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"Let's go," Jimmy said, standing and pulling Fern to her feet along with him. "Let's finish this off."
"How did you get to the hotel?" I asked Fern as the doorman hailed us a cab.
"I snuck out of the house and walked to the corner and waved and waved until I got a cab," she said. "I've done it before, by myself and with Melissa," she said proudly. "I have my own money. I took it all with me when I left," she added, and she opened her little pocketbook to show me. There was a pile of bills all crunched up inside.
"That looks like a lot of money, Fern. How much is in there?"
"More than five hundred dollars."
"Five hundred dollars? How did you get so much?" I asked.
"I saved it up from my allowance," she said quickly. "I just knew I would need it someday."
"Clayton must have given you a big allowance," I remarked.
"Oh, no. I saved it over a long, long time. Sometimes he punishes me and doesn't give me any allowance for weeks and weeks and weeks. He says I don't deserve it. He tells me I should be paying him instead, for keeping me . . . for putting up with me," she added.
"Putting up with you, huh? That son of a—"
"Jimmy," I cried, swinging my eyes toward Fern. "Please. Watch your language."
"Oh, right."
We all got into the cab, and Jimmy gave the driver the Osbornes' address. Fern sat between us. I thought she would become more and more frightened as we drew closer and closer to Clayton and Leslie's townhouse, but she was filled with questions about Cutler's Cove and about Christie and the other members of what might soon be her new family.
What a remarkable young girl to have such courage, I thought.
When we got out of the cab I grasped Jimmy's arm.
"You have to promise me you won't lose your temper and do something foolish, Jimmy. It would only make things worse," I warned.
"Don't worry," Jimmy assured me. "I can handle his sort." He locked his eyes tightly on the door. "Ready, Fern?" he asked, taking her hand. She looked up at him and nodded. "Remember," he said, "tell the truth and don't be afraid."
"Okay." She nodded and started forward, but to me she finally looked terrified.
"It will be all right, honey," I said, coming up beside her. I put my hand on her shoulder. Together the three of us climbed the stairs. Jimmy pushed the button for the doorbell, and just as before, Snoogles began to yap. The look of surprise on Clayton Osborne's face when he opened the door turned hesitantly to a look of anger when he saw Fern standing between us.
"What is the meaning of this?" he demanded. "Kelly Ann, where have you been? How dare you leave this house without permission?" He reached forward to seize her by the shoulder, but Jimmy grabbed his wrist in midair.
"Hold on," Jimmy snapped. "We have some things to discuss and Fern," he said, pronouncing the name sharply, "has to be present."
Clayton pulled his wrist out of Jimmy's hand.
"So you've gone and broken your agreement," he said, rubbing h
is wrist. "I should have known. Well, you can both just turn around and get out of here before I call the police."
"Actually, that's what we want you to do," Jimmy said. "If you don't, we will."
"What?" He scowled darkly.
"Clayton, what's wrong?" Leslie said, coming up behind him. "Kelly? What are you—"
"She sneaked out of the house and went to them," Clayton explained quickly. "Obviously they have told her who they are."
"Oh, no." Leslie grimaced. "Kelly, dear, you must not be upset. There are many children who have been adopted, and that doesn't mean their parents love them less."
"She's upset, all right," Jimmy said. "And it's not just because she's found out she was adopted." He turned and glared daggers at Clayton. "I think we had better discuss what's really upset her," he fired, his words forcing Clayton to retreat a step.
