PBUY Chapter 11

 11

The ring was a bit large. It seemed to be one that Chester used to wear.

The engraved letter C was surely for Chester's name. Then who was B?

In that instant, Nellie thought of Barbara, whose name she had seen on an envelope not too long ago. She had a strong hunch they might be the same person.

Nellie didn't know where she should put the ring. If she said she had found it, Chester might accuse her of invading his privacy and fire her on the spot.

She had only just gotten used to working with Chester. Besides, this was the highest weekly wage in town. Where else could she earn this much?

Quickly making up her mind, Nellie gently slipped the ring into the pocket of her apron. She decided to put it back in his coat after the laundry was done.

Just then, Chester came out after washing up.

"Oh my, you're already out? I'll get you some lemon soda."

Nellie took a drink from the fridge and poured it into a glass.

Having just finished his bath, Chester's cheeks were flushed pink.

"Thank you."

As Chester gulped down the drink, his Adam's apple bobbed up and down.

Nellie stared absentmindedly at the sight before quickly turning her head away, feeling warmth rise to her own face.

Handing the empty glass back to her, Chester spoke with a refreshed look.

"Really, thank you, Miss McKay. Thanks to you, I think I'll sleep very well tonight."

"Is that so?"

"When I can't sleep at night, I mow the lawn. It helps me get sleepy afterward."

"You mow the lawn at night?"

"If you turn on a lantern, it's fine."

Chester shrugged as if it were nothing.

"Surely… doesn't it startle the neighbors?"

"So far, nothing's happened."

"I see…"

She decided not to say what she was thinking, that rumors might already be going around about a lawn-mowing ghost at 331 Fitz Street.

"Miss McKay, you don't look well."

"Do I?"

Nellie touched her face. She did feel a little dazed. Or maybe… it was because of the ring she had just found.

"You can go home early today."

Chester said in a tone that sounded like he was doing her a favor.

Nellie shook her head.

"My shift still has quite a while left."

"You don't look well. And besides, it's raining, isn't it?"

"Huh? What does that have to do with anything?"

"Go on home, Miss McKay. I'll see you tomorrow."

At Chester's insistence, Nellie found herself being pushed out the door, with Chester's ring still in her pocket.

Just as he had said, a light drizzle was falling.

A sudden rain and wind, why now?

Maybe it's because I took that walk with Mr. Coleman? 

Or maybe I'm just genuinely tired.

Nellie walked slowly.

Or maybe… the city air just doesn't agree with me.

She glanced up at the sky for no particular reason.

***

When she arrived at the boarding house, Mrs. Gerald looked at her suspiciously.

"Why are you home so early?"

"Ah, Mrs. Gerald. I'm just not feeling very well today."

"Oh dear. Would you like me to bring you something warm to drink?"

"What's with the sudden kindness today?"

"Today? The stocks I bought doubled. Days like this just put me in a generous mood."

"Ah, congratulations, ma'am."

Even though Nellie's tone was indifferent, Mrs. Gerald beamed happily.

While drinking the tea Mrs. Gerald had brought her, Nellie took the ring out of her pocket.

"I really did bring it with me…"

Looking at the ring, which bore the marks of long wear, gave her a strange feeling again.

It wasn't just that she had many things she hadn't told Chester, it was that he, too, had things he hadn't told her.

Seeing him every day, she had thought she knew him completely.

His habit of clamming up when a difficult question arose, the way a dimple appeared on his right cheek when he ate something delicious, and the fact that, though he acted cold, he was actually very tender-hearted.

But looking at this ring made her thoughts swirl.

What kind of person was the one who shared matching rings with Mr. Coleman?

Nellie shook her head to scatter the thought.

If she dug any deeper, Chester might truly accuse her of invading his privacy and fire her.

She placed the ring in her drawer and went outside, hoping for a change of mood.

As she stepped out of her room, she ran into the man who lived in the room across from hers.

"Hello, Mr. Jackson."

"Hey there, Nellie-Belly."

Stanley Jackson waved his left hand in greeting. He had a rough, casual demeanor, but had once told her he had a younger sister back home about her age.

"You're home early today."

"Yeah. Just feel like resting today."

He hid his right hand, which was wrapped in a splint, behind his back.

"Ah, I see."

"So, Nellie-Belly, why are you home so early?"

"Well… I was told I looked unwell, so I was sent home early."

"That's a good person you've got there."

"Is that so?"

"Of course. But there's still plenty of time before dinner, what are you going to do?"

"Nothing in particular… I thought I might take a walk. But since it's raining, I'm not sure."

"Really? In that case, come with me, Nellie-Belly. I'll show you something fun."

"What is it?"

"Just follow me."

He grinned confidently and walked ahead.

Almost without thinking, Nellie followed him, partly because she was curious about what this "something fun" could be.

Stanley, who had gone ahead, beckoned to her, then hopped onto a tram.

She boarded as well and stood beside him.

"This way goes toward the harbor, doesn't it?"

"That's right."

"So we're going to the harbor?"

"No."

Stanley refused to tell her what they were doing, no matter how curious she became.

After riding the tram for a while, Stanley finally said,

"Let's get off."

Nellie quickly followed him off and found herself in the middle of a massive crowd.

"Wow!"

"It's the racecourse, Nellie-Belly. Your chance to get rich."

"But Mr. Jackson, you said you didn't have money."

Nellie recalled what he'd said when Mrs. Gerald had tried to convince him to invest in stocks.

"I don't have money to invest, but I do have money to bet. So, Nellie-Belly, which one are you going to bet on?"

"I don't know which horse runs well at all."

When Nellie hesitated, Stanley smiled warmly.

"Just bet for fun."

"You said it was a chance to get rich. Shouldn't I be careful in choosing?"

"If you want to get rich, be careful. If you're just doing it for fun, pick the one you like."

Nellie studied the list of horses running today and made her decision.

"Hmm… Then I'll put 2 Dils on Hastings."

After Nellie bought her ticket at the booth, Stanley hesitated briefly before placing his own bet.

"Then I'll put 30 Dils on Albatross."

"That much? That's two weeks' boarding fees!"

When Nellie was startled and tried to dissuade him, he remained unfazed.

"Life's about taking big chances, Nellie-Belly."

Because Stanley had wagered so much more than she had, Nellie's heart was pounding.

Two Dils was nothing, about the price of a meal, but 30 Dils was no small sum.

Is this really okay?

The two of them found seats and looked out at the racecourse, waiting for the start.

Everyone around them seemed excited. Some were already cheering, willing their chosen horse to win.

"It's starting!"

All at once, the gates flew open and the horses burst out.

The speed startled Nellie, and she fixed her gaze ahead. Her bet, Horse No. 6, Hastings, was running in second place.

"Hastings! Win!"

Before she knew it, Nellie was shouting.

Her heart was pounding. Stanley's pick, Albatross, was in fourth place.

"Albatross! Smash them all!"

Stanley raised his voice, cheering.

The horses rounded the track, and just a few meters before the finish line, Nellie prayed silently to God.

Please, please…

"Woooooaaah!"

From the back of the pack, Horse No. 2, Western Dancer, suddenly surged forward.

"Albatross, kick him with your hind legs!"

Stanley, worked up, shouted a string of curses. Meanwhile, Nellie clasped her hands tightly, trembling.

Hastings, who had started out in second place, was gradually falling behind.

"Oh no…"

Those who had bet on Western Dancer were shaking their tickets in excitement, shouting. Every time the horse overtook another from behind, the crowd's energy spiked even higher.

At last, Western Dancer crossed the finish line first, followed by Albatross, then several others, with Hastings bringing up the very rear.

"…"

Nellie stared blankly ahead, stunned, while Stanley jumped up and down, swearing furiously.

"That worthless hay-burner! Coming in second!"

"Let's go now, Mr. Jackson."

Nellie grabbed the agitated Stanley and pulled him along.