Chapter 3

Two months after Todd took me in, rumors suddenly started swirling around the town.

People whispered that Todd must have some other motive for adopting me.

They said, "He's a bachelor and isn't gonna get married. What's he want with a kid?

"And not just any kid, but a useless, money-draining girl.

"Maybe he's got some other twisted interest.

"Maybe he's got some sick thing for little kids or something."

At first, I just ignored all the gossip.

But my classmates started giving me weirder and weirder looks.

Even my head teacher called me into her office and, in a roundabout way, asked how I was settling in at my new home.

I was honest with her.

I said, "I'm doing great. I get to eat meat every day, I don't have to do any chores, and I even have my own desk.

"I know there are some rumors going around, but you're a reasonable person, right? You wouldn't actually believe those rumors, would you?"

My head teacher gave a little cough and told me to head back to class.

When I got back to my seat and opened my workbook, the boy next to me jabbed me with his pen.

He said, "Mara, honestly, I used to hate you, but now I just feel sorry for you."

I was literally the top student in the whole grade. Why would I need pity from some below-average kid like him?

I picked up my pen, not even bothering to look up.

I said, "Why don't you worry about yourself first? Finals are coming up, and you keep messing up in math."

He snapped, "Some people just don't appreciate kindness."

Seeing I wasn't going to respond, he just sulkily opened his book and started studying, just like me.

But the rumors kept spreading.

One day after school, I came home and noticed that Todd, who was always so hardworking, hadn't even chopped any firewood.

He was sitting alone in his rocking chair in the yard, just staring off into space. His tall frame looked especially lonely, like he was carrying some heavy thoughts.

At dinner that night, Todd reached over and dropped a chicken drumstick into my plate.

Just as I was caught off guard by his sudden kindness, Todd spoke up. "After dinner, I'm sending you back."

My heart dropped.

What did he mean? Was he going to send me away?

I didn't do anything wrong, did I?

In a panic, my eyes welled up and tears started streaming down my face.

Todd totally panicked, looking like he had no idea what to do.

He lifted his hand, maybe wanting to comfort me, but then thought twice and let it fall back to his side.

Seeing that, I just broke down even more. I couldn't even eat anymore. I just bolted to my room and slammed the door shut.

I made up my mind. Even if Todd didn't want me anymore, there was no way I was going back to my real parents.

They'd do whatever it took to sell me off again. If that was all I had waiting for me, I'd rather just take my chances as a runaway on the streets.

At least then I'd be free.

Maybe I was just so exhausted from studying all day, that I'd cried myself to sleep.

Half-awake, half-asleep, I heard the door creak open.

I cracked my eyes open just a sliver.

Todd tiptoed in and placed a small cup next to my bed.

A sweet aroma wafted up from the cup.

I was trying to pretend I was still asleep, but my stomach betrayed me with a loud growl.

So I just went with it, stretched, and sat up.

Todd was standing by my bed, looking kind of awkward.

With that scruffy beard of his, he looked kind of funny.

"Here, have some. It's sweet," Todd said.

I looked down and realized it was a cup of hot chocolate.

I took a sip, and the sweet flavor instantly lifted my mood.

I drank it up soon.

Oh no, I just totally exposed that I was actually a glutton.

I glanced up and saw Todd still staring at me. Feeling self-conscious, I quickly put the cup down.

Then a terrible thought flashed through my mind. Maybe he thought I ate too much, and that was why he didn't want to keep me.

"Please don't be mad. I can eat less from now on," I said, my voice coming out all wobbly, on the verge of tears.

Todd didn't say a word, and that just made me even more nervous.

"I don't need much, just one bun a day. Or even half a bun," I stammered, my voice shaky.

I pressed my hands together, begging, "Please, don't send me away, okay?"

As I kept talking, I just started bawling. I felt so pathetic.

My parents never cared about me, and now even Todd wanted to kick me out.

Todd started scrambling, clearly panicking as he rushed to explain, "It's all that gossip in the town...

"I just don't want it messing up your life."

So that was all it was.

I breathed inwardly, finally able to relax.

I said, "I don't let that stuff bother me at all, really.

"I'm just scared you'll abandon me, Dad.

"Can you promise not to talk about sending me away anymore?"

I acted all pitiful, pulling my best puppy eyes, counting on Todd to go soft and give in.

"Alright," Todd finally said after hesitating for a bit.

"Pinkie promise?" I said, holding out my little finger, still needing some reassurance.

"Childish," Todd said, putting on his best stern face.

I pouted, tears threatening to spill again.

Todd just sighed and hooked his pinkie with mine.

I finally broke into a grin. "Can I have another cup?"

Todd silently took the empty cup and handed me a clean handkerchief so I could wipe away my tears.

That night, I had several cups of hot chocolate, and I felt warm all over, from my head to my toes.

Now that I thought about it, Todd never ate sweets, so he must've gotten the hot chocolate just for me, to make me feel better.

Just thinking about that made my heart feel all warm.

Maybe he didn't actually dislike me, after all.