Rainbow valley was as beautiful as ever. The warm summer sun made its way through the clear sky, irradiating the valley and all the beauty within it. The sounds of birds chirping came from every direction, as a warm summer breeze blew through the valley. A little stream made its twisted way through the middle of the valley, and had a sparkle to it that made the observer think it was like a long thread of diamonds. Beautiful. No better word for it- and if there was, this author does not know it.
But there was something more to this valley- it had an atmosphere of having been habited. It gave one the appearance of having seen the joy and sadness of some people, of having witnessed the trials and tribulations of young adults. It gave the visitor the feeling of being at home.
On this beautiful summer day, a joyful laugh drifted in from a direction- the laughter of a young girl- not a child, and yet not an adult. It was the laugh of someone at peace with the world, the laugh of someone who did not know what sorrow was.
Faith Meredith was a beautiful young woman; one look at her, and no one would be able to help laughing and feeling happy. She seemed to have the sun in her eyes, and as she entered rainbow valley, its sun-dappled world became even more brighter.
Faith was nineteen, and as happy as happy could be- "Life", she had often told her sister Una, whenever she was feeling sad, "is beautiful. You never know what is in store for you tomorrow, so don't cry about yesterday. One thing that life always brings is change. Wait for it."
Una always felt better after talking to Faith. Everyone always felt better after talking to Faith. And she changed people's lives even without knowing it.
Young men all over the Glen had fallen for her beauty. But there weren't many who could make her happy. They all knew that Faith was a romantic, and had never really thought about beaus. Unlike Nan Blythe, her close, wonderful friend, she did not care so much for boys and men. Nan was always having a beau- even though she was a year younger than Faith, and had already been to so many dances that she couldn't count.
It would be a lie to say that Faith didn't care about dances, for she did, but she was a Minister's daughter, and was not allowed to dance.
The next were footsteps of a young girl, with brown, wistful eyes. Una Meredith was not as pretty as her sister was, but there was a depth in her eyes that made the observer wonder what she was thinking all the time. She was attractive, in a certain way- one could look into her walnut eyes forever. But she had her secrets- most of them Faith knew- but some, nobody did. Like her secret crush on Walter- no one knew.
People judged Una harshly, and rather unfairly. Una loved and adored Faith with all her heart, but she did not understand how her sister could be happy all the time.
It would be wrong to say that Una was jealous of Faith for her beauty and radiance, for Una was a wonderful person and would not stoop to such levels as being jealous of her own sister- but….but she had often wondered why everybody loved Faith and did not take to her so easily. Probably it was just because she was quiet, and did not talk as vivaciously as her sister did.
Or was it just that people did not like her at all? At least, the girl thought, as if consoling herself, the people who matter love me and care for me- father, mother, Carl, Jerry, Bruce and Faith. She knew that Faith was fonder of her than any of her brothers and sisters, and was also very protective of her. Once, when they were both children of about three, Faith had given a boy who had teased Una about her clothes such a firing as he was probably never to forget for the rest of his life.
Such was the bond between the girls. They were both devoted to each other, and they had come that summer morning to the valley, only to talk secrets.
But it was not to be. Under a large banyan tree, sat a young man of around twenty. A handsome lad, with dark hair and a dreamy look on his face. Walter Blythe was the handsomest of all the Blythe children. He had been sitting in the valley since dawn, reading to himself and writing some lines- his first set of sonnets 'To Rosamond'.
As he saw Faith and Una approaching, he smiled. Walter did not often like company, especially when he was writing his poems…but it all depended on who was with him. He was very fond of both the Meredith sisters, and was happy to be around them- Faith, more than Una, because she 'inspired him'.
But he knew Una better than most others. Though he did not let on, he understood her perfectly. They had never spoken to each other much, but the lad was observant, and had always been a good judge of character. Quiet souls like Shirley and Una he knew well. Yet it was only a brotherly affection that he harbored for the girl.
But there was more to Walter than met the casual observer's eye. You could tell he had his secrets, but how deep those secrets ran, no one ever knew. Diana Blythe, Di as she was known to her family and friends knew some of them, yet not all. And deep within his heart Walter harbored more than just a friendly affection for vivacious Faith- initially, he had dismissed it as 'just a phase'- but now, now he knew and understood that vague emotion that we all call love.
"Oh! Hello, Walter," Faith said, as they approached, "writing some of your poetry?"
"Yes," said Walter, looking down at his pen and paper, "It's a beautiful day for poetry, isn't it?"
"Oh yes," said Faith, brightening up, " I was just telling Una how wonderful the day was- the birds the flowers, the sun- everything," Faith laughed, "is lovely."
She almost danced as she said this, and both Una and Walter laughed at the enthusiasm with which she looked forward to the day.
There was more laughter and talk from elsewhere in the valley, now, and they saw Nan and Jerry coming. Everyone knew that Nan and Jerry were very close, and were sweet on each other. So it was no surprise that they came talking and disagreeing over something- and finally, they agreed to disagree.
"Really, Jerry," sighed Faith, looking at him side ways with a sly gleam in her eyes, "you mustn't argue or dispute with your lady love!"
Jerry and Nan blushed twelve different shades in a minute, and glared at Faith.
"I'll get you later, Faith, you remember that," Jerry cried after her, as she ran away from his grasp. She fell to the ground and peeled off into splits of laughter. And others followed suit.
It had now become Faith's, Di's and Jem's favourite pass time to tease Jerry and Nan, but it wasn't very pleasing to either of the victims.
Jerry sat on the wet ground, and looked at Nan talking animatedly to Una. He then realized that Una was looking at him, smiled at her, and looked away. At least Una would never tease him, he knew. She was so gentle, and nice, and no one could find fault with her ways- to anybody at all. She was good to all, whether in her heart she liked or disliked them. And she alone understood Jerry's feelings to Nan.
Jerry could not be called handsome, but he was charming and attractive. He also had a look that told a frivolous, light-hearted person to stay away from him- for he was always serious and thinking of what the world was coming to. Everyone firmly believed that he spoke very well, and he himself planned to follow in his father's footsteps.
Jem and Di came down the slope carrying a basket of delicious food and sandwiches, specially prepared for them by Susan, Rosemary and Anne.
They all waited for Carl, Rilla and Shirley to join them, and they started out on their picnic. Carl and Rilla had become very close, and shared everything; and Shirley would just go with them, for no other reason but for company. And so they came together, slowly making their way down from the Methodist graveyard.
They were all together at last, all home for the summer. Faith, Jerry and Jem were home from Redmond. Nan and Di home for the holidays from their respective schools, and Carl and Shirley from Queens. Rill and Walter had been there all year- Rilla having just finished school, and Walter, slowly recovering from a bad bout of typhoid.
"We are all here today," said Jem when they had comfortably settled down, "and this will probably be one of the last few times that we're all truly together- all of us will be leaving- to college, or to school, or to our new found lives as adults. So all that I can say is this: let us celebrate our friendship one last time."
And the festivities began. They talked of everything under the sun, and then separated slowly. Nan and Jerry went off by themselves, arguing considerably; Shirley and Una only sat by looking at the others, Di was reading a book, and Walter was finishing his sonnets, 'To Rosamond'.
He was much drowned in his poetry, yet he was unable to take it when he saw Jem and Faith talking and laughing- and, for a brief moment, when they thought no one was watching, kissed. He looked away, and left. No one saw him leave; no one seemed to care. And as he left, he saw Faith lean in on Jem's shoulder, as though she had all that she wanted with life- and nothing more. "So it is true then," he thought to himself, "this is what love is."