Play the Love Away

Christmas

"Away in a manger / No crib for His bed / The little Lord Jesus..."

The young kids lined up by the board singing for the small show they were holding as part of the charity for Christmas this year. Elise, Anne, and Moody were in charge of making snowflake decorations.

Elise had left Gilbert this morning sadly. Gilbert had talked to Elise about not coming back to school but they had yet to decide. Elise wished he would come back, she wanted to be able to be with him at school as well. She would never admit it.

"Do you suppose it's true that no two snowflakes are alike? I hope so. It's kind of comforting, isn't it?" Anne asked. Elise listened to Josie, who was gossiping with the other girls rather than Anne. "And the bank manager, who happens to be my uncle, he said that the Cuthberts are poor." "Anne is poor?" Diana wondered.

Jane leaned in, "What do you mean, 'poor?'" Josie sniggered. "Poor, as in: 'penniless old fellow with no head for finance.' The Cuthberts had to mortgage their farm. Isn't that sad?"

Anne shot up from her seat and walked over to Josie, Elise followed. "Josie Pye, you take that back!"

Josie rolled her eyes, "Why are you upset? It's only true. You're poor." Her eyes then softened, "Wait. You didn't know? Do you at least know if they're going to keep you?"

"Keep me?" Anne wondered. Elise tried to calm her down but Anne was too far in her imagination. The worst part of imagination.

~~~

Days later, Elise found herself alone in Charlottetown. She carried a small bag that was filled with Gilbert's lunch for the day. He had picked up a job of working on the docks.

She arrived to a crowded area of men who were tirelessly loading and unloading cargo without rest. Many of them whistled at her when she stopped and gave Gilbert some food and a smile.

She simply rolled her eyes and listened as they teased Gilbert for having a girl come and deliver lunch. He didn't care. Her lunches were the best.

Elise was sad when he finished his food because that mean she had to go back home now. She rode on Amber all the way to Charlottetown, who was resting at one of the known stables in town. Unlike all the other times, he finished his food and put out his arm for her to link. She looked confused but did it and they walked into town, discussing their days with the occasional tease and joke.

Elise squinted her eyes. "Anne!" She called to the girl that stumbled out of the pawn shop. She and Gilbert walked up to her As Gilbert and Anne said hello. It had been a long while since they had spoken. Elise could hear Anne's stomach grumble so she led them into the pub that was just next to the pawn shop.

"So you like working on the docks?" Anne asked incredulously. Gilbert shrugged, "It's a means to an end. I hope to get hired on a steamer soon."

Elise hated when he said that.

"May I ask what about your farm?" Gilbert took a deep breathe and glanced between Elise and Anne. "I don't have to decide right now. I want to see some of the world first. If I come back to Avonlea I want it to be my choice, not an obligation. It's what my dad would've wanted. I'm sorry to hear about Mr. Cuthbert taking sick and all those troubles."

Anne huffed, "It still seems unreal. Even though I just sold all our... Everything. But thank you." "He's a good man. He offered to help me with my land come spring."

Anne smiled at the mention of him. "I love him with all my heart. I don't know what I'd do if... I owe you an apology."

Gilbert shook his head, "I should apologize to you. I was rude." Anne tried to argue but Gilbert sighed, "Can we please not argue for once?"