The Arrangement | Gilbert Blythe

18

It was that time of year again. The time where exploring the forest was even more exciting than usual. The best time of year to climb trees and look over the land from above.

Adeline and Anne ran through fields together, few of worry (and suitors in Adeline's case). Harvest time was considered the "off months" if you could call it that, where the boys would help out around home.

As Adeline and Anne darted around the forest, listening to the bird song and watching the rays of run shine through the leaves, the two girls laughed and giggled happily.

Reaching a small stream, they sat in silence, listening to the water trickle through the forest. Adeline's mind couldn't help but wonder to Gilbert, who had been gone at sea for quite some time now.

Even though she had convinced herself she had long forgotten the boy with the brunette hair and dancing eyes, she knew deep down she never would. But that didn't mean she wouldn't try to. He was in her past. A sour taste turned sweet with their short-lived friendship before he had left. But that was just it; he had left. He was gone and there was nothing she could do about it.

🪻🪻🪻

It was dinner time and Adeline was eating at the Cuthberts's. Since harvest season had began, her parents had become a little more lax on where she spent her time, knowing there was only so much trouble she could get into while everyone was busy with harvest.

Sitting at the dining table next to Anne, Adeline made herself at home, taking a sip from her water.

Green Gable's had two visitors at the moment, two men who Adeline was unsure if she liked. While they seemed kind, always a smile on their faces, one of the men—the tall slim one, had a beady look hidden behind the friendliness in his eyes.

As dinner was placed before them, the tall man—Nate, still had yet to arrive to dinner.

Just as Marilla commented on his absence, the door swung open and in strolled Nate.

"My apologies," Nate apologized, "I'm so sorry I'm late."

Sighing, he rinsed his hands before joining the table. "I got lost in my work again."

"We were getting worried was all," Marilla looked up at Nate as he sat down, in between Marilla and Adeline.

"Please don't hold it against me." Nate said, pausing before asking, "shall I say grace?"

Silence met his question until Marilla coaxed him on, "oh my it's been a long time since we've said grace in this household! Grace would be very nice."

As they all took hands, Adeline grabbing ahold of Anne's hand and reluctantly allow Nate to slip his fingers through hers.

Clearing his throat, Nate began:

"Dear lord, we thank you for-"

"Oh!" Anne interrupted, "could you please say 'gracious heavenly father? It sounds so much more romantical."

Nodding, Nate restarted:

"Gracious Heavenly Father, please bless this table and the Cuthberts's for taking us into their home. We give thanks to you for this food and for the hands that have prepared it. We ask for blessings upon this meal that it will nourish our bodies and refresh our souls and bless those who are here, and those who are in our hearts..."

Adeline tuned out the rest, hating how the first person she thought about when he had said "those who are in our hearts" was Gilbert.

While they had ended their rivalry long ago, becoming partners in an arrangement and the friends, there was still an awful big part of her that was mad at Gilbert for leaving.

She was jostled from her thoughts when the table said in unison, "amen."

Even though the grace had been said, her mind still lingered on Gilbert.

He's just a memory, nothing more

She thought to herself.

He's in the past. He left. He left. He didn't want to be here, he left he was nothing more then just a means to getting what I wanted. Nothing more.

And so, with that flitting through her mind in repeat, Adeline dug into her dinner.

CELESTE SPEAKS
act two! thoughts? i have a lot planned for act two and i can't wait for u to see it all!!
make sure to vote and comment

xoxo,
celeste<3