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"Call the police, Ma. I bet they steal from everybody. I'll call," he said, standing.

"No," she said. "Just put the money back into the bag, Danny. Go on," she ordered.

"But . ."

"Do as I say," she commanded firmly. "Put it back and give it to me."

"It's evidence, Ma. You've got to leave it right here for the cops to see," he argued.

"Danny! Please just put it back."

"You're making a mistake. You're taking their side even now," he added, his face twisting with rage. "You always believe everyone else but me!"

"I'm not believing anyone else, Danny. 1. . ."

"Yes, you are. Damn you!" he screamed and charged past us and out the door, slamming it hard behind him. It was as if a tornado had just twirled through the small cottage. Crystal put her arm around Butterfly and pulled her closer. Raven looked at them and then at the floor. I knelt down to put the money back into the deposit bag.

"We didn't take this, Patsy," I said, handing it to her. "I don't know how it got under the sofa." "I do," Raven said sharply.

Patsy nodded.

"I believe you girls. I really do, but I think it would be best for all of us if you all left now. pay you what you're owed," she said sadly. "I need to deal with Danny, and I'm afraid I won't be able to get through to him with you girls here. He seems to blame you for his troubles. I'm sorry," she said. "I wish you luck. Come into the restaurant when you get yourselves packed up." She went to the door. All of us held our breath. When she opened it and turned, Butterfly stepped away from Crystal.

"We didn't take your money, Patsy," she said. "We wouldn't steal from you or anybody. Please don't make us leave."

Patsy's face crumpled.

"I'm sorry, dear." Tears finally broke free of her eyelids and began to streak down her cheeks. She took a deep breath and hurried out.

"That jerk, that piece of garbage, that poor excuse for a human being," Raven rattled off. 'Why is she giving him what he wants? He never liked us from day one."

"What else can she do? He's her son," Crystal replied. "And we're just strangers."

Frustrated, Raven stormed into the bathroom.

"Let's get our things together, Brooke," Crystal said. "The faster we're on the road, the better off we'll be."

It didn't take us long to get our things back into the station wagon. We were going to leave without getting our wages from Patsy, but she sent Charlie for us.

"I know that boy done that to you," he said. "He's not just an apple rotting the bunch. He's rotting the whole barrel too," he said. He was as furious as we had ever seen him. "I'm going to let him know it, too," he promised.

"Patsy needs all the help and support she can get, Charlie," Crystal told him.

"I know. It's like swimming with a rock tied to your neck," he said.

We drove up to the restaurant and got out. Patsy was near the door, waiting with our envelopes.

"It's not much, but I hope it helps you along your way. Maybe you girls oughta turn back," she added, looking sharply at Crystal. "Save this trip for another time. Traveling can be very difficult, even for young people."

"Thank you, Patsy," Crystal said and took the envelopes for us. "We're sorry to leave you like this."

Butterfly looked like she was about to cry. Patsy hugged her and then hugged Raven, Crystal and me. Her eyes were little pools of tears. She bit down on her lower lip.

"Thank you for helping out. You're good girls," she whispered and turned away.

We stood there a moment, looked at the restaurant and at Charlie, who gazed at us glumly and then started his work. He looked like he hated good-byes as much as we did.

"Let's go," Crystal whispered.