Several customers entered the store just then, and Pearl was busy tending to their needs. It was easy for Addie to slip out of the shop. Unfortunately, she ran into Esther on her way out.
“Well, look at you. Looks like you got bossy with the wrong person.” She gave a self-satisfied smirk.
“Hello, Esther. On your way to lunch?”
The younger woman looked as though she were considering something witty to say, then shrugged and headed for the door. “It’s noon, isn’t it?”
Addie didn’t respond. Instead, she picked up her pace and made her way to the trolley stop. She found Hiram pacing back and forth.
“I thought you’d changed your mind and I’d have to come down to that shop and belt you again.”
“I’m here and so is the trolley.” She drew a deep breath. The last thing she wanted was to move away from the expo, where at least there were some folks who cared about her well-being, and go downtown with her brother. Hiram would just as soon throw her in the sound as tolerate any lip or protest from Addie.
“It’s a good thing you agreed to do this,” Hiram said as they took seats on the trolley.
“What would you have done if I was completely broke?”
He laughed. “I knew you wouldn’t be. Even in the Yukon you had a way of always having money. You’re too frugal. Pa always said that of you.”
“Frugal? I did just buy the cottage. Paid cash and didn’t even barter the price. That doesn’t sound overly frugal.”
Hiram looked at her for a moment. “You’ve turned out to be an odd one for sure. I’ve seen Hanson hanging around with you. I’m surprised you two haven’t run off to find a judge to marry you.”
“I have no intention of marrying Isaac or anyone else.”
“Didn’t like it much with Moerman, eh?”
“Sam was kind to me. I just don’t intend to ever marry again.”
“Well, that will remain to be seen. If I find someone who offers the right price, you’ll do what I say.”
Addie wasn’t about to argue with him on the trolley. She turned away from him and looked out the open window.
“It’s a good thing you’ve learned to keep your mouth shut. I wouldn’t hesitate to hit you just because we’re on the trolley.”
Still, she said nothing. He frowned as if something had gone wrong. Addie hoped that her silence would silence him. To her surprise, it did. When they reached their stop for the bank, Addie got to her feet and glanced back at him.
“Come on. This is our stop.”
The sidewalks downtown were crowded with businessmen. Occasionally, there were women dressed in smart-looking walking suits, but otherwise it was clearly a man’s world.
Addie entered the bank as the skies began to sprinkle rain. She sighed in relief. As upset as she was, she’d forgotten to bring her umbrella.
The bank was a beautiful creation done up in a Greek Revival style. The outdoor columns were marble, as was the bank’s interior floor. The ceiling soared overhead, trimmed out in elaborate moldings, while the teller stations werehighly polished brass with marble counters. Pearl had once described it as outrageous excess, but Addie thought it beautiful.
“I’m Adeline Bryant,” she told the teller. She produced a bank book. “I’d like to withdraw my savings.”
The man looked over her book, then glanced up at Addie and Hiram. “Are you sure you want to take it all?”
Addie looked to Hiram. “Yes, all of it,” Hiram declared. “Do what the lady says.”
The man nodded. “Very well.” He counted out her money a couple of times. Four hundred thirty-six dollars. He wrote something down in her book.
“I’ve closed the account,” he said.
“Thank you.” Addie hadn’t intended for that to happen, but that was fine. She knew that in leaving the area she’d have to re-establish a savings account elsewhere anyway.
She prayed that the man would know nothing about her bank box and when he curtly dismissed her after counting out the money, Addie breathed a sigh of relief. She turned and handed Hiram the money before they had even left the bank.
