Chapter 13: Meet the Gardners

"Roy, are you sure they'll like me?" Anne asked for the last time.

"Anne, I'm sure," he told her. "They'll love you. I know I do." He gave her a wink. "Just relax." He put his arm around her shoulder and led her to his apartment where his mother and sisters were waiting.

Anne was nervous – very nervous. She wanted to make a good impression on Roy's family not only because she didn't want to embarrass Roy, but she wasn't like the Gardners at all. She grew up on Prince Edward Island, far away from the luxury that they were accustomed to, and she wasn't familiar with aristocratic society. That didn't mean that she couldn't adjust to it though, but it would get some getting used to. She just hoped that she wouldn't make a fool out of herself.

Roy opened the door to his apartment and walked in with Anne. He then led her to the sofa where his mother and sisters were sitting.

"Everybody, this is Anne Shirley, my girlfriend," Roy stated proudly. "Anne, this is my mother, Karen. My sister Aline is sitting to her right, and my other sister Dorothy is sitting next to her."

"Hi," Anne said timidly. She was scared now. She noticed that all three women were wearing top end designer clothes like Versace and Dolce & Gabbana while she was wearing the best dress she had from a brand that she could afford. Roy's mother's examining eye didn't make her feel any better.

"Hello. It's nice to meet you," Dorothy said while holding out her hand.

Anne took the hand and shook it. "You, too."

Aline, on the other hand, didn't say anything to Anne. She was too busy talking to her rich boyfriend back in New York on her cell phone. "Uh huh...yeah. Well, did you at least get me those Gucci sunglasses? You did? Aww...baby, I love you! Uh huh..."

Anne's face started to go pale. She didn't know to do in a situation like this.

"Forgive, Aline," Dorothy said. "She's always like that."

Oh great, Anne thought. She nodded.

"So tell me, Royal," Karen began, "what have you been doing with yourself lately?"

"Studying for exams and spending time with Anne," he replied.

"I don't see how you have the time to study when you have this beautiful girlfriend of yours on your arm," Karen said in a matter of fact tone.

This is going to be a long night.. thought Anne.

"I don't want to keep you ladies waiting, but I do have a reservation for four for dinner booked at La Strada. I don't want to be late for that, so do you all care to join me?" asked Roy.

Anne, Karen, Aline, and Dorothy followed Roy out to his car. Anne sat in the front seat while Roy's family sat in the back of his Thunderbird. The ride to La Strada was relatively quiet except for Aline conversing with her personal hair stylist back in New York.

"But I hate being a blonde!" Aline cried. "People think I'm stupid! Do you think I'm stupid? You don't? You're just saying that. I love you."

Anne shook her head. What did I get myself into?

Roy looked over at her once he arrived at the restaurant and gave her a sympathetic look.

Once they arrived at La Strada, Roy spotted Michelle, the same hostess that helped him kick out Jack Garrison at the same restaurant earlier. He handed her a $50 tip in advance.

"If Jack Garrison appears, you know what to do," he told her.

Michelle took the money and led to group to their table. Once everyone was seated, Karen took the opportunity to interrogate Anne.

"So Anne, what do you do for a living?" she asked.

"I'm a teacher at Kingsport Ladies College," Anne replied.

"A teacher? Well, we all know how much they make!" Karen laughed.

Trying not to let her temper get the best of her, Anne simply stated, "Yes, that's true, but just knowing that you're making a difference in someone's life is simply a reward within itself."

Impressed with Anne's remark, Karen decided to go on. "Where did you meet Royal?"

"I met him on the top of our apartment complex."

"Oh. How lovely."

Before Anne could say anything else, the waiter appeared at the table. "Hello, my name is Kevin. I'll be your server for the evening. May I interest you in our wine collection before we get to the entrees?"

"Roy, I want a pinot grigio," Dorothy said.

"I want...hmm...I don't know what I want," Aline said. "You have any vodka here?"

"Aline!" Karen scolded. "You don't ask for that sort of thing."

"All right. Fine." She rolled her eyes. "I'll take an apple martini."

"That's better. I would like your finest white wine," Karen said.

"What about you, Anne?" asked Roy. "What do you want?"

"Water's just fine," Anne said.

"Anne, do you not drink?" Dorothy asked.

"No. I just don't like the taste; that's all."

"Well that and she can't afford that much," Karen mumbled to Aline.

Anne overheard her and turned red from her anger.

The entrees were then ordered, and afterwards Roy took a moment to get away from the growing tension.

"I'm going to use the restroom. I'll be right back."

Once Roy was away, Karen spoke up. "Anne, Royal is my son. I love him, but there are faults with him. He's been with a lot of women, and he can get carried away with babying them. Just know what you're getting yourself into."

Anne couldn't take it anymore. "Excuse me for a moment." She walked past the restrooms and went up the stairs that led up to the roof. Roy came out and saw Anne going up, so he went after her.

"Anne!"

She didn't look back. She made her way up to the roof and stood near the ledge. Roy came from behind and stood next to her.

"Anne, are you all right?"

She turned to look at him. "No, Roy. I'm not all right."

"Why?"

"Why! Excuse me, but have you been awake this evening? Have you been noticing the way your mother and sisters have been treating me?"

"Uhh...yes."

"Then why didn't you say something to them? Why did you let me take all of your mother's rude comments and Aline's smart remarks that even though they aren't directed at me that they still make me feel like dirt?"

"Because they're always like that?"

"Always like that?"

"Well, yes. I guess I've gotten used to it, that's all."

"Used to it? Well, Roy...I'm not used to it."

"At least Dorothy's been nice to you."

"Yes, but that's not what I'm going for here." She looked away.

Roy put his hand on her shoulder. "Anne, I don't care what my family says. I love you, and I mean that."

She still didn't say anything. She just turned around and walked back down to where his family was sitting.

"I should have known," Karen said. "That red hair describes her personality."

"How dare you!" Anne shouted. The rest of the restaurant stopped and looked at their table. "How dare you criticize me like that! You evil and despiteful woman, I hate you!" And with that, she stormed off towards the door.

Roy ran after her. "Anne, calm down. Let me talk to her."

"Too late, Roy. I'm going home."

"Home? But you don't have a way there."

"I'll find one."

"Let me take you home."

"No. You have company, and it'd be awfully rude to ignore them while you're here. Good night, Roy."

He watched on as Anne called a cab and got in. When the driver took off, Roy kicked himself. "I think I might have lost the greatest thing that's ever happened to me."