— Gilbert —
Wednesday, August 10th, 2:50pm
Redmond Medical Department, Kingsport, Nova Scotia
I saw red. I've never hated anyone enough to be that angry. But there, standing on the top steps leading up to the main entrance to the Redmond Medical Department Building, was Mr. Philips talking to none other than Royal Gardiner. The man who had everything I'd wanted for two years. I was about to charge towards them, when Anne held me back.
"That's not our fight Gil." She whispered. "Our fight is with the committee. Come on, we can deal with Mr. Philips later if needed."
"Anne, he aired our mistakes, and published loud and wide publicly our private matters."
"Yes." Anne rose her head high. "And we're done running away, trying to brush our mistakes under the rug. I never liked him…"
"Anne…"
"But it's time to go in."
She pulled me with her, head high up the steps. We'd have to pass them. Holding back the intense need to punch Mr. Philips for the disaster he'd caused I pushed past them.
"Hold it, Anne Shirley…" Royal Gardiner glared. "They're only letting those who are called for the hearing in. Certainly not one so tarnished. Even I read your report. We don't need you again. Anyways it's just a formality, things are already decided."
I glanced towards Mr. Philips who looked smug. "Mr. Gardiner, my wife, Mrs. Blythe to you goes where I go."
"Really, I told you Gardiner…" Mr. Philips spoke. "I was after all her first teacher… I saw how wild she was, preferring the company of the boys. I remember one time it was clear she and the boys were, well I wouldn't dare repeat what I'd punished them for."
That was too much I strived to push forward to punch him. "Gilbert! Later," Anne hissed, before standing as regal as the Queen herself. "Ah yes, I remember that Mr. Philips, one of your days of lackluster attempt at actually disciplining the class vs making sheep eyes at your wife. I'd been too long walking at lunch that day and rushed in at the same time as the boys. Hardly anything scandalous, though Mrs. Lynde would declare the wreath I'd placed upon my head to be quite scandalous."
She then tugged me slightly, and with a stiff nod to the two men I lead my wife towards the main doors.
"I know I speak for the committee Anne that you're not to enter… as a man Mr. Blythe should go alone…"
I glared at him. "My wife goes where I go, Mr. Gardiner. Now if you don't mind, I am done talking to your gossiping friend." With that I pushed past him towards the door, and had just reached for it with my free hand, only for Royal Gardiner to block the door with his arm.
"I was to make sure… The committee only want you Blythe."
"As this is a matter of my husband and my own mistakes when we were battling my husband's illness, an illness I might remind you that we all feared he would not survive, and hate only other party were the gossip started by Mr. Philips and his wife. I will be entering with my husband. What ever grievance you may have with me Roy, I apologize for my not knowing my own heart. Sometimes facing death leads one to re evaluate their priorities and realize where their heart always was."
"You just are abusing him, as you did me." Roy snarled.
She held her head high. "Just ask anyone who knew us before our big fight two years ago. They all knew except for me that we were madly in love. I just had ideals I wouldn't abandon. Not that it's any of your business, but we'd quarreled over those ideals. Only for us each separately to learn that when faced with a future of the dream ideals or life with the reality. Even when that reality is scary or fearful." She glanced up at me, and all the two years of pain were washed away with the adoration in her eyes.
"They're always worth them." She turned back to the two men. "One day I pray Roy, you'll meet a girl who fits in your life so much that the thought of life without her will be more painful then all your other dreams combined. That you'd happily give them all up. The girl you'll laugh with, make mistakes with, face death and life. Sickness and health. The one whom will always have your back as I have Gilberts…"
"And you mine…" I smiled at her, tempted to kiss her but we were running out of time. "Now if you don't mind…"
"Blythe that you?" I turned and running up the steps was Dr. Bernard, my sponsor for the Cooper prize. "Ah and your charming wife."
"Dr. Bernard…" I spoke.
"Well come along, on our way inside you can introduce me to your charming wife. You'll have to stand alone at the podium as you present your case, but she and I will stand in support."
"Dr. Bernard, this isn't the place for spectators." Gardiner glared.
"Of course not! Gardiner is it not? I thought so, knew your father when he was on the committee. Fine man. But I must insist. The man's wife is coming in."
"Well," Gardiner nodded to Mr. Philips. "Mr. Philips spoke and gave his testimony and we already read hers that she sent in… I've spoken with the others and we quite agree… it should be rather quick. Just a formality. Not that I expect to see much of the Blythes here in Kingsport after today. So… Congratulations." He hissed.
With a sinking stomach I held my head high and escorted Anne into the hallway. I prayed not for the last time.
—*—*—*—*—
Author's Note: We're reaching towards the end of the story. The final confrontation will happen in the next few chapters, followed by a few chapters of epilogue. I plan to reread (something I haven't done at all as I've been writing - well I did the earlier chapters), and will edit before writing it - in part because I need to collect all of Davy's questions. :)
I am starting on and outlining another Anne story. The premise being what if during their first year at Redmond, Anne with Gilbert's help found herself raising the twins while attending Redmond? And got a Bernese Mountain Dog (Because I found a 1890s drawing that looks like Anne & the twins at the shore with that dog - so Davy needs that dog)? And had to solve a mystery from the Cuthbert's past? What if Davy & Gilbert slept above the kitchen at Patty's Place, and Anne shared the little blue room with Dora? And Rusty and the other two cats thought the dog a nuisance? What if Phil, Stella, and Pris constantly teased Anne & Gilbert. What if Anne tried to change Gilbert into her romantic ideal as in Averil's Atonement? What if Marilla had a nasty cousin named Douglas? What if Anne has nightmares about marriage due to her years before Green Gables? Anyways, if you're curious and want to know more as I develop and write the first draft - reach out. I'll likely write it faster if I have some beta readers for the first draft.