Remains To Be Seen

The Midnight Before The Station

Anne
I was nervous. Jerry steering the wagon. It was a day and a half away  and my heart was already thumping. I had no idea what I was in for. What Gilbert had sent on the train. I just knew I had to be at the station. Jerry steered all the way to Josephine Berry's. I had left bright red pinch marks all up my arm. I was so nervous. I had just come to get over my feelings for Gilbert. Those letters made what I felt resurrect and enhance. I still loved him. More after I received his letters. I hadn't been able to get him off my mind for months. I was eager to see him again.
       "We're here Anne," Jerry said slowing bell with a whistle.
I nodded standing and climbing down. I grabbed my bag and basket and looked at the mansion. I heard her hooves start moving. I turned back yelling at Jerry.
        "Where are you going?!" I asked harshly.
        "Green Gables won't harvest itself. Au revoir!" He called continuing off.
Shaking my head I heard a door crack open. I turned slowly. A smile rising on my face.
        "My my...look what the Frenchie dropped off," his voice sang stepping down the stairs.
        "Cole!" I cried running to hug his tall frame.
He caught me and swung me around. Setting me down I had so many questions. But before I could articulate one of them I heard my name by the door. Cole stepped aside revealing my bosom friend.
        "DIANA!" I squealed dropping everything to hug her.
She giggled squeezing me back. Cole has grabbed my bags and ushered us inside. Aunt Jo was inside with a smile. She welcomed me and told Diana to show me my room for the next few nights. Though I'd only packed for a day or two a few seemed like more than that. I ignored it and followed Diana to the beautiful room. I smiled seeing Jo had put a stack of books by Jane Eyre and Jane Austen on the bedside table. The bed covered in silks and furs. It was a dream to stay in a place like this.
       "Are you excited?" Diana questioned as cole entered the room I was settling in.
       "More nervous than excited. He didn't say what the gift was," I said. "And..."
       "You're feelings, they still exist for him," Diana finished.
I blushed and looked to Cole. I thought he'd cover for me but he blatantly didn't. He made me blush even more.
        "Don't look at me Red, if Gilbert was on my team, I'd go for it," he joked.
I laughed then thinking of that nickname. Gilbert gave me that nickname once. Diana and Cole noticed my silence after that. They both sat down beside me on the bed. Diana grabbed one of my hands.
       "What is it Anne? You can trust us," she pled.
I looked to my two best friends and knew it wasn't something they could give advice on. Neither had found love and knew what it felt like. I dropped Diana's hand and stood going to the door I looked back seeing the sadness on both of their faces.
        "This is something I think only Aunt Jo can help me with," I said apologetically.
They nodded and I escaped out of the room on the search for Josephine. I found her outside under the large pine tree. She was gazing at the views when she heard the leaf under my foot crunch.
        "Come, sit dear Anne," Josephine said touching the seat beside her.
I couldn't sit. I had so many questions. I had so many concerns. I stood with my hands weaved together.
        "How do I know I love him?"
Josephine stood and met my squared shoulders. She pulled my hair forward and adjusted my clothes. She smiled lightly asking or my arm silently. We began to walk amongst her garden. Roses filling the borders beside the tall hedging. It seemed to do the trick.
         "You know, when you know Anne. It will come in the moment you don't see it, and you must let it in. Don't you run away from it," Josephine said cupping my cheeks.
       "I'm scared," I admitted.
       "That my dear is the best kind of love, the one that keeps you on your toes."
I nodded and she pressed a kiss to my head. She sent me off to go get ready for dinner. I made my way up the stairs to Cole and Diana. I went up to the door and heard them whispering.
       "Are you serious? Is he even sure he'll make it in time?"
        "He has to. He wouldn't compromise anything for her ."
       "Compromise what?" I asked pushing the door open violently.
Diana gasped and looked at me. She looked to Cole with utter fear. What in the world did she mean? 
        "What are you talking about?" I asked.
A knock fell on the door and Josephine's Butler opened the door. He held an envelope in his hands. He gave it to me and walked out with long strides. Diana stood asking what it was. I had no idea. It's postal was from the war. But it wasn't from Gilbert. I peeled open the yellow-orange envelope and pulled out the single paper in it. I gazed at the picture. I knew those eyes and I knew that smile. I flipped it around seeing the message scribbled on the back.
      A picture of Gilbert "loverboy" Blythe daydreaming of the incredible Anne we have heard so much about.          
       -loverboys tentmate (Joseph)
I laughed looking back at the picture. I glided my thumb against the photograph. Diana was still awaiting my answer.
       "Gilbert's tentmate, he sent me a photo of him," I displayed the photograph.
      "My, he's still as handsome as he was in school," Diana winked at me.
       "Yep...would still go for it. If only he played on my side," Cole laughed.
A bell rang and I forgot to usher them down for dinner. I quickly adjusted myself to go downstairs to dining. We were served the best foods and treated with the most fantastic deserts I've ever seen. We went to bed early. But I couldn't sleep wanted as. How could I in this kind of suspense.
I woke up with little sleep the next morning. I was downstairs at barely sunrise. Josephine was already up and about. She read a book and sipped in tea slowly. I was pacing the room and I was nervous. What if I looked stupid at the station. He didn't even specify a time to be there. Should I go to the station now.
Should I even go?
A knock fell on my door to wake me. Josephine cracked the door open. Then stepping in quietly. She smiled lightly lighting her candle in the window.
       "Are you ready?" she hummed.
       "No. But I should go anyways, right?"
       "You must decide that for yourself."
       "I don't even know what it will be," I urged putting my head in my hands.
       "What do you think it'll be Anne?"
       "I think it might be him," I said in pure fear.
       "Him? He's at war ain't he?"
       "He should be."
       "And if he is at the station?"
       "I don't know what I'll do."