He glanced at the clock. “It’s opening time. Go and make yourselves useful.” He left them and went to his darkroom.
Addie took over. “Remember to be polite and pleasant. Don’t be afraid to show the examples you have of photographs that come from the Brownie. People need to be able to see what they can expect. Above all, have a good time and enjoy yourselves. If you’re in a good mood, it will encourage others to be as well.” Most of the girls exited the building to go about their day. Only Mary and Esther remained.
“They can’t expect much from Mary,” Esther said. “She’s a terrible salesperson. She just wanders around out there andsays nothing to anyone. I’ve even seen her hiding herself away so that she doesn’t have to work.”
She seemed to be saying it just for the sake of making trouble. “Esther, I’ve had more than enough of your lies,” Addie said. “You will apologize to Mary or risk losing your job.”
Just then Otis returned from the darkroom, and Esther gave the pretense of bursting into tears. “She just threatened me,” Esther declared, running to Otis as if for protection. “She said she’d hurt me if I didn’t sell more cameras.”
Otis looked at Addie. “What’s this all about?”
Addie rolled her eyes, but it was Mary who stepped forward. “Esther is lying. Addie simply told her to stop lying about me.”
It was the first time Mary had stood up for herself and someone else. Addie couldn’t help but smile.
“I’ll leave you to resolve all of this,” Otis said to Addie.
Esther grabbed his arm. “But that’s like leaving a bank robber in charge of the bank. She wants to hurt me.”
“If you feel you are in danger here and want to quit your job, I can pay you what you have coming,” Otis told Esther. “I wouldn’t want you to be here if you felt threatened.”
“I ... well ... I need this job. I have to stay,” Esther replied, looking as though she’d just lost her last friend. “Don’t fire me.”
He pulled his arm away from her grip. “I wasn’t suggesting that. Besides, I put Addie in charge of you girls. If you get yourself fired, it will come through her.”
Shaking his head, Otis left the counter and returned to the darkroom. Esther turned back, and Addie fixed her with a hard gaze.
“You’ve only worked for us a few weeks. In that shorttime, you’ve managed to make most everyone here miserable in some form or fashion. Why not try to get along, Esther? Most of these girls have formed strong friendships with each other—with me as well. You’re only doing yourself harm.”
“I don’t want to be friends with the likes of you or Mary. You’re both poor and trashy, and I have no desire to lower myself to be liked by you or to like you.” Esther gathered her things and headed out in a huff.
Mary came to Addie’s side. “Sometimes she really scares me. I fear she might well do something this time to make me pay for having spoken up. But at least I did it.”
Addie smiled. “You did, and I’m proud of you. Esther isn’t anything to worry about. I’ve known a lot of Esthers in my day. They like to run off at the mouth, but seldom do they have the ability to follow up on their threats.”
The door opened, and Isaac Hanson stepped inside. Addie stiffened and turned away, uncertain as to what she might say. She was still so frustrated—angry really—that he had made such a scene at the pastor’s.
“Addie, I need to talk to you for a minute.”
She drew a deep breath to steady herself and looked at Mary. “You’d best get out there.”
“Are you sure?” Mary asked, looking past Addie to where Isaac stood.
“I am. Go on now.” She turned to face Isaac. “I don’t have much time.”
“I just wanted to apologize,” he said as Mary exited the building. “I know what I did at dinner yesterday was inexcusable. Elizabeth helped me to see that. I never meant to make you uncomfortable.”
Addie could see the pain in his eyes. He loved her. Heloved her just as much as he ever had ... maybe more. And she loved him, but the past made it impossible for them to have a future.
“I accept your apology.” She knew he wanted some further explanation. “Isaac, we haven’t been together in a very long time. I’m not the same girl you knew back then. Please try to understand.”
“I am, and I’m really sorry. I’ve looked for you for such a long time that my excitement at having found you keeps getting the best of me.”
She gave him a slight smile. “I forgive you, but now I must get back to work.”
“I understand.” He started to go and then stopped. “Addie, please don’t give up on us.”
She didn’t have the heart to tell him that the circumstances of her life had already put an end to them. Still, she couldn’t bear his grief. “Please give me time, Isaac.”
