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"It was my money," retorted Sherri. In her haste to defend
herself, she had temporarily forgotten her mother's threat of a year long grounding.
"When did she leave?" asked Angela, resigning herself to the realization
that this was going to make her look like an incompetent mother in front of Chuck.
There was no way that she could hide this from him. Charlie was going to show up
in Twin Yucca. If she didn't call Chuck before she arrived, it was going to put her
in an even more awkward position. It would look like she hadn't even noticed Charlie
was missing. Sherri reluctantly told her mother which flight Charlie was on and when
it was due. Angela promptly informed Sherri that she was grounded for a month. When
Sherri heard this, she protested the sentence that had just been passed, at the top
of her lungs. Angela interrupted her daughter's tantrum by hanging up the phone.
Now to do what she dreaded-- call Chuck.
After spending some time in Scripture searching and praying, Chuck emerged from his
room, armed with God's promises and ready to make the phone call. He was not going
to take "no" for an answer; he was going to insist that Charlie come home;
and he was not going to fear or be intimidated by Angela. To Chuck's amazement, as
he wrapped his fingers around the receiver, the phone rang.
"Hello?" answered Chuck. He could hear someone clearing their throat, as
if preparing to speak.
"Hi, Charlton. It's Angela."
"Is anything wrong with Charlie?" asked Chuck, sensing that she was preparing
to break unpleasant news.
"Not exactly. It seems Sherri and Charlie have become close friends," lied
Angela, trying to minimize the responsibility and guilt of herself and her daughter.
"Sherri saw how much Charlotte missed you, so she decided to help her come to
you," explained Angela.
"Come to me?" repeated Chuck, unsure if he had actually heard what he thought
he did.
"Charlie... I mean Charlotte, is on a flight to Los Angeles International Airport.
It's due in about half an hour," continued Angela, assuming the same unapologetic
tone of her daughter. "It was my responsibility to take Charlotte in, but she
is just not adjusting to her surroundings very well. I think it would be best if
you assume responsibility for your daughter. If you can't handle her, I suggest you
take her to a psychotherapist," advised Angela.
Chuck was shocked! Was Angela really giving Charlie back to him, without even a fight?
"I have done my best," added Angela, after a few moments of uneasy silence
from Chuck.
"Thank you," Chuck responded, not wanting to make Angela angry and reconsider.
"Please thank your family for their hospitality. It was very kind of you."
Surprised that Chuck was not going to yell at her for being a bad mother, Angela
didn't quite know what to do with the coals of fire Chuck had heaped upon her by
his graceful acceptance of the news.
"Uh, you're very welcome, I'm sure," replied Angela. "I hope Charlotte
arrives safely."
"Thank you," repeated Chuck.
"Well, I have to be going now. Take care," said Angela.
"You too," replied Chuck, hanging up the receiver. That was that. |
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