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"When?" persisted Vera.
"Soon," replied Chuck, trying to fight back frustration. "I just can't
call Angela and say I've changed my mind."
"Why not?"
"Do you remember how she fought over Charlie when she was a baby? It's going
to take nothing but a miracle for Angela to give up Charlie now," answered Chuck,
fighting despair. What was that promise about children? And what did Adam say the
Bible said about despair, again? The feelings and emotions were coming so rapidly
in succession, that Chuck silently cried to God for help not to sin against Him.
"She's the kind who would take you to court," affirmed Vera.
"Yes, I guess she could. If only I hadn't given her to Angela!" mourned
Chuck, chastising himself.
"Where are you going?" asked Vera, seeing her son leave the table before
finishing his breakfast. Chuck didn't hear her, for he had already disappeared into
his room. The thought had crossed his mind to go ask Adam what to do... but it was
his responsibility to make this decision, not Adam's.
Strangely enough, when it's four o'clock in the morning in California, it's seven
in the morning in North Carolina. Unlike Vera, Angela was setting the breakfast table
at her usual time. As Angela was about to call everyone to breakfast, Sherri darted
from her room to the door with a--
"Igottarun!" Before Angela could ask any questions, Sherri was gone. After
muttering something about breakfast being the most important meal of the day, the
rest of the family came in to eat-- everyone except Charlie.
"Charlotte!" called Angela. "It's breakfast time!" Angela sat
at her usual place at the table and began to eat. Five minutes later, Angela called
again.
"It's time to eat breakfast, Charlotte! If you don't hurry, you'll be late for
school!" There was no answer. Angela was becoming impatient. "Did you hear
me?" Angela got up from the table and went to the girls' closed bedroom door.
She turned the handle and looked in. To her surprise, Charlie wasn't there-- her
bed hadn't even been slept in. Angela's first thought was anger and then one of puzzlement.
"Why hadn't Sherri said something?" thought Angela, opening Charlie's drawers
and finding them all empty. "Surely she knew," continued Angela. Then,
she remembered Sherri's quick exit that morning-- not even bothering grabbing a bite
to eat. "She knew," muttered Angela, bitterly.
Angela stormed to the living room telephone and called the high school. After a few
minutes of waiting for someone to locate her, Sherri was put on the phone.
"Sherri," asked Angela, angrily, "where is your cousin?"
"Isn't she there?" asked Sherri, in feigned surprise.
"Don't play innocent with me, young lady," threatened Angela. "Tell
me what happened or you'll be grounded for a year!" With this pricey ultimatum
hanging over her head, Sherri cracked.
"She's on a flight to California," replied Sherri, unapologetically, "to
go live with Uncle Charlton."
"How could she pay for the ticket?" demanded Angela. "Did you help
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