Long Distance Love Letters

Real Life

As Anne wordlessly helped Marilla cook dinner, she couldn't help getting her stomach in an anxious knot.

Gilbert was upstairs checking on Matthew for the 10th time that day. Each time, he said Matthew was stable, but there was fear in his eyes that only Anne recognized. It terrified her.

She turned as Gilbert came down the stairs.

"He's willing to eat something," he informed, walking over to them. "That's a good sign."

Marilla seemed relieved, but as he walked over to Anne and put his arms around her, she saw that the fear in his eyes seemed only to have grown.

•••

Anne and Gilbert were reading in bed that night when Anne had a shocking feeling in the pit of her stomach.

She put down her book. "Gil? I just realized something."

He turned to her, his face illuminated in the candlelight, making him actually look nineteen for once. "What is it?"

She looked over at him, her heart sinking. "We spent more than we expected to on the wedding. The rest of our money will have to go towards Matthew."

She waited a moment before continuing.

"We won't have enough to go back to Toronto. We wouldn't even be able to afford transportation, let alone tuition and apartment funds. We can't go back to college."

Gilbert stared at her solemnly and she knew he was recognizing the truth in her words.

Finally, he sighed and brought his hand up to stroke her hair. She leaned into him.

"We'll figure something out," he promised, his voice soft. He kissed her temple. "We always do."

•••

Anne did not wallow in self-pity for long. No, Anne Shirley-Cuthbert Blythe being who she was, she quickly came up with a plan.

The next morning, Gilbert followed Anne out into the front yard where Jerry was waiting.

"Darling, are you sure you don't want me to go with you?" he asked, concern filling his voice to the brim.

Anne chuckled, turning to her husband. "Yes, I am sure. Mr. Hunter is expecting me Jerry is accompanying me." She stepped towards him. "And I need you to keep a close eye on Matthew. If something happens, you'll be the only one that can help him."

He sighed and nodded. "Okay. I love you."

The two hugged and kissed.

"I love you more," Anne responded before climbing into the carriage with Jerry.

They pulled away and Anne sighed, turning to Jerry.

She smiled. "I'm happy that you agreed to come with me. It feels like we've spent no time together in so long."

He chuckled. "You've been a little busy with your betrothed." He nudged her with a smirk.

She shoved him but couldn't help laughing. It felt so good to be able to talk to the guy who had become similar to a brother again.

"So what are you planning on doing again?" he asked.

"Mr. Hunter is Gilbert's and now my banker. I'm meeting with him today to hopefully take out a loan so we can afford to go back to college."

"Anne...loans rarely get approved."

"I know, Jerry, but I have to try. Besides, I have a good feeling about this."

Jerry looked at her for a moment more before shrugging and turning back to the road. "If you're sure."

Finally, the two arrived at the bank.

"I actually have an errand to run," Jerry told Anne. "Can I meet you back here?"

She smiled and nodded before getting out. After waving to him, she walked inside.

"May I help you?" the receptionist asked after she took off her coat.

"Hi," Anne greeted. "I'm Anne, I'm here to see Mr. Hunter."

The receptionist nodded and walked off. Anne took a moment to glance around at the few other people in their milling about their lives.

Finally, Mr. Hunter came out and with a strained expression.

"Mrs. Blythe," he greeted, holding out a hand.

Slightly confused by his demeanor, she still smiled and shook his hand. "Anne, please. Nice to meet you, Mr. Hunter."

He nodded curtly back and the two walked into his office.

Anne sat down in the chair before his desk as he sat behind it, already feeling a little stifled.

"What seems to be the problem?" he asked with seemingly forced politeness.

Anne had to clear her throat before beginning. "My husband and I got married this summer, which cost us quite a bit, but we made sure to save enough to be able to go back to college. You see, we both attend college in Toronto, and we wanted to make sure we had enough for tuition and housing. However, we ended up having to come home from our honeymoon early because my father had a heart attack. The rest of our money is going to be needed to be used to take care of him."

He was silent for a moment. "This is why you wish to take out a loan?"

She nodded, folding her hands in front of her. "Yes, sir."

Another moment of silence.

"Alright," he finally said. "I just have one question."

"Yes?" Anne asked.

"This is a problem that concerns you and your husband, correct?"

Anne nodded.

"Then why didn't your husband come?"

The question took Anne aback. It was definitely not one that she had expected. "Um...my husband is training to be a doctor, so I had him stay home to watch over my father. Is me being here instead a problem?"

He shrugged. "It does lessen your credibility."

Now Anne was very shocked. "I'm sorry?"

"Mrs. Blythe-" he began.

"Call me Anne, please," she snipped.

"Mrs. Blythe," he emphasized, clearly not about to change his mind. "This account belongs to your husband, does it not?"

"It used to, yes," she answered, her blood heating and her voice raising as she realized what was happening. "But I joined on equally when he and I got married."

"Equally," he repeated, as if the word was made up. "That's just preposterous."

"And why is that?" she asked, her voice literally shaking.

"Because there is no way a man would have allowed that," he answered simply.

Anne had to take a deep breath so as not to punch him. "Actually, my husband did allow it. This is because he is kind, loving, and respectful. It is quite unfortunate to say that this is not a trait of all men."

Mr. Hunter received the insult and gripped the arms of his chair. "Mrs. Blythe, I cannot approve this loan."

Anne's anger spiked even though she knew he would say as such. "But not because our situation doesn't qualify for one. It's because the wife came instead of the husband."

He did not respond.

She stood up. "Well, next time my father has a heart attack, I'll make sure our banker isn't living in prehistoric times first. Good day."

She turned to leave, but stopped and looked back at him before walking out.

"And it's Anne, ignoramus," she said fiercely.

She quickly exited the building. Sitting on the steps, she hid her face as she began sobbing.