Welcome friend, I’m glad you’re here. I hope you’re enjoying the novel so far. The shift is about to hit the fan for Claire and her family.
If you’d like to begin at the beginning, you can find chapter one here:
Now, back to our story!
After earning her GED, Claire worked every day, sometimes two shifts. She had nothing to spend her money on, as her parents took care of her basic needs, so she saved.
Claire saved almost every dime she earned, for nearly three years, focusing on that magic day in June, when she would turn 18. She was not saving for a church mission. She was not saving for the needy. Claire decided to save herself.
Her 18th birthday seemed anti-climactic after working so hard to get there. While she still behaved as the obedient daughter, inside she sensed freedom just around the corner.
She helped with the boys when she wasn’t working. She helped Rachel with her schoolwork. She helped keep the house clean and tidy, as Melissa seemed to slip further into depression. She wore the long dresses. She kept her hair long. She went to church on Sundays.
Inside, she decided to save herself from her parents, from the church, from her siblings, from all the things that had held her back.
On her birthday, her mom wished her a happy birthday at breakfast. Craig, busy getting ready for family devotional, hardly seemed to notice when she came to the table. He joined them at irregular intervals for breakfast and occasional family devotions.
On the days when he left early, Claire leapt out of bed, taking care of breakfast and the boys, letting her mom sleep in as late as possible. On days like today, when Craig stayed home in the morning, the family routine went out the window and Craig dictated the schedule.
As usual, Christopher joined them for breakfast. When Theresa was at school, she dropped her son off early every morning for Melissa to tend. Now that summer vacation had started, Melissa agreed to continue watching Christopher.
They all concurred, with phony smiles pasted on sanctimonious faces, that continuity would be best for both boys. Claire knew the truth about Craig and Theresa and Christopher, and she didn’t like it. She decided that she would free herself from lying, sneaking people as soon as she turned 18.
The week before her birthday, both families had celebrated Christopher’s fifth birthday at the Newells’ home. Theresa’s husband, Chris, sat uncomfortably at one end of the table while Craig reigned over the family from the other. Dinner seemed strained and the adults hardly spoke, leaving most of the conversation to the five-year-olds and the teen-aged girls.
Rachel baked a cake, a chocolate one that tilted comically to one side. She led the family in singing Happy Birthday to Christopher and seemed unfazed by the uncomfortable silence. Rachel, at thirteen, was more of a mom than either Theresa or Melissa.
Chris and Theresa barely spoke to each other or to Craig or Melissa. Christopher’s favorite meal, for the time being, was spaghetti, so Melissa supervised while Rachel made the sauce. Claire, thankfully, had to work all day.
Once the presents were open, the Whites made a hasty exit, with Christopher squawking that he wanted to sleep over. His face was still thin and serious, in contrast to Isaac’s plump cheeks and cheerful manner, but the boys undoubtedly loved each other. Craig promised the boys he’d erect a tent in the back yard so they could camp out during the summer.
On Claire’s birthday, both Christopher and Isaac sat at the table, dark eyes bleary with sleep, ready for breakfast.
Rachel bounced in, all smiles and hugs and said, “Happy Birthday, big sister.”
She hugged Claire, then danced around the table to hug their father.
“Well, good morning, sunshine,” he smiled, “how’s my favorite girl?”
“I’m great. School will finish in another week, it’s June and sunny, and it’s my big sister’s birthday. It’s a perfect day,” Rachel chirped.
Inside, Claire seethed at Craig’s indifference toward her.
After breakfast, the family sang “Happy Birthday” before beginning morning devotional. Craig read quickly through the Bible and memory verse, then told Melissa that he had no time for journaling. He’d said he wanted to reinstitute family devotions when summer vacation started, because, “Summer is no excuse to let your brain go to sleep. It’s important that you all keep those verses fresh in your minds. You never know when Satan will attack.”
Craig had attended exactly two morning devotionals at the beginning of summer, before shrugging them off as casually as a worn pair of socks. He liked to make rules but he didn’t seem inclined to follow them.
“I can catch up at work,” he said, rising from the table.
“Dad. Wait. I have something I’d like to discuss with the family, before you go.”
“Claire, can it wait? I have an important meeting this morning with Ms. White, and I don’t want to keep her waiting. She has piano students.”
“Fine. Dad. Mom. Rachel.” Claire looked around the table, mustering her courage.
“Boys. Everyone. I’m moving out. I’ve been saving money and studying for college courses. I applied to the University of Colorado last winter and I got accepted. I start in August and I’m going to look at the dorms in July. I think I can get an early move-in date, before my classes begin.”
Claire stopped abruptly, dreading the fallout.
She’d been planning her big move all spring. When her acceptance letter arrived in the mail, she was elated. She skipped through the house with her mail, excited to share the good news, until she realized she had no one to share her news with. She stuffed the letter in her backpack and waited.
She took the letter to work, where proud waitresses congratulated her and bought her a celebratory ice cream sundae: her favorite, chocolate ice cream piled high with nuts, fruit and whipped cream.
They celebrated with Claire the fact that she might escape the vortex of the restaurant business. With her work friends, Claire felt she could accomplish anything.
Now, reality came crashing down around her carefully laid plans. She’d decided to save herself. Unfortunately, her family did not share her friends’ elation. They sat around the table stunned for a moment, before Craig broke the silence.
“Is that right?” he sneered, incredulous.
“Since when do you make announcements like that at the breakfast table, young lady? Just because you are having a birthday doesn’t mean you can just move out. Where would you get that kind of money? Who gave you permission?”
“Actually, daddy, I don’t need your permission anymore. I’m 18 today. I’ve been saving my money for almost three years now. I have about $50,000 in a bank account. I’m ready for college. If I don’t have enough, I think I could qualify for a student loan. Also, I got a “Women in Engineering” scholarship because of my high math scores, and I plan to work while I’m in school. It’s all set up.”
Both parents looked shocked: the large sum of money; the defiant attitude; college. It was too much for them to take in so unexpectedly.
“What do you mean, $50,000? Where would a kid get that kind of money?”
“Dad, I’ve been working for almost three years. I don’t have a car. I don’t have rent. I don’t buy food. I saved every penny, so I could go to college.
“Did you even know I started waiting tables? I make great money. I don’t just get paid by the hour, but I get tips, too. Sometimes I make more than a hundred dollars a day, depending on how busy we are. The restaurant said I could transfer to the Boulder store once school starts.”
“Well. You sound like you have a plan. Good luck.”
With that, Craig scooted his chair away from the table and stood up. He kissed Melissa, Rachel and both boys, then stood looking at Claire.
“Well, I guess now you can wear your hats.”
He didn’t look back as he left for work.
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