Return to Avonlea - Completed!

6. The Bridge - Pt. 2

I flipped the boat over and set the oars inside. Shoving it off of the shore, I then scrambled in. The cold water soaked my trousers past the ankles, but I didn't mind.

I decided to row over to the bridge, where Dad used to fish. He had always said that fish liked it under there, and he was right. We always ate especially well when he went fishing there.

It was nice to be alone for awhile, to clear my head. The lake was calm; the only sound was the water lapping gently against the outside of the boat, and my oars as I rowed.

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The calm, however, ended abruptly when I got close to Dad's old fishing spot. I noticed movement on one of the bridge's supports, and quickly rowed over to get a closer look.

"Anne! What in heck are you doing in the middle of the lake?" I nearly yelled.

She raised her chin. "Fishing for lake trout."

I rolled my eyes, but moved the boat closer to where she was, and held out my hand. Trying to act reluctant, she peeled herself away from the beam, and accepted my help.

Once she was safely seated in the boat, across from me, I moved away from the bridge.

"Why don't you tell me what really happened?" I questioned. I wanted to know how Anne Shirley-Cuthbert had gotten herself into this scrape.

She sighed and folded her arms tightly across her chest. I realized she was soaking wet. I yanked off my wool coat and wrapped her in it.

"Thanks." She mumbled, her teeth chattering in spite of the tightly clenched jaw.

I gave her a bit to warm up as I started rowing back towards home. Finally, she looked up.

"Anne Shirley-"

"-Cuthbert," she interjected.

I frowned at her. "Anne, I was going to say that! Anyway, I was going to ask if we could be friends. I'm tired of arguing so much."

She crossed her arms tightly "Do you apologize for insulting my hair?"

I frowned. I thought I already had, but chose to nod my head.

"Yes. Friends?" I stuck my hand out.

"And you promise to never call me 'Carrots' again?"

I nodded again.

"Then yes, Gilbert Blythe. Friends." She shook my outstretched, then raised her chin.

"Just don't expect me to let you win in school." She said with determination.

I grinned. "Never, Anne." Picking up the oars again, I started rowing toward the shore.

After a few minutes of awkward silence, I spoke up.

"So, what were you doing out here?"

She groaned.

I raised my eyebrows, waiting for the explanation.

"Ruby, Diana, Tillie, and I were reading a new story, with a perfectly tragical scene where the beautiful maiden dies, and her bosom friends bid her farewell. It had to be acted out for full affect, of course. Only, the Barry's dory had a leak, and sunk right by the bridge, so I grabbed on because I can't swim."

I stared at her. If anyone but Anne had said that, I would have laughed aloud. But I knew she was serious.

Anne has a very vivid imagination.