When they reached their house, Christine demanded answers.
“Who were those men?” she spoke between catching her breath, “Why were they shouting at us for money?”
James wanted to avoid questions but he knew Christine’s persistence.
“I know those men,” he said, “I borrowed some money from them once….they haven’t forgotten, apparently, although it was years ago”
“I thought your family was fabulously wealthy,” Christine replied
“They weren’t born holding one hundred pounds,” James muttered, sitting on the couch in the entry room.
Christine sat too, “why did you borrow the money?”
“I was barely thirteen,” James said, “it was a little before my mother…left. I thought it was only a money rooted problem, that is all they’d ever talked about. So I borrowed pounds…several pounds….from Eric Brushe. He was as young and ignorant as I, so he gave it to me. I suppose it was an innocent mistake. I was just so desperate….to fix what couldn’t be fixed”
Christine sat silent for a moment, thinking.
“Why don’t you just pay him now?” she asked, “can’t you?”
“It’s not that I can’t,” James replied, “I just know what he’ll do with it”
Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
“What will he do with it?” Christine asked
“Something squanderful,” he muttered
Christine’s mouth dropped.
“James!” she yelled, “You would risk a group of men demanding money from you for the rest of your life for a reason you can’t justify?”
“He would be wasting-”
“I don’t care! You walk right out there and hand that man his money or I will do it myself” Christine regretted saying that last part.
“You will do no such thing,” James said, fearing how they’d treated her
“Did they follow us?” she muttered
James went over to the door, “I don’t believe so….I will go back….if that’s what you want?”
Christine stood still, “Please”
“As you wish,” James left and closed the door behind him
Christine flinched for the sound of a slamming door but the door didn’t slam. She went back to writing her letter to Maicy concerning her move in. She had decided to take up a position elsewhere. Christine was alright with this, she was more surprised by the fact that James would have been okay with Maicy staying with them. She was surprised James did a lot of things he did, but mostly the good things. She found that a little sad, but at least there were good things to be surprised about. She also couldn't shake James’ advice about Thomas’ letters. She couldn’t shake the thought that maybe he was right….but why would he care? It was ultimately her decision. Christine heard a knock at the door. She looked out the window before opening it and saw an old woman.
“Hello Lady Waltz,” the woman’s voice was small and wavering as she slowly bowed her head, “I was told you might be here….is lord Waltz in?”
“Oh I’m afraid not,” she smiled weakly, “he went into town”
“Do tell him I stopped by,” the woman explained, “I am visiting from Gardendale, lord Waltz’s old town…. bless his heart. I wanted to thank him for the money he gave me earlier this month. It truly meant the world to me”
Christine chose not to be surprised this time, “That is very nice to hear”
“You truly are a lucky woman m’lady,” the woman winked, “he is a great kindess to all people”
“Yes,” Christine said, “I suppose he is”