Timeline - The summer holidays between The First Year and The Second Year of Anne of Windy Poplars.

Chapter 13: Hero

Helen Blythe tried not to appear as obvious as she felt as she sipped lemonade and waited for Charlie Sloane to arrive. She kept glancing at the red dirt road that twisted up to the Wright homestead. It was the only point of entry to the property. When he arrived, she wanted to be ready.

The porch was full of people, mostly Anne and Gilbert's childhood friends and their relatives. Helen knew the majority by now but had not really connected to anyone in particular, except perhaps, Anne Shirley. Anne had been pulled from her side as soon as they greeted. Helen fended for herself since. She tried to chit-chat with the hostess, Diana and asked if there were something she could do to help make their gathering a success. Diana sweetly smiled, "Oh, just enjoy yourself, Helen! Charlie will be by later."

Most people were pleasant to her, but it was hard to be accepted in such a tightly knit community, even after one year of residency. Some of the women wouldn't talk with her outside her shoppe. They loved her dressmaking of course but thought her odd. Helen agreed that she was a different breed of woman, the type Avonlea had never seen before. She didn't go to church regularly and she claimed herself to be a witch. Two strikes against her. The single young men wouldn't talk with her either, but that was because of Charlie Sloane. Word had gotten around that Charlie was courting Helen. In practice it was true, but they themselves had never established official parameters.

Her hopes for conversation were answered as Helen glimpsed the movement of a lone rider coming down the lane. Charlie had taken Fred's advice. The old nag, Sally, that grazed in nearby Abner Sloane's meadow, was rounded up for pony rides. The older children knew what to expect as they saw the mare coming down the lane. They ran up to Charlie and one of the boys was brought aboard. Initially, Helen thought it rather funny that Charlie was asked to provide the pony rides. Then, as the old horse came into view, she realized that the reason had more do with the horse than the owner. Sally was the most peculiar mixture of docile and sturdy.

Fred greeted Charlie at the gate before his front lawn. The hitchhiker dismounted and landed hard with a face plant. After some initial concern, the boy stood and ran off exclaiming "pony rides!" to the other children. Charlie indicated the beast needed to be watered. Fred pointed Charlie towards the barn. Charlie nodded to Fred and guided the old mare with his thighs. He then called Helen to his side with a half-smile, head tilt and a flash of his googly eyes.

Helen rose from her seat. Lemonade slopped from her cup and over her hand and she wiped it on a napkin. She ran into the barn where Charlie was filling the feed trough. She panted to catch her breath.

"Helen, I don't suppose you ran into the barn just to see me?" Charlie accused her.

Helen flushed. "You got my attention to come, surely my appearance is not a surprise."

Charlie stepped away from the trough and took Helen's sticky hand into his own. She apologized for its condition but Charlie did not care. "Sit down Helen. Charlie has something to tell you."

Helen went to the bench next to the horse stall and gracefully lowered herself to a seated position.

"Helen, you know this trip that I'm going on next week. To the banker in New Brunswick."

"Yes."

"You should come with me as..." Charlie hedged. "I didn't plan on asking you this here, with the horses and cows." He looked to the rafters and a pigeon took flight. "But, I rather like knowing were closeted right now, alone together."

Helen suddenly found her feet very interesting, she saw her black toes poking out from under her brown poplin skirt.

"Helen," again, picking up her hand. "I can do great things for you if you let me. It's time we should talk about making our partnership more formal. If we were to go to the banker together engaged..."

Helen pursed her lips, uncomfortable with his attention. She felt herself turn white although she had expected as much.

"Oh, I don't know."

"Helen, you agreed that we care for each other. And I think perhaps we love each other."

Helen was not a novice to love, and whatever she felt for Charlie, it was not the unbridled passion she had felt for her girlfriend Lynn.

"Charles, I've been in love before with Lynn. We were together for almost a year. I loved her so much that when she died, all my powers died with her." Helen turned her head, not meaning to hurt him. She could feel his energy change from hope to disappointment. "A marriage built on our friendship is possible, but not until you understand everything that I have suffered and everything I have lost."

"It's always about your magical powers, isn't it?" Charlie said impatiently back to her. "Why do you keep bringing this up?"

"Because I am a witch, Charles. A broken one at best, but still part of this great Blythe legacy," Helen answered. "You don't seem capable of understanding what that means. What if my powers come back? You must be ready to accept all sorts of possibilities. If I marry you, and we have children, they could be like me. Have you thought about that at all? This is a family affair."

The comment made Charlie's mouth twitch. "You mean there are others in your family, like you?"

"Well, yes, of course!" Helen said. "I told you I inherited my grandmother's powers. All of us Blythes are descended from the same line of witches. When you leave for New Brunswick, look up my sister Emily. She has the same ability I did."

"I want you to come with me still. To see this banker. I feel it very important for our mutual investment."

Helen shut her eyes to avoid rolling them. "I've told you, Charles. When my powers were strong, I could see my future up to a certain point. My powers gave me an inkling that my death awaits me out on the water. I will not risk my life. Please stop asking me to."

Charlie sat quietly trying to think out some of her absurdity. "A family affair you say. Your grandmother, your sister, you… any other Blythes I should know about?"

"Like who?"

"Maybe a cousin."

"Oh, Gilbert is different than me."

"He can't do what you could?"

Helen shook her head with a slight chuckle, "There's a terrifying thought."

Charlie shrugged. "We used to board together at school. I would be so surprised if he had any magical powers. I am sure I would have noticed it. He's never been exactly secretive or tidy."

"I'm not comfortable talking about Gilbert, Charles. The truth is Gilbert would rather you not know about all of us," Helen said. "I am not sure why, but his rationale feels incomplete."

Charlie stretched out his legs as he sat next to Helen on the bench. "It goes back to Anne," Charlie explained. "I know Gilbert better than you think. We were best friends at one point, and we both were head over heels in love with Anne. He doesn't want me close because he still perceives me as a threat. I know that's the reason."

Helen doubted this conclusion but did not argue. "You don't still care for Anne, do you?"

"Not enough to stop me from moving forward. I can't give you a better answer. Don't let Lynn stop you from moving forward either. I know you don't love me completely, not yet anyway, but I do think you care a lot for me. I am satisfied with that for now."

"Charles, I would rather not be looked at as an eventuality. If you were to propose, I would expect you to understand my answer will not be based on love. It will be based on more practical things."

"Well, I guess I won't propose, at least, not yet." Charlie helped Helen rise and they left the barn together.

"That's not what people think, Anne Shirley," Josie's sharp tongue lashed out.

Anne sucked in her anger and framed a sweet smile back. "Well, you can tell 'people' that Gilbert and I have permission from our families to bundle once and a while. And I would like to know who told you this, anyway."

Eugene Felder inched his way closer to the women in a heated conversation. He really needed to chat up Miss Pye about her nephew's birth. Eugene sneaked up to Anne Shirley and accidentally, always on accident, dropped his hat.

"Oh, excuse me, Miss Shirley," Eugene dusted his hat after reclaiming it from the ground. The two women were standing as guards before the dessert table. He pushed his hat back on, "Your conversation distracted me. I do hope I may be allowed to express an opinion on this topic, Miss..." He stopped, realizing he technically had not been introduced to Josie Pye yet. He looked at Anne for help.

"Mr. Felder," Anne started to make the necessary introduction. She was grateful for the interruption as Josie judged the newcomer with piercing eyes. "Please meet Miss Josephine Pye. She is an old friend. We went to school together."

Josie was not impressed with what she saw.

"I am Mr. Eugene Felder, most recently an escapee of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore Maryland where I earned my medical license."

Josie's countenance completely changed as she understood Mr. Felder to be a doctor. She lifted her parasol and nodded to Eugene's tipped hat.

Anne furrowed her brow at this unlikely pair. Eugene was trying a bit harder than normal. Then Anne discounted her observation conceding that one always must try harder than normal with Josie Pye.

"Bundling is a very old fashion form of courtship, which allows the engaged couple conversation. It is not meant to be anything more than that. Back in the days of our Puritan forefathers, homes had only one or two rooms, furniture was sparse. The lucky couple needed a place to sit and rest. The board was used to prevent physical intimacy yet encourage the emotional. It's really a rather clever device. Divorce among those that bundle was rare."

"Trust me, Mr. Felder. Anne Shirley and Gilbert Blythe have no issues talking. The practice of bundling is blasphemy to our Christian island life," Josie said rather quickly. Anne thought perhaps she sounded a bit like Mrs. Harmon Andrews.

"Oh, now I think you're being rather harsh," Eugene said, sticking out his arm. Josie tentatively took it. "Shall we discuss this further?

"Miss Shirley, it's always lovely to see you!" Eugene winked as he took the thorn in Anne's side away.

Josie kept her hand light on Eugene's arm as they started to meander to the shade of a lone willow and away from the crowd.

"I just had a very interesting conversation with your brother-in-law, Robert."

Josie snickered, "The words 'interesting' and 'Robert' should never be used in the same sentence."

"I assure you, Miss Pye..."

"Josie."

"Alright, Josie it is then. I assure you, Josie, it was interesting because it was about the birth of the fine laddie that is your nephew. I have a professional interest in such things."

Josie looked carefully into Mr. Felder's pale blue eyes, more than a little worried for his intention, "What exactly did Robert tell you."

"He mentioned things that don't line up with Gilbert's story. We're roommates at Redmond medical college. I can remember his exuberant report perfectly. He was so excited to tell me, once he learned of my ambition to be an obstetrician." Eugene let Josie contemplate what Gilbert may have shared before he continued. "I would need to study the case more factually to be sure, but Robbie had respiratory issues. Right? Couldn't breathe. Gilbert said he was an odd color too?"

"Correct," Josie said relaxing her guard a tad.

Eugene grinned at how easy this was to corner her. "That tells me the baby was born a few weeks early with underdeveloped lungs. But your nephew cannot be premature, can he? Not if Robert says that his son was born nine months to the day of his conception, he was conceived right before he left. Unless Robert is not..."

Josie dropped her hand from Mr. Felder's arm. "That's not possible. Robert is the father, no one else."

Eugene's eyes darted around making sure that no one else could hear him. "Wasn't Robert in Europe or on a boat for the whole year? Unless he can be in two places at the same time, my mind cannot help but leap into a rather unseemly conclusion. If you keep reporting your nephew's birth with the details you give, an unhealthy baby that couldn't breathe, you will hurt someone that you love. I recommend you change your story and change it now. Protect your family. Tell folks Robbie was born in perfect condition."

Josie quickly turned her head to look at Gertie on the porch. Maybe Mr. Felder was right. Wasn't she always telling her to be quiet about Robbie's birth? Was this the reason why?

"You have the option of ignoring my advice. The deduction is not hard to make though, and perhaps the next person to reach it won't be as kind as I am. Someone will do the math."

Josie swallowed so hard Eugene heard the contraction in her throat. Slowly, she formed an explanation. "I might have been wrong about Robbie's condition when he was born." Even more quietly, "I've never witnessed a birth before and I was overwrought with worry for my sister. I must have misunderstood. I'm not really prone to flights of imagination, but I suppose I'm not immune to them either."

Eugene smiled, knowing he'd nipped any gossip about Gilbert at the source. "I thought it was something like that. So, maybe go back to whomever you've been talking with, and explain that Robbie's start in the world went without a hitch. There was nothing strange about it, right?"

Josie frowned, "We're not talking about my sister and her baby anymore, are we?"

"You are clever aren't you?" Eugene pushed back. "But there's no gain in it for you to perpetuate such a story about Gilbert and Anne, is there? Especially when it cannot be true. Robbie was a healthy infant boy from the start. Remember, your sister's family, your family, have much more to lose."

Later on in the afternoon the young men and women engaged in a friendly match of tug-of-war. Miss Stacy encouraged the game when she was the schoolteacher. She had divided the class up equally, and the hearts of the original teams she created were there at this party. Anne Shirley and Charlie Sloane were the original captains for one team. The other team was captained by Fred Wright and Josie Pye.

Diana, who was sitting carefully along the side of the pitch, relinquished her position to Helen to no one's objection.

Gilbert had always been on Fred's team. In Miss Stacy's time at Avonlea school, he was older and bigger than the other boys and had always been the anchor. He remembered his position and walked to it. Moody had been Charlie and Anne's anchor, but he wasn't there to resume his place. After a brief deliberation, Eugene was selected as his substitute. Carrie Sloane joined Fred's side and Helen took Diana's spot behind Charlie.

Fred painted a line on the ground and pretty soon the teams once more, in a final hurrah and tribute to their youth picked up the rope and started to pull.

Anne, Charlie, Helen, and Eugene pulled with all their might, trying to get the other team's flag over the mark. Anne barked out instruction. She could see Josie Pye directly across from her. Josie was accusing Fred and Gilbert of being weaklings with her rather brisk vocabulary. Carrie kept a low, determined profile and put her energy into winning.

From the sidelines came Diana's voice! "Oh, Anne! Com' on, you can do it!"

And Gertie also shouted, "Josie! Pull!"

Gilbert sweated profusely as he attempted to wrap the rope around his body and bury it down. He wasn't the biggest anymore, surely that honor belonged to Fred. It was only a few minutes later that Anne was pulled over the line and directly into the path of Josie, causing the girls to knock heads, literally this time.

Charlie had fallen off balance and was resting on his back, his legs and arms aside.

Gilbert unwound himself from the rope. He wanted to check Anne's head even though he heard her laughing about it. His eyes briefly caught Helen and Eugene sitting in a patch of sunshine, laughing, their blue eyes fixed to the other. Helen seemed so happy, and Eugene, he didn't seem so foolish as he picked up his glasses. Gilbert felt himself blush for them.

Anne by this time was coming up to Gilbert and she slipped her hand around his torso. "I'm quite well Gil! Oh, wasn't that fun!"

Gilbert smiled back, stretching his smile across his chin. "I miss feeling like this. Everything is such a worry anymore."

"It doesn't sound like I'm taking good care of you," Anne said. "I suppose I could do a better job."

"No, you're doing a fine job Anne," Gilbert said, wiping his brow. "This was a lot more work than I remember. Are you sure you want to hug me when I'm sweating so?"

Anne squeezed him anyway, "How else might I congratulate the winner?"

"Oh, how else indeed?" Gilbert laid a quick kiss on Anne's lips and it rattled her so much he could not help but smile. "Anne, I've been thinking, maybe it is I that have been taking you for granted. I'm sorry. I've been so distracted."

Anne looked around for a moment, wondering if there was any chance of privacy for a more thorough and affectionate kiss. No one was paying attention to them. Gilbert wrapped his left arm around Anne and hoisted her up. The kiss they shared was long and deep, so much so, Gilbert thought for certain someone was watching. No one was. When they turned, they saw Eugene carrying Diana back to the house.

Diana had fainted in the hot sunshine.

Diana revived as the smelling salts were passed under her nose. Eugene had carried his patient up to her room, Fred at his heels. Diana saw how worried Mr. Felder was as he tried to examine her pregnant bump. She didn't need to ask what was happening, she just started to cry.

"No, not again!" Diana whimpered. "Not again, not again, please God, no…."

"Mrs. Wright," Eugene comforted. "Try not to be upset. Stay calm."

Fred bounced around the bedroom. He wasn't trying to interfere, but he was a nervous presence that Diana could not handle. When Eugene dragged Fred out of the room, Gilbert slipped in and locked the door behind him, leaving Eugene outside.

Anne stood among the others in the hallway and stared at the door. She wished she had the power to see through it. She wished she could see Gilbert in what had to be one of his greatest moments. Instead, she stared at the poplar door as she heard the intermittent conversation between Eugene and Fred.

"Mr. Wright, there's nothing I can do to stop this, but make Mrs. Wright comfortable and deliver the baby."

"It's too soon for it to come. You said the baby was fine."

"I know I did, but that was last week. Every day something different can happen. Pregnancy is complex. All we can do is stay strong and supportive, and pacing the room like a pent-up cat wasn't helping her."

Suddenly from inside the door, there was a loud thud followed by a vibration of something heavy dropping to the floor.

Eugene went to the door and tried the brass knob. Its internal mechanics clicked annoyingly. "Who locked this door? Where's Gilbert?"

Eugene, Fred, Helen, and Charlie looked to Anne for the answer. Anne swallowed in trepidation. "He's with Diana." There was no point in lying. Fred was already fishing out the key from the hallway bureau. There was no time for Gilbert to hide: no time to explain anything.

Anne attempted to hold Fred back as Eugene pushed himself in. She was surprised to receive assistance from Charlie Sloane, who was acting on Helen's urging. "Let the doctor do this," Charlie advised Fred. "Everyone, just stay calm."

Helen gave Anne a faint smile. The smile told Anne more than she wanted to know. The smile suggested an initiation in progress. Charlie already understood something new about the Blythes.

Eugene immediately noticed Diana as the door shut behind him. Her color was bright and her complexion was glorious. She was still on her bed but sat in the state of perfect health. Her hand covered the barely noticeable baby bump. The floor told a different story. Slumped in an uncomfortable position was his roommate, Gilbert Blythe. He was unconscious. Blood poured from his upper lip where his face had hit the bedpost.

Eugene hoisted Gilbert up and over his shoulder and dropped him in Fred's reading chair near the window. He turned to Diana and focused on the positive of this odd development. "You seem better."

"Yes," Diana said. "Gilbert helped and then he... fell down. Hard."

"I probably should examine you, Mrs. Wright. But I'm thinking that..." What am I thinking? Eugene looked at Gilbert again. Gilbert had no strength in his body left, his head kept coming down. His life-force was almost completely decimated. Eugene looked back at the energized Mrs. Wright. Everything that he had confidently believed true of Gilbert Blythe moved from theory to fact. "Gilbert fixed you, didn't he?"

Diana said, "Yes, Gilbert...helped."

"I'm sure he did." Again, he looked at Gilbert. His blood was clotting nicely, but he was in need of a couple of stitches. "I won't ask you what happened, Mrs. Wright. I just want to be sure everyone's alright. Are you?"

"Yes. We are fine!" Diana said as she preciously rubbed her abdomen. "Is Gilbert?"

"I think so," Eugene said. "But, we've got a crowd out there. You need to follow my lead on this, for Gilbert's sake."

Eugene slipped out of the bedroom into the hallway where a huffed up Fred stood. "What happened in there?"

"No worries, no worries. I was wrong," Eugene smiled. He reached for his handkerchief and dabbed his brow. He tucked it back into his coat pocket. "Gilbert, what a smart fellow he is, was able to see the situation for what it was. This was a case of a laceration on the leg, which caused Diana to panic and faint. She's fine. Your baby is fine too."

"What was the thud?" Anne asked.

"It seems Gilbert slipped on a rug and knocked his head pretty hard on the bedpost."

Anne stared at Eugene, not believing a single word coming out of his mouth, but she played along as if she did; if that's what it took to convince Fred that nothing was amiss. Helen and Charlie also put up a good front.

"I think Miss Shirley, you should go in and see to Gilbert as his betrothed, and we'll have Diana come out to show everyone she's recovered."

Anne shut the door behind her and found Diana hovering over Gilbert. One look at Gilbert's haggard, blood-covered face prompted Anne's eyes to water. She ran to him and dropped herself into his lap, she thought she might never be close enough to him as she attempted to soothe.

Anne stroked his hair as she murmured "I love you's" in his ear. Finally, she remembered Diana. Diana stood and gaped at this intimate moment. "I'm so glad you're better Diana, but what happened?"

"I think you can figure it out," Diana said. "Does this always happen when he heals someone?"

"I think this is a special circumstance. You go now, hold off the troops."

The door clicked open and shut, leaving Anne and Gilbert alone for a little while. Gilbert started to come to and he whispered, "Anne, hold me. I need you to just hold me." His breath was light and high in his chest-like the labored respiration of the dying.

Anne felt his arm pull her close. She buried her head into his neck and touched his drained face. The cut above his lip was going to leave a scar.

"My darling, what happened?"

"I didn't know what to do, so I blasted Diana with all my worth, just hoping that the baby would be helped." Gilbert wheezed out. "It was too much. Two people healed at once. I don't feel good at all. Hold me, Anne, there's something about you the puts me right."

"Oh, my poor Gil," Anne sympathized. "I need to get you back to Green Gables with me tonight. We'll bundle. We'll get rid of the board. We won't need it tonight." Anne rubbed her hand over his chest, leaving it on his heart. "You'll feel better soon Gil, I promise you."

Mrs. Rachel Lynde was fit to be tied as she sat with her sewing at the kitchen table, trying to ignore the situation in the guest room and the bundling bed. Marilla had consented to allow Anne and Gilbert to lay together on the bed without the board. Mrs. Lynde could see that Gilbert's constitution was in a terrible state of stress. He was helped into the house and led straight into the room by Eugene and Anne. Anne put a cover over him and then laid down right next to him as if she were his cleaved rib. Her feet were tucked up, and her skirt was fanned out over the bed. His ashen face fixed on her and Rachel saw his eyelids float gently down. There would be no talking or other activities that night, but it was more improper without that board.

Eugene paced into the kitchen and found his esteemed, matronly friend sitting in an agitated state. He tilted his hat without dropping it and greeted the widow with additional aplomb.

"I'm so happy to have this moment to visit with you, Mrs. Lynde," Mr. Felder said brightly. "Would it be too much trouble if I might sit down next to your charming self and your bright personality. I so enjoyed your company at the gala last December."

Mrs. Lynde flushed a bit as she twisted her lips. "Sit if you like Mr. Felder, but that's an awful lot of butter for this old crusty piece of bread."

Mr. Felder laughed from his stomach. "I should have said your sharp wit, shouldn't I? I wish I had candy for you. You're such a dear. So, what do you think of all this bundling business?"

Mrs. Lynde said more in her eye roll than could be said in an entire sermon. "You know whose room is next to theirs, don't you?"

Eugene continued laughing. "Poor Mrs. Lynde!"

"It's not funny." Rachel said. "I have half a mind to move my bed to another wall."

"Oh, the things you must hear!"

"We're friends, Mr. Felder, but let's not go insane and become so informal we forget ourselves with such strange and compelling banter."

Eugene just smiled back and waited for Rachel to implode. He knew women, he knew what this woman wanted to talk about.

"The things I hear, most of it is so boring. But Anne's giggles really get on my nerves and Gilbert snores terribly."

"It is like a hacksaw, isn't it?"

"Still, you learn things," Rachel said without further elaboration.

"You can learn things just by being quiet and looking," Eugene said quietly. "I noticed today how much Robbie Wright's chin and lips look like Charlie Sloane's. Would you have an opinion on that observation?"

She appeared indifferent but Eugene noticed a clenched jaw biting down on his bait. "Can't say that I've ever seen the two together. Why does it matter?"

"You're a woman that would know things if there were things to know. You're clever and understand human behavior."

"More butter, huh?" Rachel accused.

"Mrs. Lynde, I only speak the truth here," Mr. Felder said. "You know, what would you say if I told you I have a very good reason to believe that little Robbie was born prematurely."

Rachel worked her needle a bit through the quilt block. Eugene saw her count the months in her head. Finally, she set her sewing down. "That's not possible. Robert got sent off with a bang and little Robbie was born nine months later. Can't be premature."

"Oh, based on the information I've heard from Josie Pye and Gilbert Blythe, I would think he was. Surely you're wise enough to know that babies born early sometime struggle to breathe."

Rachel's nostrils flare, smelling a new twist in this otherwise old story. Up went her needle, down went her needle, thinking and counting back a year and eight to nine months. Did she remember what everyone was up to? Charlie was home for the holiday, wasn't he? Had she not see him talking with Gertie at the Christmas party? She frowned. That was hardly evidence. Charlie Sloane talked to everyone. If Robbie had protruded eyes, now that would be something instead.

"I'll keep my eye out on things," Rachel said. "It could be possible, but let's not go jumping around and causing a commotion over it."

"You'll do that for me?" Eugene smiled.

"Of course I will," Rachel looked up at him. "No one wants Helen to marry him."

Back at the Blythe homestead, Helen found herself pacing outside, thinking over the events. Eugene sat on the porch and watched her nervous gait. Helen realized that Eugene had lied for Gilbert and had done everything he could to not raise suspicion, even protected Gilbert by forcing people away as he rested with Anne. Yet, he wasn't even asking questions. Why was that? Why wouldn't this highly intelligent man not wonder? If not for him, and his careful words with Fred Wright, Fred would know about Gilbert's powers. Was she obligated to tell him something, explain?

"Mr. Felder? Would you like to walk with me to the beach? I could use the scenery right now."

Eugene's eyes flashed in her direction and she saw his Adam's apple bob. "That sounds very nice, Miss Blythe."

Helen walked a few feet towards the beach and then turned back to look at him. Her blue eyes caught his eyes unexpectedly. He had removed his glasses. Helen stopped and waited for him to catch up. They shared a smile and soon Eugene was next to her, steadying her with a light hand on her back.

As they approached the sandy shore, Helen stopped and removed her shoes; and with a slight blush, rolled down her stockings after Eugene turned. He took off his shoes and socks as well. They left them on a jutting bluff and approached the water's edge. The sea washed up and over their toes like a comforting lullaby.

Helen didn't have the strength to interrupt the perfect silence. All her concern melted away as she stood next to him. He didn't need to be told anything. He understood.

Eugene stared ahead and allow himself to feel. Next to him was a beautiful woman. He picked up her hand and held it confidently, not saying a single word. Helen didn't speak. She wistfully smiled, telling him so many things by squeezing his palm. She did not let go or pull him closer. She just held his hand as they watch the surf crest and crash.

"Miss Blythe, why is it you're not married?" Eugene ventured his thought.

Helen continued to stand there, the waters rolling off her feet on its ebb. She held her skirts up with the other hand.

"It just wasn't possible, Mr. Felder"

Eugene breathed deep and studied her carefully. Something of her face revealed a secret. She had a rosy blush mixed with shame, followed by a twinkle in her eye.

"What was her name?" Eugene asked without missing a beat.

Helen bowed her head down and stiffened. Eugene would not let her hand go, he was not afraid of her sexuality.

"Her name was Lynn. How'd you know?" She tilted her face up to his and Eugene thought for a second he should touch it.

Instead, "I study women and I have befriended many like you." His pale eyes were richer with the backdrop of blue ocean and a darkening sky. "Although, you are by far the loveliest of all of them. Will you call me Gene henceforth?"

Helen agreed with a smile. "You can drop the Miss Blythe business."

Together they continued to hold hands for the next half hour as they walked up and down the coastline, not talking too much but building a trust that may take others years to create.

"Gene, if I told you, that once I had powers, magical ones, that let me see the future, would you believe me?"

"Yes," Gene said, lifting their hands and kissing her knuckles. "I would be honored to hold such a secret."

"If I told you because of those powers, I know I can't leave this place, would you believe me too?"

"Of course, if my darling Helen says so, I would believe her."

"Gene," and Helen's heart hurt to say it. Maybe she shouldn't have at all, but she did boldly, "I can't marry you, that is what you're thinking." She felt a glimmer of her old self again in the purple sunset. He brought himself next to her, breathing down on her softly. Helen reminded him, "You don't want me, I'm peculiar...and I can't leave. Somehow my end is tied to this ocean."

"How did you know I was going to ask you?"

A tear fell down Helen's face. "I didn't really know, I just hoped."

"Are you sure?" He picked up her other hand and rested his forehead on hers.

"No," Helen said. "I mean, you haven't asked me yet. So maybe I am wrong in what I see? A man that really loves...me?"

"Helen," Gene whispered, as he rubbed his hands down the sides of her forearms, threatening to hug her. "I do love you. I know I just met you a few days ago, but I also know my heart and a good thing when I see it. Please, do not be afeared of your feelings, and marry me. We will have a good life together. And I accept you exactly as you are, my broken little witch."

Helen couldn't stand on her own effort anymore, and she crouched down, supported only by Gene's strength. Her dress was wet up to her thighs from weakened legs. "I want to say 'yes'. Will you stay on the island, will you protect me from this ocean?"

"I can't do that," Gene answered. "My ambitions cannot be fulfilled on Prince Edward Island. It's just not possible. I have a calling to fulfill, and I will fulfill it. I live to change the world, and you should come with me as my greatest witness."

"I'm so sorry," Helen teared up. "I can't."

to be continued