Chapter 6 – Felicity's Secret/Felicity the Witness

Carrie and Felicity arrived back at the Cartwright house ten minutes later. As Felicity unlocked the door with her key, she heard Lois in the kitchen talking to Alana. On their way back, Felicity called Alana to ask if Carrie could stay over for dinner. Alana told her that it was alright and she and Phil would love to meet Carrie. She also told Felicity that Phil is on his way to pick her up from work and they can eat dinner when they arrive. "Hi, Grandma! We're back!" Felicity called. "Hi, girls," Lois greeted them. "They're home, Lan," she said to Alana on the phone. "We'll see you both soon." Lois hung up the phone and walked over to the girls. "How was the trip to the library?" "It was great, Mrs. Parsons," Carrie replied. "We even got lunch on the way over there." "Well, dinner will be ready soon. Made your favorite, Lyss. Come help me set the table." "Okay, Grandma," Felicity agreed.

The girls were walking to the kitchen when Carrie heard a meowing sound. Felicity and Carrie turned around and saw Stachi and Misty coming down the stairs. "Hey you two," Felicity said sweetly. She bent down and petted the cats behind the ears, which made them purr. "Aww, they're cute," Carrie said. "Thanks," Felicity said. "The orange and white one is Stachi. Phil rescued him from the streets. The gray one is Misty. Her real name is Mysterious. We adopted her from the SPCA." Felicity told Carrie that they are really friendly with other strangers. Carrie bent down next to Felicity and held out her hand to Stachi first. "Hi," she said sweetly. Stachi moved towards Carrie and rubbed his cheek on her hand and kissed (licked) it. Misty came next. She looked at Carrie, meowed and did the same. Carrie smiled.

"See, I knew that they'd like you," Felicity said. "Come on, we better help set the table before my mom and Phil get home." "I'm coming," Carrie replied. Nervously, she looked at the clock. It was 4:35. Carrie sighed with relief. She knew what Margaret would do to her if she came home late. Don't think about Momma. I know I will be home on time. Maybe 5:30 will be okay for me to go home. Carrie thought to herself as she walked to the kitchen cupboards. She opened one, and took out five plates and glasses while Felicity got the silverware. She kept thinking about being home on time, she didn't hear Felicity ask her, "What time do you need to be home?" Carrie shook her head and asked, "What?" "I said, what time do you need to be home?" Felicity asked again. Carrie shrugged her shoulders. "Maybe 5:30?" suggested Felicity, with a small smile. "Yeah," Carrie said. "How did you know? Wait a minute...you...you...you can read my mind?" Felicity nodded her head and looked down to her feet. "I've read about telepathy, too." "But, why do you have it?" Carrie asked. "Ever since my Grandpa died, I thought about him everyday because we were so close. I know that he is here when I smell his favorite after-shave fragrance and I can hear his voice when he watches over me and my family." Felicity felt the tears coming to her eyes. "And I know that he is happy that I have a best friend like you," she said tearfully.

Carrie gave her friend a hug. "It's not all I have, Care," Felicity said. She wiped away her tears. "What is it, Lyssie?" Carrie asked. "Well-" Felicity was about to answer when she heard someone call out, "Hello? We're home!" It was Alana. "Hi Mom! Hi Phil! We're in the kitchen," Felicity called out. "Hey," she whispered to Carrie. "It's going to be alright. My parents will love you." Carrie nodded nervously. Alana and Phil walked in the kitchen and gave Felicity a hug and a kiss. "And you must be Carrie," Alana said. Carrie smiled and shook hands. "It's nice to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Cartwright." "We are really glad you could join us for dinner, honey," Phil said. "Thank you," Carrie replied. Just then, Lois called out from the dining room. "Dinner is ready!" Everyone went in and sat down. "Since you are our guest tonight, why don't you say Grace, Care?" Felicity asked. "Okay," Carrie said quietly. She cleared her throat and said, "God is great, and God is good, And we thank him for our food; By his hand we all are fed; Give us, Lord, our daily bread. Amen." As everyone else said "amen", they started eating. All through dinner, Carrie knew that this was exactly what she wanted all her life: a best friend with a wonderful family who accepts her for who she is.

After dinner, it was time for Carrie to go back home like she promised. Before leaving, Carrie thought that she could let Felicity into her house for a while before Margaret got home. It was alright with Mom and Phil because they (along with Lois) decided to go for an after-dinner walk. They told the girls that they will be back after 6:30. Alana, Phil, and Lois told the girls to be careful and to make sure that Misty and Stachi don't get out. After Carrie said "goodbye," the two girls headed straight for Carrie's house. On the outside, it was like a regular and old white and blue house, with a few little damages to the roof and windows. Inside the house, Felicity saw several pictures of Jesus and crosses hanging on the walls in every room; a Bible and pamphlets on the living room table; a sewing machine, thread, fabric, and a radio in the dining room; a small kitchen; and Margaret's room. Earlier in the tour, there was one other door near the kitchen that Carrie did not want to show Felicity, who wanted to know what it was. "Hey, Care? What's that?" Carrie looked at the door again, but she only said, "It's just the kitchen closet." The two girls are in Carrie's room right now. Carrie's room had golden-yellow wallpaper, a queen-sized bed, a closet for Carrie's dresses, two dressers and a mirror, a window-seat, a rocking-chair, and an easel. "I like your room, Carrie," said Felicity. "Thanks," she said. "I didn't know you like to draw. What do you like to draw?" Felicity asked. Before Carrie could answer, she heard a car pull up in the driveway. Carrie gasped and hurried to the window.

"Care? What's the matter?" Felicity asked. Carrie opened the window curtains and saw Margaret coming out of the car. "It's Momma! I have to get you out of here! She'll be displeased with me if she sees you." "How do I get out of here?" Felicity asked. "You have to-" Carrie tried to tell Felicity how she can leave the house until she heard, "Carrie? Carrietta?!" Margaret is inside the house! Oh no! Carrie and Felicity thought to themselves at the same time. "What are we going to do?" Felicity whispered, fearfully. "CARRIETTA?!," Margaret shouted. "Where are you?!" "Quick Lyssie, hide in here!" Carrie whispered, pointing to the dress closet. Felicity opened the door and went inside. "CARRIE?!," Margaret shouted again. "I'm home, Momma!" Carrie called. "I'm on my way down!" She turned back to Felicity and said, "I'll be right back." "Please, hurry!" Felicity whispered as Carrie went downstairs.

Felicity sat down on the floor with her knees to her chest. She is now beginning to hear what Margaret and Carrie are saying from upstairs. The conversation started off with Carrie trying to explain to her mother that she had been home since 5:45 after dinner. Margaret then asked Carrie what she was doing with Felicity. "Momma, after I met Felicity, we went to the library to borrow a few books and we got lunch on the way!" "Don't lie to me, Carrietta!" "I'm NOT, Momma! We weren't doing anything wrong!" "Were you alone and unsupervised doing Heaven knows what before this dinner?!" "No, Momma! Her grandmother was home when we got back from the library! Don't you even remember that Felicitycalled you and asked if I could have dinner with her and her parents?! What has she ever done to you?!"

Felicity then heard a slap and a cry. I can't believe it! Margaret abuses Carrie! Felicity thought. "That little Whore of Babylon didn't even tell me that her grandmother was home!" Margaret continued. Whore of Babylon? What the hell is she talking about?! "Because you were not listening to her!" Carrie argued in between sobs. "You were hurting yourself again when she was trying to tell you that! You know what, Momma? All of my life, I have been waiting for someone to be my friend because I am tired of being alone! Felicity is my new best friend now because she is the only one who accepts me!" Margaret slapped her again. If you hit her again, Margaret, so help me God... Felicity could not take it anymore. I have to do something! She opened the door and quietly went downstairs. She stopped when she saw Margaret and Carrie in between the dining room and the living room. "You are not going to see that slut again, do you understand me?!" Margaret demanded. She began to walk away. "No, Momma! I will keep hanging out with Felicity! You can't stop me!" Carrie screamed. "And I will make the stones come again if you don't stop calling Felicity names!"

Margaret stopped in her tracks and turned around towards Carrie. Margaret's eyes were flashing with anger. She walked to the door near the stairs and opened it. Felicity gasped and tried to duck. Margaret didn't see Felicity, but Carrie did. "Go to your closet!" "No, Momma." "Go to your closet and pray!" Carrie began to back away. Lyssie, please help me! Carrie cried out in Felicity's mind. "Pray!" Margaret cried as she grabbed Carrie's shoulders and tried to force her into the closet. "NO! GET OFF ME!" Carrie screamed. Felicity ran down the stairs and pulled Carrie away from Margaret. "LEAVE HER ALONE!" Felicity screamed. "YOU STAY AWAY FROM HER!" Carrie stood behind Felicity as if she were a shield. Felicity held Carrie's hand tight. Margaret just stood there. Her eyes began to flash with anger again and she pointed her finger at Felicity. "You! What are you doing here?!" Margaret demanded. "To protect Carrie from you, you crazy bitch! I knew there was something disturbing about you, Margaret!" Felicity screamed again. "You think I'm a slut! You hit Carrie and call her a liar when she was telling you the truth! I heard it all, you bitch! I swear to God if you hurt Carrie again, I'm going to call the police!"

Margaret was filled with rage. "You see, Carrie?! You see how this Jezebel threatened me? 'You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.' Matthew 5:38-39." She walked towards the girls and tried to force both of them in the closet. She wanted Felicity to go in first and grabbed her by the roots of her hair. "LET ME GO!" Felicity screamed in pain. Carrie tried to pull her mother's hand off of Felicity's hair. When Margaret found the chance to grab Carrie with her free hand, Felicity bit it until Margaret pulled her hand away from her hair. Margaret tried to force Carrie into the closet by pushing her. "DON'T YOU TOUCH HER!" Felicity punched Margaret in the mouth. Margaret landed on her behind and saw blood on her hand. "Come on!" Felicity cried. Carrie ran after Felicity as they ran to the door and out of the house.