The idea, now seeded, had quickly taken root in Lola’s mind.

“I have to show them that I’m not after the money,” she said, mostly to herself. “Chip needs to go back to school. You’re right…I didn’t even think of it, but you’re right.”

The more she was told that she was right, the more Scarlett wanted to distance herself from the idea. All she’d really said was, “People are crazy. Why don’t you lie to them?”

“I need to prove it to everyone,” Lola said, turning to look at Scarlett straight on. “Especially you. This isn’t about money. You’re the only one who knows the specifics, but…I’m glad you know.”

She took Scarlett’s hand and squeezed it. “Do you hate me?” she asked.

“What? No. I…No.”

Scarlett’s eyes were welling up, and so were Lola’s.

“I’ll always remember you did this for me,” Lola said. “Always.”

And there was such a moment of sisterly bonding, such genuine gladness that she was there with Lola and they clearly loved each other, that Scarlett decided not to think about the fact that this was probably true. Lola would never forget, and Scarlett had absolutely no idea what she had just done.

OUTRAGEOUS FORTUNE

When Scarlett got home the next afternoon, the lobby was full of bags—shopping bags, garment bags. She hadn’t seen so much stuff since the day Mrs. Amberson moved in. There was no one at the front desk, but the door to the dining room was partway open and there were voices coming from inside. Scarlett slid it open the rest of the way, revealing a small gathering—her parents and Lola.

“We’re having a kind of family meeting,” Lola said chirpily. “To talk about the party.”

“Party?” Scarlett repeated.

The party, Scarlett quickly gathered, was going to be a pretty epic affair. It was going to be held at a place called Point Manhattan, a private club on the roof of a building in midtown. The view, Lola assured them, was stunning, and the Sutcliffes pulled a few strings. A fabulous swing band had been hired. Menus were going to be finalized in the morning. The florists were already hard at work getting in the orders from all the flower markets. Scarlett watched her parents valiantly making efforts to argue that the party should be at the Hopewell, but clearly a massive engine had been set in motion, an engine that could be stopped by no one. Lola was hyper, chattering like a monkey.

“Come on,” Lola said, pulling Scarlett a little too roughly from her chair, “I have things to show you!”

In the lobby, Lola started grabbing bags. When she could carry no more, she shoved one of the shopping bags along the parqueted floor with her foot. Scarlett picked up what was left.

“What is this?” Scarlett asked, looking around.