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Chapter 10
I drove my car back home but didn't go inside. Instead, I quickly closed my eyes and turned into another form.
A raven.
It had been years since I turned into this form but now it seemed useful. I quickly flew to my destination.
Her home had most of the lights out but I saw a few were still on. I was happy to see some trees were located near the home. Maybe if I was lucky, I could even listen in thru a window.
I quickly found one right next to an open window and was relieved.
It was Emily's room.
She wasn't joking when she said she loved to paint and draw. Everywhere there were random sketches and paintings. I could see even from here she was very skilled. Emily was wearing simple pajama bottoms and a tank top. Her hair was pulled into a ponytail to keep her hair out of her face. She was bent over her desk with a pencil in hand. Sadly I couldn't see what she was working on.
A few moments later, her door opened and a man walked in. I could only assume it was her father. He was tall with gray hair running thru his dark brown hair. His face was free of all facial hair. I could tell he was once a good looking man but age seems to have caught up with him.
I was thankful her window was cracked.
Emily looked to her father with no smile on her face or in her eyes.
"Good evening father." She said with no emotion.
"Emily. I brought home with me a few college applications you need to fill out immediately."
Emily shook her head. "I have already applied to all the places I want to go."
Her father scoffed. "We have already discussed this. You will go to a school of my choosing. I have had enough of humoring you on this subject."
Emily rolled her eyes and turned back to her desk.
"No. I'm done humoring you and Mother. This isn't a phase I'm going thru. I know what I want to do with my life and you have no say in the matter."
Rage filled her fathers eyes.
"Emily, stop acting like a spoiled brat!"
Emily turned, looking just as angry.
"I am hardly a spoiled brat! How in the world can I be spoiled if all you and Mom did when I was a kid keep me locked in my room or use me for your own gain?"
"ENOUGH!" Her father roared, making Emily jump. "You graduate in a few months! You will be applying to the schools of my choosing OR you shall be fitted with a man who will be a good husband!"
Emily scoffed. "Oh please. This is a new century DAD. The only marriage I will have is one I alone consent to. And as for school, it's my future and I will choose. Even if that means walking away from this house and never seeing you or mom again!"
Her father stared at her, mouth slightly agape. I smiled on the inside.
Well said, little butterfly
Her father straightened and sneered at his child.
"We will see about all this, Emily."
He turned and slammed her door shut.
Emily turned back to her desk. I could tell by her shaking shoulders she started to cry.
"I never asked to be born…" She whispered.
I wish I could enter her room and comfort her, but I knew better. After a moment, she wiped away her tears and continued her work.
I wanted to stay and watch over her, but something did not feel right concerning her father. I flew around the house, looking for signs of any windows to the room he may be occupying. Finally, I noticed a large office with a large bay window facing the backyard.
I landed and watched the room, hoping he would enter.
I got my wish. Her father and who must have been her mother entered the room. Her mother I could tell was once a woman of beauty. But her hair showed signs of gray and wrinkles came from her eyes and the corners of her mouth. Everything she had on was expensive.
They both certainly enjoyed their money.
Her father sat behind the desk while his wife sat across from him. I found the closest branch I could next to his open window.
"This is getting ridiculous, Wendy! She is a spoiled little brat and will not listen to a damn thing I say! How did she become so spoiled!" He yelled at his wife.
The woman, Wendy, trembled a little but tried to look calm and collected.
"We did nothing wrong as parents, Howard. Perhaps my mother put such stupid ideas in her head as a child. Forgive me. I thought we could trust her with Emily."
He snorted. "Well obviously you were wrong!"
Wendy shuddered. "I am sorry Howard. I will try talking to her."
Howard looked to his papers on his desk. "Never mind that. Just see to the preparations for the party next Saturday night. If Emily does not co-operate, make sure she either stays in her room or stays out of the house."
She nodded, now looking eager to please her husband.
"I will Howard. But what will we do about Emily and school?"
"That will be easy. Nowadays, you need parental support and help to get into anywhere. Either she works with me or I will see everyone rejects her. Unless she has a full scholarship, which I doubt they have those in the artist world, she will have no choice but to listen to me. I doubt she will do well in school anyway."
"So… that leaves the only other option…"
He nodded. "Yes. I have good connections with the senator of the state. His son just happens to be only a few years older. He is well on his way to following in his father's footsteps. I believe he may be at the party also."
She smiled at her husband. "He would be perfect for her!"
"Indeed. I have changed my mind. Make sure Emily is at the party. Go with her to buy an appropriate dress Friday. Make sure she looks her best. And DO NOT tell her of this. I will speak the boy's father and talk to him. He is a very handsome and charismatic boy. It shouldn't take much to have Emily notice him."
Wendy nodded eagerly. "Oh yes! Emily is a very pretty girl! She will be lovely and he will like her."
"Indeed. Now go. I have work to do and a few calls to make before bed."
She nodded and left, looking relaxed again.
I glared at the mad thru the window while he signed his papers.
You do not realize the treasure you have lost, old man…
I flew away, my chest feeling tight with a familiar feeling…
…
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