Almost a Family by Stephanie Bond

Author:Stephanie Bond [Stephanie Bond]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Amazon: B0060PEOR4
Publisher: NeedtoRead Books
Published: 2011-10-26T13:00:00+00:00

Chapter 9

Virginia knocked softly on Chad's closed bedroom door. "Chad, I need to talk to you. Can I come in?"

She pressed her ear against the door and thought she heard him sniffling. Closing her eyes, she sagged her shoulder against the door. I've done it now. She quietly turned the knob, but met the lock's resistance. Knocking again, she said, "Chad, please let me in."

"Go away." His voice sounded muffled.

"I need to explain some things to you." When she heard him rise from the bed and cross to the door, relief flooded her limbs. She stepped back from the door and wiped her cheeks. Then she heard a swishing sound and felt something hit the toes of her shoes. Defeat washed over her as she stared down at his Keep Out sign.

The doorbell rang, startling her. She expelled a frustrated sigh, then headed for the stairs. At the top step her foot hit something solid, sending it airborne. Her heart froze as she watched Chad's handheld Nintendo bounce from step to step before landing on the wood floor with a terrible crash that left it in at least three pieces. His most cherished item... Lois's last Christmas gift to him.

She stood paralyzed, staring down at the mess, her hands covering her mouth. How could she ever make it up to him?

He must have heard the noise, because suddenly he was standing beside her.

"Chad—" she began, reaching for his arm.

"My Nintendo!" he cried, then ran down the stairs. He turned a tear-stained face up to her. "Why'd you do it?" he yelled.

Somewhere in the distance Virginia heard the doorbell ring again. She started down the steps slowly. "I'm so sorry—it was an accident."

"No, it wasn't!" he yelled, crying harder. "I heard you! I heard you say you hated my mother—you threw it down the stairs because she gave it to me!"

She shook her head and raised her hands, beseeching him. "No, it was on the floor. I accidentally kicked it—"

"You did it on purpose!" he shouted, his face red. "I'll get you back!"

The insistent ringing of the doorbell gave way to loud knocking. "Ginny?" Bailey yelled. "Are you all right? Chad?"

Chad yanked up the pieces of the broken device and fled through the hall. The patio door slid open, then vibrated with his slam. The only sound remaining was Bailey's pounding.

"Ginny! Ginny, open up!"

She descended the stairs, then walked around tiny broken pieces that remained of the game and opened the door. Bailey nearly fell inside.

"What's going on?" he asked, scowling. "I heard shouting—where's Chad?"

"In the backyard, I think," she said wearily.

He closed the door and reached up to touch her cheek. "You've been crying. What's he done now?"

She shook her head, mostly to dislodge the disturbing touch of his hand. "Nothing. In fact, he's been great all day." She smiled. "We shot a few hoops at the park and he helped me wash the car. Then his stuff came from Florida and—" She couldn't stop the tears from coming again. "Oh, Bailey, I've made a mess of things.

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