The Crimes of Love and Hate

Chapter 8

POPPY-Seamus and I were unlucky. We had been since the day our parents died and he had gotten hurt. We had lost everything, and we scraped by every day in a world that didn't care if we lived another day. Now, I bump into a girl on the street, and all of the sudden I have a home, and don't have to scramble for jobs everyday? Was our luck turning?

Or would this blow up in our faces?

Seamus and I agreed that life in a house was better than in an alley, but we also agreed that a stranger could not be trusted with our future, our livelihood. It was easy to treat this like any other job offer for a live-in maid, but most did not come from 15 year old girls, with no authority or credibility. And so, we had a choice. Take a risk, or keep living through danger everyday. All we had to lose was each other, and both of us knew that we'd never let that happen.

We said yes.

I told Seamus to make sure we hadn't left anything with Mr. Morganburg, and to check the alleys to make sure we weren't missing a glove or worn out book. I bid goodbye to the kindly neighbors and shop owners who had saved our lives, and told them to keep our alley safe, with a smile and a handshake. And just like that, three years of our life disappeared behind us as we left, led by a kind stranger into an automobile, and thrust into a life of splendor and luxury.

In New York City, I had seen the wealthy. The rich businessmen and bankers who acted as if we did not exist, or the affluent heiress who looked at us with pity and complacency. However, I was not familiar with, as Serafina called it, 'dirty money'. There was a certain frightening quality to this enormous house in the suburbs, an empire of workers built on the premise of crime. I felt that the men who gathered in this house that I stood in front of must be cold, shrewd, people, who were willing to do whatever it took for power and riches. As I took in this grand house, Serafina ran inside to talk to her brother, who she said was named Giovanni. She had mentioned having two brothers, and that Giovanni was about Seamus' age. I was glad that Seamus would be able to make a friend, because I couldn't help but feel he had missed his childhood, his opportunity to grow in a safe place.

As we took in the enormous estate from a street shaded by tall, manicured trees, I addressed Seamus.

"There's no guarantee that life here will be permanent. We have uprooted our lives for the small chance of safety and a future. But I need you to know that we must not fear. This street full of magnificent houses, a short drive from the city, is a new world for us. It's a chance to start over. However, we have to be careful. We don't know who we can trust, and we don't know if this will last," I finished, taking his hand.

"I know all of that, Poppy. But I have hope for our lives. I like Serafina, and I think that many girls in the city live-in as maids. This isn't so crazy, and no matter what happens, we can still find hope in each other." He said, taking a step towards the sprawling manor. Behind the house, there was a small forest, touched by the manicured backyard. The exterior reminded me of Serafina: grand and regal, yet somehow forlorn. It was an enormous brick structure with a circular driveway and large staircase outside of the entrance, with vines beginning to creep up the walls. The combination of an old iron gate out front and the many vines seemed to betray the history and age of this house. After what seemed like ages, Serafina came outside.

"I talked to Giovanni. He was very...uncertain, but he said he would help get you guys in. My father is out on an errand, and won't be back for an hour or so. We'll see how he reacts," she added, grimacing slightly. She had told us a bit about her father. Serafina's description of the man made me smile slightly, not because of any humor, but because it sounded a lot like her. She had called him stern and imposing, with a quick temper that was laced with a cold edge. I didn't know her well, but she certainly was imposing, and she didn't exactly have a subdued manner.

"Alright, Seamus, let's get our things," I said, gathering what little we had from the grass.

"Follow me," said Serafina, as we entered the magnificent structure.