August 9, 1859

August 9, 1859

Dear Lucy,

I’m sorry that you got into a fight with Duncan.  Didn’t you just tell me that you were becoming friends with him?  How can you become friends with someone without knowing them?  Really, you know things about him.  He likes to be called Duncan, he’s nineteen, and he’s going to be a teacher.  Isn’t that enough?

Well, I can’t really tell you what to do, because I hardly know myself.  I haven’t really been in this situation before, so I don’t know what you should do.  I say just apologize and get it over with, because it’s only going to get harder the longer you wait.

But you know, I actually agree with him.  I do not think you should go behind the waterfall.  It’s too dangerous.  Those rocks, the ones that Jaime was going to take you over to get there, are extremely slippery.  I tried going there years ago, and I fell off on the second one.  It’s not a good idea to go across, even if you have someone as handsome and strong as Jaime to help you.

Shall I continue with the story?  I think I will.  I’m sorry to say that there are some very sad parts coming up, so keep your handkerchief nearby, okay?  Julia and Frederick went outside nearly every day after that first time.  She got flowers and sun, and their relationship was moving along quickly.  Sara was still uneasy about it, but she couldn’t put her finger on why, so she didn’t say anything about it.

One day, right before your grandmother was getting ready to go with Fred to the outside again, Sara called to her to tell her she had a visitor.  Julia immediately set down her things and went to the door to see who it was.  She rarely had visitors anymore.

Julia was immediately surprised by who it was.  It was Thomas.  You remember him, right?  It’s been so long since I mentioned him.  The last time Julia had seen him, she had been extremely angry with him, and she still kind of was.  “What do you want?” she snapped.  “Someone is expecting me.”

“I came to apologize.  I shouldn’t have told you to be careful.  You’re completely safe here, and I shouldn’t have worried.  Will you forgive me?” he pleaded.

“Maybe,” Julia replied.  I hate to say this, but back then, you grandmother was extremely proud.

Thomas sighed.  “Who are you meeting?  I’ll walk you there.”

“I’m meeting Sara’s uncle, Frederick,” I replied.  “And you don’t have to take me there.  I know the way well enough.”

His eyes went cold.  “Don’t meet with Frederick anymore.”

Julia’s eyes filled with anger.  “Why not?  We’re friends.”

“Because Frederick Shuster is the spy.”

Julia couldn’t stand him anymore.  “Just because you’re jealous of our relationship, that doesn’t mean you can go around and lie about people that you don’t even know!”

“I know him well enough.  Did he tell you where he’s from?  Germany.  He’s a mainlander, Julia.  A spy.”

Julia threw her hands up in disgust.  “Get out of Sara’s apartment.  We won’t hear any more of this.”

Thomas could see that arguing with Julia wouldn’t get him anywhere, but he looked at Sara, pleading with her eyes.  She just looked . . . broken, like she didn’t know who to believe.  She respected Thomas, but she loved her uncle.  She started crying and ran to her room.  Thomas, deciding that it would be best to leave them both alone, just turned and walked away, not looking back.

I think that’s far enough.  Have you apologized to Duncan yet?

Sincerely, Safiya