by Nancy Moser
The force of the decision made her spring into action. She rushed to the bedroom and quickly packed all her clothes and toiletries into her two trunks.
Then she spotted the red maple leaf on the table. She reopened the smaller trunk and placed it between the pages of her Bible.
Henrietta had one more thing to do. She took out a paper and pencil and wrote a note:
To my dear, lovely friends,
Forgive me for this quick departure. I have no other choice.
I have deceived you. I did not come to America with my parents’ blessing. As such, I do not have access to their fortune.
I made promises to all of you and to Unruffled that I cannot keep.
My humiliation and deception force me to return home in shame.
Please forgive me. I wish you the greatest success and happiness.
I love you all.
Henrietta
She read it over one more time then reverently laid it on the table. She quickly wrote a smaller note to Gert, thanking her for her help. She folded it in half and inserted rent money for another two weeks that she’d recently drawn from her account.
Then she put on her traveling coat, her hat, and her gloves, and took up her purse. She still had enough cash to pay a hack to take her to the pier and would need to depend on the ticket agent accepting a bank draft to buy a passage home.
Once in Summerfield she would be a typical woman of society and never worry about money again.
“Annie, would you set the table please?”
Annie was happy to oblige. These frequent dinners ala Edna were always welcome. Annie’s cooking talents were minimal, and poor Sean—though uncomplaining—suffered for her lack. At Edna’s he always had second helpings and ate to the point of a contented moan. After the baby was born she hoped to improve her skills. Yet with the store opening…all she could promise was that their child would not starve.
She spotted Edna and Steven at the stove, whispering over the stirring. Edna’s previous questions about whether Henrietta could marry an American teacher had obviously led to some conspiring toward that end. Did Henrietta feel the same affection? Although they had spent time together yesterday at the workshop and had sat next to each other at church that morning, Annie had not had a chance to speak with her privately. Yet the couple’s loving glances and soft touches spoke without words.
Edna turned away from the stove. “Dinner is ready. Where is Henrietta?”
“She’s coming,” Steven said. “We mentioned it again when we parted after church.”
The mantel clock struck the half hour. “It’s not like her to be late,” Annie said.
“I’m famished,” Sean said.
“I’m sure she’s fine,” Maude said, sneaking a carrot from the serving tray and handing one to Sean.
Vesta adjusted folded napkins under the forks. “Why don’t you go check on her, Steven?” It was said with a wink.
“I’ll go with you,” Annie said. It would give her some private time to talk to him.
Steven took up his hat and they were out the door.
“We’ll keep dinner warm,” Edna called after them.
“So it’s that serious between you?” Annie asked Steven as they neared Henrietta’s flat.
“On my side, yes.”
Annie was glad he’d been open about his feelings.
“What does she feel?”
“I don’t know for certain. But I believe she feels the same. I am in love, Annie. I’ve never felt like this before.”
“Maybe you’re just hungry, like Sean.”
“Stop teasing. It’s real. From the first time I met her, I knew it was different from any other meeting I’d ever had. It was not just a ‘nice to meet you’ moment, but an instant connection, as if I didn’t care if I met any other woman after her.”
“That’s quite romantic,” Annie said.
“Too much time teaching Byron and Browning I guess. Or Shakespeare. ‘Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight, for I ne’er saw true beauty till this night.’ That night.”
Annie stifled a laugh. “My, my. You are wholly smitten.”
“Wholly.”
They reached Henrietta’s building and went in, taking the stairs to her flat.
Steven knocked. “Henrietta? Are you home?”
There was no answer. Annie took a turn, though it was silly to think Henrietta would respond to her voice and not Steven’s. “Please come to the door. You’re late for dinner at Edna’s.”
A woman came out from the room across the hall. “If you’s lookin’ for Henrietta, she left. Took two trunks with her too.”
“Left?”
“Just an hour ago. Had two chaps come up and carry down her things.”
“Where was she going?”
“Didn’t say. But somewhere far considering all the luggage.”
This didn’t make sense. Henrietta didn’t know anyone else in New York—or in America beyond their small group. Which meant…
“She’s going home.”
Steven blinked, unbelieving. “But why? And why so suddenly?”
Annie’s stomach clenched with nervous knots. “Did she leave a note?”
“I have a key,” the woman said. “She left it with me to give to Gert.”
“Let us in, please,” Annie said.
They were let inside, and Annie immediately saw two notes. She took up the larger one and read it aloud to Steven.
“She doesn’t have any money to invest in your business?” he asked.
“Apparently not.” The full implications had to be set aside. It wasn’t about money now. It was about Henrietta. “We need to stop her. We need to go to the pier.”
“Which pier?”
Annie remembered their discussion about the White Star and Cunard lines. “Cunard.”
“Let’s go.”
Henrietta was exhausted before she began. She’d had a hack pick her up, along with her luggage, and the driver had taken her to an agent who sold her a ticket to Southampton. Then he’d taken her to the Cunard pier, number 54. Although the ship would not leave until the next morning at noon, she had no choice but to wait.
The hack driver balked. “I’m not sure about leaving you in the waiting room with your trunks. There ain’t no place to sleep here, miss.”
“I don’t need a place to sleep.”
“I could take you to a nearby hotel like the Chelsea.”
She didn’t have money for a hotel. In fact, she’d paid for a second-class ticket home. At least they’d taken her bank note. Her father would know how to withdraw the rest of her money—what little there was of it.
The driver followed her into the terminal building. There were few people inside—for who would arrive a day early? She instructed the man to place her trunks along a wall, paid him, and thanked him for his help.
“Mind yourself, miss,” he said with a tip of his hat. “And good journey.”
As soon as he left, she sank upon the larger trunk. This would be her home for the next eighteen hours.
She nodded at a man who was sweeping the floor. And at a family with two children who were huddled near their belongings. It was clear they were curious about a woman traveling alone.
She scooted back on the trunk, using the wall for support. She supposed, if need be, she could use her carpetbag as a pillow and curl up to sleep.
Sleep was exactly what she craved. It was hard to fathom that just yesterday she had spent a lovely morning in Central Park with Steven and last evening she had been conned into giving up her grandmother’s jewelry. Church, the police, and the decision to leave had consumed this day, leaving her here, alone, in a stale-smelling terminal awaiting a ship that would remove her from this failure and bring her home to suffer the consequences of her recklessness.
She sighed and closed her eyes, finally able to take a full breath for the first time all day. In this first moment of peace, her thoughts sped to the Lord.
Her eyes shot
open. I haven’t prayed! Not once! Father, I’m so sorry. I went through all of this alone, without consulting You!
She wondered if things would have been different if she had prayed. Would God have stopped her? Would she be having dinner at Edna’s right now? Or…would she still be in Summerfield, married to Hank? Her on-again, off-again prayers created a long trail. Although she had offered up a few quick appeals, she rarely waited for God’s reply but sped along on her own course, mindful only of what she wanted.
The realization made her snicker. No good had come out of those choices. She’d enjoyed an adventure to America and had experienced the pleasure of reuniting with Annie. But she had caused much harm by offering empty promises and winning a man’s heart only to break it.
Henrietta bowed her head. I am so sorry, Father. I mucked up everything. My impulsive nature got the best of me, as has my delusion that I am in control. I give You control. I need and want You to guide me from this moment on. Please direct me according to Your will.
She opened her eyes and let out a sigh. It is what it is. I cannot go back. I can only go—
“Henrietta!”
She looked to her left and saw Steven rushing toward her. And Annie!
She slid off the trunk to standing. She was thrilled to see them, yet wanted to flee to avoid facing her hard truths.
Steven pulled her into his arms. “I’m so glad you’re still here.”
He’s not mad?
Annie touched her hand. “Your neighbor let us in your flat. We saw your note. She said you had left with your luggage so we took a chance…” She smiled. “I am also glad we found you.”
Henrietta pulled away from Steven’s embrace and stepped back to create a space between them. “I lied to all of you. I have no money.”
“I wish you would have told us,” Annie said.
“I—I just wanted to help. The business was so exciting. I had never been involved in anything like that with everyone giving of themselves.” She took a ragged breath. “Out of a desire to belong, I misspoke. And when I found out how much the rent was going to be and it was due tomorrow…I’m so sorry. I never should have come here.”
“I’m glad you came,” Annie said, taking her hands. “Forget the money. I am glad for your friendship.”
“But we can’t forget the money.”
They had no response to that.
“I tried selling my grandmother’s jewelry last night, but apparently I am too stupid to know a jeweler from a robber posing as a jeweler.”
“What are you talking about?” Steven asked.
She told them the story of Cohen & Cohen. “So you see, I am not only a liar, I am a fool.”
“You made a mistake. Your intentions were good.”
“Such as they were.”
Steven’s eyes were full of compassion. And pity? She didn’t want him to pity her.
“It’s best I go home where I belong. Unruffled can get along without me.”
“Probably,” Steven said.
“What?” she said.
“Steven!” Annie said.
“She’s right,” he said. “Unruffled can get along without her.” He stepped closer and put his hands upon her cheeks. “But I cannot.”
At his touch, she felt lightheaded and totally under his influence.
He peered into her eyes, his own gaze intent. “Henrietta Kidd, would you stay here in America for my sake? We only met three weeks ago, and yet…I feel my heart would break if you left.”
Her emotions took over, threatening happy tears. For she had feelings for him too. Although all logic told her it was right to leave, all emotions told her it was right to stay. Looking into his gentle eyes, she chose the latter. “I do not wish to be responsible for such breakage, for either of us.”
He beamed. Then Steven gently lifted her chin and they shared their first real kiss. It was gentle yet firm, and full of promises. She wanted more, but a long embrace had to suffice. For now.
Henrietta heard a smattering of applause and saw the family and the others in the terminal sharing her joy.
Which was complete.
Annie opened the door of Edna’s, swept in, and made a pronouncement. “Look who we found.”
Edna rushed toward Henrietta. “Are you all right? We were worried.”
“I was…delayed.” She looked at Annie and Steven. Steven had told her she didn’t need to share the details, and Henrietta had agreed.
At first.
But in the ride from the pier to her flat to drop off her trunks, and then to Edna’s, Henrietta knew he was just trying to make her feel better. She had to tell. How else would she explain that she couldn’t provide the money for the rent?
“And the truth shall make you free.”
Free to face the consequences but also free to not have to worry about her friends finding out on their own. Her parents had always taught her it was best to own up to mistakes. Plus, amid the bad, they had good news to share. She smiled at Steven. His faced glowed with a joy that surely matched her own. Good with the bad. Such was life.
“We’ve kept dinner warm,” Vesta said.
“Though the carrots look horribly wilted for the waiting,” Maude said.
It was time. “Let’s not delay Edna’s delicious meal any longer.”
Amid a flurry of culinary activity, everyone was seated. They held hands while Edna said the blessing. “Dear Father, thank You for bringing us together for this meal. Bless our relationships and this food. Amen.”
Edna winked at Henrietta and smiled at her son. She must have sensed something had happened between them—been nurtured. Yet her confidence and support made Henrietta suffer a twinge of guilt. She hated to disappoint them on any level. But it was time.
“I feel privileged to once again share a delicious meal with all of you, but there is something I need to tell you.”
Steven shook his head. “You don’t have to.”
“But I do.”
They all looked at her with worry creasing their brows.
“I am thrilled to have found the friendship of such astonishing people.” Her gaze lingered on Steven. “Honorable people.”
“We like you too, dear,” Edna said. “Very much.”
Henrietta held up a hand. “But I have not been so honorable.”
“You’re too hard on yourself,” Annie said softly.
Sean gave his wife a questioning look, confirming to Henrietta that it was best to get to the point.
She shook her head vehemently. “The degree of my sin can be judged by our Maker. But I must confess it to all.”
“’Lantic Ocean, Henrietta,” Maude said. “You certainly know how to get our attention.”
She looked to Steven and gained strength by his reassuring expression. “Go on, dear lady,” he said. “You’ve come too far to stop now.”
Henrietta took a deep breath and let it out, along with the necessary confession. “I have no more money to give you. I left Summerfield without telling my parents. I’ve sent them letters, but I’m sure they don’t approve of my exodus. They will not give me any funds. My money is gone. There is no more.”
After the initial silent shock, there were questions, and the full truth was revealed in all its awful entirety—including her stupidity in trying to sell her jewelry to a thief. Finally spent, Henrietta sat back in her chair. “There it is. I apologize profusely.” She hated the silence that settled over their uneaten dinner. “Say something. Please.”
“We need the rent money tomorrow,” Maude said.
That was the bulk of it. “I know. And I’m very sorry for it. Please forgive me.”
“Of course we forgive you,” Edna said. “And we are sorry for the loss of your great-grandmother’s jewelry. How horrible for you. Plus, to think of what could have been…The man could have tied you up in the back with the Cohens and—”
“But he didn’t,” Maude said.
Though maybe he should have.
As was her nature, A
nnie was practical. “Maude, maybe you can talk to Mr. Ricci and postpone the payment a few days.”
“Use your charm,” Vesta said.
“You presume too much.”
“To be blunt, delay will not solve the problem,” Sean said.
Henrietta wished there was something she could do to help. “Could I speak with him? Tell him it’s my fault, that you expected the money to be there, and I am to blame?”
“I see no benefit in that,” Maude said. “He’s a businessman. I made a promise to pay him tomorrow. That he respects.”
Which means he wouldn’t respect a liar like me.
The mood darkened as though the electric lights had dimmed. Had the light of their friendship dimmed?
Edna came around the table to hug Henrietta from behind. “Don’t worry, dear girl. The circumstances are unfortunate but not insurmountable.”
Maude huffed. “You have a stash of cash we don’t know about?”
“No,” Edna said, standing tall. “But God does. He knows our needs—He has provided for us at every turn. He will continue to do so. Our job is to—”
“Have faith,” Sean said.
“Exactly.” Edna waved her hands over them. “Come now. Bow your heads. Let’s pray for His provision.”
“And,” Steven said, “thank Him for bringing Henrietta into my life.”
“Into all our lives,” Vesta said.
Henrietta heard Edna’s heartfelt prayers, was humbled by them, and fervently added her own.
Henrietta returned home and found her trunks where they’d been placed after returning from the dock. Gert was not home yet from visiting her husband, the note and cash for rent still on the table.
She made a decision. If she worked quickly she could get all her clothes unpacked and back where they belonged. Gert had enough personal troubles without knowing about Henrietta’s folly with the jewelry and nearly sailing back to England.
She’d just hung the last dress on a hook when the door opened.
“I’m back,” Gert called out.
Henrietta tidied her hair then walked into the front room. “How did it go with Frankie?”