Jubilee's Journey (Wyattsville #2)(95)
Olivia turned with a look of surprise. “How…what?”
“We had an association meeting tonight,” Clara said. “I wish you could have been there.”
She continued, telling Olivia how Jim Turner had been ousted as president and she had taken his place. As the words tumbled out, she went on to say that there were no longer rules as to who could or could not live there.
“Even pets are okay,” Clara added, “but not pigs.”
Olivia sat and listened to the words coming from Clara’s mouth but could scarcely believe her ears. “Are you saying it’s okay for kids to live here in the building?”
“Yes.” Clara nodded. “Jackie Lane said she’s going out tomorrow to buy a dog, maybe even two. It seems she’s been wanting a dog for some time. Already has the name picked out.”
Olivia gave a soft chuckle. “I’m glad to hear all this, but Paul and Jubilee are leaving on Saturday.”
“Oh, no!”
“It’s nothing to be sad about. It was actually the best possible solution.” She told Clara about the dinner, Anita’s arrival, and Paul’s ultimate decision.
“I suppose that is the best solution,” Clara said, “but I’ll miss having Jubilee around.”
“So will I,” Olivia replied, but there was no trace of sadness on her face.
On Saturday morning Paul and Jubilee dressed in their finest clothes, and although Ethan Allen insisted there was no need for him to be gussied up he was wearing his Sunday best pants and shirt when they left the apartment. Olivia set the two shopping bags of clothes they’d accumulated during the past weeks in the trunk of the car along with the weathered tote Paul had carried off the mountain.
Olivia slid behind the wheel; then she looked in the rearview mirror.
“Everybody ready?”
Paul and Jubilee both nodded. Ethan Allen grumbled, “I suppose.”
She pulled out of the lot and headed for the highway. Remembering the road to Anita’s was easy enough. She’d observed every landmark on the day she came with Detective Mahoney. Olivia made a mental note to send Jack Mahoney a thank you note. Without him she would never have found Anita, and Paul could well be sitting behind bars instead of stepping into a new life.
When Olivia arrived at the building, Anita was standing on the front stoop. She hurried down the stairs and climbed into the front seat of the car.
“This is an exciting day, isn’t it?” Olivia said.
Anita smiled and nodded.
When they finally arrived at the Klaussners’ house, a bouquet of balloons was tied to the railing of the front porch. The house was everything Carmella had said. It had a look of happiness that stood two stories tall, three in the area where peaks rose above the tree tops.
“Where’s my room?” Jubilee asked excitedly.
“Just be patient,” Paul said. “It’s not polite to go asking for stuff the minute you walk through the door.”
“I have a feeling Carmella won’t mind her asking for anything,” Olivia said, laughing.
Anita gave a wink and a nod of agreement.
When Carmella heard the car door slam, she came running from the house with an oversized apron flapping in the breeze. “Oh!” she squealed. “I’m so glad to see you.” She gave Paul a warm hug, then swallowed Jubilee into the folds of her arms.
Sidney was right behind her and grinning like a man filled with the joy of life. He took Paul by the arm. “Come on in.” Side by side he walked with the boy, leaning close as he spoke. “I was wondering if maybe you’d be interested in learning the business. I’m still holding that job open for you.”
“I’d be more’n happy to do the work,” Paul answered, “but with all you’ve done for us, Mister Klaussner, I can’t take no thirty dollars a week.”
Sidney gave a big roaring laugh. “You’re not taking anything from me. You’re taking it from the business. And since you’ll one day most likely own the place, it’s like taking the money from your right pocket and putting it in your left.”
He gave another chuckle and slapped Paul on the back so gregariously you’d think they’d been friends forever. “Now about this calling me Mister Klaussner…” Sidney suggested Paul call him Uncle Sid and Carmella, Aunt Carmi. “How’s that sound?”
“It sounds real good,” Paul answered.
Before they sat down to dinner, Carmella took Anita, Olivia, Paul, and Jubilee on a tour of the house. Ethan Allen stayed behind because he was once again questioning Sidney on the facts of the robbery. As they started up the stairs toward the bedrooms, Olivia heard Sidney laugh again.
“I swear, keep this up, Ethan Allen, and someday you’re gonna make a darn fine lawyer.”
Years later Olivia would remember those words and smile. She’d wonder if Sidney Klaussner was the person who set Ethan Allen down on the pathway that would change countless lives.
Of course all of that is in the distant future. Today there is only laughter, happiness, and a table laden with more food than Jubilee Jones had ever seen before.
The End
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