5 Joshua was getting nervous . He didn't contact me directly . He sent Mr. Davis , the " man in the uniform , " to my door . He was waiting for me one afternoon , looking tired and unshaven . He wasn't stern like before ; his smile was weak and pleading . " Tricia , how have you been ? " I just stared at him . He pulled a thick envelope from his pocket . " Joshua asked me to give this to you . He said it must be hard for you , living alone . This should help . " I looked at the envelope . It was fat with cash . Joshua used to tell me money could buy all the strawberry tarts in the world . But my strawberry wasn't for sale . It was stolen . I didn't take it . Mr. Davis's smile faltered . He pushed the envelope into my hands . " Take it , Tricia . You deserve it . " ! The envelope felt dirty in my hands . " Joshua is a thief , " I said . Mr. Davis's face stiffened . " Tricia , don't say things like that . Joshua ... he had his reasons . " " He stole my strawberry , " I repeated . " What does a strawberry have to do with anything ! " he snapped , his patience wearing thin . " Tricia , just be a good girl , take the money , and stop spreading these stories . It's better for you , and for Joshua . " I looked right at him and asked , " Did you eat my strawberry , too ? " He froze , his mouth hanging open , speechless . I pushed the envelope back into his chest . " I don't want a thief's money . " I closed the door , shutting him out . I heard him sigh heavily , and then his footsteps faded down the stairs . The next day , I went to a big toy store . I used my own money to buy the most expensive , most beautiful doll- house they had . It was three stories tall , with a balcony and a garden - everything I ever dreamed a house could be . I brought it home and set it up right in the middle of my living room . 17 19 Chapter 1 Then I found two of my old dolls , a boy and a girl . With a black marker , I drew a little thief's mask on the boy doll's face . On the girl doll's lips , I dabbed a tiny speck of red , like strawberry juice . I placed them together in the master bedroom on the top floor . Every day , I would talk to the dollhouse . " Hello , thief . Are you happy today ? " " Where did you hide the things you stole ? " Vivian saw it all when she came to find me . She barged in and froze , her eyes fixed on the dollhouse and the two figures inside . Her face went pale . " Tricia ... what is this ? What are you doing ? " I picked up the girl doll and held it out to her . " Look , " I said . " You ate the strawberry . Now your mouth is all dirty . "