Tears gathered in her throat. She had to convince herself she was doing the right thing over and over again and that things would work out, but it terrified her.
Francesca embraced her. “I can’t believe Johanna would do this to you! You’ll stay here with me. Just for a few days until you find out more from Helene. I’ll have to sneak you in once everyone has finished for the night, but I think Claire will keep our secret if it’s only for a few days. We’ll have to be very careful. Janie will try to make trouble if she finds out. Luckily, she owes me a favor.”
“Are you sure it’s worth the risk? Thank you!” She clasped Fran’s hands in hers. “I’ll ask around at work as well to see if I can figure out any other option.”
“Of course I’m sure. Sempre sorelle! And you are like a sister to me.” Fran managed a smile at that, but pain flitted through her eyes.
“And you’re like a sister to me, too,” Alma said.
“Oh!” Fran covered her belly with her hand. “The baby. She’s getting stronger.”
“Fran?” Alma said softly. “Have you told Fritz?”
Fran looked past Alma at the window that was ajar to let in the cool night breeze. “Sì. He knows.”
“I thought so. He’s been so miserable the last couple of days. I think he’s having trouble at work, too, since his arrest.” She hesitated, not wanting to intrude.
“It’s best if I don’t see him,” Fran said, voice strained. “Give him time to forget me. Find someone else.”
“How can you say that? He doesn’t want anyone else.”
“He walked away easily, once I told him about the baby. He knows your family won’t accept me, not as a daughter, and he doesn’t want another man’s child.” She looked down. “I don’t blame him.”
Now Alma understood. Fran wanted to spare him more hurt, and also to save him from the slow but poisonous resentment that happens over time. But Fran hadn’t spared Fritz anything. Alma had never seen her brother so upset, even after the fire accident in the subway. He’d been gray-faced and despondent the last few days.
“Fran,” Alma began, weighing her words carefully, “perhaps my parents would be more open to your situation than you think—”
“Like they have been about yours?” Fran shook her head. “No, Alma. I know what’s best here. Trust me. It took months for Johanna to tell me she likes my bread. This relationship will never be right in her eyes. Now, tomorrow night after eight o’clock I’ll meet you at the door. Don’t knock. I’ll be waiting.”
Alma hesitated, knowing if she was going to ask Fran to come to Ellis Island, it was now or never. “Before I go, I have something else to ask you.”
“What is it?”
“This is difficult,” she began and paused. “I really don’t want to ask you this, but I must. I’ve told Commissioner Williams about Lambert, but he said he can’t act unless I can present a witness. Someone who has been a victim of his advances. Someone who has proof.” Her eyes fell to Fran’s stomach. “I know it’s a lot to ask of you—”
“You want me to go to Ellis Island?” Fran said, incredulous. She shook her head. “No, I can’t go back there. I can’t, Alma.”
Alma blew out a breath. “Please, Fran. This could mean Lambert will never be able to do this to another woman again.” She put her hand on Francesca’s shoulder. “Think of all the women you would be helping.”
And if John wasn’t fired, she would be. He’d see to it. She tried not to show her panic at the prospect of having neither home nor job.
Fran sat quietly for a while, the tick of the wall clock mixing with the rattle of carriage wheels drifting from the street.
Alma did her best to remain calm, but her anxiety flared and she folded and refolded the ruffled hem of her day dress.
At last, Fran broke the silence. “He would pay for what he has done to me, and to the others.”
Hearing a change in Fran’s voice, Alma looked up. Something flickered in Fran’s eyes, and the faintest edge of triumph edged her mouth. Alma realized then what this would mean for Fran: a chance for revenge, for resolution. It would also be a signal to every other inspector at the station to treat the immigrants with respect—or else.
Alma smiled. “Yes.”
Fran gripped Alma by the shoulders, her knuckles going white. “I do this because il bastardo deserves it. And more importantly, because you are my friend, but I will leave on the first ferry back to the city after we speak to the commissioner, and I will never go back there. Not ever again. Should they ask me to come back for any reason—”
“Thank you!” Alma threw her arms around her dearest friend. “I can’t believe you agreed. I… Fran, you’re the bravest person I’ve ever met.”
“But you are brave, too, cara mia.” Fran patted her back. “You stand up to your parents. You stand up for what is right, even if you risk losing everything. That is the woman who is my friend.”
A lump rose in Alma’s throat. “You inspire me to be strong.”
The corners of Fran’s mouth turned up into a faint smile. “Well, then I suppose I’ve done one thing right, at least. When do we go?”
“I’ll sleep here tomorrow night, and we can go together the following morning.”
“All right.” Fran nodded.
Alma kissed her cheek, and as she stepped out into the street, Fran’s words echoed in her ears.
You stand up for what is right, even if you risk losing everything. That is the woman who is my friend.
Alma smiled. For the first time in her life, she was proud of who she was becoming, in spite of the uncertainty ahead.
46
The following evening, Francesca watched for Alma near the door.
Francesca still couldn’t believe she’d agreed to go back to Ellis Island. What was she thinking? Yet she couldn’t look her dearest friend and the sister of the man she loved in the face and refuse. She knew it had implications for Alma’s job, even though her friend hadn’t said so aloud. And Francesca would do almost anything for her. Most importantly, she’d like to see the bastard inspector get what was due to him. She brushed off the fear that gripped her each time she imagined setting foot on the ferry back to Ellis Island. It was worth the risk to return—she hoped.
When Alma arrived, Francesca led her to the small bedroom. Claire had helped her make a pallet on the floor, much like the one she’d slept on in the bierhaus months ago. It was odd the way life could turn upside down in an instant.
“Hello, Miss Alma,” Claire peeked inside the door. “I heard you’ll be staying with us a few days?”
“I’m looking into my options so I can be on my way as soon as possible,” Alma added eagerly.