Anne with an E The Next Chapter

One Step Forward

January and February proved to be more bitter than December with record snowfalls and freezing temperatures. For one whole week, the thermostat registered at -41 celsius which caused people to punch through their wood supply faster than expected.  Marilla was exceptionally concerned about this as she recalled a winter that lasted well into May and didn't want Anne or Matthew over stuffing the wood stove.

'If you're cold, put on another sweater and your wool socks. I'll make you tea to warm your insides, but do not use more than one extra piece of wood in this house do you hear me?"

"I'll go sleep at the cottage then!" Anne said defiantly, tired of freezing.

"You go right ahead, but I'm afraid you'll freeze and die on your way there" Marilla piped back.

"I'll head to bed then, I'd rather be under my quilt than seeing my breath down here."

Anne made her way to her room but was met by Jerry in the hallway. "Anne, I need you to come with me tomorrow, are you free?"

"Sure I'm free but where do you want to go in this awful weather?" Anne asked. She'd been out that day to get her package at the post office today and had attested to her nostrils freezing on the way there and back.

"Not far, maybe a 10 minute ride, i"ll get you there fast. I need to show you something." Jerry said.

"Ok then, see you in the morning".

She took her herbal tea into the bed with her and set it on the side table. Then, fully clothed in her flannel pants, woolen socks and flannel gown, she dove under the layers on blankets for warmth. She sipped her tea and then gently tore open the package she'd waited all day to dive into. It was a silly habit of hers now, when she received letters from Cole, Diana and Gilbert, to savor the excitement all day and open them privately just before bed. She felt closer to them that way and imagined them in front of her as she read.

This package was put together in a thick manilla envelope - it was bigger than normal and was wrapped with a brown packing ribbon. The familiar writing from Gilbert sent butterflies coursing through her body. As she opened the envelope she found a letter and a tissue package with a fluffy interior. She pulled apart the neat blue tissue and found the softest and thickest pair of knit mittens she'd ever seen.  They were coral and blue and yellow and adorned with multiple pompoms. Anne squealed like a little girl as she felt them and smelled them. She thought she caught the faintest smell of Gilbert's after shave. She went on to read the letter.

My dearest Anne,

I hope this letter finds you well. It's clearly been the coldest winter on record in Toronto. We've not done much else but study and stay indoors reading or keeping warm. I've been reading news from PEI and see that the weather has also been brutal there. It's a shame we are not together so we can keep each other warm, but I suppose that will have to wait till later."

Anne blushed at how forward Gilbert was with her lately but could not help but smile. She remembered the night they'd spent together at the cottage and how comforting it was to sleep with him near her.

"Because of all the time I've devoted to my studies, I've gotten ahead on my work and was able to  arrange to take my tests earlier this year. So that also means that I have an opportunity to start my internship earlier as well, as early as March (next month!!!). This will be good because it means I can get additional hours this year which will also mean starting my practice in Avonlea a tad sooner. I've had an offer from Dr.Ward to practice with him. I am a bit torn given that I would love to work with him again, but I know how difficult it will  be to do that if Winnie is working there. I wouldn't want to make you uncomfortable and frankly, I'm not sure i'm up for that. I'd like to ask Dr. Ward but it feels awkward to ask such a thing. What do you think I should do? I would really love your advice.