The Lilac Tunnel: My Journey with Samantha

I count to ten, slowly, before responding to Eddie, and that gives Samantha just enough time to hurl her own response at him. She says he needs to get out of here right now or Samantha will tell his mother that he dumped out one of her expensive bottles of perfume to make a house for his pet beetles. Eddie jumps up, staring at Samantha as if to see whether she’s bluffing. Then, he slinks back through the hedge like a dog with its tail between its legs. Samantha has clearly had her share of arguments with Eddie. I’m glad I let her handle this one.

I thank Samantha, but as we keep working, I remember what Eddie asked her: Why are you helping that servant girl?