WARM TOAST
It was late Friday night and everyone had been asleep for atleast a couple of hours. A loud banging on the front door summoned Mr. and Mrs. Hammond from bed. Anne curiously peeked down the stairs to see what all the commotion was about. She didn't want to be seen in her nightgown by the neighbors. The dim moonlight allowed Anne to see a young man's silhoutte standing outside talking quietly to Mr. Hammond. Anne didn't recognize him, but he had to have been 16 or 17,close tothe same age as herself. Anne put more of her weight on the bannister and stretched her neck out farther past the railing to get a better glimpse of the stranger.
Mrs. Hammond boundedacross the bottom of thestairs, almost catching Anne prying into their business. Mrs. Hammond went scurrying back to her room and changed into her green dress and a clean apron. Anne sat in the dark corner clutching her knees. She hoped that no one had seen her, especially the young man. She heard Mr. Hammond's foot steps and the young man's when they entered the house. Mrs. Hammond calmly returned backinto the kitchenand began moving things around in the kitchen.
Sounds of the stove door and the cast iron skillets clinking aroused Anne's intrigue. It took everything she had not to sneak down to the base of the stairs. With great effort she strained her ears to listen to the sounds around her. Cracking eggs. Was that sizzling ham or bacon? The smell of cooking ham and eggs filled the old farm house, causing her stomach to rumble in anticipation of the grand meal. They usually had oatmeal and toast. It was rare that Mrs. Hammond would make such a grand breakfast, especially when things were so tight because the crop failed again. She had heard tales of people that would find bones scattered among the prairie, and use them for soups made with the roots they could find on their land. Anne even knew of a family who only ate popcorn and drank milk for a whole winter just to survive. People were so adamant about staying or making ends meet, but hardly anyone she knew would take a handout from the county.
Anne decided that sitting in her nightie in the corner was not helping her learn anything about the unfolding events downstairs. She decided to go to her room and change into her Sunday dress. Their every day clothes had been fashioned out of the grain and flour sacks made from different prints of fabric Mr. Hammond would save for them. Her special outfit was a beautiful white dress that Mrs. Hammond had sewn from part of her wedding dress detailed with some ribbons they bought at the Dime Store in town. It was finer than the dresses the children and she usually wore. This dress hung loosely on Anne's small frame, but Mrs. Hammond had cinched it tighter around Anne's hips making a distinction between the top and the skirt which properly hung down to just above her knees. Shiny blue ribbons and fancy pleating ran up the breast of her dress making Anne feel like she was a princess to own such a grand dress.
Anne quietly slipped out of her nightgown and into the dress. The stranger must be someone important to make such a fuss over. Anne pulled the pins out of her pin curls she had set in her shoulder length hair the night before. Ringlets fell down covering her neck long neck. She slowly smoothed the curls with her brush over her hand creating beautiful red waves. She choose a blue ribbon that matched the hue of the ribbons on her dress and carefully tied a large bow pulling back the left side of her hair next to her ear. She hoped that she looked respectable enough as she tiptoed out of her room.
The brightly lit kitchen made her eyes squint because of the contrast from the dark hall. Inside she found Mrs. Hammond dutifully preparing breakfast for her husband and the young man. Mr. Hammond, still in his robe, sat at the table discussing something with the stranger. The stranger had dark wavy hair, sparkling blue eyes, and a strong chin. He wore work clothes, similar to other farmers and Mr. Hammond, that consisted of basic overalls and a homemade shirt. The stranger sat engrossed in conversation and didn't notice Anne.
"Anne?" questioned a shocked Mrs. Hammond at the sight of her dressed up in her finest at this hour of the morning.
"Yes ma'm. I heard somebody come inside and then I smelled breakfast. I thought I could help," confessed Anne.
"You do beat all Anne," said Mrs. Hammond with a sly smile.
"I can butter the bread for toast and put it on the rack near the flames for you," volunteered Anne.
She was eager to help and sit at the table close enough for overhearing the discussion. She gathered the bread, butter, and knives and placed them on a spot closest to the range. She sat and carefully sliced the hard bread with sawing motions like she had been taught. Thin slices of her homemade bread soon began to pile up in front of her. The conversation stalled and all eyes were on Anne's mountain of bread. Anne stopped and realized that everyone was looking at her.
"Well, Gilbert... I hope you like toast," chuckled Mr. Hammond.
"I reckon I do Mr. Hammond, but I am not sure I like it THAT much," chimed Gilbert as he examined the pile and the red head behind it.
"Gilbert Blythe this is Anne Shirley," introduced Mr. Hammond.
"Pleased to meet you," nodded Anne.
"Likewise, Anne," grinned Gilbert as he rolled her name of his tongue. He liked the way it felt.
"Anne has been staying with us for some time now. She helps Eliene with the little ones. We really appreciate Anne's help around here," stated Mr. Hammond almost boasting.
"I assume there are a lot of people new to these parts that I don't know. I am glad that Father is well enough to return to the farm. I really missed Osmond and the people," said Gilbert as he glanced over at Anne laboring over spreading the hard butter on the soft innards of the bread.
"I am glad you are back, too. I have missed a good visit with your father. I will fetch the keys for the house after we finish breakfast and then I can take you over to the place," said Mr. Hammond as he noticed the Blythe boy watching Anne.
"I would greatly appreciate it, sir," thanked Gilbert.
"Well Gilbert, I would enjoy a recap of the story concerning your father and two elk he tried to break to harness during your time away. He briefly mentioned it in his last letter," started Mr. Hammond.
Anne finally finished preparing the slices for the rack as she listened to the tale of the poor elk learning to be horses. She put the bread inside the metal wires, butter side facing out and placed them near the open oven door. In very little time they browned on the edges and the butter melted on the middle. The fragrant smell of the toasting bread mingled with the eggs and ham. Eliene placed a plate of food in front of each man and began dishing one up for Anne. Soon everyone was sitting in front of a heaping plate of ham and eggs. They all bowed their heads and Mr. Hammond said grace.
"Come Lord Jesus, Be our guest and let these gifts to us be blessed. Amen."
Everyone dug into the good food and enjoyed the feast they seldom had. Nobody talked during breakfast, but Gilbert couldn't keep his eyes off of Anne. He made a special effort to eat a lot of her toast, warming his body and heart. Mr. Hammond noticed the glances he was giving his young charge. He didn't know if he should laugh or feel protective. In his mind, Anne was too young for a romantic relationship.
Soon the men had their fill and were off down the dusty lane to the abandoned Blythe residence. Mrs. Hammond and Anne cleaned up the empty kitchen. Anne removed the kettle off the stove using a hand towel and poured it into the sink basin. She added a handful of soap flakes and stirred the hot liquid making bubbles form. She reluctantly stuck her hands in the burning water and washed the morning dishes. She placed the wet dishes on the countertop to air dry hoping that Mrs. Hammond wouldn't make her towel dry them right away.
Orange hued light filtered through the dusty East kitchen window. The children would soon be waking and wanting their breakfasts. Anne started the oatmeal and set the bowls around the table. There was no need to make more toast, a few pieces were left over. Gilbert really enjoyed her toast that morning. Hopefully, the children would like it as well.
WATERFALLS
Anne pumped little Donald up and down on her knee trying to keep him quiet. Douglas sat on the floor upon a blanket in front of her feet and quietly chewed on the heal of some dry bread Anne had brought along for that purpose. They were teething and in a grumpy mood. Birdie and Gusty sat in the corner playing with some paper dolls another little girl from town had brought along. Mrs. Hammond was talking nearby with some ladies from church. Mr. Hammond was probably somewhere sitting outside listening to a few men recount the last baseball game with Plainview.
The town hall was packed, people overflowed the rickety wooden folding chairs and sat down onto the floor. A couple of men had even brought in timbers and some nail kegs to make benches for the crowd. She looked around for Gilbert and Mr. Blythe, but they were nowhere to be seen. They were probably busy settling in. The wooden chair rubbed against the back of her legs making them sweat. Smells of cigar and pipe smoke mingled with body odor and popcorn. The humidity of the day hung in the air and stuck to their skin. She could barely take anymore, how much longer before they started the movie? Anne was growing restless and agitated. All she really wanted was to see the beginning of the movie.
Mrs. Hammond nodded goodbye to the ladies and made her way over to the old piano in the corner. The overhead lights flicked off and hisses to be quiet sprang through the crowd. The faint tinkling of Mrs. Hammond playing an overture drifted across the room. The melody soothed Donald and soon he was asleep. Anne smoothed his sweaty hair and gently laid him down next to his munching brother. She took a deep breathe and relaxed her body against the back of the chair. She craved a cool breeze to blow through the stuffy hall, and bring a calming sensation to her hot body.
Clicking sounds from the movie reel announced that the picture was about to begin. Scratches and numbers counted down to the beginning of the film. Shivers raced down her back as the words raced across the screen. She was actually going to see Gone With The Wind!
Images and sounds danced around Anne as she became entranced by the movie. It was breath taking allowing her to forget the heat and humidity. The dresses, houses, and grandeur were spectacular. Vivian Leigh was so beautiful, her dark hair shimmered so nicely, and she wore dazzling dresses that definetly weren't made from the feed sack cloth. All the men liked her and wanted to be her escort. Anne longed to be considered beautiful with raven dark hair and to have dashing young men vyeing for her atttention. In a matter of moments she was engulfed in the antebellum South and a world dominated by Scarlet O'Hara. Anne didn't notice Gilbert Blythe sneek in and quietly sit behind her.
Light reflecting from the screen illuminated Anne's face. Gilbert couldn't help but notice her. The moving pictures on the screen couldn't hold his attention. He longed to run his fingers through her hair. He had only seen red hair once before when he was traveling with his father. The beautiful lady waited on them at a little resteraunt near the train station in Kansas City. Anne's hair was exactly the same shade of red. He couldn't put his finger on why she tormented him so. He had only met her the other morning. Gilbert was drawn to her like an ant to a picnic.
"She's just a little girl! Stop it! Stop staring at her. You are almost 18, you have no right to be drawn to a young girl who isn't even able to receive suitors yet! Stop it!" yelled Gilbert's inner voice to himself.
Harshly the lights came on in the town hall. Anne blinked as her pupils dilated to adjust to the sudden brightness. It was intermission time. Mrs. Hammond began playing the piano while a few people stood up and walked around. Anne was mesmerized by what she had just seen. The boys stirred at her feet and tugged on the white socks folded down around her ankles.
"I see you two have ants in your pants," teased Anne to the twin boys, "Do you want to walk around for a bit before it's time to watch the second half?"
She took their babbles as a yes and grabbed a tiny hand in each of her own. The little guys wobbled back and forth, but they slowly managed to walk their way near the back of the hall. Carefully, she aided the boys down onto the floor and let them crawl around to explore the cool hard floor. Someone had opened a window and Anne gazed out at the night sky.
Sounds of the locusts buzzing and a few bullfrogs in the distance sang along to the chatter of people inside. On the horizon a shadow of a few clouds loomed. A few stars were beginning to poke out of the new fallen darkness. She focused her gaze on a tiny star above the old elm tree near the bar and in a light whisper recited:
"Star light,
Star bright,
First star I see tonight,
I wish I may,
I wish I might,
Have this wish I wish tonight."
She contemplated her wish and then softly she spoke, "I wish I was beautiful and had a life full of adventure like Scarlet. Maybe even a Rhett?"
A cool breeze wafted through the window. Anne relished it. It had been days since she felt a breeze that wasn't dry or full of sand. The blue checked fabric on her simple dress fluttered in the wind. She longed for a nice rain shower or a cool autumn day. Through the open window another light breeze rushed past her.
She smiled and imagined her wish floating on a breeze up to the heavens. Hopefully it wouldn't take years to get her wish. Josie Pye, a mean girl from church who was the same age as her, told Anne that it took seven years for each wish to reach the wishing star and seven more years to get back to Earth.
"Nonsense," Anne shook her head and reassured herself as she noticed Donald was gone.
"Donald!" called Anne.
"Douglas, where did your brother go?" teased Anne as she picked up the boy and placed him on her hip.
Anne looked around the floor near the window. He was not anywhere to be seen. Worries began to swell up in her heart as her pulse quickened. What was she going to do? Should she tell Mrs. Hammond?
She moved around a few old men who were chewing the fat about work crews commissioned by the President to build a damn up in Yankton. They had built a couple of schools and bridges across the state already. New Jobs meant a lot and brought hope. Many of the farmers were going under and leaving the area for work in the cities. None of that bothered Anne right now, she needed to find Donald.
"Hey, Anne!" yelled a male voice.
Anne turned around to look Gilbert in the face. Hisdevishly blueeyes were dashing, the thought surprised Anne. Gilbert Blythe stood holding a restless Donald.
"Did you loose something?" joked Gilbert, smiling intensely.
"Thank you. I was rather worried," a relieved Anne said with a sigh, "How did you corral him?"
"He found me over by the corner. I don't think he was harmed by his adventure and I think I have made a new little buddy," laughed Gilbert as Donald tugged on his bottom lip.
Gilbert handed the squirming boy to Anne. Her small frame looked like it would topple over as she stood with a babe on each hip. She blew a strand of stray hair from her forehead and smiled up at him.
"I appreciate you bringing him to me. I didn't want to bother Mrs. Hammond during the intermission," said a grateful Anne.
"Let me take one for you and I will walk you back to your seat. Mrs. Hammond is starting to play the "waterfalls" and you know that means the show will be starting soon," gleamed Gilbert.
Anne handed him his newly acquired friend and they made their way back hoping to reachtheir seatsbefore Mrs. Hammond finished. The scales on the piano raced up and down faster and faster. Everyone called them the "waterfalls" because they reminded them of water racing along the Missouri river. Anne sat down holding Douglas while Gilbert kept Donald and sat down behind them. The room went dark and the movie popped back up on the screen.
Heavy drops of rain began to splatter against the dry and parched land. Scarlet and Rhett captivated the audience's attention, no one noticed the rain that was beginning to fall outside.