Author's Note: Again, I'm sorry about the delay. I've been trying to get ahead on this story in order to avoid any plot holes. This is the first time I've posted a story without actually finishing it. Thanks for your patience. :-)
September 1899
"Mrs. Fuller, I'm not sure if that's such a good idea," said David. "Charlotte's already not happy with me right now…"
"She won't listen to us," said Aunt Mae. "She respects your opinions."
"Not so much anymore," said David. "Things haven't been the same with us since she started seeing Spot."
"That's exactly what we're talking about," said Uncle Ben. "She is out until all hours, she doesn't keep up with her summer studies, and she hardly talks to us anymore."
David shrugged. "I'll do what I can, but she's just going to get angrier at me."
Just then, the front door opened.
"I'm home," Charlotte called.
"We're in here, dear," said Aunt Mae.
Moments later, Charlotte appeared in the dining room. Her face grew suspicious when she saw the three of them sitting around the table talking to each other.
"What's going on here?" she asked, frowning.
"Come have a seat, sweetie," said Aunt Mae, standing up and pulling out a chair for Charlotte.
Charlotte looked at David and slowly walked over and sat down.
"Sweetheart, we're worried about you," said Aunt Mae,
"You don't need to be," said Charlotte.
"Honey, we hardly see you. You're rarely home anymore, you're always off with that young man."
"Whom we have yet to meet," Uncle Ben added.
"None of this is Spot's fault," said Charlotte, shaking her head. She looked at David. "It's yours."
"What?" asked David.
"You're the one who always has to make sure I'm feeling miserable," said Charlotte. "I'm perfectly happy with Spot and you have to come in and spread your misery!"
"It is not David's fault that you're out until all hours and don't get your chores done," said Uncle Ben. "You're not going to get into any Women's Nursing School acting like this."
Charlotte sighed. "Why are you all against me being happy?"
"Sweetie, we want you to be happy, but we're not sure Spot is the answer to that," said Aunt Mae.
Charlotte crossed her arms and sighed.
"Charlotte Anne," said Uncle Ben. "I didn't want to do this, but since you are being unreasonable, and refuse to listen to sound advice, then I will. You will stay home. You will help your aunt around the house. You will not be allowed outside of this house unless it is to go to school or church."
"What?" Charlotte raised her voice.
"And if I catch that young man around you, I will have him arrested."
"You can't do that!" said Charlotte. "He's not doing anything wrong."
"Oh, I'm sure he has a record."
"This is ridiculous! Why are you doing this? Just because I'm not sitting at home doing nothing?"
"This is not just about your curfew, missy," said Uncle Ben, standing up to his full height. "This is about your attitude right here, right now. We love you and are concerned about you. If you want to meet that love and concern with this attitude, you will lose privileges."
With that, Uncle Ben walked down the hallway.
"This is ludicrous!" said Charlotte, following him down the hallway. "I have never done a single thing wrong, and suddenly I start doing something you don't like, and you're punishing me?"
"Go to your room," said Uncle Ben. "Now."
His tone indicated no one was to argue, so Charlotte turned and sulked upstairs. Once she got to her room, she slammed the door and paced around her room.
Who were they to say what she could and couldn't do? If she wanted to see Spot, there was no way anyone was going to stop her. She grabbed her coat out of her closet and slowly slid it open and climbed out.
But as soon as she got to the street, she found herself walking away from Brooklyn.
