Return to Avonlea - Completed!

11. The Wedding

Dinner at the Cuthbert's was an event, to say the least. Anne, like a princess in her dream dress of blue silk, complete with puffed sleeves, was enthralled with re-meeting Bash and Mary. I think she decided that they would all be 'bosom friends'. Bash seemed amused by the whole thing.

On school days, I spent my lunchtime with Moody and Charlie. They were good friends. I think Charlie is crushing on Diana, but he won't admit it.

Anne and I competed for first place in every subject. She wasn't easy to keep up with, even though Mr. Phillips made it difficult for her. The competition was a welcome challenge.

Prissy didn't come to school anymore, and Billy was moodier than ever. I had to watch him around Anne; I didn't want her bullied.

The lowest point of the long winter was the day Mr. Phillips announced with a smirk that he would be staying on as a teacher after his marriage to Prissy. 

The wedding was set for the end of January. I was dreading it, along with most of the students. Finally, the day came, but it was better than I expected.

_______

I dressed myself in my freshly brushed suit. It was stiff and black, the same one I had worn to my father's funeral. As I knotted my tie, I leaned toward the window. The snow had fallen heavily last night, but it stopped early this morning. I yawned. It was time to leave now.

Trudging down the stairs, I yelled into the living room. "I'm leaving now, Mary!"

Without waiting for an answer, I grabbed my hat, scarf, and coat; then headed out the door.

________

The little town of Avonlea had only two churches within its limits, a Presbyterian (which I attended regularly), and a Methodist. Today was the first day I have stepped foot in the Avonlea Methodist Church, without the fear of Mrs. Lynde making a fuss. It would probably be the last as well - Mrs. Lynde was a nice lady, but she had a very strong opinion of just about everything.

Outside of the church, I could barely find room to tie my team. It seemed as if everyone in Avonlea was attending.

The large wood doors to the church were propped open, to allow everyone to enter. Inside, the crowded sanctuary was decorated lavishly with silk and flowers. I took an open seat near the front, and glanced around. I didn't know the people seated next to me. I spotted Anne in other aisle, across from me. She was wearing her blue dress, and hear hair had grown some. She grinned, and waved a little when she saw me.

The noise from the conversations surrounding me was almost deafening. I tried to block it out by looking at the books in front of me. I ran my hand along the leather-bound Bible, catching my fingertip where the spine was pulling away. The thick blue hymnal was in the same condition.

I was mentally tracing the wood grain in the pew back when the minister and Mr. Phillips walked solemnly up to the front. Taking his place, the minister stiffly cleared his throat, and began.

"Dearly beloved we are gathered here today..."

As he rambled on in his own calm way, I looked over to Mr. Phillips. His serious expression did look not seem smug as it usually was. He kept his head bowed, until the organ music started, and everyone rose.

Prissy Andrews walked slowly down the aisle on her father's arm, arrayed lavishly in ivory silk and lace. Though her veil covered her face, it was easy to tell Mr. Andrews was the happier of them.

She was handed off, and Mr. Phillips lifted her veil, revealing her pale and tired face. The way he was staring at her made my stomach turn. Looking over at Prissy, I noticed that she looked about to faint. As I watched, her arms slowly fell to her sides. The bouquet dropped to the ground through loose fingers. She seemed even whiter than before. But instead of falling, she turned away from him, and ran back down the aisle, out of the church. We were all shocked. Mrs. Andrews fainted as Anne, Diana, and a few other girls rushed after Prissy. The whole congregation was in an uproar.

And Mr. Phillips looked absolutely furious. He was about to follow her, but was stopped short by the reverend's firm hand on his shoulder.

"I don't think you should do that, son," he said quietly.

He turned to the reverend, red with rage. "I am not going to be jilted!" He snapped, and stomped out. The crowd slowed him, however, and the reverend easily caught up, and held him with a stern grip on the collar.

What followed was little more than a toddler's temper tantrum, though even Minne Mae is more mature. The fiasco ended with Mr. Phillips being escorted by a group of men to the train depot.

Outside of the church, the school students gathered together."I hope we don't ever see him again!" Anne stated with obvious relief, sitting down on the church steps with an ungracefully flop. She brushed some hair out of her face. "You know, Diana," she mumbled, leaning against her friend, "This day turned out better than I had imagined!"