The Star Child (The Star Child Series) Read Online Free PDF

of an unpleasant smell under his nose.
    “At least you missed my graduation ceremony for something important.” I gestured to the book. “You certainly can’t read ‘Freeing Your Child from Anxiety’ enough, given that that was such a priority with me.” My words were daggers of ice in the otherwise warm room. At least that was how I intended them.
    He glanced up about a fraction of an inch but otherwise didn’t acknowledge that I was present. This was a typical response from him, so I can’t say that I should have been hurt or surprised, yet I always was.
    These days, Stephen St. James was an esteemed professor at Syracuse University who specialized in Child Psychology. In the last thirty years, he’d earned two PhDs, written twelve books, and been on television countless times.
    One of his books was featured in the Oprah Book Club and he made a point of mentioning this whenever possible to anyone who’d listen. “Oh, it’s going well. Had a book in the Oprah club last month, you know. I was very lucky.”
    Actually, he believed that this was not due to good fortune at all but instead to his own brilliance. Regardless of the book club, his psychology degrees, or his success in the academic arena, none of these experiences qualified him to raise his own children.
    The bottom line was that his only claim to fame was having a compelling public persona and an even more compelling agent. Marketing himself was his life, and this was something he did exceptionally well. This meant that the speaking engagements continued to pile up, along with the line of women that wanted to date him.
    “Since you aren’t interested in speaking to me, I wanted to stop by and tell you that I’m moving out on my own. Goodbye, Father, have a nice…whatever.” I couldn’t think of anything more to say to him. The desire to turn and leave overwhelmed me; I turned away to do just that.
    “There’s certainly a note of finality in your tone. Given that you’re penniless, I’d recommend at least finishing college first.” He hid behind the pages of his book, refusing eye contact.
    “Did you not hear me? I’m done. I graduated today. I’m moving out.” I turned back again as a look of astonishment crossed his face. I wondered if it had only just occurred to him that I’d aged at all.
    “Today?” His brow furrowing, he looked at the calendar as if he might find the answer there. “You might as well stay. I know that you’ve nowhere to go and no way to survive on your own. I'll cut off your allowance as soon as you walk out that door.” He was so obviously proud to lord his money over my head.
    I reflected that he’d never struck me in my life. He made sure we were fed, clothed, gave us the best education, and provided a more than generous roof over our heads. Giving his money was easy. He never gave of himself .
    “I have a nice little stash set aside. I won’t have to worry for a while.”
    “How could you possibly have any money set aside, you insolent child?” This was obviously enough to spark some emotion, and he threw his book onto the desk in time with the phrase “insolent child”. He did have a flare for the dramatic. “You’ve absolutely no concept of how much medical school costs. Plus I’ll have to buy your way into some school, as I’m sure you screwed up. I wasn’t informed about a single interview.”
    “Insolent child, huh? Is that the best you can come up with?” You’d think he’d make more of an effort to be original. What a disappointment . Turning fully, I faced him again. “Let’s think about it this way. How much money would I have if your mother took every cent that you ever gave her and instead of spending it, put it in a trust fund for me? I’d be willing to bet that would be quite a nice little sum, wouldn’t you?”
    He blanched at my words. His face flushed in anger before he regained control. If I didn't know his measured reactions so well, I’d have missed the moment