~𝒜𝒹𝒶~
Pulchritudinous. An adjective, meaning beautiful.
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It's strange how a difficult and obnoxiously long word means something short and simple.
Beautiful.
"Beauty is earned not given." A quote my grandmother used to say.
In my eyes everyone is beautiful. Some people just simply have ugly souls. Attitude and demeanor impact beauty, along with actions and words. For instance if you use ugly words, someday that will be used to change your exterior.
Though there are simpler words one can use to describe or compliment someone like, pretty, handsome, or charming, this word has always been my favorite.
"Too easy!" One of my fellow classmates yell.
I stand before the class along side Anne, Tillie, Moody, and Gilbert.
"Spell "amorous." Mr. Phillips calls out.
Tillie smiles confidently. "Amorous. A-M-O-R-U..."
"Ah... wrong!" He yells. Tilly sighs and goes back to her seat. "Spell "gorgeous."
"G-O-R-G-I..." Moody gets cut off by the teacher.
"Argh! Sit down, you butcher of beauty. Ostracize?"
"O-S-T-R-A-C-I-Z-E." I sigh.
"That would seem to be correct." The class cheers. I glance at Gilbert who has a smug smile on his face.
"Haughty."
"H-A-U-G-H-T-Y." Gilbert calls out, holding eye contact with me.
"Callous."
"C-A-L-L-O-U-S." Anne says.
"Penitent."
"P-E-N-I-T-E-N-T." I continue to stare at Gilbert.
"Intentions."
"I-N-T-E-N-T-I-O-N-S."
"Persevere."
"P-E-R-S-E-R-" Anne gets cut off by Mr. Phillips.
"Incorrect Shirley." He calls. She huffs and stomps back to her desk.
"Engagement."
"E-N-G-A-G-E-M-E-N-T."
"Alluring."
Gilbert smirks before spelling. "Easy. A-D-A-"
"Incorrect!" Mr. Phillips interrupts.
My face flushes and I turn away from the boy.
"Ada, you won!" Diana yells.
I blink nervously as the class cheers. Gilbert shakes my hand.
"Congratulations, Ada. Guess I should've studied more." He winks.
I swallow the lump in my throat and head to my seat.
"Ada, are you feeling all right? You're pale as a ghost." My eyes wander to Gilbert. "What was that all about?" Jane asks.
I shake my head nervously. "N-Nothing. Don't worry about it." She nods leaving me alone.
Throughout the rest of the day I can practically feel Gilbert's eyes burning deep holes into the back of my head.
I don't know what to feel. I really like Gilbert, but I can't tell if he feels the same. Maybe it's all a game to him. But he's a very respectful boy. Those are hard to come by these days. It's times like these I wish my mother was still around. I could never talk to my father or brother about this, and my aunt Eliza is too old fashioned. She believes I should go to finishing school to become wife material. As much as I'd like to be married, I don't want to go to school for it.
I shake the thoughts out of my head and wait for the day to end.
"Class dismissed." Mr. Phillips calls out. Darn, I wasn't paying a bit of attention to that last lesson. I grab my things and head home. It's peaceful and quiet for a little while.
But soon enough I hear snow crunching behind me. Immediately knowing who it is I say, "Real cheeky what you did back there, Blythe."
I hear the steps quicken and Gilbert runs up next to me. "What ever do you mean?" He asks.
"A-L-L-U-R-I-N-G. Alluring, an adjective used to describe someone you find powerful and mysteriously fascinating. Now I don't know what you were trying to spell but it definitely wasn't alluring." I smirk smugly.
"Agree to disagree." He retorts.
My face flushes and I roll my eyes. "Boys like you are ridiculous."
"So are girls like you." He mumbles.
"At least we know how to spell." I laugh.
"And distract." He adds.
"Sorry, what?" I ask.
He smirks to himself before changing the subject. "So, how's that calf doing?"
I roll my eyes but respond with, "He's doing good. He'll be a great addition to your farm."
"Good to know." He smiles. "I believe our fathers worked the deal out before he left for Paris."
I nod. "They did. Alexander has the paperwork. I'll be sure to get it to you both when he's ready for sell."
We arrive at our split driveway. He turns to me. "Would you and Alexander like to join us for dinner?"
"Alexander has gone off to Charlotte town, but I'd love to." I smile. He smiles back and leads me to his house.
The winter air nipped at our noses as Gilbert and I walked towards his house. The conversation flowed effortlessly, alternating between playful banter and genuine inquiries. The crunch of the snow beneath our boots created a rhythm, adding a magical touch to the snowy landscape.
Upon reaching the Blythe residence, the warmth radiating from the windows provided a stark contrast to the cold outside. Gilbert held the door open for me with a charming smile, and I stepped into the cozy ambiance of the Blythe home.
The aroma of a hearty stew greeted us as we entered the kitchen. John Blythe, Gilbert's father, was busy preparing the evening meal. He looked up from his task, a warm smile crossing his face.
"Good evening, Ada. Gilbert, you brought company," John observed, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
"Yes, I hope it's not a bother." Gilbert seems concerned.
"Of course not. A pleasure to see you, Ada. Any friend of Gilbert's is welcome here," John said, extending a welcoming hand.
I shook his hand with a polite smile. "Thank you, Mr. Blythe. It's lovely to be here."
As John resumed his cooking, Gilbert and I found ourselves in the living room. The crackling fire cast a warm glow across the room, creating a serene atmosphere.
"So, Ada," Gilbert began, leaning against the fireplace mantel, "how did you become such a spelling bee champion?"
I chuckled, taking a seat on the cozy sofa. "Oh, just a lot of reading and a love for words. Comes with the territory of growing up on a farm with not much else to do." I pick at my nails and giggle at a childhood memory. "My first Christmas present that I remember receiving was a dictionary actually."
"That's interesting." He bites back a laugh as he joins me on the sofa, his eyes locked onto mine. "Well, I'm thoroughly impressed. You make spelling quite enchanting."
I felt a subtle flutter in my chest at his compliment. "Enchanting, huh? Is that a word you're practicing for our next contest?"
Gilbert smirked, his gaze holding a playful spark. "Maybe I am. Care for a rematch?"
I laughed, enjoying the lighthearted banter. "Anytime, Blythe. But I will be prepared for another victory."
As we continued our conversation, I couldn't help but notice that John Blythe, amidst his efforts in the kitchen, seemed to be coughing more frequently. Concern etched across Gilbert's face as he noticed his father's condition.
"Father, you really should be in bed. You're still recovering," Gilbert said, his tone shifting from playful to earnest.
John waved it off, trying to mask his weakness. "Nonsense, Gilbert. I can't leave our guest alone. I'm perfectly fine."
Gilbert sighed, a mixture of frustration and worry evident in his expression. "You're not fine, Father. Ada and I can handle things here. She is an excellent cook, believe me." I smirk to myself. "You need rest."
John gave Gilbert a stern look, but it softened as he saw the genuine concern in his son's eyes. "All right, all right. I'll go lie down for a bit, but you two make sure to enjoy the meal."
As John retreated to his room, Gilbert let out a sigh of relief. "Sorry about that, Ada. Dad's been stubborn about taking care of himself lately."
I smiled, appreciating Gilbert's devotion to his father. "No need to apologize. Family comes first. Now, let's finish our delightful evening, shall we?"
We returned to the dinner table, where the tantalizing aroma of the stew filled the air. Gilbert served us generous portions, and we engaged in lively conversation while savoring the delicious meal. The warmth of the Blythe home, coupled with the company of Gilbert, made the evening truly enchanting.
After enjoying our dinner, I suggested bringing a bowl to John. Gilbert agreed, and we carefully carried a portion to his father's room. John, grateful for our gesture, thanked us and insisted on resting a while longer.
As we settled back into the living room, the fire crackling in the background, Gilbert and I continued our conversation. The night air outside whispered through the window panes, creating a soothing melody.
"Your father seems like a resilient man," I remarked, admiring the commitment Gilbert showed to his family.
"He is, but sometimes he pushes himself too hard. Stubbornness runs in the Blythe blood, I suppose," Gilbert chuckled, a hint of concern still lingering in his eyes.
We chatted about life, dreams, and the challenges each of us faced. Gilbert shared stories of his experiences in the city, the struggles of managing the farm in his father's absence, and the aspirations he held for the future. In turn, I opened up about the hardships of losing my mother, managing the farm with my brother, and the societal expectations that weighed on my shoulders.
"It's not easy, Ada," Gilbert said, his gaze sincere. "Life throws challenges at us, and sometimes it feels like we're standing against a tempest. But we face it. We endure. And that resilience is what shapes us."
I nodded, appreciating the empathy in his words. "You're right, Gilbert. Life may be tough, but it's the challenges that mold us into who we are. It's comforting to share these thoughts with someone who understands."
He smiled warmly, his eyes reflecting a shared understanding. "Ada, I've enjoyed our time together tonight. You're not just a neighbor; you're my dearest friend. If you ever need someone to talk to or share the weight of those challenges, I'm here."
The sincerity in his words resonated with me. "Thank you, Gilbert. It means a lot. And the same goes for you. We may face storms, but having someone to weather them with makes the journey a little less daunting."
As the evening wore on, Gilbert insisted on walking me home. The crisp night air enveloped us as we strolled through the quiet streets. The glow of the moon illuminated our path, casting a serene ambiance.
"Life is a series of twists and turns, Ada. We may not have all the answers, but having good company along the way certainly makes the journey worthwhile," Gilbert mused, his breath creating small puffs in the chilly air.
I smiled, grateful for the newfound connection and the shared understanding that blossomed between us. "You're right, Gilbert."
With a nod and a shared moment of silent acknowledgment, we continued our walk, navigating the twists and turns of life's journey together, if only for a little while longer.
As we reached the entrance to my home, bathed in the soft glow of the moonlight, Gilbert turned to me with a gentle smile. The night had woven a connection between us, one that felt comforting and genuine.
"Thank you for tonight, Ada," he said, his eyes reflecting sincerity. "I appreciate the company."
I returned his smile, feeling a warmth in my heart. "Thank you, Gilbert. I enjoyed every moment of it."
He took a step closer, his gaze softening. "Will you be alright until your brother returns home?"
I nodded, grateful for his concern. "I'll be fine, Gilbert. It's not the first time I've been left alone."
"Though I don't like you being alone, I suppose I trust you." In that moment, Gilbert extended his arms, inviting me into a warm embrace. The gesture felt natural, comforting, and without hesitation, I stepped into the circle of his arms. We held each other for a brief moment, a silent exchange of understanding.
As we parted, he placed a gentle kiss on my cheek, leaving a lingering warmth that made me want to explode. "Take care, Ada. If you ever need anything or just want to talk, I'm only a stone's throw away."
I smiled, feeling a flutter in my chest. "Thank you, Gilbert. Goodnight."
With a final glance and a shared moment of unspoken connection, he turned and walked into the night. I entered my home with a heart full of warmth, grateful for all that had blossomed under the moonlit sky.