"Did you get into any trouble? Don't lie to me. Honey," he followed quickly. before I could contrive a false answer if there was need for one.
"No, Chandler. No one has said a word about any of it this morning, and we've seen Ms. Fairchild a few times already."
"Good," he said with relief in his voice. "Anyway, I'm going to work out another trip back here very soon. I've got some exams, and after that. I'll return."
"I'll be w
aiting for you. Chandler."
"Don't fall in love with any handsome actors, singers, or producers until I do return," he warned with a small laugh. His sincere fear was palpable.
"I'm already in love. Chandler. I don't have room in my heart for another. This one takes up too much room," I told him.
"And keep the ring under my pillow so I can dream about you every night,"
I could almost hear his smile.
We said our good-byes and then I cradled the phone and wiped the errant tears from my cheeks. I was in my room, sitting on my bed, reliving our wonderful love-making. My eyes shifted to my closet, and for a moment or two. I stared at my clothing without understanding why something was nudging at me. Then I rose and went to the rack.
Moments later. I was downstairs again. Cinnamon. Rose. and Ice were watching television. Howard and Steven had gone to a movie.
I paused in the doorway, my hand at the base of my throat. "What is it?" Cinnamon asked quickly.
"My clothes," I said in a breathy voice. "the ones that had been taken?"
"Yes."
"They're all back in my closet!"
"Really?" Cinnamon turned to Rose.
"I'll go up and check mine," she said. rising. We all followed her and, sure enough, her missing clothing was back as well,
"Do you think any of this had to do with all the commotion this morning?" I asked.
"Maybe," Cinnamon said. nodding.
"Why didn't anyone ask us about the clothing, why we didn't report it missing?" Rose wondered aloud.
"Maybe they hoped you didn't notice." Ice suggested.
"She's right. I bet." Cinnamon said. "It doesn't matter though. After dinner, tonight, we're going up that fire escape again, and this time, we're going into the room," she added, nailing down her determination with a look in her eyes that clearly said. "Don't disagree."
It was still frightening, but with the way Cinnamon looked at us, we were all trying to decide what was more frightening: confronting the mystery or defying our very determined sister.
Conducting our investigation without attracting Howard or Steven's attention was the first task. They returned from their movie and hovered about us, suggesting different ways to spend the evening together. Cinnamon and Rose claimed they had letters to write.
"I'm long overdue," Cinnamon said.
"You just saw your brother," Howard told Rose. "Why don't you join us in a game of Scrabble?"
"I have my mother to write, you know," she said with feigned inclination. "She doesn't live as close by as your parents do."
"What about you two?" he asked Ice and me, ignoring her.
"Scrabble?"' Ice said. "I think I'd rather twiddle my thumbs. It's more exciting."
"I'm just tired," I said. "I guess the emotional pressure was more than I realized."