Daniel hesitated then slowly pushed Amy away to arm's length. “We'll give it a trial run. Your grades have to start improving and you have to respect me like a father.”
“I already do,” Amy smiled.
“Don't we get a say in this?” Virginia asked. “I am the girl's mother.”
“Only in the eyes of the state,” Amy responded.
“I feel this could be a good change for Amy,” Mr. Shore spoke up. “If Mr. Judge cannot raise Amy's grades then we'll know something more needs to be done. I want to thank you all for coming in. Amy can have the rest of the day off to get settled in at Mr. Judge's but I expect her here in the morning with her homework complete.”
“It will Mr. Shore,” Amy said. “I promise.”
“Whatever,” Virginia said. “Have fun, Daniel. And congratulations, it's a girl.”
At his apartment, Daniel was sitting on the couch reading while Amy was at the kitchen table doing her homework. She shut her textbook, leaned back to stretch and got up. “Whatcha reading?” Amy asked Daniel.
“Bleak House by Charles Dickens. It's one of my favorites.”
“What's it about?”
“A bunch of things: a court case, romance, long-lost daughters, murder and other things,” Daniel explained and turned the page.
“So is this what you do every night? Just read?”
“If you want to join me, you can grab one of my books. I recommend a Steinbeck for you,” Daniel suggested.
“Can I watch TV?” Amy asked.
“Or you can do that. Did you finish your homework?”
“Yeah, you can check it if you want,” Amy pointed, grabbed the remote control and turned on the television.
Daniel, not able to concentrate with the TV on, slid the bookmark into the novel and laid the book on the coffee table. He got up and went over to the table to check Amy's homework. After going through the homework, Daniel was amazed. “You got everything right. You showed your work and you used footnotes where applicable. How in the hell did you receive a skull and crossbones?”
It was all part of a plan Amy hatched while talking with Nathan over the phone. “What's it called when you want to divorce your parents?” Amy asked Nathan.
“Emancipation. Why?” Nathan answered.
“I'm just tired of my Mom. She doesn't pay attention to me and all she does is work and go to those stupid fundraisers. I'm getting sick of it,” Amy complained.
“Well, if you can prove that you're living in an unstable environment, you can get a lawyer and be separated from your parents,” Nathan explained.
Virginia walked up behind Amy dressed in a fancy suit-skirt combo. “Come on, Amy, we have to get to the ball room. We're expected to save enough penis skins to make 20 new boys.”
“Would what she just said be enough?” Amy asked Nathan.
“That's nice that you wanted to live with me but why not Nathan? His house is huge and he makes a lot more money,” Daniel said.
“Nathan hates moochers. If he does you a favor, he will hold it over your head for the rest of your life, even if you do pay it back,” Amy explained. “By the way, what is your job?”
“So I'm guessing the emancipation didn't work out?” Daniel avoided.
“No, I couldn't afford a lawyer so I did the next best thing.”
A knock came from the front door. “Nearly ruining your education to get attention from people who may not of cared about you in the first place?”
“At least Mom doesn't care about Chris either,” Amy sighed.
Daniel opened the door and found Emily standing on the doorstep with a duffel bag. “Emily! What are you doing here?” Daniel asked, glancing at the bag.
“I need a place to stay. I was kicked out of my hotel room tonight,” Emily said.
“That's too bad. How'd it happen?”
Emily was at the Ramada flirting with a handsome businessman who checked into the hotel. “You're in room 315, which is only seven rooms down from mine. I get off work at eight and if you want you can stop by my room for some…room service,” Emily offered.
“You live in a hotel?” the man asked. “I thought that was something only on TV shows.”
“Nope. I've lived in the hotel for the past year or so. So, see you later?”
“I'll be there,” the man winked.
He walked away and over to the elevator. Emily's shift manager came over to her. “Emily, I-I couldn't help overhearing. Are you living in a hotel room and not paying for it?”
