**
Together Again
You never truly grow up, although your age declares differently.
–Harry Finkle
Robert went straight back home. He noticed Jack behind the counter writing in the shop ledger. It was Robert’s job to log the supplies in the ledger, and he’d assumed that he would always be the one to do so. It’s odd what changes with time, he thought.
“Hello, Robert,” Jack greeted him, smiling. “Did you enjoy visiting the bakery today?”
“How did you know I went to the bakery?” Robert’s voice squeaked.
Jack laughed. “You are forever visiting the bakery. Where else would you go?”
“You’re right.” Robert laughed along. It felt good to know some things would never change. He’d have to go back later and purchase a fruit-filled scone for Jack…and maybe another one for himself.
Robert returned to the hourglass room. He placed the book Mr. Curry had given him on the desk and casually flipped through the pages. There was a lot of technical information. He decided to read it later that evening, after the shop closed for the day. It would be better to have no distractions.
Just outside the storage room entrance leading to the shop, Robert overheard Jack and a lady speaking in hushed tones. He strained to hear them, but couldn’t make out what they were saying.
Robert stepped into the shop to see Jack speaking to a petite blonde woman with her hair pulled back at the nape of her neck. A strand of her curly hair had fallen forward during the conversation. He heard them speaking of someone needing to take care of parents and Robert. She pushed the tendril behind her ear, then smiled when she noticed Robert standing in the doorway.
“Good morning, Robert,” the lady said. Her voice sounded familiar, and her features resembled someone he knew. Exactly who that was hit him like a thunderbolt. This lady was none other than his sister, Lizzy!
“Hello!” Robert replied in astonishment. He tried to speak again, but stumbled on his words. He could barely believe he was seeing Lizzy all grown up.
“You appear to be more alert today, Robert,” Lizzy said.
“What do you mean by that?” Robert asked. Jack leaned his elbow on the counter and did not dare interrupt.
“It’s just that you seem more awake than usual,” Lizzy said, smiling. “And that’s a good thing. Wouldn’t you agree?”
“I overheard you talking,” Robert said.
“You were eavesdropping!” Lizzy said disapprovingly.
“No, I was listening, and you just didn’t happen to notice. I wasn’t being secretive about it. Huge difference, if you ask me.”
Jack stifled a giggle with a low cough to clear his throat. Robert grinned. Lizzy had said something very similar to him years ago. It felt good to turn the tables on her. No matter how old Robert got, he would always enjoy getting a rise out of his sister. Lizzy glared at Jack, and then at Robert.
“And why would anyone need to take care of me? I’m not 10-years-old anymore, as you can very well see,” Robert said.
“Well,” Lizzy said, and dropped her eyes to the floor for a moment. “It’s just that…you’ve been in a kind of daze since Father’s accident. You’ve been not at all yourself for many years.”
“Robert,” Jack interjected, “what Lizzy is trying to say is that you’ve been here, but you really haven’t been here, if that makes any sense.”
“No, it doesn’t make sense at all. You’re both talking in circles. You don’t have to take care of me. I’m all grown up,” Robert said, growing angrier with each word. “When will you stop treating me like a child?” Robert’s hands balled into fists. He dashed out of the shop.
Robert was horrified that after so many years Jack and Lizzy still considered him a little boy. Apparently some things will never change! he thought. After all, I’m not 10-years-old anymore. Well, actually I am—but they don’t know that! And what do they mean, I’ve been here but not here? They’re not making any sense. Maybe they’ve lost their marbles!
Robert stormed into the hourglass room and slammed the door behind him, then walked over to the desk and sat down on the wooden chair.
What am I going to do? He wondered. Everything is wrong! It isn’t fair! Robert sat in silence for a moment, then opened the bottom drawer of the desk drawers. After 25 years, it was still where he’d left it. The Book of Memories. He picked up the book and placed it on the desk, then opened it to reveal the mysterious blank pages.
I don’t understand why Miss Caroline sold her home to Mr. Lowsley. Surly she could have had the means to live on her own with her famous pies and save enough coins to rebuild. It wasn’t like she was under any pressure to sell to that vicious man. Robert placed a hand on one of the blank pages. “Why would Miss Caroline sell her home to Mr. Lowsley? Why would she accept a meager amount? Help me understand.”
Letters began to appear on the blank page, swirling until the words formed complete sentences. The Book of Memories explained the terms set forth by Miss Caroline, which were reluctantly accepted by Mr. Lowsley.
Mr. Lowsley offered Miss Caroline a generous price for her property. In fact, it was such an enormous amount that she would have been able to move to another town and live a very comfortable life. Mr. Lowsley was shocked to learn that she wanted something beyond money.
Miss Caroline decided she would sell her property to Mr. Lowsley only if he agreed to some unusual conditions. After Miss Caroline explained her terms, Mr. Lowsley demanded her to accept a significantly reduced price for her property. The conditions in the contract read as followed:
First: Mr. Lowsley promises to always maintain a distance from Jack, Lizzy and Robert. Outside of earshot wasn’t far enough, it had to be much farther than that. A distance of 200 cobblestones would be enough to satisfy this agreement.
Second: Mr. Lowsley promises to not enter the Finkle’s shop without Miss Caroline or someone of her choosing being there. He would only be allowed to speak to Jack, Lizzy or Robert while making a purchase.
Third: Mr. Lowsley’s companions must also abide by the same rules set forth in the agreement.
Fourth: In the event Mr. Lowsley or his companions ever violate the agreement, ownership of the land and any new home built, will immediately revert to Miss Caroline. In addition, Miss Caroline would be able to keep the money Mr. Lowsley paid her to purchase the property.
Fifth: Mr. Lowsley is not allowed to repeat the conditions of the contract to anyone, including his companions.
Robert sat in silence, taking it all in. Miss Caroline sacrificed her home to keep us all safe from Mr. Lowsley. Why would she do that? Robert wondered. It definitely explains why Mr. Lowsley hasn’t caused any more trouble during the past 25 years. Robert placed the book back into the desk drawer, then adjusted his spectacles.
I need to fix things as soon as possible, and the only way is to figure out how to repair the clock! From this moment forward, I won’t stop until I make things right. Robert snatched up the book Mr. Curry gave him and examined the pages more carefully.
Robert quickly realized he didn’t know enough about the clock yet to decide where to begin reading. He set the book back on the desk and reached above the desk to remove the clock from the wall. He would need to open the clock and inspect it first.
Just as Robert placed his hands on the clock, though, the door opened. He turned to see Jack and Lizzy standing in the doorway with their mouths open. Lizzy gasped, then covered her mouth.
“What do you think you’re doing, Robert?” Jack yelled. “Leave the clock alone! We all agreed to never touch that clock!”
“Please let go of the clock, Robert,” Lizzy pleaded in a calmer voice than Jack.
“I’m a grown man!” Robert yelled. “Stop telling me what to do!”
“Robert, please,” Lizzy said, entering the room. “I’m not telling you what to do. But we cannot touch that clock. We don’t know what it’s capable of doing. Something could go horribly wrong!”
“Something already has gone wrong.” Robert let go of the clock and picked up its broken pieces. He showed them the broken parts resting on his palm.
“Robert, what have you done?” Lizzy said accusingly.
Robert ignored Lizzy and looked at Jack. “Can you help me fix it?” Robert pleaded. “I need your help. I can’t do this by myself, but you can fix anything. You fixed the lever under the counter when it was broken.”
Jack solemnly inspected the mechanical fragments in Robert’s hand. “Repairing the clock will take some time. I would need to reassemble the pieces to be sure.”
Robert hung his head, then said in almost a whisper, “I must return.”
Jack looked at Robert in puzzlement. “Return where, Robert?”
“Finkleton!” Robert said with his newfound voice.
Jack laughed, “What are you going on about now, Robert? You’ve never left Finkleton.”
“I must return to Finkleton. The Finkleton I once knew!” Robert roared.
“It’s the heat, I just know it,” Lizzy said. “Maybe you should see the doctor.”
“It’s not the heat, Lizzy!” Robert raised his voice again.
“What is it then?” she asked.