Lavender - {G.B}

dix-neuf

"So when are we going to Virginia to meet this Fred Crawford?" Alice asked with a teasing tone.

"We're actually going to be leaving in a few days time. We leave for the train on Thursday, perhaps arriving back here Monday afternoon," Angelica answered.

"Does this mean you've picked a dress?" Angelica shook her head. "Oh, please let me come with you when you do. I can't wait until you're married. Did you choose Fred to be the one?"

"Yes, I did. If you want to hear the full story, Fred came from a quite wealthy background while I was a simple commoner. He was to be married to a woman. I recall her name was Olivia. Dark hair, chocolate brown eyes." Angelica sighed, thinking back to those days. "I met Fred in a bookstore. He'd come to Virginia since his wedding was soon. When he went back, I got a letter from him a few days after. He canceled the wedding. He came back to where I worked and he asked me to be his wife."

"And that was a year ago?" Alice questioned.

"We wanted to take things slow. It took a while for him to calm his parents down and for them to approve of me. Now we're really close with their family."

"Well, I'm glad they did." Alice smiled. "Well, I have to help Gilbert with his studies, but I will be back." Alice grabbed her things and took off to Gilbert's house through the cold winter.

-

Alice offered Gilbert her books from the time he missed. Alice walked to school, trying to keep warm with her coat. Once she got to inside the school, she took her coat and scarf off, hanging it on a hook.

"Hey...Alice?" Cole approached Alice, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Yeah, what is it?" Alice asked, turning to him.

"Not here."

Cole began walking into a different room. Alice followed him, her face showing confusion. Alice closed the door behind her, looking up at Cole.

"I...um...You were there at Aunt Josephine's party, yes?" he asked. Alice slowly nodded. "I think...I think I'm like her and Gertrude."

"Cole, why are you telling me this?" Alice asked.

"I just thought I could trust you. I thought you'd accept me," Cole answered, doubting his choice of telling her.

"I do, Cole. I do. I won't tell anyone. I'm grateful...that you chose to tell me."

-

"And a word or phrase that makes specific the meaning of another word or phrase?"Mr. Phillips asked the class in a bored tone. He looked at Gilbert as he read from his book. "Perhaps the good doctor can tell us the answer." Gilbert looked up at him.

Gilbert looked at Alice and back to Mr. Phillips. "The answer is modifier, sir. And I managed to learn that with no extra time from you." Alice smiled, looking down at the slate in front of her.

"Correct."

Class ended after a long hour. Alice packed her things, setting them down to pull on her coat. She buttoned her coat and wrapped her scarf loosely around her neck. She turned to Gilbert, pulling her hair from the scarf.

"Ready Gil?" Alice asked. He nodded. "Good day, Anne."

"You, too." Anne smiled, walking out.

"I'm leaving Thursday," Alice informed him, walking out the door. "I'm heading to Virginia for Angelica's wedding. If you want me to stay and help you though-"

"No, I'll be fine. I'm happy for you. Are you ever going to call Angelica your mom?" he asked suddenly.

"I-I - uh..." Alice stuttered. "I'm not ready. Not yet."