The Lilac Tunnel: My Journey with Samantha

Samantha and I look at each other in horror. Samantha says that Elsa is leaving on the next train out of Mount Bedford. We have to get to the station to catch her before she leaves. I ask if we should tell Grandmary. Samantha glances at the house and she says there’s no time. We have to go now.

We race to the station, which Samantha says it’s just down the street. Even so, we’re huffing and puffing by the time we get there. I’m relieved to see Elsa sitting on a bench. She looks up, surprised to see us. Samantha explains what happened, and Elsa says it doesn’t matter. It was time for her to go home anyway. Her mother has been ill for months. She’s been saving money to help her pay for doctor bills.

Doctor bills. Is that why Elsa had a stack of bills in her closet? I wonder how long it took her to save that much money if she’s earning what I’m earning, just a dollar a week. The thought makes me feel sick to my stomach.

Samantha says that she’s sorry that Elsa’s mother is ill. She asks if she will come back to the house before she goes. Grandmary will want to speak with her, especially after Samantha explains what happened. Elsa looks at Samantha, doubt in her eyes. Samantha adds in a super sweet voice that she is sorry that we accused her of stealing.

Elsa nods. Then she does something completely unexpected. She turns and apologizes to me. She says she’s sorry she accused me. There was no cause for that. I blush, and instantly feel guilty. I was so mad about being accused of stealing, yet I turned around and treated Elsa the same. Next time, I won’t judge someone so quickly without giving them a chance.

I wonder what the next time will be. I think of my stepmom and stepsister, whom I haven’t really tried to get to know. I realize, as Samantha and I lead Elsa down the platform steps home, that they deserve a chance, too.