Remains To Be Seen

Woven Words

Anne
It had been a week since I got the letters from Gilbert. I hadn't looked where they were from. I wasn't sure if I was even ready to see his handwriting inside. I couldn't sleep for days. I sat up just as the sun rose. My desk was pushed beside my window. The cherry blossoms at their final bloom. I stood at my window. I pulled it open breathing the chilled air. It was so fresh and clean. The start of a new day. I watched the distant trees billow in the wind. A dance blowing between the tall fields of wheat. Jerry was already at work.
I looked down to my desk seeing the letters. My breath got caught in my throat. I looked out the window one last time before deciding. I sat down on my chair. My palms got sticky as I was getting nervous. I had no idea what these letters held inside.
I pulled them closer sliding the twine off. I picked up the first one. It was dated the night of the schoolhouse fire. The day he would've proposed toWinifred. I carefully peeled the envelope open sliding the paper out. I read it slowly.
He didn't propose. He backed out. Ended it earlier that day. And he was there at the fire. He heard what I'd said. I was heartbroken and he knew it. I put the paper back in the envelope peeling open the next. One after the other. Until I was at the last one.
I paused thinking of everything he was saying. He'd corresponded with Diana in Paris. Bash here. And wrote to me all this time. Each letter made me laugh with joy and feel a slight pain in my heart.
I was still shocked that he was drafted six months ago. It was more so surprise that he'd make that sacrifice for Sebastian. It only made those old feelings resurface. I just don't think they ever went away. I just hid them away under a rug in my heart.
I looked at the last one longingly. Nearly a month ago. I got nervous and set it down quickly standing. I stepped back and ran my hip into the corner of my night table. I gripped onto the corner only to stab my sensitive palm. I recoiled and pressed my thumb to it. I looked at my hand seeing me purple and red scar. I knew exactly what it was from. And who fixed it.
I brushed my finger back and forth against it and stepped back to my desk. I had to read it. I had to. No matter what it said. I needed to see what it said. I peeled it open and took it to my bed needing the comfort of the soft mattress. I opened the folded paper and read it slowly.
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Carrots,
A month from the day I've written this, that is when you'll receive this. I estimate this from Bash and my own writings. So I had to time this right. While writing this I am in the crossfire in a trench. But don't fret Red. I'll be okay.
Four months from now, on the 24th of the third quarter of Autumn, go to the train station. See Aunt Josephine for a bit. But be at the train station. There is something coming for you.
If I could, I'd ask you to make me that promise. But because you never knew of my writings because I was afraid, I just hope you'll make it. Diana should be visiting from Paris by then. Don't get too caught up in your kindred spirit adventures. The train station is important.
Anyways, as you finish this know that Bash is awaiting your presence when you are ready. As is your slate. He will accompany you to the station if you wish. Though, I know you are capable of traveling on your own. Bash offers that kindness.
Just remember the 24th of the third quarter.

Always yours,
Gil
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I looked at the note and nodded. The 24th. I rushed downstairs to find Marilla and what day it was. Today was the 20th of the last rotation of Summer. I had four more months before whatever Gilbert is planning goes into action. He said he would understand if I didn't come. But I want to. Whatever Gilbert has planned was for a reason. But right now I wanted to see Bash. He had to know something. Maybe talk to him about how Gilbert was. They must still be corresponding.
I got dressed quickly. Marilla and I had been working on some new skirts and bodices for months. And Aunt Josephine lent me some of Gertrude's older clothes. I wore a long green skirt with a white under blouse with a tall lacey neck. I put my hair up like Marilla would usually and decided it was good enough. I was nearly out my bedroom door when I stopped. I looked back to the dresser.
Something pulled me back to it. I saw my half of the heart locket. I clipped it on and looked at myself in the mirror. I saw a small red square by my hand. I looked down seeing the little dictionary. I peeled open the small cover seeing the message. It's been sitting here for as long as I could remember. Since I got it that first Christmas nearly 5 years ago. I looked back at my reflection seeing a tears. I flicked it away and was on my way.
I arrived at the Blythe house by mid morning. I'd skipped breakfast and was thinking about what I was to say. I had the last letter in my hands. I stopped at the door hesitant to knock. I hadn't been back since the day of Gilbert's not proposal day. But still.
I knocked on the door and bash opening it with Delphine in his arms.
"Took you long enough Anne-girl," he smiled.
"May I?" I asked to hold Delphine.
He nodded passing her to me letting me inside. It smelled of curry and eggs. I remember this smell from the dinners we used to have.
"So he actually sent the letters," Bash chuckled.
"Do you know why I am here?"
"Probably to ask if I got correspondence from Gilbert. And if I'd known all this time. The answer to both is yes."
"You knew he wasn't proposing to Winifred that day."
"Oh. No. I didn't know that until he came home. He was going to find you when the schoolhouse was being burnt down. And by then you'd accepted that he was gone. So he didn't want to complicate it anymore."
"All this time.."
"It was always you Anne," a voice spoke from the kitchen.
I looked seeing Miss Stacey serving three plates. I looked between her and Bash.
"I uhhh-Miss Stacey," I said remembering an earlier letter.
"Hello Anne, it's good to see you. How are Marilla and Matthew nowadays?" Miss Stacey asked.
"They're good. I uhh-Bash I had some questions."
"Breakfast first," Bash said taking Delphine back pausing when to Miss Stacey and sitting at their table.
I couldn't resist sitting to see where it would go. They were sweet. A beautiful pair. I'd never imagine life to evolve to this. Though it was not quite acceptable to feel for each other, Bash and Miss Stacey did. It's a wonderful and pivotal thing. Defiantly something Miss Stacey would defy.
After breakfast Miss Stacey took Delphine after cleaning the dishes leaving Bash and I to speak privately. I pulled the letter out. I had so many questions. So many wonders. I wanted to know how he was. How Gilbert was. What the status of the war was. What had he witnessed. I was scared for him.

A/N: Soooo I'm really bored, and I saw how quickly you reacted to that last chapter that I thought why not a second publishing, 🤷🏼‍♀️ so boom. I dropped another chapter, figured it would do my Kindred Spirits well.
I'm not sure if I will have time before the new year to post with New Years activities. But I will do my best.
-L.M