Page 107 of Out of the Gold

Sophia continues, “How did you get your hands on that when you were just a kid?”

“I stole leftovers from my brother and his friends. I appropriated from my parents. I became quite creative.”

Her confession clicks things into place for me. She was my major tormenter since we were ten. When she started drinking. “I can’t even imagine drinking at that age.”

For the first time, Lindsay’s lips twist into a slight smile. “When you’re raising yourself, practically, you’d be surprised at what you can get into.”

I remember Charles telling me their parents were absentee, both partners at a large law firm in Chicago. Not mean, simply not around much. Which gave Lindsay room to get into a lot of trouble. Clearly.

Still, she needs to hear this. “You were the ringleader of the mean girls. You made our lives a living hell.”

Sophia adds, “We couldn’t go to school functions without you and your friends making us feel like pariahs.”

“I know. I’m so sorry. I can’t go back in time, but please believe me when I say I wish I could.”

We let her confession hang for a moment. I reach for the knitting needles usually in my hair, only to drop my arms when I realize it’s loose. “I believe your disease made you do and say those awful things when we were growing up. I’m not speaking for Sophia here, but I accept your apology. I can’t forget what you did, though.”

Sophia says, “I’m with Mel. I appreciate your apology, but you caused quite a lot of damage.”

“I, I can’t expect anything more.”

I study her expression. Since we’re going for honesty here, I push, “And Char—Chase’s costume today. Did you have anything to do with the snaps?”

She places her right hand over her heart. “No. I swear to you, I would never do that to Charles.”

Her brother’s the actor of the family—no way could she feign such innocence. My stomach flips as I lean into Sophia’s ear. “Do you believe her?”

After a moment, she nods.

A buzzing starts in my head having nothing to do with the club’s music. Ignorant of my inner turmoil, Lindsay holds out her left hand, where a diamond sits. “I’m turning my life around. I’m engaged now. My, my fiancé is finishing up his rehab in Switzerland in a month, which is where I’m headed tomorrow. He’s wonderful.”

Sophia answers for us. “Congratulations.”

Lindsay plays with her engagement ring. “Well, I’m going to go now. I only came to this club because I heard you were here. I don’t make it a habit of going into places like this. Not anymore. Goodbye.” With a wave, she disappears toward the exit.

Two things hit me at once. One, Lindsay was as tormented as us growing up. The pity for her that emerged when Charles and I were in Ravello reappears. However, it in no way excuses the awful way she tormented Sophia and me. The painful scars she left behind run way too deep.

Two, I need to figure out who really ruined his costume. If not Lindsay, then who? Who hates Charles so much?

As I’m puzzling through this mystery, one more thing clobbers me over the head. I owe Charles a big apology.

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