22. Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Two
The aroma of chocolate in the candy store was heavenly. Best yet, when David announced their intent to purchase two of their largest boxes of assorted chocolates, the bald man behind the counter, the owner, gave them samples to eat right on the spot. Jane couldn’t believe that he’d just handed over candy for free, but David and Eddie were blasé about this unexpected offer of generosity, taking the delicately swirled pieces of chocolate and popping them into their mouths as if this were no big deal. The chocolate she’d been given was something called a truffle. Jane decided it was the most delicious thing she’d ever eaten in her entire life.
Overwhelmed by all the choices, she let David choose which chocolates should be included in the assortment. As the men talked, she found herself oddly mesmerized by an older lady behind the counter using a pastry bag to fill what seemed to be a mold. Oh, so that’s how they do it!
The owner handed her another sample, this time a candy bar in a foil wrapper, and said, “A beautiful gift for the beautiful lady.” She gratefully accepted it, but she didn’t open the foil wrapper. If only she had a way to share it with Mary! But of course, Mary would be getting a taste of the chocolate they were currently buying. She and the other girls were going to love the treats.
After all of the candy was chosen, the boxes were wrapped in brown paper and tucked into a paper bag for the trip home. Eddie took charge of the bag, while David held the door. Eddie offered his arm as insurance against the icy sidewalk, something that Jane gratefully accepted. A flutter came over her when he glanced down at her and smiled mischievously. David, who walked ahead of them, didn’t notice.
They were nearly to where they’d parked when a little boy of about seven or eight approached them. “I’ll carry your bag for a nickel, mister,” he said, with a hopeful smile. “I’m very strong.”
“No, thank you,” Eddie said with a nod. “It’s actually not heavy at all.”
David added, “We don’t need any assistance, thanks.”
“Wait a minute.” Jane stopped in her tracks and addressed the child. “What would you do with a nickel if you got one?”
“Give it to my mother, of course,” he said earnestly. “We could buy a loaf of bread with that much.” He had a dirt smudge on one cheek. Jane had to hold back the urge to wipe it clean.
She turned to David. “Don’t you have a nickel to give? ”
David gave her a curious look but stuck his hand in his pocket and pulled out a quarter. “I’ll give this to you as long as you promise not to announce it to the world. Just take it quietly and go straight home to your mother.”
“Yes, sir! I promise.”
“Give this to your mother too,” Jane said, handing him the candy bar.
The little boy’s face lit up in amazement. “Oh boy! Thank you, miss.”
“Remember, not a word.” David held out the coin.
“Not a word.” He crossed his heart before snatching the coin out of David’s hand. “Thank you, mister.” The boy was true to his promise, running quickly in the opposite direction.
On the ride home, Jane asked David, “Why did you tell that boy not to say a word after you gave him the money?”
Eddie answered on his behalf. “Because he didn’t want us to suddenly be surrounded by a pack of children begging for money.”
David said, “That’s exactly it. If you give to one, the next thing you know there’s more. It’s heartbreaking running out of money and having to look in their eyes and tell them no. They’re just children, and they’re out in the cold begging. But of course, you wouldn’t know anything about that, Jacquelyn. You so rarely leave your crystal palace.” His tone was dry, but the words were biting. Clearly, there was animosity between the brother and sister.
The truck from Gimbels arrived shortly after their own arrival at the mansion. Jane and Eddie went inside, while David directed the delivery on the driveway. Even though Jane had been at the Sheridans’ earlier, the feeling of awe upon seeing the grandeur of the home was just as strong. It wasn’t a crystal palace, but it came close.
Standing in the front hall, Eddie said to Jane, “David clearly knows something is up. Your generosity has made him very suspicious. I think we should tell him.”
Jane let out a sigh of relief. “I’m so glad to hear you say this. I’ve been feeling guilty.”
“I think it’s gone on long enough. We’ll tell him, and then we’ll drive the gifts up and you and Jacquelyn can switch back. No harm done.”
“Why do you think Miss Sheridan hasn’t called already?”
Eddie shrugged. “It’s hard to say. My guess is that she’s having too much fun deceiving innocent children. I may be wrong, though.”
“You don’t seem that worried about her.”
“If it were anyone else, I’d worry. Jacquelyn is another story. She has a commanding presence. She always gets what she wants. Believe me, if she wanted to be here, she’d be here. Chances are, she’s dead set on making her point and isn’t about to give in.”
Jane remembered Jacquelyn’s commanding presence because she’d fallen prey to it herself. Somehow, against her better judgment, Jane had been convinced to switch clothes and assume another identity. The power behind that couldn’t be denied.
David came in then, followed by two men in brown uniforms who went back and forth carrying boxes from the store. He directed them into the dining room, where they set everything on the table. A radio on top of a sideboard had been left on and was playing a dramatic story. Eddie spun the dial until he found a station playing Christmas music. “Now we’re in business!” he said, flashing a smile.
Something was happening between them, but Jane couldn’t put her finger on exactly what it was. A feeling of familiarity combined with a soft pang of yearning? Maybe. She was so inexperienced in the ways of the world, but this felt a little like the beginnings of love. Of course, that was ridiculous. She barely knew him.
In the midst of this commotion, Mildred came out, wiping her hands on her apron. “I’ve just finished baking cookies to take to the rescue mission for their holiday celebration. That, along with all these lovely presents, finally makes it feel like Christmas.” She grinned. “I’ll go and get the wrapping paper and string.”
Jane had never heard of wrapping Christmas gifts. She’d gotten presents as a child when her mother was alive, but they were always under the tree when she got up in the morning. No wrapping, just the gifts. Now, she played along and did what the others were doing, covering each package with decorative paper and tying them with string. With four of them, they were able to make fast work of it.
Every now and then she caught David giving her a puzzled look from across the table. Was she supposed to be the one telling him the truth? Somehow it felt like it was Eddie’s responsibility, but she couldn’t manage to get his attention.
Jane was tasked with writing each girl’s name on her particular gift. “Some people like to use sealing wax to hold the paper in place,” Mildred said, “but I’ve always found that to be messy. I guess I’m just old-fashioned.”
“I think they look perfect with the string,” Jane said. She looked to Eddie. “Weren’t we going to tell David something?” Her time here had been eye-opening and lovely in so many ways, but she was more than ready to cast off her role as Jacquelyn and just be Jane again.
David, who’d been concentrating on cutting a piece of paper, said, “What’s that?”
She blurted it out. “I’m not who you think I am. I’m Jane Shaw from the Sheridan Girls’ Home. Your sister had me switch clothing with her to see if anyone would notice the difference.”
“You’re not Jacquelyn?” He narrowed his eyes.
“No, I’m not. I’m sorry to deceive you. I wanted to say something, but your sister was very clear on keeping it to myself until someone figured it out.” She gestured to Eddie. “And then Eddie thought—”
David interrupted, talking to Eddie. “You knew about this the whole time?”
“Yes.” Eddie looked a little sheepish. “I’d told Jacquelyn there was a young woman who worked at the home who could be her double. Apparently, she was trying to prove that there wasn’t a strong resemblance, but since you, her own brother, didn’t see it, I think that backs my case.”
“They do look identical,” Mildred said. “If I hadn’t been there the day Jacquelyn was born, I’d have thought they were twins.”
“You knew too?” David’s tone was incredulous .
“Yes,” Mildred said. “Since lunchtime. We were certain you’d see it right away.”
David pushed his chair away from the table and came around to get a closer look at Jane. He motioned for her to stand and then leaned in to stare, making her very uncomfortable. He walked from side to side, studying every angle of her face. When he was done, he stepped back and shook his head. “Remarkable.”
“I’m so sorry,” she said. Somehow this bit of trickery no longer felt like the innocent fun Jacquelyn had proposed. She found herself holding her breath, waiting for the consequences. Certainly he would be mad, and she couldn’t blame him.
Finally, he said, “It’s uncanny. I mean, I can see the difference, but only because I’m looking for it.”
“Isn’t it something?” Eddie said. “Jane has her own personality, but on the outside, they’re a match.”
David threw his head back and laughed. “I hope you made a bet with my sister. I’d love to see you win some money over this.”
“No bet,” Eddie said. “In fact, she did it without telling me. She thought I’d immediately see the difference, proving her point, but it didn’t work out that way.”
“Is she waiting in the wings?” he asked, glancing at the doorway. “Jacquelyn, you can come out now!”
“She’s not here,” Eddie said. “She’s still at the girls’ home. She was playing the part of Jane when it was time to go, and no one noticed the difference. I actually thought I had Jacquelyn in the back seat when I drove away. It wasn’t until we were nearly home that I figured it out.”
Sheepishly, Jane added, “She told me not to say anything. I’m so sorry.”
“So you left her there?” David was clearly having trouble understanding the way the day’s events had unfolded.
“Not on purpose,” Eddie said quietly.
Jane added, “I’m so sorry. I wanted to say something.”
“I can’t believe you left her there.” David shook his head. “She has to be miserable. We have to go get her.”
Eddie said, “That’s our plan. When we drive up to deliver the gifts, the girls can switch back.” He directed his attention to Jane. “But I, for one, will be sad to see Miss Shaw go. I’ve been enjoying her company all day.”
Mildred held up one finger. “Shush, I think I hear the phone ringing.”
They all cocked their heads, listening over the sound of “Jingle Bells” on the radio . “That is the phone,” David said, heading out the door. “I’ll get it.”