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As I guided her back inside the room so we could explore a new step in our relationship, the doorbell rang.
We both froze. It was early in the morning, so an unexpected guest seemed even more unlikely at this hour.
“Someone’s at the door,” Corrine whispered, her voice laced in panic.
“Ignore it,” I said, feeling my stomach drop.
I had no idea who it could be. I glanced at the clock on the bedside table and saw it wasn’t quite 6:00 a.m. yet. There was no way it could be Shelly even if she hadn’t taken my calling it off seriously. It was too early.
The doorbell rang again, followed by a pounding on the door.
I reached for my sweats quickly and pulled them on. I then reached for my shirt as I really didn’t feel like opening the door bare-chested. Corrine had reached for her own shirt and sweats and was getting dressed as quickly as she could.
“Just stay here,” I said. “I’ll go check it out.”
When I approached the door and looked out the peephole, I didn’t recognize the woman on the other side. It wasn’t someone I knew. It didn’t appear to be law enforcement or anything in the emergency nature. Wrong place possibly?
I opened the door. “Can I help you?”
“Drew Dawson?” she asked, and the minute she spoke, and I got a good look at her, I knew who she was.
Corrine’s mother.
“Ms. Parker. How can I help you?” I had no intentions of inviting her in, so whatever she had to say to me would have to be done on my doorstep.
“I’m assuming my daughter’s here,” she said.
Fuck.
“How did you find out where I live?” I needed to stall to figure out how to handle this situation. I could lie, but she wouldn’t be here if she didn’t already know the answer to that question.
“I know people in Black Mountain, and when Corrine wasn’t at the house when I arrived… well, it wasn’t hard.” She looked over my shoulder and then back at me. “Are you going to let me inside or shall I call the school board concerned over my daughter’s whereabouts?”
Sighing deeply, I opened the door all the way and stepped aside.
She marched in with full confidence and called out, “Corrine, come on. Get your stuff. We’re leaving.”
Corrine walked out of my bedroom with wide eyes and open mouth. “Mom? What are you doing here?”
“Cleaning up another one of your messes.” She pointed at me. “I got a call from Mr. Dawson and was forced to cut my trip short to deal with this.” She glanced at Corrine’s bare feet. “You have shoes? Come on, let’s get out of here. We have a flight to catch in a couple of hours, and you still need to pack.”
“Flight? To where?” Corrine asked. “I can’t just leave. I have school.” Corrine looked at me with worry washed all over her face. “If I miss any more school, I won’t graduate.”
“Oh, you’ll graduate,” Candy snapped. “Mr. Dawson is going to make damn sure of it. Aren’t you, Mr. Dawson?”
“She really needs to finish out the year. There isn’t much time left—”
“I would hate to get the board involved in this matter,” she interrupted.
“Where are we going?” Corrine asked. “I don’t want to leave Black Mountain right now.”
“You’re going back to St. Mary’s for a much longer duration this time.” She looked me over and then said between clenched teeth. “Clearly the last visit didn’t take.”
Corrine took a step back in retreat. “I don’t need to go back there. I’m fine.” She darted her eyes to me and then to her mother. “I know how this looks, but it’s different. It’s not what you think?”
Candy didn’t even look at me but said, “Mr. Dawson, how old are you?”
I didn’t answer.
Candy then asked, “And Corrine, how old are you?” When Corrine didn’t respond right away, she added, “At least you didn’t burn down this man’s house. I’m clearly getting off cheap by coming before you do.” She then spun on her heels to face me head on. “And you! Are you a fool? I told you over the phone all about Corrine, and yet… here you are. With her!”
“I can assure you that my eyes are wide open to the situation,” I said.
Candy huffed and shook her head. “Maybe you should book yourself a room right next to hers.”
“Ms. Parker, I know you are a busy woman. And I’m more than happy to help Corrine—”
“Help Corrine? There’s no helping her,” she interrupted.
She looked back at Corrine. “I don’t have time for this. I have another movie shoot coming up. A big one that will have me overseas for quite some time. I can’t be worrying about my loony daughter causing issues here in the States. So, get your stuff, and let’s get out of here.”
