Chapter 19 Joshua’s Habit
Mrs. Locker shook her head Mr Joshua rarely calls home, and he hardly ever contacts me‘ He’s been busy this past year, focusing on preparing for the SATS
Wendy frowned. “When did he start at 27th Street High? Have Mom or Dad ever gone to visit
him?”
“Mrs. Fraser and the others have been busy too, so no, they haven’t visited. Joshua got into 27th Street High three years ago. Mrs. Fraser knows, but when she heard it wasn’t a prestigious school, she didn’t care to visit. She sent Leonard to handle his registration, and honestly, I think she just forgot Joshua even goes there now!” Mrs. Locker explained.
Wendy’s chest tightened. her breath coming quicker. It felt like her heart had been wrenched painfully.
After a moment, she asked. “Mrs. Locker, does Joshua… go into Mom’s room a lot? Or Shirley’s. Maddy’s, or Judy’s rooms?”
“He…” Mrs. Locker sighed, nodding slowly.
That was exactly why the Frasers had grown to dislike Joshua so much, especially when he snuck into Maggie’s room and slept in her bed–that had infuriated her.
Maggie was someone who valued cleanliness and order. She was particular about everything and couldn’t stand it when people touched her things. Joshua’s actions had hit a nerve.
“Did he steal anything?” Wendy asked quickly, seeing Mrs. Locker nod.
“I’m not really sure.” Mrs. Locker hesitated for a moment before adding, “Ms. Wendy, I think you should ask Mr. Joshua or Mrs. Fraser directly. I don’t know much about it.
Wendy narrowed her eyes and stared at the older woman.
After a brief pause, Mrs. Locker admitted, “I think Joshua might’ve taken some of Mrs. Fraser’s clothes once. Ms. Shirley caught him and made him return them, then told Mrs. Fraser. As punishment, she made Joshua stand outside for an entire night.”
Wendy’s eyes widened. She remembered that incident all too well.
It happened three years ago. Joshua had snuck into Maggie’s room and stolen her clothes from the closet. Shirley caught him in the act and immediately told their mother. Maggie had been furious–not only had she hit him on the palms, but she also made him stand as punishment and didn’t let him cat.
Wendy vividly remembered how Mamrie had tossed the clothing straight into the trach
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Chapter 19 Joshua’s Habit
afterward.
Frowning, Wendy wondered. Did Joshua really steal things?
After thinking for a moment, she turned to Mrs. Locker again. “Mrs. Locker, why do you think Joshua would steal, especially Mom’s clothes?”
“I…” Mrs. Locker paused.
“What is it? Do you know something?” Wendy pressed, feeling the weight of Joshua’s troubling behavior.
Their mother, Maggie, who was so fastidious and obsessed with cleanliness, would have found his actions absolutely intolerable.
It was no wonder she threw the clothes away after retrieving them.
“Ms. Wendy, why are you asking all this? Mr. Joshua… he might be coming back soon.” Mrs. Locker said, her face showing concern.
Wendy looked at her sharply. “Do you really think so?”
“Well… Mr. Joshua doesn’t have much money. Neither Mrs. Fraser nor Mr. Fraser ever gave him any! Even Mr. Arthur and Ms. Mary never gave him any money when they came for the holidays. Mr. Joshua doesn’t have much, so I believe he’ll come back eventually,” Mrs. Locker explained.
Wendy frowned. “That’s no excuse! Mom and Dad are furious. If he comes back now, he’s just going to get into more trouble. They’ll probably punish him even worse.”
Mrs. Locker fell silent.
Wendy kept pushing. “I remember he stole Mom’s clothes three times and got caught every single time. And now, he’s ruined another dress. Does he really have some… strange habit?”
A sudden realization hit her–she didn’t know her brother at all. She needed to understand whether he was truly as bad as everyone said.
If it was like her sisters claimed, then sure, bad habits needed strict discipline. But if it
wasn’t…
Wendy couldn’t shake the feeling that something didn’t add up. Why would Joshua steal things? Why steal Mom’s clothes, of all things?
Mrs. Locker stared at Wendy quietly, then glanced toward the living room downstairs. After a moment of hesitation, she said, “Ms. Wendy, if I tell you this, you must promise not to share
Chapter 19 Joshua’s Habit
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it with anyone, or I’ll be in big trouble.”
“Oh? What is it?” Wendy asked, surprised. Secing the worry in Mrs. Locker’s eyes, she quickly reassured her. “Don’t worry, Mrs. Locker. I won’t tell anyone!”
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