~𝒜𝒹𝒶~
Freight Car. A noun. Meaning, any car for carrying freight. Freight being cargo or goods.
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When we arrived home, Sebastian was nowhere to be found. As the evening settled in, Gilbert and I found ourselves near the cozy fireplace. The soft crackling of burning wood created a comforting backdrop to our conversation.
"When do you think Bash will be back?" I ask.
"I don't even know where he is so there is no telling." He takes a seat on the sofa beside me. "Let me take a look at that ankle," Gilbert suggested, his tone gentle. I hesitated for a moment but nodded, allowing him to assess the aftermath of my impromptu tumble.
He crouched down, carefully lifting my foot onto his lap. His touch was considerate, he pulls my sock down, his fingers probing gently around the affected area. "Does it hurt a lot?"
"It's manageable. I've had worse," I admitted, trying to downplay the discomfort.
He looked up, his eyes meeting mine. "You shouldn't have to endure pain in silence, Ada."
I offered a small smile. "I appreciate your concern. It's just a twisted ankle."
He continued his examination, his expression thoughtful. "You know, you're quite resilient and stubborn. That's the word you should've used to describe yourself."
"I learned to be resilient out of necessity," I replied, a hint of vulnerability creeping into my words.
Gilbert's gaze softened, and he reached for a nearby cloth, moistening it with warm water. "Hold on, this might help with the swelling."
As he gently applied the warm cloth to my ankle, I couldn't help but notice the tenderness in his actions even after I was a jerk to him all day.
"Thank you," I murmured, appreciating both the physical care and the unspoken understanding that passed between us.
Gilbert looked up, his eyes meeting mine. "Anytime, Ada."
"And I'm sorry for snapping at you this morning— and at lunch." I mumble.
"I forgive you, Ada. I can't ever stay mad at you for too long."
***
We went to bed expecting Bash to come home later, reassuring ourselves with the hope that he had found distraction elsewhere.
The following morning, worry etched lines on Gilbert's forehead as he sought information about Sebastian's whereabouts. As the day unfolded with no sign of Sebastian, the atmosphere grew increasingly tense.
Gilbert went out back to repair the fence that Bash had been trying to fix by himself for days. I went out to check on him. Frustration knitted Gilbert's brow as he grappled with the stubborn fence. His hands, calloused from hard work, clenched into fists, and a frustrated exhale escaped his lips. In a moment of raw emotion, he kicked the unyielding obstacle, a silent release of the tension that had been building within him.
"Ada, what are you doing outside?" His voice held a mixture of concern and exasperation as he noticed me lingering despite being under the weather.
"I needed some fresh air," I mumbled, my feeble attempt at an explanation.
"Fresh air won't do you any good if you catch a chill. Go inside and rest," Gilbert scolded, a hint of frustration lining his words.
"I just thought I could help you with the fence," I offered weakly, but his stern gaze made it clear that my assistance wasn't welcome in this moment.
"Ada, please. You need to take care of yourself," he insisted, his tone softening as he ushered me toward the warmth of our home.
As I retreated inside, I couldn't help but feel the weight of Gilbert's concern, mingled with the stress of not knowing where Sebastian was. The tension lingered in the air, unresolved and palpable. I watched as he went to visit his father's grave. He must miss him a lot.
He came back and started searching a desk in the hallway. "Where is it?" He grumbled.
"Need some help?" I ask.
"Found it!" He exclaims. "I will be back soon. You stay here and rest."
"Gilbert, I can walk-"
"Stay here. I've gotta do this. It will fix everything." He holds up the deed to the farm before kissing me on the forehead and dashing out the door.
What the heck just happened?
***
I laid at home doing absolutely nothing for a while, until I heard a knock at my door. I stood from my spot on the sofa and hobbled over to answer the door. I open the door to find Anne, Diana, Ruby, Moody, and Cole.
"Hello, Ada." Diana smiles. "Would you like to help us save Miss Stacy?"
"I—" They stare in expectancy. "How?"
"We're going to Charlottetown to purchase lightbulbs." Anne explains. "Want to come?"
"I sprained my ankle and I just..." I think about it for a moment. "Yes. Only if I can see Aunt Josephine."
***
"You didn't tell me we had to sneak onto a train!" I hiss as we wait at the tree line. "If I would've known you guys were broke I would've brought more money."
Anne pats my shoulder. "We will be just fine."
"All aboard!"
"Just fine? We're hopping a freight car!" I whisper, receiving a shush from Anne.
"I can't breathe." Diana sighs.
"We're all going to die." Ruby whines.
"It'll be fine. People do it all the time, I read about it in a book." Anne shrugs it off.
"A book? You've never done it?" Moody's look like they could pop out of his head.
"How hard could it be?" Anne watches as a man checks for people. "Just gotta get the timing right... I'll go first." She decides. The coast is clear. "It'll be fine."
"Hey, we shouldn't—Anne!" I hiss as she runs across the tracks, she successfully climbs into the cart. She checks to see if the coast is clear before beckoning us over.
"Now, Ruby." Diana whispers before running over to Anne.
"No. No... No!" Ruby cries as Diana drags her towards the train.
"Alright." Anne sighs after she has pulled the girls in. "Come on, come on."
"Go on." Cole nudges me. I look one more time before hobbling over to the cart. I beckon over Moody so he can give me a boost. He runs over, tripping over the tracks in the process.
"Come on! Hurry!" I scold. He runs over and helps me up. I wince at the faint pain in my ankle but we all make it on safely.
***
Anne grunts as she slides the door open, revealing a smirking Gilbert Blythe. I gulp and hide behind Cole.
"What are you doing here?" Anne asks.
"I figure I should ask you the same question." He gives her a cocky look. "But first let's get you guys out of there." He helps each one of them down and sighs when he sees me. "Ada Faye." I hang my legs over the edge and he grabs ahold of my waist. "I should've known that you wouldn't stay put for too long."
"You left me—" I cross my arms as I glare at him. "to go do God knows what."
"Oh I'm sorry." He puckers his bottom lip out. "I decided to make things right with Bash and split the farm deed out of the kindness of my heart." My mouth falls open as I grab the paperwork from his hand to read over. "I am just awful aren't I?"
"I am proud of you for ending your selfish behavior but I am upset that you left me alone with the cows." I scold as I hand them back to him. "Then I got roped up into all of this mess."
"I can't believe you hopped a freight." He wraps an arm around my waist, supporting me as I hobble around.
"Me neither. But it was for the sake of Miss Stacy." He gives me a questioning look. I lead him to Anne and let her explain the plan to him.
"Well good luck to you all." Gilbert smiles at the group. "Do you mind if Ada comes with me? I have to ensure that this ankle gets taken care of by a professional."
"Of course." Anne nods. "See you on the other side of the war."
"See you at the afternoon train." I call. "Say hello to Aunt Jo for me!" I wave them all off and Gilbert and I make our way into town. He runs me by Dr. Ward's and lets him know about my ankle and my cycle returning. Ward applauded Gilbert for how well he fixed up my ankle.
After we are done there we head to the Bog and straight to Mary's house. I can't think of anywhere else Bash would be.
"Gilbert. Ada." Mary looks distraught when she answers the door.
"Hello Mary." I smile brightly.
"Have you seen Bash?" She asks.
"I was hoping he was here." Gilbert frowns.
"He was, but..." she pauses and invites us in to explain what all has happened. "—And he saw my son and ran off before I could explain. I never told Bash I had a child, let alone a grown one."
"May I ask why not?" Gilbert asks.
"Because she's ashamed of me." A new voice speaks up. I turn to see a man, a little older than Gilbert.
"Ada, Gilbert, this is my son, Elijah." Mary says.
"Oh, Elijah, pleasure." Gilbert stands to shake his hand but Elijah just gawks at him before bringing his hand up to meet his.
"I'm not ashamed of you." Mary starts. "'Cept when you run with the wrong crowd like you been doing."
"You wanna speak this now?" He challenges her. She frowns as he starts to put on his coat. "I'm going."
"You just got here."
"I got business. Can't get no peace here, no how. You frettin' all night over some man." He shakes his head before walking out the door.
"Business." Mary scoffs. "He's bootleggin'. I hate this place sometimes."
"Is that why you didn't tell Bash?" I ask.
"I didn't tell him because..." She pauses as she cleans up her kitchen table. "I was worried that he would think less of me if he knew I'd—had a child out of wedlock." She admits making me give her a sympathetic look. "That's the truth of it."
"You must have been a baby yourself." Gilbert suggests. "Sorry if that sounded forward."
"It wasn't my choice but folks like to judge." Mary says making a tear prick my tear.
"Bash would understand." Gilbert says. "I know he would. Do you have any idea where he might've gone?"
"He barely knows The Bog." She shakes her head. "I went looking for him last night, but... It was freezing last night."
"Poor Sebastian, he hates the cold." I sigh, wiping a tear.
Mary's eyes widen in realization. "He hates the cold..."
***
"Have you seen Sebastian?" Mary asks as we enter her workplace.
"Gimme my five bucks back." Constance laughs.
"We didn't wanna turn him out but we didn't wanna scare off the customers neither." Jocelyn says.
"He's here?" Gilbert asks. The girls nod in response. "Where?"
They point to a laundry basket and Mary rips a sheet off of Bash's head.
"Drunk as a skunk." Jocelyn shakes her head.
"Oh, Sebastian!" Mary sighs.
"Hey, Bash, wake up." Gilbert shakes him and he stirs awake. "Wake up. Bash!" He slowly looks up and smiles when he sees Mary.
"Mary, honey, you don't wanna get mixed up with the likes of him." Jocelyn says.
"I do." Constance smiles at Bash.
"He's a drunkard!"
"I'm not a drunkard." Bash interjects. "I'm heartbroken."
"It's not what you thought." Mary kneels beside him.
"That man you saw was Mary's son." Gilbert says making Mary side eye him.
"Her son?" Bash asks. "Your son." He hesitates for a moment before boldly asking her. "Does that mean you can marry me?"
Mary laughs before realizing he is serious. "Marry you?" They stare at each other for a moment before Mary leans down and kisses Bash. Everyone laughs and Gilbert and I exchange glances.
Gilbert helps him out of the basket and to his feet. "What're you doing here, Blythe?"
"Oh. I guess I have a wedding gift for you." Gilbert reaches into his bag and hands it to Bash. "This is the deed to the farm. I'd like you to sign onto it because you're my partner. My family. I want you to have a stake in the land, fair and square."
Sebastian looks at him in disbelief and chuckles. "We're in this together."
"We are." Gilbert nods. "And hey, I'm sorry. I'm not changing the plan."
I sigh in relief as the two boys make up. "Thank goodness. I can't bear to be in the house when you two have so much tension between you."
"Tell me about it." Bash gives me a teasing grin.
***
"All aboard!" The conductor yells as we run—hobble for the train.
"Here, I can take that." Gilbert says as he passes Anne.
"Thank you." She breathes out. "Cole! Hurry, you'll miss it." I make my way onto the train and take a seat by Gilbert. I look out the window and watch as Anne and Cole talk before sharing a hug. Anne runs for the train leaving Cole behind.
"W-Where is Cole?" I ask Anne as they wave him goodbye.
"He is going to live with Aunt Jo." She sniffles as more tears stream down her face.
"Oh." I mumble. This will be good for him. It's for the best. "I'll miss him. But he will be very happy with her. I would know." I chuckle.
"I'm going to miss him so much." She cries.
I rub her shoulder. "At least he's just a train ride away." I smile before throwing a playful glare at Gilbert, who rolls his eyes in response.