Dear Cecily,You don't know me, nor do I know you, but I served with your brother Felix and his friend Elbert Werts. I'm sure Felix is home safe and sound by now, but Elbert's dead. Felix tried to save him, but it was too late. A cannon exploded in front of them as Felix dragged Elbert to safety. That explains Felix's broken arm. I'm not sure why, but I felt I should tell you. I was there, Cecily. I know what I saw. Maybe this will help you help Felix. I hope he is well, and I'm glad I finally got this off my chest.
Thank you Cecily.
The letter was not signed, but Cecily smiled nonetheless, because at least now she had an idea of what happened to her older brother. Of course she knew what she had to do now--tell Izzy, of course. She decided to wait until tomorrow to tell her friend; they were going to meet each other then anyway.
Just then, Felicity entered the room. (Since she moved back, the girls were sharing a room again.) "What are you doing, Cecily?" she wanted to know.
"I got a letter today. It was from someone who served with Felix and Elbert. Elbert's dead. This guy said he felt I needed to know."
"You should tell Izzy."
"I'll tell her tomorrow when she comes home."
"When will she get here again?"
"Four-thirty."
"Was there anything else in the mail today?"
"Some bills, and you got a letter from Gus. Sorry I didn't give it to you earlier."
She handed Felicity her letter. She opened it right away and read the letter to herself, smiling. "He's doing fine," she told Cecily. "He's been very busy. He won't be coming home until May, though. He has to train someone else to take over his position before he can come home."
"Does he know Felix is home?"
"I telephoned him this morning and told him. He misses me, the rest of the family, and Avonlea dearly. He doesn't know about how Felix has been acting, though. I think your letter should be just the fix he needs."
"I hope so, Felicity. I can't stand to see him like this." She opened one of the drawers by her bed and took out a nightgown. "Well, I guess I'll say good night."
"Good night, Cecily."
* * * * *
Felix lay in his bed at the lighthouse, tossing and turning in his sleep. The nightmare he was having was extremely vivid and painful. It took place as he was dragging Elbert's body away. As he was doing so, a cannon exploded in front of them.
Felix awoke in a cold sweat. It was a horrifying sight he saw. He wiped his face with his good hand as he sat in bed awake. He was afraid to go back to sleep, because he didn't want to have the nightmare return; it was too frightening to bear again. However, a few minutes later, he managed to get back to sleep.
* * * * *
The next morning, Izzy woke up, both excited and nervous about returning to Avonlea. She got dressed quickly and went downstairs. She went into the kitchen and sat down at the table while Muriel cooked eggs and toast for breakfast. "How are you this morning, Izzy?" she asked in a cheerful voice.
"Fine. I'm nervous, though. I mean, I haven't been in Avonlea for six months. I'm not sure what it'll be like when I get there."
"Iz, I lived there for a long time. The only thing that changes there is the people. Besides, you'll get to see Cecily and Felix, now that he's back, right?"
"I know. I just wish..." Izzy stopped mid-sentence, because she knew the next few words to come out of her mouth would be hard to say.
"Wish what, Izzy?"
She swallowed hard. "I wish there was no war going on. I wish Felix was not acting so distraught and becoming 'disconnected' from everything in the world."
"He'll make it through. He's got support from his family, and you've got to help him too, you know."
"And I will."
"I know you will."
Muriel finished making the eggs. She put a couple on a plate and gave them to Izzy, along with some buttered toast. She put the rest on another plate and sat across from her step-daughter. "Where are Father and Morgan?" Izzy asked.
"They already ate. They're going ice fishing together this morning. They'll be back in time to see you off, though. What time are you leaving again?"
"About ten. It's a five-hour boat trip to the dock in Charlottetown, and then an hour-and-a-half train ride to Avonlea. Cecily will meet me there."
"That's nice," Muriel remarked. "Is your packing all done."
"Yeah. I think I'm gonna visit Gus a little later--you know, to say goodbye and everything."
"That would be a good thing."
The two women finished their breakfast in silence.
* * * * *
"So, Felix, you're finally home," Simon Tremayne remarked as Felix was getting a tour of the newly remodeled hotel. There was a cream-colored rug in the entryway and sandy pink curtains throughout the first floor. There was also wallpaper decorated with sea shells in the dining room, accompanied by soft blue table cloths and napkins. In the main hallway were several sofas and chairs accentuated with roses (Hetty's choice, obviously), and the walls were painted a rosy color. The hotel rooms were covered with wave-print wallpaper, and contained an oval-shaped, large aquamarine rug in the center of each room.
Felix was extremely impressed with the newly made-over hotel rooms. Since he had begun working there as a young teenager, he knew they needed to be re-done. "I like what you've done here, Mr. Tremayne," he told his employer.
"Thank you, Felix," he replied with his usual Scottish brogue. "For once your aunt Hetty and I actually agreed on how to re-decorate the rooms. Amazin', isn't it?"
Felix laughed. "Definitely. I'm assuming she insisted on roses for the lobby, though."
"Yes, she did. I wanted the sea theme in the lobby as well, but no! She wanted a rose theme, so we compromised. She got the rose wallpaper and furniture; I got the cream-colored rug."
"At least you two agreed on some things. That itself is a miracle."
"Yeah. When's your cast comin' off?"
"I'm going to see Dr. Snow before I come here tomorrow. Maybe I'll get it off then."
"That's good. For today, I'm going to put you at the front desk so you won't strain your good arm. Is that okay with you?"
"Yeah. How's it been going with you?"
"Fine; you?"
"I'm glad to be home. I can't stand all the killing anymore; it's a shame. Too many people got killed for no good reason. I don't even want to hear Aunt Hetty talk about 'doing our duty to the Empire' again. There's no point."
"Are you saying you've become a pacifist? Just like your mother?"
"I don't know, maybe."
"You'll find out soon enough; I'm sure. Listen, why don't you go to the kitchen and see Pierre La Pierre. I'm sure he'd want to see you."
"Maybe I will. Thanks, Mr. Tremayne."
Felix went to the kitchen to visit Chef Pierre. They reminisced about past events, and Felix helped him make some hors d'oevres. Afterward, he went back out to the lobby and the front desk, in hopes of a slow day.
* * * * *
Izzy and her family (minus Arthur) met at the harbor five minutes before Izzy's boat was to leave. Gus was also there; he accompanied her there so she wouldn't have to go alone. Muriel was a nervous wreck, but she understood why Izzy had to go back to Avonlea. Clive was uncomfortable with this--one of his children was already gone; he didn't want another one away from him now. Morgan was probably the calmest one there; he wanted his sister to be happy no matter what.
"Give our love to everyone in Avonlea," Muriel instructed. "Make sure you send word to us when you get settled in. Also remember to--"
"Don't worry about me, Muriel," Izzy said. "I'm a big girl now; I can take care of myself."
"Tell Felix I said hello, alright?" Morgan requested.
"I will."
"I love you, Izzy," her father told her.
"I love you too, Father. I'll be okay. Really."
"Have a safe trip, Izzy. Tell Felix I said hello and tell Felicity I love 'er," Gus said.
"I will, Gus. I promise I'll write when I get settled in. None of you have to worry."
She hugged everyone there and told them how much she'd miss them. Then she picked up her luggage and boarded her boat. As it was about to leave the harbor, she waved goodbye to everyone, and they returned the favor. A few minutes later, Gus and her family went their separate ways and went on with their day.
* * * * *
"Felicity, dear, I don't know why you're worrying about clothes now. You're not even showing yet!"
Janet and her eldest daughter were in the store looking at the dress rack. Felicity wanted to look at clothes now, so she could have something to wear as she got bigger. "Mother, it will be a lot easier to get something new now than for me to take out hem stitches later."
"You're going to have to take out the waist anyway, even if you do buy new clothes."
"Mother, I--" Suddenly, Felicity didn't feel too well. "I think I'm going to be sick."
She ran out the front door as fast as she could. Just as she left, Felix came in. He looked over at the dress rack and saw Janet look towards the door with pity-filled eyes. "Hello, Mother. What's wrong with Felicity?"
"Morning sickness," she replied. "Did you know your sister's pregnant?"
"Yeah; Cecily told me. Too bad about the morning sickness."
"I know. What are you doing here?"
"I've got to get some food and other supplies for the lighthouse."
"Would you like some help?"
"Sure. Thank God my cast is coming off tomorrow."
"Are you excited?"
"Yeah."
He told his mother exactly what he needed, and she took it out to his sleigh as he paid for it all inside. After getting what was required, he drove to work. Felicity came back to the store just as he left, but she ignored him and went back inside to continue shopping.
* * * * *
Izzy sat on the big boat alone. She was looking out towards the frozen water, at peace with herself. Sure, it was cold, but that didn't matter. She took out her diary and pen and began to write:
December 27, 1914
I am sitting on a huge boat which will take me part of the way home to my dear, sweet, loving Avonlea, and to my darling Felix. I pray he is doing well and that he is content to be home. I know he's been acting distraught and distant from everyone lately, but I hope he's doing better now. I don't like to see him in such turmoil.Right now I am at peace. This is how it should be all the time. I hope Felix is at peace with himself again real soon. I love him so much.
The scenery is so breathtaking and so tranquil that I have to stop; I cannot write anymore.
Izzy Pettibone, Age 19
She put her diary and pen away, and walked over to the side of the boat. The water may have been frozen, but it was so calming to look at. She closed her eyes and inhaled the clean, fresh air. She also thought of everyone back in Avonlea, especially Felix. His immense height, short brown hair and eyes, his smile, and young, strong physique stood out in her mind. When she opened her eyes again a few minutes later, the image in her head was gone. However, she wanted to see her Felix again more than ever.
About an hour later, the boat docked in Charlottetown. When she got off, she was greeted by her brother Arthur. As he saw her, he ran up to her and they exchanged a long hug. "I missed you so much," she told him.
"I missed you too," he replied. "Are you ready to go to the train station?"
"Definitely. I can't wait to return to Avonlea."
He gathered his sister's luggage and loaded it into his buggy. Then he got in and drove her to the station, where she would board the train to come home. A few minutes after the ship docked, Izzy and Arthur arrived at the train station. He helped put her luggage on the train, and he instructed, "Take care of yourself. Remember, you may visit me whenever you like. Tell Felix and Miss King I said hello."
"I will."
They exchanged one last hug, and Izzy boarded the train. As it left the station, she waved goodbye to her oldest brother until he was out of her sight. Then she went into the passenger car and took her seat. Only a couple more hours, she thought to herself, and I'll be home.
* * * * *
Cecily sat at her desk at the telegraph office organizing everything before she left to meet Izzy at the train station. She was excited to see her best friend again, but she was also nervous about Felix's reaction when he would first see her. She hoped he wouldn't snub Izzy when they met. Then Cecily thought to herself, Izzy's going to be fine; so is Felix. Why am I worried? Everything will be okay; it has to be okay.
When Cecily finished cleaning up, she put her coat and hat on and left the office. She got into her sleigh and drove to the train station. She arrived about twenty minutes later. Izzy's train hadn't arrived yet, so Cecily took a seat on the platform and waited. She looked at the clock inside the depot: it was four-fifteen. She continued to wait for Izzy.
The train pulled up about ten minutes later. Cecily stood up and walked toward the other passengers, waiting for Izzy. Suddenly she heard someone call out, "Cecily!"
Cecily looked over towards the passenger car. Izzy was there, standing in the back part behind several other people. Cecily walked up to her as she got off the train. They met a few seconds later and hugged. "Cecily! I missed you so much!" Izzy told her best friend.
"I missed you too," she said.
They walked to the luggage car and gathered Izzy's luggage together. Then they walked over to Cecily's sleigh, loaded it up, got in, and drove to King Farm. "Iz, you must be tired after the long trip," Cecily told her. "Would you like to stay at my house tonight? I can take you home in the morning."
"Would your parents mind?"
"I don't think so. You can stay with us or with Aunt Hetty tonight. Besides, I think she could use the company."
"Isn't Mrs. Lynde staying with her?"
"Yeah."
"I suppose I'll stay with you, then. I'll visit your aunt Hetty later. I don't think she'd mind."
"No." Cecily took a deep breath, swallowed hard, and added, "Iz, we need to talk about Felix."
"What about him?"
"He's temporarily moved into the lighthouse, to be alone. Mother and I went to see him last night, and she said he was very self-defensive. I also got a letter from someone who served with him. He informed me that Elbert is dead, and that he felt I needed to know. Maybe Elbert's death is what's bothering Felix."
"Maybe. We should go see him after supper. Do you think that's possible?"
"Sure."
The twosome arrived at King Farm about half an hour later. Daniel came running out of the house as fast as he could. "Hi, Cecily; hi, Izzy!" he called out.
"Hi, Daniel," said Izzy. "You're getting pretty big, you know. You might end up as big as your brother someday."
"You think so?"
"Yes, I do. Now, would you like to help me and carry in some of my things?"
"Sure."
Daniel walked over to the sleigh and, after giving Izzy a hug, carried in one of her suitcases. Cecily grabbed another one, and Izzy took the last one. The three of them walked into the house.
Felicity was sitting in the parlor when they entered. "Izzy! You're back!" she said. She went to the door and gave Izzy a big hug. Meanwhile, Janet and Eliza came out of the kitchen, surprised.
"Izzy! I knew you were coming home, but I didn't know you were going to come here." Janet told her.
"Well, I'm here, Mrs. King," she replied.
They embraced, and Eliza gave her a hug as well. Cecily put down the suitcase she had and went back outside to take care of the sleigh. Then Janet told Izzy, "If you want to stay here tonight, I'll put you in with the girls. I'll have Alec move Felix's bed into their room." Then her attention shifted to her youngest son, and she added, "Daniel, will you take her things upstairs?"
"Sure. Izzy, come on up!"
She took her other suitcase and followed Daniel upstairs. Afterward, they returned to the parlor. As they entered, Cecily returned with Alec. "Welcome back, Izzy," he told her. She came down and exchanged hugs with him. Then they sat down in the parlor with Felicity and Cecily.
"I talked to Gus before I left, Felicity," Izzy remarked. "He says hello, and he told me you got a new job teaching a little deaf girl."
"Yes. I start after the holidays; I'm very excited."
"He also said you're expecting."
"That's right. I'm due this summer. I can't believe I'm actually going to be a mother."
"Yeah, and I'm going to be a nine-year-old uncle," Daniel added.
"You're only eight now," Alec told him.
"I know, but I'll be nine when the baby is born."
"True," Felicity returned.
Just then, Janet entered the parlor from the kitchen. "Supper's almost ready, if you want to come in."
"Definitely. I am starving."
"You're not the only one," Izzy remarked.
The five of them went into the kitchen/dining room and sat down to beef stew, mashed potatoes with either butter or gravy, green beans, and biscuits. Izzy told everyone about her trip back to Avonlea. Felicity discussed her incident at the store, and Janet let everyone know how Felix was doing, and that he was back at the White Sands. Everyone sat, ate, and listened to each other with interest. When supper was finished, Cecily told everyone, "I'm taking Izzy to visit Felix. We'll be back later tonight."
"All right," Alec said. "Just take a lantern with you and be careful."
"I will."
Izzy and Cecily gathered their coats and went out, taking a lantern with them, to get the sleigh ready. Afterward, they drove to the lighthouse. When they got there a few minutes later, Izzy told her best friend, "I'm nervous. What if he kicks me out?"
"You'll be fine, Izzy."
Cecily stood in front of the door and knocked on it. From inside, Felix asked, "Who is it?"
"It's Cecily," she replied, "and I have a surprise for you."
Izzy stood next to the door out of view. Felix opened it and let his younger sister in. "You won't believe who came home today," Cecily told him.
"Who?"
Cecily moved aside, and Izzy walked into the lighthouse. Felix stood in front of her speechless, not knowing what to think.
"Hello, Felix. I'm home."
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