Chapter 9 Ineffable
I don't understand how you can smile all day long but cry yourself to sleep at night.
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"Father I told you, if you needed something I would fetch it for you.."
"Gilbert I appreciate your curtesy but I am well enough to walk, especially without that old dank of a stick, makes me feel older than what I am." Spoke Mr.Brown as he went to open the door.
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A couple days after Merliah had started going back to school, winter had just started to creep around. Snow slowly starting to graze the grounds of Quebec. It was in these days that Gilbert was not attending school as much as he used to. The brunette had been informed about how ill Mr.Brown had become, so Eliza and the girl stayed up late baking scones for the two to hopefully lighten up their spirits.
"Well hello Ms, Gilbert there's a fine young woman I can only assume she's here for you!" He spoke though his voice was rasp.
"Hello.." Merliah replied with a smile, she took this moment to take in his looks.
The man was older although whatever illness he had made his baggy eyes darker. He was wearing some old pajamas and his hair was a mess, he looked as if he hadn't slept in days, although he still withheld a warm gentle smile.
The weary old man motioned for the girl to come in, as she stepped through the door she smelt peppermint and spices, along the feeling of warmth as she left the cold as it was the uninvited guest that had to stay outside.
"Merliah what a surprise." Said a cheery boy with the softest brown curls that draped above his forehead. He tossed a rag over his shoulder as he crossed his arms, stains of powder and sugar gently placed over his cheek and his hands.
Merliah lifted up the basket in her hands.
"Eliza sent me with scones, she wanted me to see how you two were and if you needed anything. Ida was going to join me but she's come down with a ferocious cold." The brunette spoke softly, she moved a strand of hair out of her face and behind her ear, with her mitten that covered her hands.
The young girl turned to Gilbert's father, "Speaking of, how are you Mr.Brown?" She asked.
"Please, that was my fathers name, call me Alias." The man waved for Gilbert to come and take the basket as if they were heavy weights for the young girl. "I am doing just alright thank you, and thank Eliza for the scones I am sure they will be nothing but divine." He smiled at her as he motioned for her to come with them and walk into the kitchen.
Merliah followed, as they passed from the hallway to the kitchen the brunette gazed over the pictures that hung on the walls and the ones placed over the fire place. Merliah walked up to the picture in a frame that was set on the kitchen table, she gently picked it up as she smiled.
"She's beautiful.." Merliah said.
"She is.. she was always one of the lights in my life, other than Gilly here." Alias spoke as he held onto the chair for support as his strength was beginning to stride thin. "Father you should lay down." Gilbert took notice and quickly rushed to his fathers side taking his hand into his own and his other on his fathers back.
"Don't filly around worrying about me I'll be just fine walking on my own, you have a nice time talking with this sweet young lady." Gilbert's father turned back to the brunette, who was now carefully placing the picture back on the table. "It was a pleasure meeting you, I hope to see you again."
"Of course Mr.Brown." Merliah replied.
Alias gave one more warm hearted smile before turning around as he began walking to his room, his hands slowly grazing against the wall for support. Gilbert watched him like a hawk until he saw he entered his room, ready to come to help his father at a moments notice.
"So..." Merliah started, as she pulled out a chair at the table and sat down, taking her gloves off and placing them under her chin as she looked at Gilbert. "Gilly huh?" She spoke with a smile caressing her face.
"Yeah.." Gilbert tenderly spoke, his head tilted down as the girls smile was contagious. "I don't know exactly where it came from but he started calling me that when I was young, I don't mind it." He finished.
Gilbert than turned away from the brunette, taking the rag into his hands as he opened the oven to take out what he had been making. As he took it out the room filled with the scents of a delicious peach pie. As he placed it on the wooden counter he took the knife that was sitting on the plate next to the pie. Gilbert took it into his hand and he carefully cut the pie into many slices, careful to not mess up his perfect creation. Setting down the knife, he grabbed a fork and slid it under a piece of the freshly cut pie, and he picked it up and placed it onto a small china plate that had been imported to Canada. The boy turned around and placed it in front of Merliah.
"Oh you didn't have to Gil.."
Gil, I like that. Yeah I like that. Gilbert thought to himself, it made him feel more special. "It is okay, enjoy it. It's my first time making it to where it doesn't taste like coal, so you can be the judge of my cooking skills." He spoke with a snide smile as he titled his head up as if he was proud of himself.
Merliah smiled at his actions. "Thank you" She looked at the pie that was pleasing to her sense of smell, it's crust was painted with a golden brown pigment. The plate had a circle of flowers lining the edges, white and pink roses complemented by the baby blue that was the medulla of the plate. She picked up the fork that was tainted a bright silver, it was so clean that she could see her own reflection of her own golden crisp colored eye. The brunette took a piece of the pie onto her fork and she took a bite of it as Gilbert made another plate for his father. "I'll be back." He spoke to her, than he was off to his fathers room.
She took in the taste of the peach, the seasons and the sugar and flower; the honey drizzle that was glazed over the whole pie itself. She took another bite, it was truly delicious. By the time that Gilbert had returned she was at the end of the crust that supported the back of the pie.
"So Ms.Lane, how is it? Shall I be sent away to a dungeon for my horrible work, or praised to be the merciful Queen's Chief?" The curly headed boy spoke with drama laced in his tone as he placed the back of his palm against his hand as he turned his head, trying to hide the smile that courses up and across his light pink lips. Ready for the pretend punishment he shall receive. "Ah, well Mr.Brown.." Merliah spoke, as the crossed her legs under the table and placed her hands in one another, turning her expression to a serious one as she tried to not crack a laugh. Staying in character she continued.
"Judging from the golden crisp over the pie and that the peaches were perfectly executed. The drizzle of honey over the pie, that was your own idea?"
"Yes my beloved Queen." Gilbert said as he bowed, making the brunette laugh, hearing her laugh, her beautiful confident - light hearted laugh, causing him to break character and laugh with her. He cleared his throat and stood back up placing his hands behind his back. Smiling, trying to control his laughter.
"Overall, it was very quintessential. I expect you to be at my castle by sunrise to make me the finest breakfast a woman shall ever eat!" She said as she smiled to the boy.
"It was actually good?" Gilbert said, breaking character a last time. "Yes Gil it was remarkable." Merliah replied.
Gilbert spun in a circle doing a little dance with a smile on his face that this time he didn't hide. "You do not know how many times of burnt peaches and crust it took me to get it right." He said as he went to the wooden table next to the oven to get himself a slice.
As he sat down with a piece of pie in front of him he began to dig in.
"How is he, really?" The brunette spoke hesitantly. She did not want to cross any boundaries but the Smith's were starting to get worried, as of the rest of the town. Mr.Brown had been with a sickness for awhile now and he has not gotten over it yet, along with his old age it was not likely he would either.
Gilbert sighed as he took a bite of his pie, the happiness slowly washing away. "Honestly.." He spoke, turning his gaze to the girl next to him. "He's not doing okay. Doctor Carter said it's only a matter of time before-" He stopped speaking, he couldn't finish that sentence. He looked down at his pie with his fork in his hand, furiously blinking away the tears that were starting to crowd the entrance of his eyes.
"You don't have to say anything else, I understand it's hard." Merliah spoke. Regret in her tone for asking such a thing, this must be so hard for Gilbert.
In that moment, he could not finish eating his food. In that moment he broke down like the little boy who was still in his heart. In that moment he was vulnerable.