wind walkers ➸ gilbert blythe

𝑺𝒄𝒓𝒖𝒃𝒃𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑭𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒓𝒔

꧁4.Scrubbing Floors꧂

" A N N A B E T H ? " Her mother called out, immediately hearing footsteps coming down the stairs.

"Yes, mother?"

Beatrice smiled at her daughter. Her eyes running over her frame. Hair in a long braid over her shoulder. A checked skirt that stopped at her lower leg, grey blouse and a brown leather belt hugging her frame. Her mother even spotted clean white stockings, which were rare for her daughter, since she always rubbed the dirt from her shoes off on them. She didn't do that on purpose. Back when she was younger and got into trouble, Annabeth would stand in front of her parents, staring at the ground and rubbing her shoes on her knee socks, well aware of her actions. She had looked so innocent doing that and now she kind of got used to it. Oh, how Beatrice missed those times. And simply thinking about never seeing that face ever again, gave her the worst heart-ache imaginable. Annabeth's mother wasn't particular scared of death, but scared of leaving her family to the obstacles of life.

"I packed a bag with cleaning supplies. You should get to Anne soon when you want to be in Kensington at three o'clock." Beatrice coughed getting her handkerchief out and wiping at her mouth.

Annabeth shook her head in disapproval. "Father told you to stay in bed and with that he's not wrong, for once."

"Annabeth don't talk about your father like that. You know he would have preferred to take Benji. But the shipmen didn't allow it, so don't punish him for it."

The fifteen year old huffed and crossed her arms. "He didn't even say he's sorry."

"He's just as stubborn as you, so stop acting that way. I told him the same thing month ago." Her mother propped herself up at the kitchen table through a sudden dizziness. Annabeth was quick to get her mother a chair and a glass of water. "I'm fine," her mother told her. "I'm feeling better since a few weeks. Do not worry."

With a small frown resting on Beth's face, she kissed her mother's head. "Mrs. Lynde said she would come over soon. Please, if you were to do anything, go to bed and get some rest."

Annabeth knew her mother was lying. Yes, maybe her coughing had gotten less and her breathing better, but she noticed her legs were getting weaker and her fever worse.

Since Annabeth had talked to Anne about Kensington almost three month went by. Almost three month since the Christmas feast. That had been a strange happening. She got to meet some of the other children in Avonlea that she would go to school with hopefully soon. Anne had introduced her to Tilly Boulter and Jane Andrews both seemed to be sweet girls. Diana and she got to know each other some more, becoming friends just as quick as her and Anne. Both Diana and Anne told her to stay away from boys, especially Billy Andrews and not talk up against Josie Pye, who she yet had to meet.

Beth had made her mind up about Avonlea. The people here were quite friendly and the nature all around was wonderful. Her father had finally found a job in Charlottetown, which meant he was nothing but home at the weekends. Even when they had started talking again, both never apologised for their behaviour, Annabeth didn't really mind having him gone. She liked the quietness.