WEDNESDAY NIGHT,
OCTOBER 4, 1871
- Confessions -
“Did you hear footsteps on the porch?” Justin asked.
“Yes, it sounded like someone running,” Charlie replied, getting up.
Claire went onto the porch. “There’s someone … a small shadow … Oh, it looks like Poppy! She’s running down the driveway to the street.” Claire gasped. “She must have heard our whole conversation. All the blame everyone was putting on her … oh, the poor child.”
Justin felt as though his heart had hit the floor. Poppy knew she was being blamed for something she didn’t do. He had only hoped what happened to the gold chain would just blow over and Father would forget about it. He really didn’t want to blame Poppy—he just … He looked at Charlie, who was sending messages with his eyes and shaking his head.
It was time to tell Father what had really happened. “Father … ,” Justin began.
But Father was still talking. “It’s just as well Poppy knows we don’t want thieves around here,” he was saying. “We trusted her …”
“No, you didn’t, Father,” Claire admonished. “You never welcomed her or gave her a chance.”
“That’s right. I’m not welcoming a little guttersnipe from Conley’s Patch into our house or into our jewelry shop. You placed temptation in front of her, Claire.”
“I do not believe she stole anything from us,” Claire protested. “Why, she had a chance to steal silverware or other things when she was here, but nothing is missing. I think she was just beginning to know what love and affection are.… She never—”
“Love and affection?” Father exclaimed. “She stole from the store. That’s how she shows her love and affection.”
“Your father is right, dear,” Mother said. “If she stole from us—after the kindness you’ve shown her—then I’d just let her go.”
“Father, I need to tell you something,” Justin said.
“Not now, Justin.” Father cut himself a piece of pie for dessert. “In fact, I don’t want that girl’s name ever mentioned in this house again.”
Justin felt as if something were about to explode inside of him. “Poppy never stole the chain!” he blurted out. “I marked the price wrong and I didn’t know how to tell you. It was all my fault. Poppy had nothing to do with it.”
Silence. No one spoke, but everyone turned and stared at Justin.
“Did you hear me? I said it was my fault.” Justin buried his face in his hands. “I was going to tell you, but I was scared. I was afraid you’d think I was too stupid to ever work in the store—or cut a gemstone—or … ever be trusted.” He could feel the wetness from the tears on his cheeks.
Another loud silence. Justin peeked out from between his hands. Father was frozen with a fork halfway to his mouth. Mother’s face looked as if she had been struck.
Finally Claire spoke up, her voice shaking. “I just knew Poppy wouldn’t betray us.” She looked at her father accusingly. “She needed our love, not our distrust and suspicion.”
“It was only natural to blame her, with her background, her life at the Willow,” Father argued defensively. “But I would have never suspected Justin of lying or accusing an innocent person.”
“Nor would I.” Mother shook her head sadly.
“Honestly, I didn’t dream you’d blame Poppy. I was hoping it would all blow over and be forgotten,” Justin said.
“No one stole the watch chain,” Charlie said. “It was the only white-gold chain in the batch. The rest were silver, and Justin couldn’t tell the difference. He marked the tag as silver, not gold, and we sold it as silver.”
“Then you’re to blame, too,” Father said accusingly.
“I didn’t think to check it until the customer paid me,” Charlie admitted. “Then I went and looked at the inventory list and realized it was gold. The customer wouldn’t give it back or pay the difference.”
“And you’ve got to agree that it would be easy to mix up eight dollars and eighty dollars,” Justin interrupted. “Anyone could make that mistake.”
Mother shook her head. “I’m shocked at the two of you!”
“Yes, we’re disappointed in you both,” Father agreed. “Surprisingly, I’m more upset about your blaming Poppy than for selling the chain as silver. I feel bad that you couldn’t tell me the truth.”
“I was about to tell you.” Charlie’s shoulders slumped dejectedly. “I’m really sorry, but I promised Justin I’d give him the chance to explain first.”
“Father, I don’t like to say this to you,” Claire said, “but you are just as guilty. You had Poppy tried and convicted without even letting her explain—and just when she was learning to trust …” Claire pulled on the sweater that was draped over her chair. “I’m going out to find her.” She pointed her finger at Justin and Charlie. “And you two are going to bend over backward to make it up to her.”
“Where are you going at this hour?” Mother asked. “It’s dangerous out in Poppy’s neighborhood. You can’t go there alone.”
“These boys are coming with me.” By Claire’s firm lips and stature, Justin knew nothing would stop her from trying to make things right—if it wasn’t too late.