Anne with an E The Next Chapter

A New Reality

Anne stopped in the kitchen and saw Jerry. She pulled him into a warm embrace and she told him she was so sorry for what he went through the day before. She thanked him and looked at him with genuine appreciation as she grabbed both his arms and held him out to look at her  "thank you for being there with him, he wasn't alone and whatever happens I know you did all you could. That brings me great comfort". He said nothing but hugged her back and they both blinked back the tears. "We better get to it then". The three walked out to the barn and noticed the hens had been let out of the coop and the barn doors were open. Marilla looked stunned.

"Oh heavens I forgot to lock up last night" she said as she began to run towards them.
"No, Gilbert did it last night, I saw him with my own eyes." Just then Gilbert emerged from the barn looking sleepy "good morning everyone. Miss Cuthbert I was so sorry to learn about Matthew.

"Thank you dear.  Lord knows you know the feeling of loss. Thank you for the help you gave us this morning and last night".

Gilbert gave a small smile "it's no trouble at all". He looked at Anne and blinked his eyes tight as if to say "good morning, I'm here, I've got you". She smiled faintly back at him.

Jerry went over to talk to Gilbert and the two got to tending to the horses while Marilla and Anne milked the cows. Shortly after they started working Marilla stood and noticed Diana heading toward the barn. "Hello dear, did you manage to find a spot to sleep last night? I'm sorry I was not a better host"

"I found a space, really it was not a problem, I was just happy to be here with you all". She shot a quick look at Jerry who made brief eye contact with her, knowing too well what really happened.

Diana rolled up her sleeves and went to work preparing the chicken feed & Jerry looked at her, surprised to see such a finished young woman in the barn. He noticed from the corner of his eyes as she struggled with the feed bag and apparently looked slightly uncomfortable with the mess in the barn. Part of him felt like laughing at such a display.

Anne looked around the barn & suddenly felt the absence of Matthew. Her heart was in so much pain but she continued to work, trying to get her strength up and to be stoic for Marilla. She caught Gilbert glancing at her and they stopped for a moment looking at each other she felt oddly like he was reading her thoughts. She wondered, after so little time actually connecting and then a whole year away from each other, if they could actually know each other's thoughts already.

The sun was shining today and the chores were nearly finished. Marilla  spotted Jerry's mother coming up the lane "oh Jerry, your mother has come to see you!"

"Maman!" Jerry said as he smiled and started to make his way to the gate. Diana and Anne followed him as Gilbert and Marilla waved and trailed behind. Mrs Barnard waved to them all, her bright disposition bringing much-needed sprinkling of tenderness to a sad morning.

"Who is the girl?" Anne said as she spotted a dark-haired girl sitting next to Mrs. Baynard on the wagon.

Marilla, who was out of earshot said "Oh that's Amélie, she's Jerry's young lady. It seems the two families have brought them together for a future marriage. They are quite sweet with each other".

Diana looked over sorrowfully hearing theses words. She watch as Jerry's mother held him in a momentary embrace. She showed so much compassion as she pulled Jerry close to her chest, her face, a display of sorrow, pride and motherly devotion. She kissed him, looked at him intentionally and rubbed the soft ridge of his cheek with her thumb. Jerry looked up at the buggy and helped Amélie down from her seat and the two exchanged a warm smile and then a tender hug.  Diana had concluded that the two seemed like a good match to each other. They started up the road to the buggy with what appeared to be a days worth of baking and cooking. Marilla accepted the food with trepidation but understood that the day might continue this way and it was best accept people's kindness. It was what people did when they needed to help out during moments of tragedy. Marilla looked up to the group of youngsters to get some unloading the food.

Mrs. Baynard asked if there had been any word on Matthew's condition but Marilla shook her head no and couldn't form the words to explain. Mrs Baynard pulled her close in a tight hug and then said to her genuinely  "we will pray for him". She gave Anne & Diana a quick hugs and a words of encouragment about Matthew. Jerry finally introduced Amélie.

"This is Amélie. This is Anne and her best friend, Diana and this is Gilbert Blythe."

Amélie gently said hello. The sweet looking French girl was from the same community as Jerry. Her father was also a trapper and had been best friends with the Baynards for so many years that they almost felt like family. The girl wore a simple beige dress with a simple flower print. She wore her hair in a long braid down her back, her warm chestnut hair shone in the sun. She had hazel eyes and small freckles across her nose and cheeks. Her little mouth had perfect little teeth and she smiled brightly at everyone. She shook hands with everyone and  stood next to Jerry with pride. She looked at him with love and affection. She was taller than Diana which made her feel stunted and frumpy even though her clothes were more luxurious than Amélie's. Everyone greeted her warmly as  Diana stood stern faced, but polite, looking at this scene unfold in front of her. Anne and Gilbert and Amélie and Jerry. A perfect foursome. She pictured them on double dates and spending time together with her on the fringe. Diana looked at Jerry with a slightly furrowed brow and he caught the look as he glanced sideways at her.   He took Amélie's  arm and moved her up the steps to the Cuthbert house. Diana followed reluctantly but found herself going along so as to not stand out.

How could he have let her spend the entire night with him in his room when he was already betrothed to another.  Diana grew furious inside thinking about how Jerry had betrayed her...well betrayed Amélie,  knowing full well that he was promised to another. On the other hand she thought that maybe he hadn't noticed that she had been there for the night. Maybe he was so exhausted by the events of the day that he hadn't noticed until morning,  just as she had.  

As the next few hours rolled on Diana kept herself busy helping Marilla, but observed how Jerry and Amélie moved together, how her attention to him was unwavering and how she seem so close to Mrs. Baynard already. Jerry seem relieved to have the company as did Marilla. When the two decided it was time to get back to their own families, Mrs. Baynard and Amélie were escorted out by Jerry and Marilla to the buggy. Diana bid them farewell with a polite wave. She could hear them chatting on the front porch and Marilla returned to the kitchen "what a lovely family" she said.

Diana listened to the conversation from the kitchen window. 

"Jerry, tu viendras à la maison en fin de semaine mon gars, t'as vécu quelque chose de difficile, t'as besoin de ta famille. On feras un bon souper et Amélie tu viendras toi aussi. Correct?"

"Correct maman je viendrai samedi.  Merci encore pour aujourd'hui. J't'aime beaucoup" said Jerry.

Jerry come home this weekend OK my son you're gonna need some time with your family we're going to organize a supper. Amélie you come too, OK?"

" Sure mom, I'll see you Saturday thanks again I love you so much".

Jerry held Amélie's hand to the buggy and as they rode off, she turned around and looked longingly at him. She blew him a discrete kiss while his mother steered ahead. As Jerry turned toward the barn, Diana saw the slight smile and warmth in his eyes and suddenly her heart sank.