In another photograph, Anna held a paper ribbon.
The words across it read, “Our Halloween Princess.”
“Why didn’t Mr. Harrison ever see these?”
“Mara received copies. She wrote me a thank-you card afterward.”
Mom reached into the envelope and removed a yellowing card.
Inside was a short handwritten message.
“Thank you for standing up for Anna when she needed someone. She hasn’t stopped talking about her princess ribbon.”
It was signed Mara.
I read those words twice.
“His wife knew you helped?”
“Of course.”
“Then how could he believe the opposite?”
Mom sighed.
“Mara told me he was convinced I’d been responsible. She’d tried to explain, but he kept returning to what he’d heard when he arrived. Eventually, she asked me not to approach him again. She didn’t want more arguments.”
“Did you know he still blamed you?”
“No. I thought he’d eventually understood.”
I glanced at the gold shoebox.
