Chapter 16. Shopping

Julia

Cindy is such a nice person. She makes me feel absolutely welcome as we stroll along next to each other in one of the most expensive shopping districts in the city. It’s as if I’m with a friend.

We don’t talk about the proposal Mr. Merriweather has made to me. We really don’t talk about him much at all, except for when Cindy says how nice he is and how glad she is to work for him. She says he’s the best boss she has ever had, the best boss she could hope for. She also says not to worry about spending too much money, that Mr. Merriweather will be disappointed if I don’t get everything I want.

I find it hard to unabashedly spend someone else’s money, but I do buy a few things I really like. Cindy won’t let me look at the price tags as she makes a collection of dresses for me to try on. When I go into the dressing room to try them on, she makes me promise not to look at the price while I’m in there either.

I try to keep the promise, but i