Chapter 5

The following morning, Harry arrived at the store. He saw the inventory of canned vegetables on the shelf was depleted, and he went to the storage room in the back of the store to retrieve more. He focused on the effort, careful to make sure everything was arranged perfectly to make the display aesthetically pleasing. His mind refused to make note of the fact that he was being much more diligent about the task than was precisely necessary ... or of the nervous flutters in his stomach every time he thought of sitting down with the pen and paper in the drawer.

Close to noon, as he was dusting the shelves along the back wall ... again ... the bell on the door rang as Rabbi Mendel entered. He waited patiently for Harry to return to the front of the store. He was smiling, if a bit subdued, both by the solemnity of the Seder the night before and by fatigue. He and Miriam had stayed late at Miss Cora’s house. She had returned a little later than expected, and then they visited with her over tea and shared their respective tales of the evening.

Because it would not be a working night and no one would think twice about anyone’s presence, Reverend Allard had invited many in his flock to the Seder. Among those in attendance was a married couple of his acquaintance. They spent much of the evening talking to Sadie, one of the ladies of the house. The couple operated a laundry in town. One of their assistants had been compelled to return home to Hannibal, Missouri, to care for an ill family member. The couple offered to take Sadie on and train her as the new assistant. They also assured her that her past would not be a barrier, a promise that could be facilitated by Sadie’s blonde wig. Her alter ego, Sarah, was a brunette.

The rabbi had observed, “It’s interesting. When people allow themselves to be close to each other, it becomes rather hard to see ‘otherness.’” He chuckled. “Although, Miss Cora, I hope you don’t mind losing her to another employer.”

Cora had laughed softly. “I am losing Sadie. They are giving Sarah the opportunity she needs to start on a new path. And on that subject...” She explained about Annie’s letter and the conversation she and Harry had had about it.

In the store, the rabbi pretended to peruse a shelf full of trinkets. “Miss Cora told me about the letter.”

Harry paused, then smiled faintly as he shook his head. He should have known she would tell him. What’s more, he should have known the rabbi wouldn’t let him hide from it.