Runaways (Orphans 5)

"I don't like my mother being someone's maid," Gerry said.

"I'm not being anyone's maid, Gerry. The girls have helped us a great deal. Didn't Dad tell you how he got the lawn all cut and raked?"

"Urn," Gerry grunted. He watched us eat. It was very uncomfortable, all of us keeping our eyes down, trying to be friendly, trying to make Norman and Nana feel comfortable too.

"Wait a minute," Gerry said suddenly, "where's your bracelet and watch, Mom?"

"What's that?" Nana looked at her wrists. "Oh. I guess I must have left them upstairs."

"Where upstairs?" he demanded, looking at us. "On the dresser where I always leave them, Gerry. Really, I wish . . ."

He didn't hesitate. He left the kitchen quickly and went to the stairs.

"Don't mind him none," Nana said. "He's always suspicious of strangers, always was, even as a little boy, right Norman?"

"Yes, he was."

"And he's worrying about us all the time," she added with a forced smile.

"I would too," I admitted.

We ate a little faster, despite the effort Norman and Nana made to make us feel comfortable again.

Moments later, we heard Gerry's heavy footsteps on the stairs and then saw him fill the doorway. He had a wry smile on his face.

"None of it's there, Mom. I checked your jewelry box, too."

"It's not?" She looked puzzled. "I'm sure I put them there," she said.

He scanned us.

"No one's leaving this house until that watch and bracelet are returned," he announced.

"We didn't take anything," I cried.

"Of course we didn't," Crystal said. "Why are you accusing us?"

"Please, Gerry, these girls . . ."

"You don't know anything about them. There are girls on the loose everywhere these days, running away from home, from jails, becoming little prostitutes."

"That's not who we are," Crystal cried defensively.

"You don't look exactly like Mary Poppins." His face grew stern again "I want that jewelry."

"We didn't take it," I insisted. "We don't steal." He nodded. "Sure you don't."

"Wait a minute," Norman said. "Seems to me I remember you taking them off before you started cooking last night, Nana."

"Yes," she said her eyes growing sharper. "Yes." She turned and then she went to a drawer in the cabinet by the sink and produced the watch and bracelet. "Here they are. I just forgot," she said.

Everyone was silent a moment.

"I think we're owed an apology," Crystal declared, her eyes fixed on Gerry.

"I think you got enough from my parents as it is."

"I wasn't referring to them," Crystal said. "You should apologize, Gerry," Nana said. "Aaa. I don't like it," he said. "I'm leaving for work, Dad. I'll talk to you later." He glared at us.