Anne with an E The Next Chapter

Trip to the Bog

As Gilbert and Anne boarded the train with little Delphine in tow, they were met with many strange looks. A too white young couple on a train with an obviously little black girl seemed odd and out of place in Avonlea. Gilbert picked up Delli in his arms staring defiantly at the train staff who eyed suspiciously. He was used to this after travelling with Bash, although most people had thought he had been his hired help. But this time they ogled them grotesquely as though they had committed a crime and Gilbert wasn't having it. After so much loss in his life, he had no time for ignorance. Anne smiled politely and took the nappy bag following Gilbert up into the train.

They settled into their assigned seats. Gilbert sat by the window and Anne had the seat in front of him. Delli, who loved Gilbert so much, ambled up on his lap and the two of them talked about the things they saw outside. Anne had a sudden rush watching him with the toddler on his lap. She saw him, projected out many years from now, with a little dark haired toddler on his lap. She dared to imagine a little red headed girl but would never have spoken that out loud. It did seem possible, given what he said to her in the barn, but part of her still expected to lose him. She pushed the negative thoughts out when she heard Delli saying "Anne....siiiiit" while she patted the seat next to her. Anne laughed moved from the window seat to the one next to Gilbert. Delli took her hand and held it tight in her pudgy fist as they looked out to all the things she saw. She squealed happily at cows and sheep in the pasture. Before long, the soft rocking of the train and Gilbert's low humming, had Delli feeling sleepy. They'd been up very early that morning and she was soon curled into Gilbert's chest and with Anne's hand secured in her own before she dozed off. People on the train kept looking at them. At first Anne thought it was because the scene was so cute, but when she smiled at one woman, her joy was met with a grimace and the woman turned away from her. Anne was disappointed in her community. She couldn't believe such prejudice existed,but then again, she'd been the target of it al well.

"Why do you suppose people are so closed to the idea of anyone different than themselves?"asked Anne.

"Fear, I would imagine" he replied. She pushed out her bottom lip and tried hard not to judge them too harshly for this. When the train pulled into the station they made their way over to the bog to catch the laundry ladies before their shift ended. As they walked through the small tight knit community, Gilbert and Anne got the sense that they were being watched and observed here too.

They reached the launderers and Mary's old friends gave a great big shout when they saw Gilbert walking in.

"Ooohhhh. Well well, look what the cat dragged in" they said smiling from ear to ear. As Gilbert stepped aside, they gasped as they spotted their dear Anne with baby Delphine in her arms.

"What on earth? Oh sweet child, you just made my year" said Jocelyne. They all took turns marveling at Delphine and the good-natured little girl let them hug and kiss her, only pushing back a few times with her strong pudgy arms to get a good look at one's face.

Jocelyn, who was just getting off shift, insisted that they come to her house for lunch and spend some time with her. They walked the 15 minutes to her house, a small wooden clad row house on a crowded street. The noise and energy on the street were in stark contrast to the quiet of Avonlea, Anne thought. She'd never been to the Bog but she found it fascinating that the community was so populated and colorful. People looked skeptical, but as they were introduced to Gilbert, Anne and sweet Mary's daughter, they immediately warmed up and showed their true colors. They were caring and considerate and they showered Delli with hugs and compliments and gave her sweets from their kitchens.

Jocelyn's small, clean house was covered in a white shiplap, giving off a cottage feel inside and out.

The house smelled of fried chicken and soup and Jocelyne was already giving them delicious sweet bread to eat while they waited. Gilbert and Anne loved the house the minute they walked in. A giant fireplace sat in the middle of the kitchen, just like the one at Muriel's cottage. It gave off a warm, homey, feel to the space. After lunch, Jocelyn remarked