Returning to Green Gables
After sleeping terribly the previous night I awoke before dawn and dressed quickly, hoping to see the sun rise over the ocean. I sat down on a tree by the water's edge and wondered of the marvelous things to come in my lifetime. I was sure there would be children; Gil and I had already discussed that fact. Most other things seemed rather unclear however and I stumbled upon an uncommon thought process. My life was, as I had told Katherine earlier that summer, full of many bends in the road. I wasn't sure what exactly that all entailed, but I assured myself that no matter what, my wonderful Gilbert and I would get through it together.
Upon recounting the times Katherine and I had spent together that summer I was startled to feel a hand on my shoulder. "It is beautiful, isn't it?" I asked, knowing that it was Gilbert. I could tell simply from the chills that his touch sent throughout me, and the butterflies that had quickly stirred in my stomach.
"Very beautiful," he responded, sitting down next to me. I turned only to notice that he was not looking at the sunrise, but staring deep into my eyes and I got the feeling that he hadn't been referring to the sun at all.
"Oh Gil, I don't want to go back," I sighed, leaning onto his shoulder. "The summer is almost ending, and I have yet to hear back from the college in Halifax, and don't know where I'm going to be living."
"Darling, don't worry about any of that," he reassured. "We're sitting here, taking in the most elegant sunrise I could imagine and you wish to talk about what happens two weeks from now."
"Yes, I suppose you are right. Why should I ruin this glorious sight by talking about things that Providence has in mind?" I closed my eyes for a brief second and prayed that the year would turn out well before returning my thoughts and eyes to the beautiful sea.
Gilbert and I sat by the ocean for a few more minutes before heading back to the hotel, where we would soon leave forever, the beautiful spot just a distant memory in our story, our love story.
"Anne," he said turning to me. "Are you really alright? About last night I mean."
"Well I'm not sure entirely, dearest," I responded with a slight sigh. "But I know that I will be, once last night is nothing more than a bad dream that I can pretend never happened."
I was positive that he was still worried about me, and in good faith, he had every right to be. Another man had made his fiancé cry and run out of a house over something that he himself knew nothing of. Gil took my hand as we walked back to the hotel to gather our things before leaving. We went to our respective rooms once we reached the top of the stairs and I was startled to see Emeline sitting on the floor outside my room.
"Oh Miss Shirley," she began. "I'm so glad to see you haven't left yet!" She ran over to me and embraced me in a hug. "Papa doesn't know I'm here, but I wanted to come over and apologize for his actions last night. Miss Shirley I'm terribly sorry, and I know that he meant no harm only to inform you of how depressed he's been without you around. I'm quite sure he didn't intend to make you cry, miss."
I looked at her face, she was anxious for my reply. "Emeline, don't you worry about it for another second. I admit that what he said to me made me upset, but you had nothing to do with that and should not be apologizing for him. Now you run along before he realizes you're gone."
"I also wanted to give you this Miss Shirley," she said, reaching down into her pocket. She pulled out a slip of paper. "It is my address at Queen's. I do pray that you will still write."
"Dearest Emeline," I replied, hugging her. "It would be my joy and pleasure to write to you while you're in college. I would love to hear all about your goings on and progress in college. Run along now."
"Goodbye, Miss Shirley," she replied as she turned for the stairs to leave.
"Goodbye, Emeline," I said holding back my tears. As soon as she was down the stairs I stowed the address safely in my suitcase and finished packing up my belongings. I met Gilbert downstairs a few moments later and we headed for the train that would take us back to Avonlea.
- - - - - - - - - - -
"Diana believe me when I tell you it is an experience no one should have to go through," I said sitting on Diana's porch drinking tea the day after Gil and I had returned from St. Unionville.
"Oh Anne, I couldn't even imagine the agony you were going through when you saw Morgan Harris standing there at the door," my bosom friend replied sympathetically. "I wouldn't have known what to do either."
I sighed heavily, happy to get everything off my chest and still distraught over what would have brought Morgan Harris to such distasteful manners.
"And what about the good news Anne?" she asked. "I thought you mentioned something about wonderful news you received today."
"Oh yes!" I exclaimed, remembering what I wanted to tell her so urgently. "I decided that I would not be returning to Kingsport next school year and at the beginning of the summer I sent in my résumé to the college in Halifax and received a reply today. They said that they would be pleased to have me as an English Literature teacher. It seems that the last teacher took ill over the summer and is unable to return in the fall."
"Oh Anne! So you're going to move to be with Gilbert? That is splendid!" Diana looked like she was almost going to cry.
"Well you must come visit me as many weekends as possible, Diana. I will need your help to plan the wedding."
"Of course, Anne," she replied coming over to hug me. "Everything is finally perfect for both of us." She smiled genuinely before returning to her chair. "Would you like to come into town with me this afternoon? I want to buy some fabric to make some new dresses."
I laughed, knowing that Diana was only spending the money because she had it. "I would love to, dearest Diana."
I brought the tea back into the house and let Eleanor, Diana's maid, know that we were going into town and that she would have to watch baby Fred. Diana hitched up the carriage and we left for town. Along the way Diana told me about what I had missed in the few days that I was gone from Avonlea. Baby Fred had his first visit to a store and Josie Pye had made a remark to Diana about my engagement to Gilbert. I tried not to let it get to me because I didn't want Josie to spoil my perfectly lovely day. Diana and I both picked out a few lovely fabrics to make new dresses with, but despite my best efforts, I couldn't help but think of the stinging remark Josie had made about me. The childish conflict between Josie and I had been present since my first day in Avonlea and I knew that I would probably never be rid of her horrid and distasteful remarks.
Diana brought me back to Green Gables and I looked forward to my evening alone cutting out patterns for new dresses. I sat in my room after dinner pinning and cutting fabric. Not one of my past scrapes could have ever prepared me for what would happen the following day.
A/N: To my loyal readers (if you are still alive) thank you so much for your support and comments. Sorry that this chapter isn't overly long. I didn't want to give away what happens next. Also I'm so sorry that it's been so long since I've updated. I won't keep you waiting as long for the next chapter, I promise. And as always… review please -
