Chapter 8 - Parallel Readings
In Toronto, Gilbert had spent a rather studious week lying on his bed reading an anatomy textbook, while his roommate was writing a letter.
The dark-haired boy got up from his bed and threw his book on the mattress, walked discreetly behind Jack, crossed his arms and asked him with a smile on his lips, "So who are you writing to?"
He didn't expect it and made a scratch on his paper, "Gilbert! Damn it! I'm going to have to take it all back! ", his roommate immediately apologized, "I'm really sorry, I didn't think you'd jump! I hope at least it wasn't a love letter... ", he said, wanting to lighten the mood a little.
But this did not at all relax poor Jack, "I wish it had been that, it's a much more complicated letter to write, I'm writing to my father." But with all the concentration the young man was putting into it, Gilbert didn't think it was to one of his parents he was writing to.
The redheaded boy looked up at his new friend, "You see, my father is the demanding type, I can't afford to make spelling mistakes, misspell things, and forget details about my first week here, it's a real check-up I have to do."
The young man with the brown curls sits down on his bed, "Well, I didn't think it was that bad, I actually got along with my father, we were on the same page, I guess it would have been easy to write to him. I can't understand how it's so hard to communicate with your father now."
Jack took out a new sheet of paper from his desk drawer, "I guess your father was a simple person, and it's not at all pejorative when I say that, I wish mine was. But he had to be a doctor, and on top of that with a great reputation... For as long as I can remember, I was destined for a career in medicine. I don't know if it was the same for you."
Gilbert scratched his head, "Hmm... no. For me, it was like a no-brainer, but it took me a lot of steps, a lot of hardship. If I hadn't lost my family and a friend, or if I hadn't gone to work at sea for a year, I probably wouldn't be here today, so I would say that it was my life and my choices that guided me to Toronto."
The clumsy student stood up from his chair and leaned against his desk, "I wish I had the same vocation as you, but it is obvious that I would not have liked to experience the trials you had to endure. I can only say that it was my father who guided me here, there's nothing very noble in that, nothing very personal, but it's in my genes according to my father, so... I find that belief very unscientific, if you ask me!"
Suddenly there was a knock on the door, Jack went to open, a man in a cap pulled a cart full of letters, apparently he was delivering the mail, "I have this letter for Mr. Jack Collins, and this one is for Mr. Gilbert Blythe." Gilbert went at once to get his letter from the young redhead's hands, "This... I mustn't miss it, thank you very much."
Gilbert rotated the envelope and read the sender's name, Anne Shirley-Cuthbert, and smiled so hard as he read the three words that his sidekick couldn't help but notice, "Well... She must be quite a fascinating girl, I wish my teeth could be seen as much when I get a letter."
The dark-haired boy did not reply, he was too absorbed in his letter, and Jack immediately understood that, "All right, I'll go for a walk...", still without a reply, he left the room to leave his friend alone with his letter.
He was lying on his bed, his eyes going from left to right, trying not to read too fast so as not to finish his reading too soon. Even though he wasn't going to read the letter so quickly after all, he soon realized that Anne had really poured out, seeing the three pages double-sided.
It was clear that she had some catching up to do, especially to explain, because in the end, before she left Avonlea, Anne had hardly seen Gilbert. Quiproquo would probably be an understatement to describe the situation experienced by the two young people.
The young girl told the discovery about her biological parents, the apple obviously didn't fall very far from the apple tree. She also described the drama and injustice that her friend Ka'kwet was experiencing. She told her arrival at Miss Blackmore's house and how strict she was, a passage on this subject particularly made him smile and hold his attention.:
"These rules seem unbearable to me, but I've only been here for a day, so maybe I'll get used to it, but I think the worst thing is this absurd rule about suitors, we're allowed to visit every Saturday afternoon for two hours. Not that I was thinking about you, Gilbert, don't worry, I don't even know what "suitor" really means, and I don't like that word, it means "pretending to get my hands on someone" or something like that, as if we were merchandise? I find that word very strange. And what are you pretending to be? (And saying "I'm pretending to be Gilbert Blythe" is not a valid answer!)"
At the same moment, in the Blackmore mansion, Anne was also lying on her bed, alone in her room, she had just read Matthew's letter, to give him courage before opening his second letter. She was nervous, when there was no reason, she took a deep breath before opening Gilbert's letter.
There she discovered a beautiful little white shell, she had the strange feeling that she had already seen this one somewhere. But it was only when she started to read the letter, that it all came back to her. The young man first apologized for his handwriting, for he had written the letter on his way to Toronto. Then when she arrived at a certain point, she couldn't help smiling and blushing :
"This little shell enclosed, it means how much I've thought about you these past few weeks, I picked it up from one of the places you cherished so much. While at the time I thought my feelings were not mutual, even knowing this, I couldn't help but think of you, Anne. So, I sent it to you, to prove to you how much I intended to keep you with me. I have a request, could you give it back to me next time I see you? ("No" is not the answer I'm looking for!)"
The two friends had the same reactions when they read their letter, and it was funny that it seemed as if they were answering each other, but yet neither of them had been aware that the other would write a letter on that famous day. In fact, they didn't even dare to talk about the kisses they exchanged that day, they were obviously too reserved to talk about it with each other, such a change in their relationship would probably take some time to adapt.
Still in his room at the University of Toronto, Gilbert always had a smile on his face as he read the words of the girl he loved, but at the same time, he couldn't help but worry about that famous question "What are you pretending to be?" , At that verymoment he didn't know what answer to give to Anne. He was afraid of appearing too pressing, and at the same time of appearing too detached from the word "suitor". She had made him understand, she didn't like this term, so what could he answer? He knew that he would want to marry her one day, but he didn't think he would be so upset to tell her. The young lover apparently found it easier to talk about commitment when he was convinced that his feelings were not mutual, and that he thought he would never see the famous redhead again.
The medical student was afraid of being rejected again, he remembered with sadness the evening at the ruins, he thought that the fascinating Anne did not feel the same way about him. What if marriage was now far removed from the girl's concerns? He didn't want to frighten her, not now.
In Charlottetown, Anne was always on cloud nine as she read her letter, rereading over and over again the last words of her pen pal, "With love, Gilbert." she spoke to herself aloud while clutching the paper to her chest, "Is this my first love letter?!"
While at the same time Diana entered the room, she addressed the young redhead with a small smile, "Without a doubt, yes my dear...", This made her jump up and down, "Diana! You scared me so much!"
The brunette then settled down with her friend, "I think the girls downstairs have guessed, well there's always Ruby lagging behind, but she'll get used to it. I almost come to think that Josie did the right thing in bringing Ruby back down to earth, even though it was a bit abrupt for her, it was so...", she says with a sigh.
The redhead suddenly felt annoyed, whereas only two minutes ago she was floating on a cloud.
Her friend realized this, so she told her what she was thinking, "You know, you don't have to feel guilty, it's Ruby who needs to grow up, in all honesty, I don't think she loves Gilbert the way you do, or with the same intensity."
Anne took up her letter again, and as she looked at it she nodded, "You're right, Diana, although I don't want to speak for Ruby about her true feelings."
The sparkling brunette took her friend's letter in her hand, "It seems that the feelings of a certain young man are obviously in your favor!", she exclaimed, laughing.
The young redhead falsely grumbled, "Diana Barry! How dare you read other people's mail!", the cheerful mood of the two friends was definitely back.