One day // anne x gilbert

5

We arrive at the lawyer's office and enter the building. It's empty except for the man behind the desk. Gilbert and I approach the desk and I begin to explain the situation.

After I'm done talking, the man says to go to floor 4 and speak with Fredrick Chase. We walk to the elevator and head to floor 4. 

"Are you nervous?" Gilbert asks. I nod my head but I don't look at him. What if this doesn't work out? Maybe I should've told Marilla before I did this. The doors open and there are a bunch of glass rooms with the same desks and chairs inside. The only differences are the people in them and the decorations. 

There's one room labelled F. Chase, so I lead Gilbert into it. I'm not sure why but I want Gilbert to be there with me. 

I knock on the door and I see the man at the desk gesture for us to enter. Gilbert opens the door and holds it for me, which I give him a weak smile in return. We sit at the chairs across from Fredrick. 

"So, what brings you two up here today?" he asks. 

"My name is Anne Shirley Cuthbert and my adopted mother and I are being forced to leave Avonlea today because of men that go by the names of Nathan and Mr. Dunlop. We let them into our home but we were unaware that they were criminals. Is there a chance that my mother and I can stay in Avonlea and break the ties between us and these men?" I explain. 

Fredrick begins typing something o his computer and shows us an article. It reads '2 men and a woman are seen stealing gold from the local museum and are being forced to leave Avonlea.'

"Is this who you're speaking of?" he asks. 

"There has to be a mistake. There was no woman apart of the act, only Nathan and Mr. Dunlop." I argue. Fredrick nods his head and looks up something else on his computer. He turns his computer towards us again and its their head shots. One of Nathan. One of Mr. Dunlop. And one of.... Marilla. 

Tears begin to form in my eyes. How could she not tell me? Why did she do this? How was I so stupid to not know that she was apart of this disaster?

Fredrick passes me a tissue from across the desk and I take it to wipe my eyes. I can't believe this. 

"I'm sorry that you had to find out this way," he says. 

"Thank you for your time, sir," I shake Fredrick's hand and Gilbert does the same, then we exit his office. As we're leaving, not a single word is said between Gilbert and I. I feel horrible for dragging Gilbert into this mess. 

"I'm sorry," I say softly as stand outside of the building. 

"It's not your fault, Anne. You didn't know and your mother tried to keep it away from you. If anything she should be sorry," Gilbert replies. 

I take his hand and we walk to my apartment. I can't live with her anymore, not after what she did.