CH 37
This Saturday's soccer games were home games. Since it was so close to the town barbecue, It was decided to have both. After the games, the visiting team and spectator would be invited as well as townspeople.
Johnson City was a bigger school, the biggest in their district, so Joan and Allison were put in the first string lineup. Unfortunately for Bob, the boy's team also wanted their best players on th field, so he was kicked back to a replacement status. It was a bit of a disappointment, but he did get to watch Joan and Allison play.
The Johnson City teams were good. This time the boy's teams played first. Driftwood did get 2 goals in. Johnson City got 6. When the girls played, Johnson City was expecting the same win. They weren't expecting Joan and Allison.
First quarter Johnson City managed to get one goal attempt that was stopped. Driftwood got 4. Second quarter, Johnson City never got near the goal, Driftwood got 3 more. Third quarter Johnson City replaced some players due to fatigue in trying to keep up with Joan and Allison's fast moves. Driftwood added another 4 points to the scoreboard. Fourth quarter, Johnson City put ever best girl they had on the field that could play, thinking those two had to be exhausted by now. Nope Johnson City manage to get a goal. Driftwood got 5.
The whole game video cameras from Johnson City tracked Joan and Allison's movements on the field. They had never seen anything like them before.
After the decent win by the Johnson City boys, and the near total shut-out win by the Driftwood girls, The pigs roasting deep in the roasting pits were done. Long tables of food were out, as well as games for the kids and some footraces for fun. Knowing they were coming for a cookout after the games, many Johnson City parents brought snack foods and drinks. At the edge of the parking lot, twelve trucks hosted a tailgate party.
Beside all the folding and lawn chairs that appeared, Mark and Sonya had made ten eight foot benches and scattered them around the park for people to use. Like their home furniture now, these were solid wood (and a little over-built) benches with designs down the supporting sides and scrolling along the support beneath the solid wooden seats.
To Joan and Allison's surprise and delight, Mrs. Hughes had brought a football. At first it was the three of them tossing the ball back in forth in long passes. Joan was happy that Mrs. Hughes could make long, accurate passes as well. Seeing the football fly from one end of the park to the other, boys came to investigate, as did Jackie and another senior girl who played soccer for Johnson City. Enough kids had gathered to have teams. They were 7 person teams, but still teams. To be fair everyone who wanted to play lined up and Joan was team captain for one side, Allison for the other. A coin toss and Allison got the first pick, also meaning Joan's team would get the first try.
"Bob!" Allison called as her first pick.
"What? No! Bob's mine!" Joan cried.
"My pick, I want bob. I'll give him back later," Allison said and stuck her tongue out at Joan. Joan replied with the same gesture.
"Jackie, over here!" Joan called.
Mrs. Hughes brought the ball with ulterior motives. She wanted to see how good these girls were.
.
JJ and Louise found the 'get the shape out of the thin wood wafers' game. The game looked simple, free the shape from the wood, whole and un-cracked using a pin. It was harder than it looked. The wafer was thin, and easily cracked. They had a fun time laughing at each other. JJ ruined four before he go the patience to go slow and look for the thicker lines that were the grain of the wood.
He had most of the rabbit shape free and Louise announced "I did it!" He looked over, the chicken shape was out and whole. "You suck," He chided.
"Nope I got mine free first!" she gave him a "Pthh" raspberry.
"I'll get this one," he insisted. Concentrating hard on it, he had all but the feet free.
"Hi Johnny!" Peggy said happily as she sat down. JJ looked at her. "Hi Peggy, he replied with a smile.
Crack
Louise laughed, "Ah ha! Your best effort ruined by your girlfriend!" she chided.
"Ohhh, stick that pin up your nose." JJ grumbled.
Leaning close, Peggy asked, "What are you doing?"
JJ explained the silly game to her as Louise went up and got another bunch of shapes and another pin. Once he explained the game, he asked, "You didn't come by yourself, did you?I know how reclusive your folks are."
"A Dad and Mom are here too. and guess what!" she beamed "I told them about that battle, and instead of pulling me out of school, like I was afraid they were going to do, they agreed that going and seeing you may actually be good for me."
"OK," JJ said slowly, "So how is getting your life put in danger good for you?"
"You know how Eddie had pulled back into himself?" Peggy asked. "I didn't! The emotional stress was huge, but dealt with it."
"It made you a little stronger?" JJ guessed.
Peggy frowned slightly, which was a super cute expression on her. "I'd say I learned how to deal with it a bit better. See, anyone near me, or if their emotions are strong enough, a distance away, I receive them."
JJ nodded, then his heart went in his throat. If she knew what he was feeling now when he looked at her...
Peggy leaned into him. "Johnny, yes, I can tell what you're feeling. I can't help it, I just get it. It's fine if you have strong good feelings for me. I got them for you too. There's no need to hide it. I love how protective you are over me. You are smart and you do come up with some good, funny stuff."
"I ah... don't know what to say," he offered. He really didn't. He did really like hanging out with Peggy when he could, and she was the prettiest girl he'd ever seen. It was also real nice to hold her.
Peggy giggled. "You can say it out loud if you want," she coaxed.
JJ blushed. "I just ... OK, I'm a bit nervous here. I've never had a real, true girlfriend before. I'm afraid I might screw it up somehow."
"I can't see you screwing up anything," Peggy replied.
Louis burst out laughing. "You haven't known JJ long enough," she cackled.
JJ eyed her. "You be quiet." He hadn't even realized Louise had come back.
That made Peggy giggle. "JJ screwed up on something?" she asked.
"We made a two person bike that you ride in sitting down," Louise explained. Pointing to JJ, she said, "Mr. Brilliant here forgot to put brakes on it so we ran around fine, but when we had to stop, we had to run into bushes."
"Why didn't YOU think of pulling brakes on it?" he asked.
"You were the designer, that's your job," Louise countered.
"I suppose if I forgot a way to steer it, you wouldn't notice that either?"
"I would think you'd notice," Louise replied.
JJ cast a tired gaze at Peggy. "See, she likes to blame me."
"That's not bad," Peggy said, then cast him an impish grin, "So long as you don't build a car like that."
JJ and Louise laughed.
JJ looked at Peggy Just to look at her. He had to say something so he wouldn't look weird, he said. "Now that we established I suck at building things, would you like to try this?"
"Sure!"
They sat picking at those stupid wafers until they got hungry from the smell of food filling the air. It was time to go grab something to eat.
.
Cameron, Delilah and Sonya had been conspiring. They missed the big get-togethers that had music. There was none here, so they hurried home to grab instruments, and found a place to set up. They began playing.
.
Pale blonde haired Jaren and Mika walked along through the pig-fest, as they called it, just observing the festival with their pale blue eyes. They brought Peggy so she could spend some time with Johnny. They didn't understand why she was so attached to that Connor boy. Eddie was still having trouble with what he'd experienced after being kidnapped and near that big fight. Peggy though didn't seem to show any affects, except a big infatuation for John Junior Connor. He was part of the most violent family in the whole area, yet she had been right there IN the battle and she was loving to even think about her Johnny.
Suddenly music filled the air with a powerful happy voice singing.
Now shine on me sunshine, walk with me world,
it's a skippity do-da day
I'm the happiest girl, in the whole USA!
Good morning, morning. hello sunshine
Wake up, sleepy head
Why'd we move that bojangle clock so far away from the bed?
Just one more minute, that's why we moved it
One more hug will do
Do love waking up next to me as much as I love waking up next to you.
They followed the sound of the music, as many others did. In an area of grass between the parking lot and the first tents, The giant Connor woman, Sonya was singing while she played a keyboard. Delilah had an electric guitar and Cameron was on drums. It was a fun, happy song Sonya sang. Jaren and Mika smiled. Weren't these those violent people? Yet they were playing such a happy song, those around them were feeling happy also. To the side, Mike saw Peggy puling JJ over to join the crowd listening to the music.
The music ended. A woman yelled, "Do Waterloo!" others cheered in agreement.
The female band of in Jaren's mind, of killers, struck up a piano tune, Delilah and Cameron sang this time in perfect unison in powerful voices.
MY MY!
at Waterloo Napoleon did surrender
OH YEAH!
And now I've met my destiny in quite a similar way.
The history book on the shelf, is always repeating itself!
Waterloo!
I was defeated you won the war.
Waterloo!
Promise to love you for evermore!
Waterloo!
Couldn't escape if I wanted to
Waterloo!
Knowing my fate is to be with you
Whoa whoa whoa whoa,
Waterloo!
Jaren listened to the snappy, up beat tune about how they lost and were happy about it. That confused him. He couldn't help to dance a bit as many were doing. It was just too happy of a song to not move your body somehow!
The crowd was thickening. Off to the side, Peggy was trying to see over the crowd. Johnny bent down, got between her legs and lifted her up on his shoulders. She yelped out in surprise, then laughed. Mika noticed this too. She watched them closely. Peggy was having a good time, clapping with the music and singing some. Johnny was dutifully holding her up. Both were very happy.
They did another song, this time Cameron took the keyboard and Sonya had the drums. Delilah stayed on her guitar that she was playing more complex notes that Jaren had ever heard before. Cameron sang.
When I find myself in times of trouble
Mother Claire, she comes to me
speaking words of wisdom
let it be
and in my hour of darkness
she is standing right in front of me
speaking words of wisdom
let it be
This was a well dome tribute to her mother. Again surprising Jaren. The song was beautiful, so was the message. How could they be so extremely violent one day, then come here and play such beautiful music and make many people happy today? The Conners were more complex that he thought. Maybe humans were too.
The next song was called the 'Logical' song where Delilah sang about things being so illogical. Some of these lyrics seemed to grab him.
there are times when all the world's asleep
the question runs so deep
a search is in demand
won't you please, please tell me what you learned
I know it sound absurd
please tell me who I am!
The next song had him wondering if they had a mission or something like that. Cameron sang this one. So did much of he crowd.
Oh life
It's bigger, it's bigger than you
and you are not me.
The lengths that I will got to, the distance in your eyes.
Oh no I've said too much
I set it up.
that's me in the corner,
that's me in the spot light,
I'm losing my religion
trying to keep a eye on you
and I don't know if I can do it.
This was another crowd pleaser with many hands clapping in time and singing with the music. The next one Sonya sang, with so much heart, Jaren nearly wept.
Such a feeling's coming over me
There is wonder in most everything I see
Not a cloud in the sky, got the sun in my eye and I,
won't be surprised if it's a dream
Everything I want the world to be
is now coming true especially for me
and the reason is clear, it's because you are near
you're the nearest thing to heaven that I've seen
I'm on the
top of the world looking down on creation
and the only explanation I can find
is the love that I've found ever since you're been around
your love's put me at the top of the world.
Mika noted the good feelings and love from the crowd. She too was nearly ready to break down in joy. Peggy atop of Johnny, an Johnny below were radiating love for each other so strong it didn't seem possible. That these people could be not only peaceful, but emitting such positive emotions didn't seem possible. The song itself was enough to gravitate her to Jaren and hug him. He hugged her back in a flow of love and kindness.
They were really glad they came.
.
Cameron had really enjoyed playing for a crowd again, as did Delilah and Sonya. Unfortunately, they ran out of songs for a 'western' crowd to enjoy. A couple people made comments that they were very good, but need to add a fiddle in their band.
One person coming over to talk to her, surprised her. The male Littleton that had frowned and took his child, acting like somehow she'd done something to him, when it was her family that rescued him, came over. He was acting meek.
Mrs. Connor, may I talk to you?" he asked.
"It's Cameron," she aid and offered him a hand in friendship. He took it stiffly, like he was afraid to, and shook her hand.
"Jaren," he replied. "May I ask you a question?"
Cameron nodded.
"I am confused. We are used to ones who are peaceful and helpful, then some who are , violent. This music you played today was wonderful. You filled the crowd here, and us, with love and good feelings," he said, "But you also are prone to great violence. I don't understand, how can you be ... both?"
Cameron cracked a grin. "Where are you from?"
"Very far away," he said.
"No. Where is it you are from. Name and place, please." Cameron said evenly.
Jaren grew a nervous grin, "I don't know if you will believe me."
"Jaren, I know when people are lying or telling the truth. I have seen many things most people won't believe." Cameron told him. She saw his wife meekly come up behind him.
Jaren said, "We're not from here. We came from a planet 740 light years away. The city we lived in was called Atlantis. Legend tells us that Atlantis was once here, on Earth, but a great catastrophe made the people flee. When we fled, we decided to come here to find our heritage, bu there is no trace of it."
Cameron nodded. "I know of it. The last person to tell about Atlantis died thousands of years ago. For a long time we have been searching for it's location. Due to age and degradation, as well as sea level change and continents moving, there are suspected places it was, but nothing can be confirmed."
"So, there was an Atlantis here on Earth?" he asked.
"At one time, yes," Cameron agreed, "But that is not what you wanted to ask me."
Mika spoke up. "How can you be so violent yet be so ... peaceful and good also?"
Cameron looked over to see JJ coming, Peggy still on his shoulders. By the looks, they were both liking this.
"You have not been on Earth long then?" Cameron asked them.
"No, where we're from, you are peaceful of violent. Not both." Mika said.
Cameron explained, "Most people here are both, or can be. Are you familiar with the wildlife, animals?"she asked.
"Just the ones we need to worry about," Jaren said.
"In the northern regions, there is a small animal named the wolverine. Even though they are small, the biggest ones only weighing 35 pounds or so, they are the last thing any other animal wants to mess with. Wolverines are very social with their families. Wolverines have also driven off or killed other animals many times their size. Bears, big 500 to 2000 pound bears back down when faced with a wolverine. Wolverines have driven away wolf packs to steal their kills. In one instance a 30 pound wolverine killed a 2500 pound polar bear, which is another predator. Wolverines protect their families, but drive off other animals, and they do it viciously, no matter the odds, they fight to kill and they do not ever give up. The best way I can explain it is, we are like the wolverines."
"Yes!" Peggy said from atop of JJ. "That's how Delilah, Jackie and Johnny beat those twenty or so kidnappers that had us!"
"It is," Cameron agreed. "We will do whatever it takes to remove threats to us. Come to harm what's ours, and it's a fight to the death."
Mika sighed visibly. "So Peggy is in no danger being with Johnny?"
"No, but anyone who wants to hurt Peggy is," JJ said firmly.
Peggy smiled. So did Cameron.
"But the emotional strain of ... being that violent. How can you do that?" Jaren asked in wonder.
"I turn my emotions off." Cameron told him.
"You can do that?"
Joan and Bob came running up. Seeing Peggy sitting on JJ, Joan poked him. "Afraid she'll get way, huh?"
"No," JJ replied defensively. "Peggy likes to see farther."
"Too cheap to buy her binoculars?" Bob asked with a grin.
Joan and Peggy laughed. That even got a chuckle from Jaren.
"Guys!" Joan announced, "Mrs. Hughes is talking about making a summertime football league for us! She has the connections to buy what we need, the only thing is we'll have to pay for our equipment. It's just talk right now, but if we get enough people interested, we can do it! We'll need more coaches, Moms, if we can, will you help us?"
"It's a good idea," Delilah said.
"I'll talk to Mrs, Hughes about it." Cameron told her.
"Yes! Come on Bob, let's go tell her!" Joan said, clasped Bob's hand and ran off to do so.
"Football was fun," Delilah said with a reminiscent smile.
Cameron grinned at her. "It was. You just liked running over the players."
Delilah shrugged, returning her grin. "They tried to get in my way."
"I was wondering," Jaren asked, "We have much damage to our fields from those pigs. Is it possible to hire some assistance in repairing the arbors?"
"Maybe helping with the harvest too?" Mika asked.
"I don't see why not," Delilah said.
"I'll do it," JJ offered.
"Cameron's already busy, but I'm not doing much right how. Sure, I'll help," Delilah said.
"Sonya is very involved with Mark," Cameron noted, "I think they might start making furniture. Those benches they made are nice."
Delilah asked, "Jaren, why not post some advertisements for work? I'm sure someone will be interested."
Jaren winced. "We have been nervous about getting involved with other people. I also have to ask everyone before we decide to do anything."
"Then ask when you get home," Delilah said. "It's to your benefit."
"Jaren, you don't help yourselves distanced yourselves from other people," Cameron told him.
"We have a hard time with the negative emotions many people give off," he explained.
"It was hard for me also. Not the emotions, but how people acted," Cameron told him. "It was hard at first to deal with illogical people. I had to adapt."
"We thought you were from here," Mika said.
"We are from here, but from future here," Cameron explained. "We came back in time to stop a devastating war."
"Can you go back to your time?" Jaren asked.
"We don't want to. That was a nuclear devastated world. This is much better in many ways,"Cameron told them.
Mark came over to the group next. "Ike's looking for some cleanup help, any volunteers?"
Cameron nodded. "We'll be right there. To JJ she said, "Go find your sisters and let Peggy walk on her own."
"Yes, Mom," JJ said and squatted down so Peggy could get off. They walked away, hand in hand.
"Come on, we'll get the heavy stuff," Delilah said.
Not sure why they were, Jaren and Mika followed.
.
Parting for the day seemed extra hard for JJ and Peggy and ended up in a long hug. On their way home Mika noticed Peggy had happy tears in her eyes. "You had fun today?" she asked.
"I did! It was so much fun, I didn't want it to ever end," Peggy told her.
"It was much better than I had thought it could be," Jaren agreed. "The Connors surprised me. I still have a hard time with how they can do some of the things they do, but at least now I understand it better."
"They can be good friends, and merciless enemies as well," Mika said. "That is hard to wrap one's head around."
"They keep those close to them safe," Peggy said. "Even if it causes them great pain. I got to see that first hand."
"Wolverines," Jaren stated. "I am surprised there are people who would dare raise their wrath."
Getting home, Jaren brought up the question of hiring people to help fix the arbors and later harvest grapes. The other adults were not pleased with the idea of humans being around more. They idea was voted down.
Peggy asked, "Can Johnny come help at least? He really wants to help us."
Older father said, "This Johnny will to anything to better his chances to have you for a mate."
Peggy was shocked at his statement. There was animosity behind it. "Maybe I would do the same," she replied, knowing he didn't want her to say something like that.
"That can never be," her older father stated.
"Why not?" Peggy asked feeling a little combative herself. "John saved my life! He did everything he could to make sure I stayed safe. I have fun with him, he really likes me, and I really like him."
"Peggy is safe with Johnny," Jaren said. "I talked with Cameron, one of the Mrs. Connors. She explained why they are, the way they are. They are not aggressive towards family and friends, only to those who seek to do them harm. We are in no danger from them."
"Jaren," older father said, "Do you forget the loss of our sons and daughter Leanne?"
"No I do not." Jaren said sadly.
"Then how can you support any idea of allowing violent people around us?" Older father asked in a pleading tone. "Tanak and Gabriel were sure they could turn those others around! Leanne agreed with them. What happened? Both our sons were killed and Leanne ... suffered horrible abuse!"
"This isn't Atlantis," Mika said. "People here are not just peaceful or violent. Cameron did explain it to us, We are trying to explain it to you."
"That Cameron had a man eaten alive by insects!" Older father stated. "I felt it, Peggy had a nightmare and awoke screaming from it! Eddie didn't scream out, but he did have a nightmare when that happened also! Tell me you didn't."
"I know now why that happened," Peggy said calmly. "Why all those kidnappers were killed. It was the Connors way of saying, fear us, for if you come to make trouble this will happen to you."
"And you can be around people like that?" her taller mother asked.
Peggy looked at her and said, "I was kidnapped by ones who wanted to degrade, use us and kill us. I felt that from them. I'm not dead or tortured, am I? I was saved from that fate by the very ones you don't like. Would it be better if I shared Leanne's fate and be used as a toy until they finally killed me? To suffer with no hope of anyone coming to rescue me?"
Sadly, her older mother said, "Your brothers and sister chose their fate."
"Because the violent ones were coming closer and they KNEW we would not be left alone!" Peggy stated. "IF Johnny, any of the Connors were there, that wouldn't have happened. It is brutal, yes, but I would much rather have a nightmare of those ... mean ones being killed, than the nightmares I had of Leanne pleading for her life and knowing NO ONE was going to help her!"
Peggy sat, fists balled as the room became silent. Slowly, she said, "We will not defend ourselves. I couldn't even kill that pig that was charging at me. Johnny did it for me. He fought those kidnappers and got bad wounds but he kept fighting until they were all dead. He did it for me. He saved me from Leanne's fate, and I love him for it. I want Johnny for my mate. I know neither me, nor our children will have to suffer if mean ones come around. Peace and good will are always best. There are times though, that we need a wolverine."
Jaren explained to the other adults about the animal called a wolverine. That was what the Connors were. They were appalled at people who could have a dual personality like that but at least they understood. They still didn't want people who could be violent around them. They also agreed that as mis-guided as she was, Peggy was going to continue perusing Johnny. It made them sad.
.
Going back to school, JJ saw Peggy by the entrance, leaning against the wall.
"There's your girlfriend, go kiss her," Jackie sang and bumped him with an elbow.
"Something's wrong," JJ noticed, not paying attention to her. Peggy wasn't her bubbly self. He walked up and took a leaning pose against the wall like she had. They cast each other a weak smile.
JJ itched an ear and said, "You know, I can't feel the emotions of others, but I can tell you're sad about something."
"I am," Peggy agreed and moved closer. "My family ... doesn't want anyone to come up and help us."
"That's dumb," JJ said without thinking. "I mean that puts more work on you and them." He looked at her closely. "That's not all, is it?"
Peggy shook her head. "I'm thirteen now. We consider children to be adults at fifteen."
"So in two more years, you'll be an adult," JJ said, watching her to see how this was relevant to her sadness.
She cast him a sad look. "If I continue to see you ... then at fifteen ... they want me to leave."
"They're going to kick you out?" he asked.
Peggy nodded. With a weak shrug she said, "They won't have anyone who is involved with violent people around."
"That's nuts!" JJ announced. "What are you supposed to do then? I mean legal age here is eighteen, and we won't be done with school until then. And there goes any chance of going to college or any further education."
"They don't care," she said weakly. "It's stop seeing you by fifteen, or walk out the door."
"WHY?" JJ cried. "Thats .. these are your parents, right?"
"All mine," Peggy agreed. She then felt anger grow in JJ. "Johnny, no! Don't be angry at them."
Frowning deeply, he said, "Sorry, but I am. You know, I can't fathom parents who would demand that. I know Dad really didn't like George at all, but he put up with him because Sonya did, and we're all family who support each other. Mommy One and Dad adopted Louise because her parents died, and she had no place to go. I can't understand or ... it's like they are betraying you."
"I do feel a little betrayed," Peggy said, "It is their choice, once I'm fifteen, I'm no longer considered a child."
"You're still their daughter, right? I mean how can they do that to their own daughter?" JJ cried.
"I think this is their way of forcing me not to see you," Peggy told him.
"I bet you're right. OK, then we'll hide it," JJ said.
"That won't work, we can feel each others feelings," Peggy said sadly.
The bell rang. They had to go in. "Damn it," JJ grumbled, angry at the bell. "OK, I'll talk to my parents. There must be something we can do."
.
After school, JJ gave Peggy an extra long hug and promised her they would figure it out. As soon as he got home, he found Mommy One and told her about what Peggy told him. She listened then said, "I have one question for you. You ask this to Peggy also. Are you two ready, and very, very sure you want to spend the rest of your lives together?"
JJ gulped.
"You need to be sure, Junior," she said firmly. "Go and think heavily on it."
.
The next day, Cameron took her purple jeep up to the Littleton farm. There was work going on. She saw the barn doors open, someone was inside. She walked over to see an older man come out to meet her.
"Can I help you?" he asked.
"You can. When is Peggy's birthday?" Cameron asked.
"I have to ask what business is it of yours?" he said, eyeing her.
"I heard that if Peggy is still seeing JJ on her fifteenth birthday, you are going to make her leave," Cameron stated. "If she has no place to go, or spends even a single night alone, with no support, it's called child abandonment and you can go to jail for it. So instead of risking jail, tell me when her birthday is so I can pick her up."
The man frowned at her. "Fifteen is the age of adulthood."
"Not here. It's eighteen, by law." Cameron stated.
"Why are you concerned with what our family does?"
Cameron explained, "I talked to the sheriff before I came here. The moment Peggy walks out your door because you told her to leave, she is an abandoned child and eligible for adoption. We can adopt her on the spot, even before she's down the stairs, and she becomes a Connor."
"I will not let you take our child!" he stated heavily.
"You abandon her, and you no longer have any say in what happens to her," Cameron stated in return. "So, when is her birthday?"
Mika came running out of the barn. What is it?" she asked.
Cameron turned to her.
"Hi Cameron, what's going on?"
"I came to ask when Peggy's birthday is," Cameron replied.
"So she can steal Peggy from us!" the old man said, quivering in anger now.
"Negative," Cameron said. "I understand that at fifteen, she will be required to leave your house if she and JJ are still involved."
Mika looked at the older man and said, "Yes that was decided on."
"Then I need to know when to pick her up. You abandon her, we will adopt her and give her a home. I just want to know when to come and get her. The sheriff will be her also to verify the transfer of custody."
"You can't do that!" the older man stated.
Mika winced and said, "They can. We consider fifteen as adulthood. As long as Peggy wants to go live with them, she is free to do whatever she wants."
"So our last daughter is fated to go live with the most violent people we know of?" he asked in a hard tone.
"That's yet to be seen," Cameron said blank faced. "I will tell you one thing, we do not abandon family. Are you going to tell me when her birthday is, or not?"
The man just stared at her.
"We figured it to be August 20th here," Mika said quietly. "This next summer she will be 14. 15 next August it will be on the 17th. our year was shorter than it is here."
"Thank you," Cameron said, turned and left.
Mika touched the older man's arm and said, "We need to rethink our decision."
"No," he said in a gravely tone. "If Peggy loves those violent people so much, the she can go live with them!"