Two. That was the number of times Curtis had asked Charlotte if she was “okay.” First yesterday, and then again, this morning. Was her drinking that noticeable to him? Had it been noticeable to others in the restaurant? If so, she would definitely need to be more careful. Maybe it would be better if she drank only one glass every now and then. That way she would never have to worry about overdoing it. She wasn’t an alcoholic, not by any stretch of the imagination, but she couldn’t deny that she did sometimes become a little tipsy when she had two or three drinks in one sitting. Especially, if she hadn’t drunk liquor of any kind in a good while. That was normal for anyone, though. Wasn’t it?
Agnes was downstairs fixing dinner and watching her afternoon talk shows, so Charlotte walked over to her bedroom door and closed it. So much was going on, and the only other person besides Janine who she could speak to openly was her mom.
Charlotte sat in her bed, picked up the cordless phone on her nightstand, and drew her knees into her chest. Then she muted the television, which was turned to the Hallmark Channel, and called her mother.
When it rang four times, Charlotte wondered if maybe she was busy.
But then Noreen answered. “Hey, sweetheart.”
“Hey, Mom. How are you?”
“I’m good, and you?”
“I’m okay. How’s Dad?”
“He’s fine, too.”
“So what are you doing today?”
“Not a lot,” Noreen told her. “Your dad is on his way back from his quarterly men’s retirement luncheon, and I was just sitting here reading a couple of magazines.”
“I’m really glad Dad likes going to those. I’m glad he stays in contact with the guys he used to work with.”
“I am, too, and he really does love it. A lot of the women I retired with have so many other things going on with family and volunteer work that it’s hard for us to schedule get-togethers. A few of us keep saying we’re going to make it happen, though. But what’s going on with you? When you called me last night, you didn’t sound like yourself. I know you’re worried about your sister-in-law, but is that all?”
Charlotte sighed. “No, it’s not. Curtina is causing us all kinds of drama, and we really don’t know what to do about it.”
“What is she doing?”
“Yesterday she left the house without permission, and it took her forever to respond to our phone calls.”
“Where was she?”
“She claims she was down at the convenience store getting snacks, but I don’t believe it. It just doesn’t make sense, and this is the first time she’s done something like this. I’ve let her walk down there before, but she’s never gone without asking.”
“So she left the house while you were there?”
“No, Taylor’s mom dropped her off after school, but I didn’t get home until an hour later. And she was gone when I got here.”
“This isn’t good, and you guys need to put an end to this now before something bad happens. I know it may not seem likely, but sex trafficking is on the rise. And not just near our borders.”
“I don’t even want to think about anything like that. I can’t even imagine someone taking Curtina away from us.”
“Neither can I, but she stays on that phone way too much. You and Curtis have been saying that for a while, and your father and I have noticed it, too. Whenever we come for a visit, she’s up in her room. Or if she does decide to come downstairs, she’s texting or scrolling through social media. And there’s no telling who she’s actually communicating with.”
“Well, the other day, I took her phone before she could delete anything, and she was texting with Taylor. She said awful things about me and her dad, and I still can’t get over it.”
“Like what?”
“That we make her sick.”
“You make her sick? Why?”
“According to her, we’re always trying to control her.”
“Oh really? Well, what is it that she expects, when she’s only twelve years old?”
“I don’t know. Suddenly she’s decided that she’s grown and old enough to do whatever she wants.”
“Then it’s like I said, you guys need to put an end to this. And soon.”
“Curtis has already told her that if things don’t change, we’ll be taking her phone and grounding her. She won’t be able to go anywhere except church and school.”
“Good. That’s precisely what she needs.”
Charlotte switched her phone to her other ear. “And then, Mom, there’s something else I need to tell you. Something else that’s really bothering me.”
“What’s that?”
“I need a break from church.”
“Church as in Deliverance Outreach, or church in general?”
“Both. I mean, right now, I need a break from all aspects of the physical church. Sunday morning services, Bible study, and women’s ministry meetings. But more than anything, I need a break from being first lady. I need some time away from all of it.”
“Oh my. I had no idea you felt this way. Is there a reason?”
“I’m just tired, Mom.”
“Of what?”
“All the expectations that come from the entire congregation and even strangers who don’t attend Deliverance Outreach. The pressure on me is so great, the same as it is with most other first ladies I know, and I just need some time off.”
“I hear what you’re saying, but how does Curtis feel about all this?”
“That’s just it. He doesn’t know.”
“Hmm. Well, I definitely think you need to tell him.”
“I know, but I’m not sure how. I also don’t want to upset him. Not with everything that’s going on with Trina.”
“I understand, but in the meantime, what are you going to do? Continue with everything as is?”
“No, and I’ve already made up my mind to not attend service this coming Sunday.”
“And you’re not going to tell him ahead of time?”
“No, for now, I just think it’s best that I tell him I don’t feel up to going.”
Noreen didn’t say anything.
And Charlotte knew why.
“I know what you’re thinking, Mom. That I shouldn’t start lying to Curtis again, but—”
“That’s exactly what I’m thinking, and you know I’m right. You and Curtis have been down this road many times before, sometimes because of you and sometimes because of him. But you finally got past all that. You made a commitment to be honest and faithful to each other, and life has been good for both of you. It’s been good for your entire family.”
“I just can’t tell him that I don’t want to be at church anymore. And plus, it’s not like I’ll be away forever. I just need a short sabbatical. Three or four months at the most. That’s all.”
“Three or four months is a long time.”
“Not to me. Not when I’ve been doing this for nineteen years.”
“Yes, and you know the anniversary committee is already planning a huge twenty-year celebration for next year. Just last week, I heard Curtis talking about it to your dad.”
“I know, but right now, he’s not thinking about it or talking about it. He’s worried about Trina.”
“I still think you should tell him the truth. He might not understand—at first. But it’ll save you both a lot of unnecessary disagreements down the road.”
“I guess,” Charlotte said. Then her cell phone rang, and she got up and went over to the dresser where it was lying. “Mom, this is Curtina’s school calling.”
“Okay, I hope everything’s all right. Let me know.”
“I will,” Charlotte said, praying Curtina hadn’t gotten into serious trouble.
Charlotte sat next to Curtina in the principal’s office, livid. “Is this true, Curtina? You actually dared your science teacher to call us?”
Curtina pursed her lips and looked out of the window, ignoring both Charlotte and Mr. Norton.
Charlotte grabbed Curtina’s chin and turned it toward her. “You look at me when I’m talking to you.”
Curtina did what she was told, but the look on her face screamed annoyance.
“Did you dare Mrs. Gaynor to call home?”
“Nope.”
Mr. Norton clasped his hands together. “Mrs. Gaynor says that you told her that if she took your phone, you were going to make sure your parents stopped giving money to the school. And that they transferred you to somewhere else.”
“Whatever.”
Charlotte shook her head. “So I’m going to ask you again. Is this true?”
“I already told you, no. Mrs. Gaynor just doesn’t like me, and that’s why she’s lying. She lies all the time.”
Mr. Norton looked at her. “But two of your classmates confirmed the entire story. According to them, you were texting on your phone, Mrs. Gaynor asked you three times to put it away, and then when she tried to take it, you jerked it away from her. Then you started threatening her about your parents’ financial contributions.”
“Curtina?” Charlotte said with disappointment. “Why would you say something like that? Your dad and I have been regular supporters of Mitchell Prep for years. Even when your brother went here.”
“Can we go?” Curtina said matter-of-factly.
“Yeah, but not until you apologize to Mrs. Gaynor.”
Curtina rolled her eyes toward the ceiling.
“Do you think she’ll be here soon?” Charlotte asked Mr. Norton.
“Yes, I’m sure she’s on her way.”
Charlotte turned to Curtina again. “Give me your phone.”
Curtina snapped her head around like she’d heard a gun being fired. “Why?”
“Because I said so. Now, give it to me.”
“Mom, please don’t take my phone,” she spoke in a panic. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it. I won’t talk to Mrs. Gaynor like that again. I won’t use my phone at all. Not until I get home. Mom, please.”
Charlotte squinted her eyes. “Open up your backpack and give it to me. Or if you want, we can get your father on the phone.”
“Mom, why are you doing this?”
Charlotte reached down to the floor, picked up the brown leather bag, unzipped it, and pulled out her daughter’s phone.
“Mom, I’m begging you,” she said, speaking quickly and nervously. “I’m really sorry. I’m sorry for everything. I’ll do whatever you want.”
Charlotte dropped the cell phone into her handbag and crossed her legs. She was done talking to Curtina, and she couldn’t wait to get her out of there. She was being so disrespectful, and it was taking every ounce of tolerance Charlotte had not to snatch her out of that chair.
“I’m really sorry about all of this,” Charlotte told Mr. Norton.
“I’m sorry, too,” he said, “especially since we’re going to have to suspend Curtina.”
Charlotte was through. “For how long?”
“Two days.”
Today was Tuesday, and since it was already afternoon, this meant she couldn’t return until Friday. “This is crazy, Curtina. So uncalled for.”
They sat for another couple of minutes, and then a thin sixtysomething woman walked in.
She shook Charlotte’s hand. “I’m so sorry we had to call you. I only do this when it’s absolutely necessary.”
“No, Mrs. Gaynor, I’m the one who’s sorry, and I can assure you this won’t happen again. Curtina knows better.”
Mrs. Norton nodded. “We’ve made it very clear to all the students that their phones are to remain off and put away during all class periods.”
“Which is completely understandable,” Charlotte said, “and at this point, I’m beginning to wonder if they should be allowed on the premises at all.”
Curtina sucked her teeth.
But when Charlotte gave her the look—the one most children didn’t want to be on the receiving end of—she didn’t say anything.
“We’ve considered that,” Mr. Norton chimed in. “But because of all the school shootings and everything else going on in the world, many parents want their children to be able to call them if something happens. And to be honest, I do, too.”
“Well,” Charlotte said, standing up, “until Curtina learns how to obey both your rules and ours, you won’t be seeing hers.”
Mr. Norton pushed his chair back and got to his feet. “I completely understand.”
Curtina shot her mother a dirty look, but Charlotte couldn’t have cared less.
“Again, Mrs. Gaynor, I’m very sorry.”
“Thank you so much for coming in.”
“Yes, thank you,” Mr. Norton said, shaking Charlotte’s hand.
Charlotte glanced down at Curtina, who was still sitting. “Let’s go.”
Curtina grabbed her bag, stood, and walked over to the door.
Charlotte raised her eyebrows. “So you think you’re going to walk out of here without saying anything to your principal and teacher?”
Curtina sighed in a huff. “Good-bye, Mr. Norton. Good-bye, Mrs. Gaynor.”
“And apologize to both of them,” Charlotte told her.
Curtina barely looked at them but said, “I’m sorry.”
“Apology accepted,” Mr. Norton said.
Mrs. Gaynor nodded. “Yes, apology accepted, and we’ll see you on Friday.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Curtina said, half smiling.
Charlotte wondered why Curtina’s attitude had suddenly turned for the better, then quickly realized the reason: Curtina was now trying to play nice, thinking it would persuade Charlotte to give her phone back to her.
Charlotte wanted to laugh out loud, but the only problem was, she didn’t see anything funny. As a matter of fact, after dealing with yet more unnecessary preteen drama, she needed a full, tasty glass of wine. That or something stronger.