Chapter 9: Lupe's Apology

Clarissa didn't tell Ben what had happened the evening before; but when Lupe proved still refractory the next morning an explanation had to be made to account for her absence from the breakfast table. Clarissa told Ben the whole story.

"It's good that Lupe put Sandra in her place. She gossips too much." was Ben's consolatory rejoinder.

"Benjamin Gomez, I'm astonished at you. You know that Lupe's behavior was dreadful, and yet you take her side! I guess you think that she shouldn't even be punished."

"Well--no--not exactly," Ben said uneasily. "I think she should to be punished, but just a little. Don't be too hard on her, Clair. You do remember that nobody taught her much. You're--you're going to give her something to eat, aren't you?"

"When did you ever hear of me starving people for punishment?" demanded Clarissa indignantly. "She'll have her meals regularly, and I'll carry them up to her myself. But she'll stay up there until she's willing to apologize to Sandra, and that's final, Ben."

Ever since Lupe came into the household, the atmosphere was tense and stressful, causing Ben to be uneasy when speaking to Clarissa and she snapped when speaking.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner were very silent meals--since Lupe still didn't come down. After each meal Clarissa carried a well-filled tray to her room and brought it down later untouched. Ben eyed its last descent with a troubled eye. Had Lupe eaten anything at all?

When Clarissa went out that evening for a walk along the beach, Ben, who had been hanging his office, slipped into the living room with the air of a burglar and crept upstairs.

He tiptoed along the hall and stood for several minutes outside the door of Lupe's room before he collected enough courage to tap on it with his fingers and then open the door to peep in.

Lupe was sitting on bed gazing mournfully at her book, not seeing anything. She looked so small and unhappy, and Ben's heart cringed. He softly closed the door and tiptoed over to her.

"Lupe," he whispered, as if afraid of being overheard, "how are you doing?"

Lupe smiled wanly.

"Pretty well. I imagine a lot, and that helps to pass the time. Of course, it's rather boring sometimes. But then, I may as well get used to that."

Lupe smiled again, bravely facing the long years of solitary imprisonment before her.

Ben recollected that he must say what he had come to say without loss of time, lest Clarissa return prematurely. "Well now, Lupe, don't you think you'd better do it and get it over with?" he whispered. "It'll have to be done sooner or later, you know. Clarissa's a very determined woman--really determined. Just do it and get it over with."

"Do you mean apologize to Mrs. Cruz?"

"Yes--apologize--that's the very word," Ben said eagerly. "Just smooth it over so to speak. That's what I was trying to get at."

"I suppose I could do it for you," Lupe said thoughtfully. "It would be true enough to say I am sorry, because I AM sorry now. I wasn't a bit sorry last night. I was mad and I stayed mad all night. I know I did because I woke up three times and I was just furious every time. But this morning it was over. I felt so ashamed of myself. But I just couldn't think of going and telling Mrs. Cruz so. It would be so humiliating. I made up my mind I'd stay shut up here forever rather than do that. But still--I'd do anything for you--if you really want me to--"

"Of course I do. It's really quiet downstairs without you. Just go and smooth things over-- okay?"

"Very well," Lupe resignedly. "I'll tell Clarissa as soon as she comes back in I've repented."

"That's right. But don't tell her I said anything about it. She might think I am interfering."

"Wild horses won't drag the secret from me," Lupe promised solemnly.

Ben fled hastily back to his office, lest Clarissa should suspect what he had been up to. Clarissa herself, upon her return to the house, was agreeably surprised to hear a plaintive voice calling, "Clarissa" from the top of the stairs.

"Well?" she said, going into the hall.

"I'm sorry I lost my temper and said rude things, and I'm willing to go and tell Mrs. Cruz so."

"Ok" Clarissa said with relief in her voice. "I'll take you over in a minute. Go dress presentably."

Lupe went to her closet and put on a dark navy blue silk mini dress with gold sequin detail and gold Pierre Dumas Excelent sandal heels. She brushed her hair and put it in a pony tail. While driving, Lupe sat silently staring out the window.

"What are you thinking of, Lupe?" Clarissa asked.

"I'm imagining out what I must say to Mrs. Cruz," Lupe answered dreamily.

When they arrived at Glass Springs, the was down and the lights coming from the house brightened the whole street. They walked into the front door without knocking and went into the living room. The living room was huge and modern. It was almost completely glass. A large portrait of Sandra on a cliff in fuzzy white shirt, shorts, and boots was covering the whole west wall. Sanrda Cruz sat on a white couch watching a fashion channel. She was wearing a black and pink Milly Elizabeth ruffle sleeveless dress and matching pink Christian Louboutin New Decoltissimo 85 pointed pumps. She looked over at us when we came into her view.

"Oh, Mrs. Cruz, I am so extremely sorry," Lupe said with a quiver in her voice. "I could never express all my sorrow, no, not if I used up a whole dictionary. You must just imagine it. I behaved terribly to you--and I've disgraced your dear friends, Ben and Clarissa, who have let me stay at Silverbell Candle although I'm not a boy. I'm a dreadfully wicked and ungrateful girl, and I deserve to be punished and cast out by respectable people forever. It was very wicked of me to fly into a temper because you told me the truth. It WAS the truth; every word you said was true. My hair is a blonde standout and I am skinny. I don't fit in here. What I said to you was true, too, but I shouldn't have said it. Oh, Mrs. Cruz, please, please, forgive me. If you refuse it will be a lifelong sorrow on a poor orphan girl, even if she had a dreadful temper? Please say you forgive me, Mrs. Cruz."

Lupe clasped her hands together, bowed her head tears streaming down her face, and waited for the word of judgment.

There was no mistaking her sincerity--it breathed in every tone of her voice. Both Clarissa and Sandra recognized its unmistakable ring.

"There, there, get up, child," she said heartily. "Of course I forgive you. I guess I was a little too hard on you, anyway. But I'm such an outspoken person. You just mustn't mind me. I can't deny that you hair is a standout, but people now a days dye their hair in many different colors. Why look at me, brown and blonde."

"Oh, Mrs. Cruz!" Anne drew a long breath.

When Clarissa and Lupe went home, Lupe's face shown with excitement and relief.

"I apologized pretty well, didn't I?" she said proudly as they drove down the winding road. "I thought since I had to do it I might as well do it thoroughly."

"You did it thoroughly, all right enough," was Clarissa's comment. Clarissa was dismayed at finding herself inclined to laugh over the recollection. She had also an uneasy feeling that she ought to scold Lupe for apologizing so well; but then, that was ridiculous! She compromised with her conscience by saying severely:

"I hope you won't make a habit to make many more such apologies. I hope you'll try to control your temper now, Lupe."

Lupe nodded as they they turned onto their driveway.

"It's lovely to be going home and know it's home," Lupe said. "I love Selverbell Candle already, and I never loved any place before. No place ever seemed like home. Oh, Clarissa, I'm so happy. I could jump for joy."

Something warm and pleasant welled up in Clarissa's heart as she watched emotions play on Lupe's face. They walked into the house together hand in hand.