we'll get it all sorted out..."

The examination and that they both plus Mrs. Irving, Mr. Stephen Irving's mother who lived next door and came over as a second witness all had to confirm that yes I was a maiden was beyond mortifying. Only the thought of saving Gilbert's reputation kept me there on that examination table. Though with a packet of letters he'd offered the next morning to drop off, I headed home. And there, on the way home I made up my mind after three neighbors whom I'd known for years shunned me on the road. I'd leave the next day. My loved ones would recover from the gossip. Gilbert would too. But with the statement and words I'd given and sealed and asked Dr. Spenser to drop with Gilbert and other copies to send to the committee. I knew my fate was sealed.

I had spoken the biggest lie of all. I claimed I had purposefully seduced him, with one aim. The title Mrs. —. I argued with myself perhaps it was true. Perhaps I had. Perhaps when I had rushed into the bed to comfort and cradle him that night in the hotel I'd meant to seduce him. He'd claimed I had. Fine.

I would though remain faithful and true. Even if I never saw him again, and that with and angry glare at the memory of his words, might be too soon. And yet, I couldn't bare to think of one day without him.

—*—*—*—*—*—

Author's note: Oh we're so so close! There should be one more update this weekend, and I'm still aiming to keep updating 2-3 chapters a week. And for those frustrated… The next chapter we turn the tide towards the happily ever after.