Arms full of books, Anne strolled briskly into the yard of Patty's Place. It was early June and the walk to and from the library had been just warm enough to cause a stream of sweat to drop down her back between her shoulder blades. Entering the house and unceremoniously dropping the books on the first chair she saw, Anne was reminded of how lonely it was to arrive home to an empty house.
It was the summer after her Junior year at Redmond and she had secured a position working in the local library in addition to tutoring a few younger students in English. She had chosen to stay on at Patty's Place and earn some money to save for her final year to ease the burden on Marilla financially. The other girls had returned home for the summer along with Aunt Jimsie, leaving Anne on her own for the first time. As much as she loved the little house, it just wasn't the same without all the noise and laughter of the normal inhabitants.
Making her way to the kitchen, she put the kettle on for tea and wiped at her neck with a towel before retrieving her hastily dropped books. She had checked out several new books from the library during her shift and she was looking forward to a quiet evening lost in the pages to ease her loneliness. A knock at the door caught her off guard and she made her way warily to the door. Ever since she had been staying alone, she kept a fire poker next to the door just in case. She laid one hand on it just in case.
She opened the door slowly and realized there was no need for the fire poker. A tall man with a very familiar head of dark curls stood on the doorstep.
"Gilbert! I wasn't expecting you this evening. Do come in out of the heat," Anne expressed warmly as she opened the door wider to allow her old friend to enter. Gilbert had also secured employment in Kingsport for the summer with a local Doctor and would be startling preparations for the Cooper award with one of his professors between shifts. Of their friend group, he was the only other person still in Kingsport for the summer.
"Hi Anne. It sure is a hot one today," Gilbert started warmly as he made his way into the little house.
"What brings you by today?" Anne asked as she led the way to the kitchen, Gilbert following behind without a word. He had visited Patty's Place often enough to feel quite comfortable.
"Nostalgia. Needed a taste of Avonlea after a long week at the hospital and you're the only other islander around these days," came Gilbert's reply. The two old friends had made a pack as the summer began to visit regularly and check in with each other since they would both be living in the city on their own for the first time. Anne knewthat Gilbert's words hide his true intent- he was there to check in on her and make sure she was faring okay after the first full week on her own. It was just like Gilbert to feel the need to check up on her- always the hero. Once upon a time, she would have chafted at this and become angry at his action. Now, older and wiser, she recognized the act as one of genuine care and concern and could not fault her old friend in the least. In fact, she felt herloneliness fade away almost instantly thanks to his warm presence.
"I don't know how good of company I will be. I still have recovered from my lack of sleep during exams and I am likely to fall asleep reading one if my new books or maybe even in the middle of a conversation," Anne said, looking over her shoulder at Gilbert as she made the turn into the kitchen.
"Anne Shirley, reader extraordinare, fall asleep reading a book? While I never..." joked Gilbert as he plopped into a kitchen chair.
"It's been a busy few weeks. I'm sure you were feeling the strain as well after all those biology finals," Anne replies seriously, taking note of the lingering dark circles under his eyes.
Gilbert waved her off with a scoff and turned to take down the tea cups, perfectly at ease in her kitchen after many a Friday evening studying or visiting her home. Because Gilbert lived in a very full boarding house, he never did any social entertaining. Instead, he usually ended up hanging out with her and the girls when his grueling schedule of classes, football, research and class president duties allowed. He carefully laid out two teacups and she smiled when she saw he had made sure to grab her favorite- the small pink one with green flowers. She may not be able to wear pink thanks to her firey locks but she made up for it with as many pink accessories as she could find. The teacup had been her first purchase upon renting Patty's Place and she treasured the small pink cup. She didn't recall ever telling Gilbert the cup was her favorite but knowing him, he had noticed her use of the teacup over time and assumed. After all their years of friendship, his attention to detail still sometimes amazed her.
She poured tea for both of them and the day together at the kitchen table to discuss their respective first weeks at work. Gilbert regaled her with the story of the small boy who had tried to help his mother in the kitchen and ended up with peas in his ears. Anne told him about her first day at the library when she had almost yelled at a customer for returning a book with the cover torn off. The idea that someone could disrespect literature in such a way appalled her. Gilbert just shook his head; he was rather familiar with the temper of Anne Shirley.
Noticing the time, Anne suddenly realized how long ago lunch had been. Ever thankful for the many cooking lessons from Marilla, feeding herself thus far had not been an issue. She stood and started to take potato's from the bin,
"I am going to make a Cottage Pie for supper; do you want to stay and join me?" She asked Gilbert, enjoying his easy company after her lonely week.
" I would love to... but should I hide the lineament first?" Came his teasing reply. She whipped around to face him, eyes blazing and a small peeling knife gripped in her hand.
"I suggest you tread lightly Gilbert Blythe or I will rescind my offer and you will be stuck with Friday night leftovers at the boarding house," she fired at him. She knew he enjoyed the company at patty's place and she also knew that his immense dislike of his boarding house policy on finishing all leftovers on Friday nights made any meal served at Patty's Place appealing to him and further instituted how often he spent his Friday evenings with them.
Gilbert laughed with hands raised in surrender.
"Put me to work Anne, how can I help?"
"You know how to peel potatoes right?" She joked and held out a second small knife to him.
"You know my mom would never allow otherwise," and picked up a potato to start peeling.
—
Later, after a laughter filled cooking experience ,sans liniment, and completion of their meal, they had settled into the parlor. Anne sat beside Gilbert on the couch and was showing him her newest books from the library. Gilbert stopped her halfway through the pile, puzzled.
"Why did you check out children's books, Anne?"
Her face reddened slightly.
"You aren't allowed to laugh... I am thinking about starting to write a book this summer. I have all this time since I am here alone and it seems like a good time to start. So I got these as research in case I decide to write a children's book," she stated quickly and quietly with her eyes averted.
Gilbert reached out and lightly touched her chin to turn her face toward him before dropping his hand to grip hers.
"Anne Shirley- I would never laugh at your dreams and aspirations. Especially when I know how talented and capable you are of doing this. I support you fully and offer my humble editing services if you ever feel so inclined as to need them," he stated sincerely, hazel eyes warm and serious as he looked at her after his declaration. He squeezed her hand and then dropped it so he could return to the book pile. Anne felt relieved at his reaction. She knew Gilbert would be honest with her and his confidence in her abilities made her feel capable. Having the support of her kindred spirit was important to her. A warm feeling spread through her chest as well as an unexpected tingle in the hand he had dropped.
"You flatter me and also yourself for you know I am far superior as grammar," she teased back, bringing up memories of their contentious spelling bees and competitive school days. Gilbert rolled his eyes in her direction in response. Glancing at his watch, he spoke again,
"I should probably head home now. I wouldn't want to scandalize your reputation by staying too late."
Now it was Anne'a turn to roll her eyes.
"Why are there so many rules! I am a grown, independent woman capable of taking care of myself- as I have been demonstrating recently. Why on earth is there anything wrong with spending an evening with my friend?" She huffed in response, knowing he was right but hating society for its rigid and unyielding views of propriety for young people.
Gilbert smiled at her outburst as he stood,
"While I agree, I am unwilling to jeopardize your reputation and give the old biddies in this neighborhood anything to talk about."
"It's not like we're courting," she replied under her breath before she stood as well to follow him down the hall to the foyer. He stopped at the door and turned back to her, his famous smirk present on his face.
"Are you sure? Because there are rumors all around Redmond to the contrary. In fact, I heard tell that we are secretly engaged." Despite her best efforts, her cheeks heated at his words. She knew it was true- their close friendship had sent many tongues wagging around the college. There were more than a few girls who glared at her as she passed, not understanding why the most eligible boy in their class spent so much time with her and accompanied her to events.
"So that's why Mary Kennedy glared at me when she came into the library today. She must have a little crush and thinks I've stolen you off the market," she replied with a laugh.
Gilbert visibly rolled his eyes.
"That girl has a crush on any single man who is under the age of 50. I'm not sure I've ever encountered someone so desperate to get married," he replied indignantly.
"You better watch out Gilbert, she might try to snare you this summer since most of the other boys have gone home," she teased him as his eyes widened in faux horror before his trademark smirk returned.
"I guess it's a good thing she believes the rumors and is busy glaring at you for supposedly stealing my dashingly handsome self off the market."
"Gilbert you are insufferable," she replied with a swat to his arm. Gilbert grasped the hand before she could react and with a small devilish grin he sank to one knee,
"Anne Shirley, I am ever thankful for your friendship as today it appears to be saving me from a most unwanted pursuit by a certain blonde. I am so glad we are fake engaged in the rumormill of redmond," he proclaimed with all the pomp and circumstance he could muster before planting a kiss on her hand to complete his act, causing a small smattering of goose flesh to make its way up her arm.
She laughed despite her ire with his idiocy and pulled her hand away. He remained on one knee, glancing up at her through his dark, unruly curls, a joking grin in his face. She noticed flecks if gold in his hazel eyes before shaking herself and pointing to the door.
"Well Romeo, on that note you can take your leave. I'll see you Sunday at church."
Gilbert laughed as he stood and replaced his hat. He opened the door and stepped out onto the stoop before turning back over his shoulder with a sweet grin,
"Thanks for saving me from leftover night and Mary Kennedy. I am enternally grateful."
She laughed in the doorway. "Good night, Gilbert."
"Good night, Anne." And with that he walked away, talk and handsome in the twilight. She shut the door and locked it behind him. She stood there in her now quiet home, heart aching slightly. Despite his silly jokes, he had improved her night and driven away the loneliness but now she was alone again. She realized how glad she was that Gilbert was also in town for the summer. As she walked back to the parlor to dive into her books, she ran her fingers over the spot on her hand he had kissed without realizing it.