That afternoon, we arrived back in Portland, Maine. At home, I changed and went with April to the beach for a little while, which cheered me up a bit, but I still missed Grandma greatly. And, I suspected that Sharon changed a bit.

One month later, there was a day where things with Sharon nearly fell apart. First of all, my car broke down after school and had to call the repair shop to get my car there. Then, I had to take a cab for home. I paid him and went on to the porch as the taxi drove away. When I tried to get in, the door was locked. I knew it was Sharon who changed the locks on me. She has done that before and I know Dad would be furious at her. To make matters worse, it was raining.

"You've got to be kidding. Oh, come on, Sharon," I muttered.

I noticed there was a lock at the back door, so I couldn't get in from that way either. Luckily, I had some extra money in the pockets of my jacket. I took a bus to Mark C Cogan office, where I marched straight to Dad's office to go see him.

"Hey, look who's here," said Mark with a smile. I ignored him, not in the mood to greet anyone.

"Hi, hon," said Dad, looking up from his papers. "Did something happen?"

"Yes," I said in my angry voice. "Sharon locked me out."

Dad closed his eyes and said, "She did what?"

"Worse of all, I was out in the rain," I said.

"Wow," said Mark.

"Sharon does that to me often," I said.

"Wait until I see her. I'm letting her have it to do that to Mary Anne," said Dad.

"I wonder if she changed since last month," I said.

"That's what I'm wondering, too," Dad began. "I'm calling Sharon."

I marched out of the office while he called Sharon and she took me home and unlocked the doors. I didn't speak to her at all.

At home, Dad said in his angry, "Don't you ever lock Mary Anne out again."

"That's the rule here. If anyone is pregnant before marriage, they're on their own," said Sharon.

"I don't care. Do you realize that Mary Anne is being responsible by fixing her mistake and to raise the child?" said Dad. "I give her credit for that."

I cried out, my frustration and anger pouring out. "Exactly. You weren't like that last month."

I got up as I went to my room and slammed the door.