Out of breath, Rose finally stopped walking. She leaned down to catch her breath. Then she spotted a covered bench for a bus stop. I’ll take the bus to the Tube station, she decided. I’ll take the Tube back to Lionel and his family. I can find refuge with them. I’ll tell them everything. I’ll be honest. For the first time in my life, I’ll be completely and utterly honest with everyone.
Dropping down onto the bench with a thud, Rose sucked in her breath. Her pounding heart felt like a drum inside her head. I hate you, Rodney. She angrily repeated the words over and over again in her mind. You can burn in hell for all I care. You betrayed me. What a dirty liar.
Several people walked by the bus stop, but Rose felt safe behind the disguise of her sunglasses and hat. She sat as stone faced as she could on the bench, trying not to draw attention to herself. She was upset, but she hoped she was able to hide it. The bus seemed to be taking forever to arrive.
Rose heard lone footsteps after a lull in passersby. She glanced to the side to see Mother.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Mother walked by the bus stop bench at a slow pace. Rose looked down and she could see the shadow from the brim of her hat covering her face. She felt Mother’s eyes on her, so she pressed her sunglasses up her nose and slouched down. Mother seemed to pause and then pass by. Rose did not look up for several minutes, and when she did there was no sign of Mother. Nervous, she continued to keep her head down. Her heart was pounding until she heard the sound of the bus motor in the distance. When the large vehicle stopped, she dashed onto it, paid her fare, and sat down in an empty corner of the busy bus. She glanced around, and was glad to find that the bus was full of strangers. There was no sign of Rodney or Mother.
As the bus drove away, Rose peered out the window. Mother was nowhere in sight, and no one else had boarded the bus with her. She felt a wave of relief wash over her. I’m just being paranoid. What are the odds that she would be on this very same bus?
Out of nowhere, Rose began to feel angry at herself. I wish I had the courage to confront Mother. Why am I such a stupid coward? Why am I so afraid of that woman? She can’t hurt me. She can’t hurt me anymore. I’m eighteen and I don’t live under her roof. I’m not under her power any longer. Rose got lost in her thoughts as she rode across London to find the first Tube station she recognized. From there, she could find a train to Lionel’s stop. Each block the bus drove down brought her closer and closer to the Douglass home, her place of refuge once more.
Rose finally spotted the name of a familiar station up ahead, so she gathered her purse and small bag and hopped off with a few other people. Then Rose took the elevator down to the tracks. She rode the train to the station that was closest to the Douglass home. She began to feel ill in her stomach from nervousness as the train swayed.
What if they don’t welcome me back into their home? Rose fretted as the train rode along through the dark tunnel. I did just disappear at my own will. What if Mrs. Douglass doesn’t even want me to work for her anymore? I abandoned my job when I left. I wouldn’t blame her if she didn’t ask me back to work for her again. If that is the case, I’ll need to find a new job and a new place to live.
The more Rose thought about what she had done in leaving suddenly, the more ashamed she felt. How can I face them now? How can I tell them that I believed some guy’s lies and just left? Those missing person posters… they really and truly were worried about me. They cared about me. A family cares about me.
Still nervous that she might bump into Mother or Rodney somewhere, Rose kept her disguise secured as she exited the train with over a dozen other people. She climbed the stairs back up to the ground level. Stopping to catch her breath, she walked through the exit to the street. The sunshine shone on her face and smiled as she saw the familiar surroundings all around her. Rose spotted the tearoom where she and Julie often had tea and lunch, the bookshop where she and Lionel occasionally went to read, and the park where the three of them frequently went for afternoon strolls. Then there was the small grocery store where Mrs. Douglass sometimes sent Rose to pick up a few things, and the stationary store where Mr. Douglass purchased his favorite pens. She half expected to see Lionel and Julie taking a walk down the street, greeting her with smiling faces. Lionel would give her a quiet hug and Julie would chatter endlessly about how much they had missed her and how worried they had been.
At least I hope they’ll be glad to see me, Rose thought as she tried to push away her stress and anxiety. What if Julie hates me? What if Lionel won’t speak to me? What if Mr. and Mrs. Douglass don’t want me in their house anymore? I wouldn’t blame them. Not any of them. They probably won’t trust me after this. I’ll have no place to go, and no friends in London. All of the worrying had made her stomach sick. She stopped at a trash can and leaned her head over, worried that she might vomit.
After a minute, Rose felt better and she lifted up her head. She was dizzy, though, so she sat down hard on a bench and leaned her head back to look at the sky. It was a sunny day and the sky was baby blue, and bright with light. A fluffy cloud floated by. I can do this, Rose told herself. I need to march up to their house and tell them I’m sorry. I need to be honest. If they know how sorry I am and what happened, hopefully they’ll forgive me. I care about the Douglass family. I really do. I don’t think I even realized how much I cared about them until now. Mr. and Mrs. Douglass treat me like their daughter. Julie is like a sister to me. Lionel is… well, I guess he’s like a brother.
Taking a deep breath, Rose slowly stood up from the bench. Feeling less dizzy, she began to walk. She was almost to the street where they lived. Thoughts swirled around in her head. Will they be understanding? Will they forgive me?
Rose spotted their street sign up ahead. She recognized the tall, white house on the corner, which belonged to neighbors of the Douglass family. I need to be positive. Rose took another deep breath. I’m going to be positive. They are going to be happy to see me. And I’m excited to see them, Rose realized. I’m going to see my friends, my second family.
Rose’s pace quickened as she turned onto the street where the Douglass family lived. She ripped off her hat and tore off her sunglasses. Suddenly overcome with emotion, tears began streaming down her face. A strong sense of relief swept over her as she thought of going back to this familiar place with familiar people. She wiped her face and looked down at her hand. Black mascara covered her palm, which was wet with tears.
“No crying, no crying,” Rose whispered to herself. “This is ridiculous. I shouldn’t be crying over this.”
Snatching a T-shirt out of the bag that hung on her shoulder, Rose patted her face dry. Then she stuffed the shirt back into the bag.
“I don’t need to let them see me cry,” Rose mumbled to herself. “No tears. No more crying.”
As Rose walked, the street seemed endless. What was normally a short walk seemed to go on for forever. Then she spotted it, standing regal and tall in the distance. It was the Douglass home.
A single tear trickled down Rose’s face, but this time she made no attempt to brush it away.
“I’m home,” she whispered. “I’m finally home.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Marching up to the front door of the regal red brick Douglass house with determination, Rose could feel her heart pounding in her chest. Lifting her hand high, she knocked on the large wooden door.
After a minute, Lionel flung the door open. His face was filled with shock, but he smiled at her.
“You’re here… I can’t believe it,” he said, stunned.
“It’s good to be back,” Rose replied, trying to sound cheerful. Inside, she was still worried.
“Well, uh… come in!” Lionel said, opening the door wide. “Here, let me get your bag. Are you okay? I mean, you aren’t hurt, are you?”
Rose shook her head. “No, I’m fine. I’m okay. I need to talk to you. I need to talk to your parents and Julie, too. If they want to talk to me, of course.”
“Of course they do,”
Lionel assured her. “Here, let me get them.”
He hurried away, his bag still in her hand. Rose waited in the large foyer as Lionel ran upstairs.
A door shut somewhere upstairs and Rose heard excited talking. Within thirty seconds, Julie practically ran down the stairs.
“Rose! Rose!” Julie cried out.
Rose looked at Julie’s face and noticed tears streaming down it. She wrapped Rose in a warm embrace and began crying.
“I’ve been so worried about you!” Julie spoke through her sobs. “I’ve missed you so much, Rose. You are like the sister I’ve always wanted, but never had. I realized that after you disappeared. Where were you? Please tell me you’re okay.”
“I’ve missed you, too, Julie,” Rose whispered. To her great surprise and dismay, Rose began crying. Her tears made a puddle on Julie’s polyester sleeve.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” Rose apologized. She wiped her tears on her sleeve and shook her head.
“Rose!” cried Mrs. Douglass. Rose looked up to see her trotting down the stairs toward where she and Julie stood. “Where have you been? Are you okay? Are you hurt? We’ve been so worried for you. The police have been looking for you.”
“I’m so sorry, Mrs. Douglass” Rose said, beginning to cry again. “And Julie, I’m so sorry, too. It’s a long story, but if you’re ready to hear it I’ll tell you everything. It was crazy, but I also made some really bad decisions. I trusted the wrong person. I shouldn’t have left like I did. I shouldn’t have left without telling you.”
Lionel reappeared and handed Rose a tissue. She quickly dried her tears. Mr. Douglass joined them and they all went into the sitting room.
“Please tell,” Julie begged, once they were seated. “We’re ready to listen.”
“Okay,” Rose responded, taking a deep breath. “Mr. and Mrs. Douglass, first of all, I’m sorry. I’m sorry to all four of you, really. I’m going to tell you what happened and where I went. But in advance, I beg for your forgiveness.”
Rose told her story, from beginning to end. The Douglass family knew of some of the details of her past, but not the extent of Mother’s abuse and manipulation. Lionel and Julie both seemed as intrigued when Rose got to the part where she overheard Mother and Rodney talking. Mrs. Douglass opened her eyes wide in horror and Mr. Douglass listened intently, his mouth hanging open.
Julie’s eyes grew even wider when Rose explained that Mother and Rodney were dating. Her mouth dropped open and a look of sheer shocked filled her face, as did Lionel’s face. Julie shrieked.
“That might be the craziest thing I’ve ever heard,” Julie finally said. “Isn’t that lady really old? That’s really disgusting. He was dating his girlfriend’s daughter! That is so, so gross!”
“I know, it’s awful,” Rose said, still feeling both hurt and angry about the whole situation.
“It sure is,” Lionel chimed in. “That guy really is insane.”
“What an awful thing,” Mrs. Douglass said sympathetically. “I’m so sorry that all of this happened to you, Rose.”
Rose continued with her story. She told them about how badly she felt about leaving. She apologized again.
“No apology necessary, Rose,” Lionel told her. “You didn’t have bad intentions. We are just happy you’re okay.” Lionel began shaking his head. “What a disgusting, horrible woman,” Lionel said when Rose finished talking.
“Of course we forgive you, Rose,” Mrs. Douglass cooed gently. “You trusted an evil man.”
Rose nodded. She agreed, but she was still in too much shock to say anymore. What she had learned that day had changed her entire world.
“I’m a bit concerned about these people,” Mr. Douglass told Rose. “There is obviously something criminal going on. They are afraid of the authorities. And what was that about the jewelry? It’s all very strange. If you are fine with giving a statement tonight, I’m going to have a policeman come here and take a report.”
“That’s fine,” Rose agreed.
“Good,” Mr. Douglass said. “Then tomorrow we can go to the police station and speak to an investigator. Now, for all three of you.” He turned to face Rose, Julie, and Lionel. “Be careful. Be aware. These people know where we live, and they might want to harm Rose. Just let me know if you see anything suspicious.”
“Yes, of course, dad,” Lionel agreed. Rose and Julie also nodded their heads in agreement.
Mr. and Mrs. Douglass left the room and Lionel took a seat on the sofa beside Rose. Julie began telling Rose all that had happened when she was gone.
“Oh, gosh, Rose,” Julie breathed dramatically. “I was so worried when you were gone. When you didn’t come back that first night, I started worry eating. Have you ever done worry eating?”
Rose shook her head.
Julie continued with eagerness. “Okay, worry eating is kind of like stress eating. My mom had some extra desserts leftover from the party. The first night, I ate four slices of chocolate cake. Then I ate three cherry tarts. I felt like I was going to throw up, but I just kept eating. The next day, I finished off the chocolate cake and ate five slices of pound cake. I also ate two pints of ice cream. It was horrible.”
Rose glanced back at Lionel, who was shaking his head, as if in disbelief. She had to hide her smile as Julie continued her story.
“Anyway, after two days of you being gone, I gained five pounds. Five pounds!” Julie’s eyes grew wide. “So now I’m on a vegetables only diet. That means I only eat vegetables. It’s kind of boring, but I need to keep it up. I’m only like one pound away from my normal weight. The weight I was at before you disappeared, I mean.”
“Wow, good for you,” Rose told her friend, trying to sound encouraging.
“Thanks!” Julie exclaimed. “I bought a juicing machine, too. I make fresh carrot juice every day. It’s really healthy. Yesterday I made carrot and beet juice, which wasn’t as good. I’m going to try adding spinach tomorrow to my juice. Maybe even brussel sprouts. I only have one more pound to go. When I lose it, then we can go out for ice cream. How does that sound?”
“Sounds great.” Rose paused. “Julie, are you sure it’s healthy to eat only vegetables for a week?”
“Well, maybe not, but I’m fine,” Julie reassured her.
“’Fine’ is not the word I’d use,” Lionel interjected. “She’s so weak that she always has to sit down. Like, every five minutes.”
“Oh, shut up, Lionel,” Julie chided. “I’m fine.”
Mrs. Douglass called them to dinner soon, and everyone went downstairs. Mrs. Douglass had asked their cook to prepare a special dinner to celebrate Rose’s return. The cook made prime rib, roasted potatoes, and asparagus.
“I can’t eat the prime rib or the potatoes,” Julie reminded her father as he passed her the platters.
“Julie, really,” Mr. Douglass scolded.
“Julie, dear, you have to eat something,” Mrs. Douglass said gently. She reached over to cover Julie’s hand.
“I’ll eat the asparagus,” Julie reassured her parents.
Mr. and Mrs. Douglass glanced at each other, but said nothing. Lionel covered his mouth, and Rose believed that he was laughing.
“That Mr. Fontaine sounds dangerous,” Mrs. Douglass commented as they discussed Rose’s story further.
“Yes, he does,” Mr. Douglass added casually before taking a bite of his steak. “We need to ask the police if they have any records of a man named Fontaine.
After dinner, a young police officer came over to the house to interview Rose. He asked her various questions about where Rodney lived and what Mother looked like. She painfully gave the man all the details.
Later that night, Julie followed Rose into her room and babbled about how wonderful it was to have her friend back. They sat on the bed together and Julie talked faster than Rose’s tired mind could follow. Trying to pay attention, Rose smiled and nodded, adding a word or two to the conversation.
“I feel like I have my sister back,” Julie s
aid with excitement. “I was worried every single day that you were gone. I even cried a couple times. Lionel was so worried that he looked sick.”
“Really?” Rose asked, surprised.
“He would stare out the front window for like an hour,” Julie told her. “Literally for a hour! I would walk into the sitting room and he’d be standing on the other side of the curtain, with his face almost pressed up against the window. I could see his shadow through the sheers whenever I’d peek into the room. He always looked upset and he hardly talked and hardly ate anything sometimes at mealtime. Isn’t that crazy?”
Rose nodded. “Crazy,” she mumbled. She stared off into the distance as Julie continued to talk.
Hardly talked? Hardly ate? Stared out the window? How could someone care that much about me? And meanwhile, I thought he was some stupid, evil guy. For a week, I cursed his name and wished that I had never even met him. I was hating him, and meanwhile he was longing for me to return. I’ve been so wrong about him. I’m ashamed to think of all the horrible feelings and thoughts I had.
Several minutes after Julie had gone to bed, Rose tiptoed down the hallway to say good-night to Lionel. She softly knocked on his bedroom door. After about ten seconds, he opened it slowly.
“Oh, Rose!” he said happily, his face lighting up and a smile filling it. “Come on in!” He opened the door wide and Rose stepped inside onto the navy blue carpet. The room was simple, with tall grey walls, white crown molding, and a few framed photographs on the walls. All of the furniture was a deep walnut color, and included a desk and chair, a tall dresser, and a tall four poster bed. A dark blue sofa was at the end of the bed, and that was where Rose sat down.
“I’ve missed you,” Lionel blurted out. He sat down beside her.
“I’ve missed you, too,” Rose replied.
“I hope you won’t leave again. You are like a part of this family.” Lionel smiled and moved closer next to her.
“I won’t leave,” Rose promised. “It feels really amazing to be cared about like this. It truly does.”
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