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"Do we understand each other?" asked Angela, firmly. The
slap hurt, but Charotte didn't feel it. Deep down, she had to admit that she had
it coming. Even so, Charlotte felt that an injustice had just been committed. Up
till then, her father had been the only one to really discipline her. This usurper
of authority was taking her father's place. When that realization sank in, Charlotte
finally understood. Her father was giving her away-- as if she was no longer his
daughter anymore. Charlotte had secretly hoped that her father would change his mind.
Up till then, she had refused to believe he would do this to her. But the finality
in Angela's voice deflated that hope like air rushing from a popped balloon.
"Do we understand each other?" repeated Angela, after seeing Charlotte's
hesitancy.
"I understand," mumbled Charlotte. As far as she was concerned, it was
the end of the world-- at least the way she knew it.
"Good," said Angela, her voice taking a lighter tone, "now we can
get to work." Charlotte reluctantly obeyed her Aunt as they gathered up her
belongings, one by one, and packed them into suitcases and bags for the trip to North
Carolina.
"Your father has already sent me your records, so you will start school right
away," said Angela, emptying Charlotte's sock drawer into an open suitcase on
the bed. "You will be attending the same high school as your cousin, Sherri,"
continued Angela, "so you will make new friends in no time. In fact, Sherri
will be sharing her room with you. I just know my two girls will get along famously."
Every sentence sounded like a death knell on Charlotte's ears. Life was changing
too rapidly to keep up with the emotions attached to it. Despair was the only reaction
her numb heart could conjure.
Frank looked up from the magazine he was reading and smiled when he saw Charlton
standing behind the counter.
"Couldn't stay away, not even on your day off, huh?" Frank laughed. Charlton
smiled lamely.
"Needed to get out of the apartment for awhile. How's business?" asked
Charlton, running his thumb along the edges of the store's "Venture Outdoors"
flyers on the counter.
"It's been slow today," replied Frank, popping open a can. "Charlie
giving you a hard time?" asked Frank, tossing Charlton a refreshment.
"You have kids," began Charlton, "tell me, how do you know if you're
doing right by them?" Frank raised his eyebrows. He really didn't know how to
answer his friend's question.
"Look," explained Frank, "I've tried to instill the same values I
have into my kids. They seem to be turning out good anyway," laughed Frank.
"But how do you know if you're right?" asked Charlton, his voice growing
urgent.
"What's with the twenty questions?" asked Frank. "You and Charlie
have a fight?" he asked. Charlton silently took another drink from his can.
"Am I glad I don't have any daughters," sighed Frank. "Boys I can
handle, but girls? I'm doing good if I can make sense of my wife half the time." |
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