Page 31 of Meet Me in Aveline

I stepped out of the truck and felt a blast of cold air. I zipped my coat up a little higher and cupped my hands over my face, breathing into them.

“Well, shit,” I muttered to myself, pulling out my pack of cigarettes from my coat pocket and lighting one. I inhaled deeply before blowing out the smoke and leaning my head up to the sky.

Why had I thought coming back to Aveline would be a good idea?

Why had I thought I could restore this house and not be plagued by the memories that were etched into its walls? These walls were burdened with pain and sorrow and the story of a life I didn’t want to remember. Did I really think some paint would keep me from wanting to claw my way out of it?

And how was I ever going to figure out what my life was supposed to look like now?

I took another puff off the cigarette, flicking away the excess ash, and pulled down the stocking cap that covered my head. Maybe I should just sell it and start over somewhere new, no matter how much Aveline was a part of me.

“Smoking is terrible for you, you know.”

A woman’s voice spoke behind me, quiet but familiar. I turned around slowly, and there she stood, her auburn hair that looked like fire hanging along her shoulders with a pair of earmuffs placed on her ears. She had a bag I recognized from The Baking Tin in her hands, and she shrugged when I looked at it.

“Hey, Baker Boy. Do you still like donuts?”

Lettie.

“Because when you are imagining, you might as well imagine something worthwhile.”

?LUCY MAUD MONTGOMERY, ANNE OF GREEN GABLES

SUMMER 2005

TWENTY-FOUR

JUNE

LETTIE

After I got homefrom that first date with Tuck, I walked through my house feeling lighter. For the first time, there was a world outside of the little bubble I’d been confined to, and knowing it was out there waiting for me gave me hope that there was a possibility of a much different life.

My mother and father waved me off, not even asking how my library study session was, and I flopped onto my bed with my arms stretched out. I sighed, exhaling slowly before I began kicking my legs in excitement.

That night, I dreamed of the Hidden Hollow and donuts from The Baking Tin, but most of all, I dreamed of Tuck.

The next morning, I dressed quickly and came down for breakfast, ready to get the school day over with so I could sneak to Aveline. My mother and father were already at the table, coffees in front of them and newspapers covering both of their faces. They’d been doing this for as long as I could remember. One of them would read one section and then they would switch, never saying a word to each other but always finishing with their portions at the exact same time.

I sat down, retrieved a piece of toast, and took a sip of orange juice. My mother didn’t look up from her paper as she spoke. “I have secured you a spot at the Women’s Club after the debutante ball in September.”

I groaned, taking a bite of my toast. “Mother, I told you I don’t want to join the Women’s Club.”

My mother scowled. “Violet, do not speak with your mouth full. Where are your manners?”

I took the napkin from my lap and dabbed at my mouth like the proper lady my mother wanted me to be. I flashed back to eating donuts with Tuck, laughing out loud with my mouth full, not caring one bit that I had chocolate on the corner of my lips.

“I’m sorry, Mother, but I don’t want to join the Women’s Club. I don’t think it is for me.”

“Nonsense,” my mother replied. “Every woman in our family has been a part of the club, and so will you. End of discussion.”

My father hadn’t so much as lifted his gaze from the paper, and I knew there was no use in pleading my case to him, so instead, I nodded to my mother and she seemed pleased with my submission.

“Very well,” she said, taking a sip of her coffee. “Also, Violet, as soon as school is finished this week, we have given Theo permission to take you out.”

“Mother! No, please. I don’t want to go out with Theo Martin. I have nothing in common with him! Please, Dad, tell her I don’t want to go out with Theo!”

My father’s face was stoic, his eyes focused solely on the paper. “Your mother knows what is best. The Martin family is highly respected around the community, and it will be a good opportunity for you to get your foot in with a family of such prestige.”

---