Jack stood in confusion, staring at the empty staircase, turning to see Jennifer beside him.
"What was that all about?" Jennifer asked.
Jack shrugged. "I don't know. I've never seen her like this. She wouldn't even come near me."
Jennifer smiled and took Jack in her arms. "Oh Sweetie, I'm sure she just had a bad day. Maybe she needs to be alone."
"I guess you're right." Jack said, kissing her.
"Of course I'm right." Jennifer smiled. "Abigail loves you and so do I."
"And I love you..." Jack said, pulling his wife into a passionate embrace.
(Abby's room)
Abby threw her backpack onto the floor and flopped herself onto the bed, trying to make sense of what Justine and Tommy had told her at school.
Tears filled her eyes when she picked up the photograph of her parents that sat on her dresser. Her fingers trembled as she stroked the smooth wooden frame.
Daddy, you didn't really hurt Aunt Kayla, did you?
It can't be true... It just can't...
(Later that evening)
"Abby! Dinner!" Jack called to his daughter.
Slowly, Abby opened the door catching the heavenly aroma of her favorite dish as it wafted through the house.
"There's my beautiful Abigail!" Jack said with a smile as Abby entered the kitchen. "How is the future Editor-In Chief of The Spectator?"
Jennifer laughed. "Jack! Abby doesn't have to be a journalist if she doesn't want to. Right, Abby?"
Abby ignored her mother and began setting the table.
Jack and Jennifer exchanged surprised glances.
"Well! Isn't this wonderful?" Jennifer exclaimed.
"I usually have to beg, and sometimes threaten, to get you to set the table, Abby."
"Our daughter is growing up, Miss Horton." Jack said proudly.
When the table was set, Abby and Jack sat down. Jack smiled when Jennifer brought over the freshly baked casserole.
"Mmmm! Boy does that smell good!" Jack said. "I hope this isn't green tuna-noodle casserole." He whispered.
"Jack!" Jennifer said, laughing. "That's a terrible thing to say! What would Jo think?"
Jack picked up his fork. "All right, Abby. This is your mother's specialty, so dig in!"
Abby's mouth was watering for a taste of her favorite dish, watching her parents eat their meal.
"So Abby..." Jennifer asked. "How was school today?"
Abby sighed.
Worse than you can ever imagine, Mom.
"Fine." She answered. Usually she was very talkative, at the dinner table; always wanting her parents to know about something that happened at school.
Tonight, however, she was silent.
Her parents exchanged worried glances. They watched as Abby moved her food around on the plate, finally taking only one small bite.
"So, Jack..." Jennifer said to her husband. "How are things at the paper?"
Jack helped himself to more casserole.
"Splendidly, my love! Vern has finally agreed to do the story on the waterfront gangs."
"Oh Jack!" Jennifer said as she kissed him "I'm so happy for you!"
Jack touched his forehead to hers. "It would be an even better story if I had an assistant."
Jennifer looked at him sternly. "Jack, don't start that again. I'm perfectly happy doing freelance work for Adrian's magazine. In fact, I want to get Abby to write a story about Horrace."
Jack almost chocked on his food. "The bintu-whatever it was?"
"Binturong." Jennifer corrected.
"Are you insane?" Jack asked, incredulously.
"Jennifer, that thing bit me! I can just see it now... Binturong bites newspaper owner. Story on Page 3."
He waved his hand in the air for effect.
Jennifer laughed. "I'm sure Abby would leave that part out, wouldn't you, Honey?"
They waited for a response, but none came.
"Are you okay, Abby?" Jennifer asked. "You've hardly touched your food."
"I'm not hungry." Abby replied.
Crestfallen, Jennifer looked at Jack.
"Oh... Okay. Well... in that case, go upstairs and finish your homework and then get ready for bed. Daddy and I will be up later to tuck you in."
Abby nodded and left the kitchen.
"What has gotten into her today?" Jack asked when Abby rushed up the stairs. "She loves your casserole. She usually asks for three, even four helpings."
"I don't know." Jennifer sighed. "Lately she's been having a bad time at school. I feel sorry for her, Jack. I want our daughter to have a better education than I did. I guess I'll talk to her teacher."
Jack kissed the top of Jennifer's head, and wrapped his arms around her.
"Hey... It's not so bad. Look how you turned out!"