HIS EYES (Gilbert Blyth - Anne with an E)

Ch 17: Season 3 Episode 8

Their Avonlea School Newspaper was something that Gilbert had fallen in love with. School was no longer repeating simple equations and listening to teachers drone on about things they seemed to know very little about. Their paper had been a triumph. Until, it did not. The evidence of which sizzled before their very eyes. Their school house was burnt down into a pile of coal, all that remained was the stove that stood in the center of the room. Gilbert Blyth didn't realize how sentimental the little wooden building was to him until it was now gone. It was the irony of his life. 

"Printing press doesn't just up and walk away by itself" he admitted as the rest of the class flocked around the devastating sight. It was proof of how backwards the island was. His heart was always filled with pride when he thought about the people he lived with - but now he felt hate and hurt. It was clear who had taken the press. After their latest edition of their paper went out - there was outrage over an article Anne had written, the protest. 

"And now we have nothing. It's all my fault" Anne cried. Gilbert did not know what to say, but his brain pipped in 'It was your fault, we wouldn't have been in this mess if you had gone behind our backs'  but instead he also felt sorry for her. 

"It's not Anne's fault or any of yours. This is the fault of simple minds" Miss Stacy stated from the other side of the school wreckage. "We don't know exactly what happened, and we may never. But we cannot let it knock us down or silence us. Yes, this is a vile, spineless act. But it is proof positive that we made an impact. Kudos to you. Now is the time o focus on your futures and your Queens entrance exams. And not on this act of cowardice". Like always Miss Stacy was right. They could not let whoever did this ruin one more thing for them - something even more important than a little school house. Just like that Anne disappeared.

Miss Stacy had rallied the students and they walked over to her little cottage. "Well, everyone inside and find somewhere to sit. We have school to attend" and like that students sat around her dinning table and around the place. It took a while to focus on studies after all they had seen in that morning, but before long Anne came into the room and sat down next to Gilbert. "Mrs Lynd said she didn't know anything about it. It's so infuriating. Poor Miss Stacy, poor all of us" she babbled after telling Gilbert that she had gone to confront Mrs Lynd about what had happened. She did not know anything about anything - unsurprisingly if Gilbert might add. 

"Now we're all crammed in here, cramming because of their heinous actions" she continued. Gilbert did not think it the best time to add that he actually much preferred this style of studying to the ridged structures of school. He let her continue ranting. It was another surprising moment when they actually took a moment to talk, he found himself suck on her words and listening to her mumble her thoughts aloud. 

"We took a stand..." she continued. It was a wonderful thought that she had used the word we. They had done something together, and it was a lot more than their newspaper. They had taken a stand before and the ignorant men where not happy to see the change in Avonlea. They had taken a stand for all the women of Avonlea, even Mary. Gilbert had known deep in his heart that he had done it for Mary. 

"It makes me feel like the world is moveable" Gilbert breathed out. They each had an impact in their lives and it gave his life meaning.

"No matter where life takes me, I know I must be a relentless thorn in the side of those who refuse to amend the status quo" 

'you are magnificent' he wanted to say, instead he found his voice mumble "Of course you must. And I know what I must not be. A country doctor limited to delivering death sentences" He had seen Doctor Ward and had been in the room when they had told countless people that nothing more could be done. It seemed ridiculous that people could pass from illnesses and wounds that should be treatable. Life was such an amazing thing, it seemed ironic that a single breath or moment could bring it all to a halt. 

Which was what he liked about Winifred. She had the same understanding and interest of medicine as he did. With Winfred his hopes and dreams felt within reach - that he could be exactly what he wanted to be. In fact, spending time and speaking to Mr  Rose, it all suddenly felt very real. With their connections he could be more and do more. It was more than he ever could have dreamed about.

But as he sat on the train returning to Avonlea, he couldn't help but feel that something was indeed missing. Standing at the ruins on an overturned boat, fire flickered behind her red hot hair. Stood Anne. His heart stopped. His worried mind eased. It was her smile, he had never seen it like that before. In that moment he didn't care about fancy  French schools or the Sorbonne. He liked Winifred sure, but deep in his heart he was a fool to forget that his heart had always belonged to Anne. 

"May I speak with you please" he tried. If anyone would tell him what to do so honestly it would be her. Somehow she was always there when Gilbert found himself at a cross roads with a difficult decision. So he told her everything. Winifred. Mr Rose. Sorbonne. Connections. 

"I don't know what to do" 

"You don't want to be a country doctor. The Sorbonne ... is your dream" 

'but so are you' his brain added. 

"Winifred is lovely, and her parents are supportive" she counited. He wished she didn't. He could have heard this from anyone else, except her. Did she not realize how at each word, his heart broke more. One word from her, and he would give it all up.

"I don't understand. What's holding you back?" she asked.

'you are' his thoughts yelled.

"Just one thing" he knew in that moment that he would regret it for the rest of his life if he didn't at least tell her. 

"What am I supposed to say, to do? Everyone is everyone is." she was rambling. He could even follow her thoughts. "I.... can't...we...we" she finished before being dragged away.

That was the word. She didn't think of him at all. There was noting holding him back anymore. His road was clear and he didn't have to think of her anymore. It was easier said than done.