In the Woods When First We Met

109. The Blythes at Home

On Monday morning when Anne met Gilbert, he looked serious. He did not have his school books with him, or any lunch.

"Gilbert, are you okay?" She asked.

"Yeah. Yeah. Listen, I'm going to walk you to school and then I'm going to head home." He looked like he was thinking. "I think I should stay home today."

"Why?" she asked, concerned, "Is it your father? Is he worse?"

He said, "He says he's fine; he's telling me to go on to school, but I'd just feel better if I stayed home a day or two. He wasn't doing well over the weekend."

Anne looked upset for him. "I'm so sorry."

"It'll be all right. But I'll walk you to school and then I'll make sure I'm there again when school lets out to get you back home safely, so don't worry about that."

"I'm not worried about that," Anne said, "I'm worried about your father. Is there anything I can do?"

He shook his head. "It'll be ok." But he looked somber.

When they reached the end of the woods where they'd come out to school, Anne hesitated, biting her lip.

They stopped walking and stood there a second, not speaking.

Gilbert said, "I think if you just stay with the girls- no, actually, you know what? Stay with Mr. Phillips. I know he's not exactly helpful, but stay by him. He's the teacher, after all."

Anne nodded, trying to feel brave. She didn't want to go without him.

But she also wanted to put on a happy, confident face so that she wouldn't let Gilbert know she felt troubled...because if she let on that it was a hardship for her to go alone, it would only make him feel bad. He'd feel caught in the middle. And he ought to be with his father.

But Gilbert, studying her face, knew her.

Impulsively, he took her hand and squeezed it.

Surprised, she looked down at their hands. Both wearing thick gloves, they couldn't actually feel each other's hands...but just her arm being pulled by him comforted her.

He didn't say anything, and neither did she.

Finally, Anne took a deep breath, preparing to let go and leave him.

But suddenly Gilbert blurted out, "Feel like playing hooky?"

"What?"

"Why don't you come with me?" He said with a smile. "My dad would love to meet you."

Anne was startled. But then she said, "You said he's worse. I can't...he won't rest as easily if he has a visitor."

Gilbert shook his head. "On the contrary, you might make him feel better. You have a knack for that." He smiled at her.

"Let's go," he said, pulling her hand gently again.

As they walked back through the woods, Anne said, "Is he doing awfully?"

Gilbert said, "No, he can be up for a little while before he tires out and needs to take a rest." He explained, "I mostly just want to be there so he isn't getting in and out of bed by himself. I didn't feel right being away because I was afraid that if he tried to get around by himself he might stumble and fall."

As they got to Gilbert's house, Anne felt nervous. "Are you sure this is all right? He doesn't even know I'm coming..."

Gilbert reached forward to open the door for her. "Don't worry," he said quietly, ushering her in. "You're welcome here."