Chapter 9

Cadence avoided the bullies at school. She got closer with her one friend and made another one or two. Jordan and Emmalyn.

She didn't think anything of what her mom Patty said, because she definitely thought it was a fluke.

Cadence invited her new friends over. They were going to study together. Piper was out working at Quake restaurant. She was just thinking of buying a new place for a bar.

Phoebe had been thinking about going to college again.

And Prue well – she still works at Buckland's. She has been wanting to become a photographer. Right now, Paige was on a date.

The house phone rang. Couldn't believe there was still a landline phone. A second ring.

Mom was going to get back from the café late. Cadence guessed she could answer it.

"Hello. Halliwell Manor."

"Hi. This is Samantha Micelli. My Dad told me to call on behalf of Angela. She's at the Bower Agency. I was wondering if Patty Halliwell was home. I was supposed to take a message for Angela."

"Oh, sure, but Patty's not here. My Mom is still at the café working till late. I have some friends over to study. What grade are you in? I'll take a message down for Patty."

"I'm in 4th to 5th. I'm 12 years old. How about you? Also, what's your name?"

Cadence took down a message for Patty and smiled softly. "I'm 12. I'm also in the grade range of 4th to 5th. Where are you from?" Cadence paused. "Oh, and I'm Cadence."

Samantha seemed to get comfortable on the other end of the line. "We are originally from New York. We are of Italian descent. Me and my Dad. We live in Fairfield, Connecticut, in fact with Angela. She's great."

"I have 4 sisters. All older than me. Do you have siblings?"

Samantha shook her head. "Nope. Just me and my Dad. But you have to admit... having friends right there is great. Angela, Mona and Johnathan."

"A whole family. It's nice. What about your Mom?"

Samantha was silent. "Oh, she passed away several years ago. But – I love the relationship my Dad is building with Angela."

"That's good, and I'm sorry about your Mom, Samantha."

"That's okay. I miss her sometimes." Samantha turned her head. "Oh, my dad's back with Angela."

Cadence turned her head to the front door. "Just in time. My mom's back, too. Talk to you later, Samantha."

"You too, Cadence." Both girls handed the phones over to the right people.

Cadence went upstairs to do homework.