The Old House by Willo Davis Roberts

Author:Willo Davis Roberts
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Aladdin

Chapter Nine

Buddy staggered as if she’d been kicked in the stomach. “That’s a lie!” she exclaimed when she could speak. “My mom never stole anything in her life!”

Max shrugged. “I wasn’t here when it happened. I just heard about it. They talk about it when they don’t know I’m listening. For once, I don’t think the whole town knows, but I’ve heard it plenty of times.”

“Then you must have heard wrong!”

Max started walking again, pulling the empty wagon. Buddy wasn’t sure she had the strength to walk with him. She felt outraged, sick, disbelieving at his accusation.

“All I know is that as long as Grandpa had money, they seemed to be able to do the things they wanted. While he ran the store I don’t think they bought a lot of stuff, but they could fix anything that broke, at least. Then, after the money disappeared, they couldn’t afford it. Cassie doesn’t have any income of her own, except for what their father left her and Addie. It pays the taxes and basic expenses, but there isn’t much left over. At least it makes it possible for her to stay here and look after Grandpa. He has Social Security, but that’s not very much, either. And Addie has a small salary from the job at the library, and once in a while a small check for an article she sells to a magazine. And Pa—”

A bitter spasm twisted Max’s face. “He’s got a pension because he hurt his back and can’t work. But he spends a lot of time over at the Hayloft. He even buys drinks for other guys sometimes. We would just barely survive if we didn’t live here, in Grandpa’s house, which will belong to Cassie and Addie when he dies. It’s been paid for for years, so that part doesn’t cost anything. Once in a while my mom sends a check to use for me. School clothes, things like that. But I don’t always get it the way I’m supposed to, unless Cassie insists. I always make sure she knows when it comes.”

He didn’t state where the money from his mother went, but when Buddy’s mind began to work again, she made a good guess. Gus treated more friends at the tavern.

“You’re sure they said my mom took the money? You mean Addie and Cassie said so?”

It would explain why Addie felt resentment against her younger sister, if it were true. But how could it be true? “Mama was the most honest person alive,” she said stubbornly.

Max kicked a small rock off the sidewalk as they reached the house and took the wagon back to the garage. “All I know is what I hear,” he said.

“And this is what Addie holds against Mama? That she thinks Mama stole money from Grandpa? Money that would have helped support them all, and keep the house up?”

She sounded angry, and Max dropped the handle of the wagon and held up his hands. “Hey, don’t shoot the messenger, okay? You asked me, and I told you what I know.

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