Florence - (G.B.)/(B.A.)

Chapter 40

╔══════════════╗

Divine Intervention

╚══════════════╝

The weekend spent at Aunt Josephine's house was a humble affair. Although it was short-lived, Florence, Cole, Diana, and Anne agreed that these two days were one of the best days of their young lives. Josephine was a knowledgeable and loving woman who was overjoyed to see the four children at her annual get-together. They had, in some ways, made the event much brighter than it had been in prior years when they hadn't been present.

Florence's conversation with Josephine on the night of the party was etched in her mind as a treasured memory to be cherished for a lifetime. Josephine had helped the young girl face all of the doubts that had been plaguing her mind for as long as she could remember. It was for this reason that Florence was feeling particularly melancholy on the morning of the day the group of friends were to catch the upcoming train back to Avonlea. She didn't want to leave just yet, but she knew she had family and friends waiting for her when she returned. Despite her current sadness, she assured herself that she would visit again very soon.

As soon as the train arrived, Anne had waved Aunt Josephine farewell and boarded. Diana Barry already had a personalized carriage waiting for her when she left the house that morning, courtesy of her parents, so she wouldn't be joining the others on the train ride home. Florence sighed as she looked over at the train.

Turning around, she hugged Josephine warmly before letting go. "I suppose it's time to go."

"Just because you have to leave now doesn't mean it's a goodbye," Josephine added, her smile so sweet it could lift anyone's spirits. "Look after yourself, dear. And do you recall the promise you made to me?"

"To visit again very soon," Florence finished, "I remember."

Josephine nodded.

"Thank you once again for everything, Jo."

"There's no need to thank me," she said, "I just helped you get started. It was you who figured out everything at the end."

Florence then shifted her attention to Cole Mackenzie, the young boy who had kindly escorted Anne and Florence to Charlottetown only a few days before. Cole, the new student in the class who she had befriended with a basket of cookies over a year ago, was as confident as ever now, all traces of a scared and lonely child having faded. When she looked at him now, she saw a different person, a beautiful person. She remembered with regret that he would not be accompanying her and Anne on their journey back to Avonlea. He and Josephine would start a new life in Charlottetown. Josephine was well aware of his struggles, and she had gladly volunteered to help him, which meant that he'd be staying with her in her home. Florence was genuinely pleased for him, although she was slightly disappointed that she wouldn't be seeing the brunette boy very often anymore. In the little time she'd known him, he'd become such a tremendous friend to her, and she knew Cole felt much the same way.

Florence wiped away a few tears that had unintentionally fallen from her eyes. Cole breathed deeply and took a step closer to her. He extended out his hand and wiped a single tear from her cheek, then looked at it with astonishment. He gave her a curious glance. "Sadness doesn't suit you, Flo."

"Oh, shut up," she said, chuckling, and he grinned faintly, pleased that he had managed to make her laugh. "Am I not allowed to cry?"

"You're welcome to cry, but not in front of me. Because if you cry, I'm going to cry as well."

Florence wrapped his neck with her arms and drew him in for a long hug. He effortlessly returned it. She was the first to let go after a brief moment and knowing full well that she'd miss the train if she stayed any longer, she packed up her belongings and boarded the train. The train began to move as Florence waved to both Josephine and Cole, and soon her two companions were gone from view, leaving Florence and Anne alone in each other's presence.