OLLIE ➪ GILBERT BLYTHE

『 T H I R T Y - O N E 』

⇎CHAPTER THIRTY ONE

||appreciated||

" cause its you, who, takes care of everyone else "

***

AFTER THE FUNERAL things were quiet in the town. No one dared to bring up the death of Jon for Gilbert's sake. Even though Gilbert was locked up in his house everyone whispered as if one move would set him off. He would only allow Olivia and Hattie to come in and actually stay with him but people would be coming over constantly with different foods and desserts as if that will make up for him losing his dad, yet Gilbert would get up, open the door, say 'thank you, I'm fine' and take their dishes. He wasn't fine.

Whenever she could, Olivia would get the door for him to save the poor boy from the nagging town members. They had good intentions but it was overwhelming at times. If they asked to see him she would politely respond saying how he wasn't seeing anyone at the moment and turned them around to send them back home. Gilbert was beyond grateful for her since Hattie was too nice to turn away folks with good intentions.

One day while Gilbert and Olivia were sitting in the living room, Gil reading while Ollie attempted at knitting, Hattie complained about them not having any ingredients to make an apple pie.

"Olivia, can you pick them up for me? I still need to finish the soup." Hattie asks the girl and Ollie groans.

"Well, why can't you do it? I can watch the soup." She argues, setting down Paris fashion magazine that her mother brought from Gourdes with them when they moved. Ollie had read that magazine a thousand times but it reminded her of home. Not to mention, Avonlea doesn't quite have the same extravagant magazines as France.

"Olivia, knowing you, you would forget and it would burn." Hattie sasses, rolling her eyes.

Olivia pushes herself up, mouth hanging open. "Do you not trust me that much?"

"To be frank, yes." The older girl nods, crossing her arms.

Olivia scoffs and shakes her head. "I don't want to go and you can't make me." She states, letting out a huff.

"Would you like to make a bet on that?" Hattie raises her eyebrow and Ollie tries to keep a straight face but as childish she is, it proves to be a challenge. Gilbert looks up from his book, a small smirk on his face as he watches the two girls. This smirk was the closest thing to an actual smile since his father died. "You, food, now." She states, pointing from Olivia to the door.

"I would go against your wishes but your angry face sure does look angry." Olivia teases, scrunching up her face.

"Wise choice Fontaine." Hattie grins, pulling the girl off out of her seat and pushes her towards the door. "Now get going, I would like to eat the pie by tonight please."