Amazing Grace Read Online Free PDF

out his hand to touch it, but covers his mouth instead.
    â€œThis is a shock, I know. She’s lying to you. That’s what they do.”
    â€œBut…”
    â€œAnd there’s this.”
    I open her computer to show him the first picture. “You’re trying to be her friend, but you’re her father. She needs guidance.”
    His face is white. “How could she do this to me?”
    â€œWhy is she doing it at all?”
    â€œI don’t know what to do.”
    â€œI do.”
    Melissa eventually shows up around nine the next night. She sees her father and I sitting in the living room and gives us a brief nod and keeps going.
    â€œMelissa.”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œCould I speak to you for a moment?”
    She drags her feet on the shiny hardwood floor. “I’m exhausted and I have to write a paper for Monday.” She keeps looking down at her phone.
    â€œThis won’t take long. Sit down.”
    â€œDad! I told you. I’ve got stuff to do.”
    â€œSit.”
    She groans and flops on the couch. “What am I apologizing for this time?”
    â€œFor this.”
    Jonathan reaches for the paper bag that is by his chair. He takes each item out of the bag one at a time and puts them all in the middle of the area rug. I watch her eyes get big. He brings out her computer and opens it. Melissa’s blood drains from her face and she slowly turns to look at me. “What have you done?”
    â€œShe’s done what I should have done months ago. Now I’m going to tell you what’s going to happen.” He falters a little and glances at me.
    â€œYou’ve got this,” I tell him.
    â€œI called your principal today—”
    â€œOn a Saturday?”
    â€œâ€”at her home number, and told her you’re taking some time off.”
    â€œShe won’t let you.”
    â€œShe did.”
    Melissa’s mouth opens and she stares at her dad. “Do not send me to rehab! I’m not into drugs full-time. I’m not an alcoholic. I’m not doing anything different than my friends. It’s no big deal. Everybody does it.”
    â€œI’m sending you away.”
    â€œYou’re not serious.”
    â€œI have to do something. I cannot let this continue.”
    Melissa looks furious. “So your solution is to take me away from my father and my mother? You must be reading some great parenting manuals. As soon as your kid makes a mistake, kick them out of the house.”
    â€œStop with the ‘woe is me’ routine,” I say. “When you start behaving like a responsible young woman, you’ll be dealt with accordingly.”
    She turns around and curls her lip at me. “It’s all your fault! Everything was fine until you walked in here. Just go away!”
    â€œI am going away. But guess what? You’re coming with me.”

CHAPTER THREE
    When I call Fletcher to tell him I’m bringing home a pissed-off devil child, he doesn’t seem too bothered. But then, nothing bothers Fletch. Of course, he’s never lived with a teenager. A teenager who’s just been told she can’t have her laptop or phone. She’s allowed one suitcase of clothes and Beulah. That’s it. (As if I’d leave Beulah behind.)
    After three hours of screaming into her pillow, she eventually falls asleep on top of her bed. I don’t feel sorry for her. I tell Jonathan to get some sleep; he looks dreadful. I, on the other hand, make sure to sit by front door all night. It’s not like I have to worry about her going out the window. She shows up on the dot of three with a bulging knapsack.
    â€œI can’t believe you’re sitting here.”
    â€œI can’t believe you thought I wouldn’t be.”
    She stomps back to her room.
    In the morning, I knock on Jonathan’s bedroom door. He opens it, wearing pyjamas that Cary Grant would have on in a forties movie. They’re even