Dolls

Chapter 6: The New Girl

     My mind was stuck on the boy for the next week or so. He kept reappearing in my mind, his deep gentle voice replaying itself over and over like a broken record. Samuel, wasn't that what his name was? Thats what I remembered at least. Sam...it was simple, yet elegant. I couldn't get over it. I often found myself spacing out during Father's lessons, gazing mindlessly out the window. It was all I would do until Father finally grew tired of it and slammed a textbook closed in my face. I was wide awake after that. Today was another case of mindless glancing and textbook slamming.

     "Charlotte!" Father exclaimed, slightly irritated at my lack of attention, "Why do you keep spacing out?" He inquired.

     "I-I'm sorry Father, my mind's just not into math today," I told him, looking down at the book in front of me.

     "We're not even on math right now Charlotte," Father informed, sighing, "I was asking you about the Romans and the Greeks. We're on world history."

     I blinked surprised. We were? When had that happened?

     Father sighed and slid the textbook away from me. He stacked them all in one neat pile before looking at me. "I must be boring you somehow," he muttered, "What can I do to keep you from getting bored during lessons, Charlotte?" Father asked.

     I was still in a daze when Father asked the question. I hesitated for a moment before his words suddenly clicked. This was my chance! Maybe he would finally let me go to a public school if it would keep me from being bored, "Send me to a public school!" I suddenly blurted out.

     "W-what?" Father asked, confused at my hasty answer.

     "I said send me to public school. Maybe I'm getting bored at lessons because I'm always by myself. Maybe if I'm around other people I won't be as bored," I reasoned, "Please?"

     Father didn't speak for the next couple of minutes. He seemed deep in thought and it excited me. That meant he was actually considering it!  Finally, Father let out a deep sigh before speaking, "Fine," He murmured reluctantly, "I-I'll sign you up for school when I go to deliver a piece of work to a customer tomorrow," he told me.

     I was so overjoyed that I shot out of my seat, squealing in excitement. I lunged across the table, trapping father in an awkward hug, "Thank you! Thank you so, so much!" I exclaimed.

     Father chuckled and returned my embrace. My bright smile seemed to bring one to his lips as well. "You're welcome, Charlotte," he told me softly.

     The next day Father left to deliver an order to a client, making sure to take all of my information with him for when he signed me up for school. I was so excited that I waited for him, watching through the bay window of my room for his return. Time seemed to drag on as I waited and I found myself checking the clock on my desk every minute.

     Finally, I heard the familiar grumble of Father's truck as it pulled up into the driveway. I saw his short white hair through the tinted windows of the old car and I darted from my perch, rushing to the door. I didn't dare step outside, however. Instead I waited patiently by the door until he entered. When the thick wooden door finally swung open I jumped on father, immediately firing questions at him.

     "So, did you really sign me up? Will they let me go? Please, please tell me they'll let me go to school!" I demanded of him as he set the keys down on the small table lining the hallway that lead to the front door.

     Father finally sighed and turned to speak to me, his actions quieting me instantly. "Yes, I signed all the papers and they fixed you a schedule for your classes," he told me, showing me a stack of papers that he held in his hand.