1 Chapter 9: Sweet Cindy

By Trixi…take pleasure in this exquisite tale

"There," Shawn told Mr. Feeny. "I told you…. everything. Why don't you believe me?"

"Shawn," Mr. Feeny said miserably. "You're leaving out a very large detail."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean the fact you love Cindy and you are too scared to tell her. Romance & sheer fondness for her tells you something. You love her, Shawn."

"But I did-"

"Shawn, Cindy Annie Franklin is a remarkable young person. Her mother and father had been divorced for 2 years. During that time, Cindy's mother met another man. He, I hear, dumped her as you might say. Cindy has grown used to her mother's constant irritation towards the Hunters. Show her you can be trusted."

"Mr. Feeny, no offense, you don't know much about love."

"Oh, yeah? Just because I'm an educator of my time you don't think I know about how you feel? I do, Mr. Hunter. You must never assume things about others based on their outer appearance. It's what's inside that counts."

"That was superb, Mr. Feeny," came a syrupy voice from behind. Shawn turned to face Cindy. She looked at him. "I'm…I'm sorry Shawn, I-"

"Hey," he said casually. "It doesn't matter. I know my dad isn't perfect but, he loves a lot of people, Cindy."

"Yeah?!" retorted Cindy. "What about you? Does he love you? And if he did, why hasn't he come back for you yet?"

"I…I don't know, Cindy."

Cindy hugged him. "My grandmother said you called."

"Oh," Shawn said, kissing her apologetically. "Sorry she thought I was a prank caller."

""W-ell, we have caller ID, and uh, she knew."

The smile on Shawn's face turned to a thin line. "W-what are you telling me? That she knew?"

"I'm really sorry, Shawn. My parents won't understand. They are too absorbed with the fact the Hunters are unmanageable people they…"

"Miss Franklin.," said Mr. Feeny suddenly. "Do you love Shawn Hunter?"

"Well, yes."

"Now then, how long have you two known each other?"

"No long."

"Love is a deep passion that comes from experience and from the heart."

"What do you mean, sir?"

"I mean, Miss Franklin, that what you feel is not even close to what love really is. You simply like each other and feel exultant when you ARE together. So, with that said, good night. Think about it." Mr. Feeny turned and walked into his house.

"What…what does he mean?"

"I don't know. I really never had. He's Feeny."

"Well, anyway, I'm sorry."

"It's okay. Forget it."

"You know, Feeny made some sense."

"Huh. That's impressive."

"I mean, about how Feeny said we're too young to fall in love and haven't known each other long enough. I think…we shouldn't be together."

"Why not?"

But their conversation was broken by a sharp and angry voice. "Cindy," it snapped. "What are you doing here? And what are you doing with that…Hunter??" it was Cindy's mother.

"Hey," came Jonathan's voice from behind. Shawn dared not look .Instead he held tight to his girlfriend. "That "Hunter" you're talking about is one of my good friends. And don't just assume because of what his father does means he's the same thing."