Elsa sprinted home, full of excitement.
She raced to her room and counted her money. She had $105.12. There was more money in her bank account, but she didmnot want to take any money out of it if she could avoid it. Now all the money she had made selling lemonade and doing basic chores was about to pay off.
Next, she pulled out a map of New Holland. There was a shopping center within walking distance of New Holland Elementary. She would make a stop there tomorrow during the lunchtime recess period. If there was an outfit she could afford, great. If not, maybe she could sell some toys or personal items she no longer wanted for extra money. She stuffed a few in a paper bag that she no longer needed or wanted.
She spent the rest of the afternoon completing her work, and then it was time for dinner.
"What's that shiny metal object on your finger?" asked her uncle.
"It's just a cheap fake ring," Elsa replied. "Victor gave it to me."
"How charming," her uncle remarked. "I just hope your relationship doesn't progress too much too soon."
The next day, Elsa ate her lunch and took off in record time. She headed for the department store at the shopping center and, to her astonishment, found a white dress she adored for only $11.50.. It had a wide skirt, and came with a headpiece, a veil, and white slippers. Apparently it was meant for some occasion called a first communion.
She purchased the dress and raced back to school. Finding the dress and buying it was easy. Getting it back home without anyone noticing-especially her uncle-would be harder.
The dress came in an elegant white box. She saw a discarded paper bag from the grocery store nearby, and placed the box inside. Boy, was she lucky. She carried the bag like it was a regular grocery bag. Now she could return to school without drawing a lot of attention to herself.
She placed the box in her locker, and finished off her school day. Then she realized she had another problem. Her uncle would certainly notice her carrying this huge grocery bag home. How could she take her dress home without her uncle finding out?
Elsa's question will be answered in the next chapter...