May 1907
Helen's graduation is a week from tomorrow… not that my father has any idea, of course. He thinks I'm going to Boston to finalize a deal with one of our newer clients. Everything is falling into place. After weeks of meticulous planning, I was finally able to secure a house in California; all that remains is the payment.
I glance around the room anxiously as I pull my checkbook from my pocket, half-expecting someone to burst through that door at any moment. I hastily scribble down the name and amount of money – over $200,000 that I withdrew from the company's emergency funds and transferred to an account under a false name. I hear angry voices rising from down the hall as I reach for an envelope.
"You lost it? That's your excuse?" my father roars. "How do you lose almost a quarter million dollars?!" That idiot Cochran tries to stammer a reply, but my father doesn't give him a chance to speak. "Mr. Cochran, you are dismissed." A split second of dead silence follows before my father adds, "Get out of my sight, you thieving bastard!" Cochran mumbles something inaudible, and my father yells, "You're just damn well lucky I don't prosecute!"
A nearby door slams with a loud bang, making me jump slightly. I sigh as I turn back to the envelope I was in the middle of addressing. Poor Cochran… I'd almost feel sorry for him if I weren't in such an impossible situation myself.
My head jerks up suddenly at the sound of a sharp knock at the door. I don't even have time to hide the check in my desk drawer before Ben barges into my office, flushed-faced and breathless. "Cal, you'll never guess what…" His eyes shift from my face to the papers on my desk and back. I try to force a nonchalant expression but fail miserably. "What's that?" I reach for my check but Ben grabs it first.
His eyes change as he scans the numbers. "You… You stole the money that Cochran was just wrongfully accused of taking! You cost him his job…" His voice rises as he continues attacking me, "How could you do that to your own company? To your own father?"
"For god's sake, Ben! Will you keep your voice down?!" My eyes automatically dart toward my father's office as panic sets in. What if he's heard our little exchange? What will he do to me if he has? A few agonizing moments pass, but, to my great relief, my father never bursts through the door…. I'm still safe, at least for now. Ben glares icily at me, his green eyes full of shock and reproach, as he turns away. "NO!" I quickly stand between him and the door. "Ben, you cannot tell my father about this; I'll be ruined…"
Ben's eyes flash cold fire. "Give me one reason why I shouldn't," he demands.
I scoff as I contemplate telling him about my secret engagement to Helen. "You wouldn't understand…"
"You're right; I wouldn't," Ben replies coldly, his tone growing more accusing – and more infuriating- by the second. "What, was daddy's money not enough for you?"
"IT'S NOT LIKE THAT!" I yell before I can stop myself. My hands ball into fists, and I have to take several deep breaths before I can force my rising anger back into my heart where it belongs. "Ben, you should know me better than that! I wouldn't have done it if my circumstances weren't dire…" I inwardly curse myself as my voice falters weakly.
"Why?" Ben prompts me again.
I sigh, running a hand through my hair; he's not leaving me any choice. "Do you remember Helen Chandler?" Ben nods. "My father found out about us long ago…" I notice Ben's confused expression and quickly add, "Our families are business rivals." He nods again, though his stare becomes blanker than ever. "He forbid me from seeing her, but we did, in secret, for the past two years…" My voice trails off; this is going to be a lot harder than I thought. "I wanted to marry her, but she wouldn't… not unless I could provide for her." Understanding slowly dawns on Ben's face. "I didn't know what else to do! There was no way I could get the money on my own, and my father would've disowned me if I asked…" I drop my gaze, though I'm sure Ben's already seen the emotion in my eyes. "I love her…"
"Well, I still think what you're doing is wrong," Ben begins, crossing his arms in protest. My heart sinks; he's going to rat me out to my father! "But I understand…" He draws in a sudden sharp breath. "So I'm not going to tell your father." He starts to turn away but stops, one hand on the doorknob. "And, Cal?" His eyes soften as he glances back at me, giving me a small smile. "Congratulations."
The week flies by, and before I know where the time's gone, I'm late for my train to Boston. As I hurriedly slam the door behind me, I hear my father babbling incoherently. "I don't believe it! All $245,000 back, as surely as it vanished!" How is that possible? I think the old man's finally lost it! I glance at my watch… no time to worry about it now.
I turn down the hall and almost crash into a short balding man. "T-telegram for Mr. Caledon Hockley," he stammers as I brush myself off. I exchange a dollar bill for the slip of paper in his hand. He scurries away, mumbling words of gratitude as I read:
CAL-
I PUT $245,000 BACK INTO HOCKLEY STEEL ACCOUNT STOP ALL DEBTS ARE PAID STOP THINK OF THIS AS MY WEDDING PRESENT STOP
SIGNED-
RICHARD KAICHE
The paper crumples in my hand. The telegram was signed Richard Kaiche… Ben's father. But why would he want to help me? More to the point, how does he know what happened? I glance up to find Ben leaning in his office doorway; he flashes an encouraging smile, and I know immediately what must've happened… he convinced his father to help me. I can't help but return his smile as I pass. "Thank you, Ben."
The graduation ceremony is well underway by the time I arrive. Several disgruntled people mutter as I pass in front of them. The valedictorian is still yammering as I take a seat in one of the back rows. Good…I haven't missed Helen's big moment. I notice the Chandler family settled into one of the front rows, chatting animatedly. Anthony suddenly wheels around in his seat. I nervously tug on the brim of my hat, trying to hide my face. I can feel his eyes on me, but I'm so far back, I don't think he recognizes me.
A hush falls over the room as the dean appears behind the podium. "Abernathy… Avalon… Banks… Brandon… Braun… Burgess…" It won't be long now. "Caine… Callan… Chambers…" and finally, "Helen Elizabeth Chandler!"
A deafening roar of applause erupts as Helen approaches the stage. She allows the dean to shake her hand, though she stares right past him into the crowd. She smiles sweetly, and I realize she's looking right at me. Does she know I'm here? I wave to her discreetly, though I doubt she notices.
I have to stifle a yawn as the dean's voice drones on, "Cooke… Davis… Flynn…" Helen's already had her turn; there's really no point in me staying for the other hundred or so girls. Besides, the longer I stay, the greater the chance that the Chandlers will recognize me.
No one seems to notice me rise; they're too busy cheering for "Constance Anne Harker!". I quietly slip out the door and… someone suddenly bumps into me. I see a lock of reddish-brown hair and a pair of blue eyes peeking out from under the wide brim of a lady's hat. My heart skips a beat… Helen! "Excuse me, sir. I-" She studies my eyes for a few moments. "Cal?" she gasps; I nod. She throws her arms around my neck, kissing my cheek. I can only gape blankly at her as she lets go abruptly. Her eyes change and so does her tone as she demands, "What are you doing here?"
"I couldn't stay away, not on your day." I gently cup her face, but she pulls away. My heart sinks; she's offended by my presence… I should've known. "Helen, can we talk?"
Her eyes dart apprehensively, and I follow her gaze to the ceremony still going on behind us. The Chandlers are still applauding politely and gossiping amongst themselves by turns, except… I notice Anthony's seat is now vacant…how strange. I force myself to think nothing more of it; he probably just went for a smoke or something…
"In private," I add. Helen glances doubtfully back at her family but nods reluctantly. Her head rests against my shoulder as she takes my arm, and I lead her out the door, far away from here.
We pass a flower seller on the street, and my eyes fall to a particularly full bouquet of roses, blazing red just like Helen's hair. The kindly old flower man smiles knowingly as I present the bouquet to Helen. "Oh, Cal! They're lovely!" he exclaims, lovingly stroking the flowers' petals.
I laugh. "Well, you deserve them." My voice drops so the flower man won't hear as I add, "And that's not the only surprise I have for you." I take her hand in both my own, leading her into a nearby alley… certainly not the romantic proposal I'd envisioned, but this seems as good a time as any. "I've been offered a job in California. I'll be leaving in a few months, and…" my voice trails off; I reach into my pocket, instinctively clutching my mother's ring. "I want you there with me."
Once again, I kneel at her feet; once again, I pull my mother's ring from my pocket. "Th-this ring once belonged to my mother; now it's yours…" I'm shocked at how weak and tremulous my voice sounds. "Miss Helen Chandler, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"
"Yes!" she gasps, nodding profusely, though I can see a small flicker of doubt in her eyes. I gently press her hand to my lips as I slip the diamond ring on her finger. She throws her arms around my neck, kissing me with a wild passion unlike anything I've ever seen in her.
A sudden loud crash causes us to break the kiss. Helen gasps as she clings ever tighter to me. My eyes dart in the direction of the sound, but no figure appears in the shadows… how odd. It must've been an animal, my mind dismissed the matter. "Come, my hotel isn't far."
Helen is already waiting for me by the time I've changed into my nightshirt. In the dim light, I can see her eyes shining with love and absolute adoration. She shyly pulls the blankets around her as I sit beside her on the bed, though I can still see the white straps of her corset peeking out. I automatically avert my eyes; it almost seems wrong to see her like this. I drape my housecoat over her as she snuggles into my chest, and the sparkling diamond on her hand is the last thing I see before the light goes out.
I'm awakened in the night to something warm and wet leaking into my nightshirt. My arms wrap around Helen, though I can already feel her body violently shaking with silent sobs. "Helen?"
She glances up, tears pouring from her brilliant blue eyes as I fumble with the lamp on the table. "I'm sorry," she sniffles, quickly wiping her eyes. "I just realized that once I marry you, I'll never see my friends or family again!" She hides her face in my chest as her voice suddenly becomes suspended by sobs.
I sigh; I'd never thought of that! I try to imagine a life without Ben, Dave, and Raoul; without Aunt Rebecca or Sarah. My God… Sarah! She's already lost so much, what will become of her if I abandon her too? "Helen…" I have to swallow hard as I feel my throat tightening; I know I have to be strong for her now. "Helen, it'll be all right, I promise. I'm your family now." My hand entwines in her auburn hair as I pull her tighter to me, allowing her to weep in my arms until her sobs die and her tired, tearful eyes close.