A LITTLE BLUE RIBBON
Anne stood with chalk in hand and smiled coyly at Gilbert as he stumbled over a arithmetic problem on the blackboard. She had already finished and now enjoyed seeing him fret and ponder over the numbers. It was their first day back from Christmas Vacation and Anne was relishing in the fact that she had out smarted Gil. Diana sat in her desk and snickered as Gilbert nervously erased part of his work and started again. Anne winked toward Diana as he began rubbing his palms on his pants and shifted his feet.
"What's wrong Gilbert?" asked Anne eyeing his apparent troubles.
"Nothing Anne, I just had my mind on other things and now I just need to sort this out," writhed Gilbert at Anne's confrontation.
Slowly, he managed to work out all the numbers and come to an answer. He dropped the chalk in the rail along the bottom of the chalk board and wiped the dust off his strong hands. He examined Anne's work and boasted a smile her direction. She snuffed him off and returned to her seat across from Diana. Miss Stacey stood up from her hunched position over a first grader's back and looked over the problems displayed on the board.
With a shake of her head, Miss Stacey pronounced, "Gilbert you have done an excellent job. Anne, you need to check over the next to last step and examine your work. Class, Gilbert's problem is correct. Check your answer and work with his on the board."
A snicker behind Anne's back made her ears flame red. She turned around and encountered Gilbert's laughing eyes. Her eyes flashed and her mouth pulled tight, "Gilbert Blythe, you sir have not had the last laugh."
Diana gently touched Anne on the shoulder refocusing her anger and attention. The two girls looked into each other's eyes with Diana's deep blue comforting the piercing aqua of Anne's. Anne took a breath and looked down at her desk, she really didn't mean to be so competitive, especially with Gil. She fumbled with the short yellow pencil's eraser and began reworking her alogorithm. Atleast, Gil couldn't see the mess she was making on her paper.
The last minutes of the day drug slowly by while a frustrated Anne worked over the last of her math homework, but at last Miss Stacey rang the brass bell sitting on her desk. All eyes and ears were focused on their caring teacher, listening for further instruction. Anne fussed over her skirt and smoothed it over her nobby knees while sitting in her seat anxious to get out of the school and talking with Diana on their walk home.
"Class, I just wanted to remind everyone about the Box Social in town tonight. The whole town will be there and all the girls in school are supposed to bring a decorated box or basket with a lunch for two and boys you need to remember your money," stated Miss Stacey and chuckled, "Remember girls, that you are not supposed to tell anyone how to decipher your box from the rest on the table."
Anne sighed, she really dreaded the whole Box Social. She had never been to one and it appeared that she may end up eating dinner all alone. She couldn't figure out why anyone would enjoy auctioning off a decorated lunch to raise money for library books. Diana had told her that last year a few girls had secretly told certain boys which boxes they had brought, hoping to ensure they would bid on their dinner. According to Diana, Ruby Gillis had to eat dinner with an old pig farmer because Charlie Sloane had ran out of money and was outbid by the farmer. Anne didn't want to wind up with a stranger, let alone by herself. She nervously looked around the room at the boys cleaning off their desk tops and gathering their coats and hats. Who could she trust to bid on her box?
There was Charlie and he was an alright guy, but Anne was nervous about relying on him to have enough money saved for the auction after hearing Ruby's plight. Moody might work, but he liked to play tricks on the girls and she didn't want to endure a night of torture and second guessing. Gil was the only other male about her age. She was still mad at him for solving the math problem, but reasoned that atleast he was polite and fun. Bitterly, she swallowed her hurt pride and decided to drop hints toward Gil and see if he had any special boxes in mind for tomorrow. Gil was better than nothing, gided Anne to herself.
Diana nudged Anne in the ribs and handed Anne her coat, "What were you dreaming about this time, Anne Shirley? OR Could it be a whom?"
Diana hinted to Anne and glanced toward Gilbert.
Why did Diana have to be so intuitive at times, thought Anne.
"Oh, Diana Barry! You won't be happy until I have someone to chase, will you?" teased Anne as she gathered her books and followed her friend out the door.
Laughter from the young children erupted as they raced from the confines of the one room school house. Anne longed to run about and chase alongside them in the snow, but she was content with Diana by her side whispering about the forbidden Mr. Wright. Anne was still sorting out her feelings when it came to Fred and Diana. She was happy for her friend and would do anything for her happiness, but at the same time she feared that Fred would take her friendship away. Anne knew she shouldn't fear or be jealous of Fred, but sometimes it felt like he was the enemy.
SMACK! A cold mass of snow plunged into Anne's back, splattering cold flakes onto her neck and down her coat collar. She turned around and glared at a beaming Gilbert. His grin played with the rose color on his cheeks and highlighted the sparkles of blue looking Anne's way.
"Gilbert Blythe! Why I ought to," yelled Anne as she bent down and cupped a ball of snow in her orange mittens.
She posed and hurled the snow toward the dashing target. Gil stepped back and laughed. She missed! Anne never missed anything, except for that math problem. Anne bent down again and fashioned a sloppy orb, but before she was finished a thump and tingle of wet on her face made her glare up. She stood and wiped the snow from her face and laughed. She didn't know why she laughed, she was furious, but it felt right. Gilbert began laughing and walked over to the cold and covered Anne.
"Anne, if I didn't know you better I would say you were a snow angel," confessed Gilbert as he stared dreamily into her eyes.
It was that brief moment that sent Anne's world crashing down around her like the melting drops of water slipping down her cheeks. Gilbert was really special and a gentleman. Maybe, just maybe, he might be my kind of guy.
"Gil, I think you were hit in the head with a rock disguised as a snowball," teased Anne as she tried to break the tension between the couple.
"Anne? Anne? Are you alright?" questioned Diana as she trudged close to the playing pair.
"I am fine Diana, but I fear Gilbert is a bit delusional," smiled Anne.
"I better get going girls, will you two be at the social tonight?" asked Gilbert in Anne's direction.
"Certainly. What kind of citizen's would we be if we didn't help the library out?" added Diana, breaking the obvious line of questioning.
Gilbert nodded to the two and then slyly asked, "What might your boxes be sporting tonight? Just in case I want to eat in peace with a friend."
"I haven't decorated my box yet," lied Diana. She had already told Fred about the fake poinsetta she attached on a wicker basket. She didn't want Gil to accidentally interfere with her plans.
"I don't know yet, but I will put a ribbon on it that matches the one in my hair," blurted out Anne, and then she quickly covered her anticipation, "Just in case."
"I suppose gals, I better get home. The cows need to be milked and I definetly want to get to town in time for the box social," bid Gil as he turned and walked back down the frozen road.
Anne smiled and suddenly she looked forward to tonight's planned social. Her mind danced about, waltzing with the idea of Gilbert as a beau. She barely heard a word Diana said the rest of the walk home and Diana knew it. The two friends split halfway and soon found themselves tackling the task of preparing a dinner for two special young men.
Anne finished tying the package with a blue satin ribbon. She had just enough to tie a small bow in her hair, hopefully Gilbert would put two and two together. She feared who she might end up eating dinner with if he didn't use the sense God had given him and hopefully his earthly father had given him some cents also. Anne snickered at the thought and followed Marilla and Matthew out the door with her box in tow.
The trip to town was one of the longest she had ever made. It seemed to take hours as the small truck bumped along the two miles to town. Anne stared out the window and marveled at the illuminated fields of reflected light from the moon. It was brilliantly white and dark at the same time, a person didn't need to use a light or lamp on a night like that. Stars glowed against the black back drop surrounding Anne and the Cutthberts. Smells of fried chicken and Marilla's lilac water filled the cab, allowing Anne to relax her tightened muscles a bit. She was comforted by the roar of the engine and Matthew "puttering" with his lips as he drove them over the last hill before town.
Eventually, the truck pulled up in front of the city auditorium. Cars and trucks already lined the streets. Children played and ran around on the sidewalks as their parents and older siblings made their way into the front door. The lights were blazing and warmth radiated out of the gaping door. Anne sucked in a deep breath and swallowed the lump in her throat as she stepped into the crowded mass.
Gilbert stood hidden in a corner near the East wall where he had a clear view of the entrance. He immediately noticed Anne's red hair and blue ribbon when she stepped into the hubub of towns people. Gilbert stopped sipping on his punch and gently jiggled his pants pocket checking for his money. He really wanted her box and silently prayed he had enough money along to buy it. He was so intent on watching Anne that he didn't notice two boys from town checking out Anne.
Roy Gardener and Fred stood near a table that was heaped with boxes. Fred already knew which one he was going to bid on, but poor Roy couldn't choose. He was a bit of a player, a real ladies man. He stood nearly 6 feet tall and was lean and athletic. His blonde hair was always smoothed and in place accentuating his square jaw and dimpled chin. He had dark brown eyes that gleamed with pride and playfulness. His hands were smooth and uncallused from lack of hard work, but his mind was sharp and he had very deep pockets. He leaned back on the table with his arms crossed across his wide chest displaying the shoulder width any man would be proud to posess. Roy was definetly a man to be reckoned with, but he had never had to vie for anything before. His charm and natural luck always got him what he wanted, until he encountered Anne. The fiery red head barely glanced his way. She nodded to Fred as she passed, but didn't even acknowledge the handsome man perched beside his friend. Immediately, he longed to acquaint himself with her. She was new and obviously didn't know what she was missing out on.
Anne looked around scanning the room for Diana or a friendly face, unaware of the attention she was drawing from two of the most eligible bachelors in the county. She barely recognized Fred among the socializing neighbors and didn't pay any attention to his friend. Anne quickly placed her box with the others and began to search the crowd. She had other issues pressing her mind at the moment.
The loud knock from a gavel stopped Anne and the crowd in their tracks. An elderly gentleman with a waxed moustache and bushy white hair stood on the small risers at the back of the hall. He rapped the gavel one more time and soon held the audience's attention. With a strong voice he ordered all men participating in the box social to gather near the podium for the auction to begin. With sounds of shuffling feet and several "excuse me"'s later, the group stood awaiting the auction. Anne's mouth went dry as the auctioneer started calling out bids for a little box with pink stripes and purple flowers.
In a fast, rolling dialogue the auctioneer finally yelled, "SOLD at $3.45 to the young man in front!"
Soon, boxes and smiling young men were leaving the auction sight, in search of their creators and dinner partners. A few girls stood alone at the back of the room. Anne finally noticed Diana and her little sister Minnie Mae. Diana waved and soon pointed to the podium. A young boy was carrying Anne's box to the auctioneer and soon the bidding started. Anne noticed Gilbert raise his hand to make a bid, but then another hand flew up. It belonged to a boy she had never met, but she didn't think the term boy fit the masculine figure upping her bid. Soon the bidding was between Gilbert and this fellow, with the price beginning to rise higher and higher. Anne stood in shock. Why would this man want her box? Did he know it was hers?
"SOLD for $8.34 to Roy Gardener!" yelled the auctioneer as he slammed his gavel and started on the next package.
Anne didn't know what to do. She had planned on eating dinner with Gilbert, not a stranger. Gilbert sullenly looked over at Anne, making her stomach knot up. His eyes looked so sad, like deep pools in the creek near the Hammond's house. Anne tried to smile and not show her disappointment, but it did little good. Gilbert patted his pocket and waved his hands up in defeat as he mouthed "I'm sorry."
"I think this belongs to you," said Roy to Anne as he held out the blue ribbon that had been tied around her box. Gilbert's box.
Anne looked up into his face and was speechless. Carefully he tied the length around her wrist and took her arm. Linked, he walked her over to a secluded corner and sat her down. Anne sat and soon found herself wrapped up in this man named Roy. She was so smitten with his ideas and jokes that she didn't see Gilbert bid on Minnie Mae's dinner for $2.34 or the look of despair still in his eyes as he watched Anne and Roy.