The world was vast and untamable, much like her mother, Betty thought with a pout.
As Curtis drove into the driveway, he spotted his heartbroken daughter, all packed up and ready to embark on an adventure, dragging her little suitcase with one hand and holding her cat's leash with the other, determined to leave home and seek fortune.
But her grand exit was thwarted by the first step outside the door. The suitcase was too heavy for her to manage.
Leanne stood behind, her face a picture of frustration and headache.
Long-legged and swift, Curtis stepped out of the car. Seeing Curtis, Betty's face lit up, and she ran toward him, tears ready to fall.
"Daddy!"
Curtis scooped Betty up, and she clung to him, her face screwed up in sadness and anger. "Mommy's being mean to me."
Having heard the story from Leanne over the phone, Curtis struggled to keep a straight face. "Oh? How dare she bully my little princess. What do you want to do, Betty? Want daddy to take revenge?" Finally, someone was to back her up. Betty sniffled, nodding vigorously.
Curtis set her down. "Then let's put your suitcase back inside."
Betty scurried off to drag her heavy suitcase back, while Curtis didn't offer to help, heading inside to hang up his coat and wash his hands.
In a whisper out of Betty's earshot, Leanne questioned his approach. "This is your idea of fixing things?"
Curtis chuckled. "She's just being rebellious. She knows she's wrong. She's just upset that you lectured her."
"She's only four, Curtis. Isn't it a bit early for a rebellion?"
Drying his hands leisurely, Curtis retorted, "She's just like you, full of stubbornness."
"It's your influence. Which other kid brings their cat to school? She walks around like she owns the place. Even the teachers can't stop her." Leanne had been a model student, not the type to cause chaos.
Curtis grinned. "That's my little girl."
Leanne nudged him with her foot, prompting him to correct himself quickly. "I mean, your little girl."
Leanne just rolled her eyes.
Curtis wrapped his arms around her, leaning against the kitchen counter, his voice softer.
"Miss me?"
His kiss landed gently on her lips, a tease of what was to come, but Leanne played coy. "Not really."
"Really?" Curtis pulled back, pretending to be hurt.
"Yep."
He let her go, picking up Betty's pink
Well, if no one missed me,
I should join the runawa
squad."
SW
Leanne leaned against the counter,
unfazed "Go ahead. She paten
ps of cat food in there. Ite
should be enough for the journey."
The girl was clever enough to pack for her cat but forgot her supplies.
Curtis laughed, appreciating her thoughtfulness. "That's my girl, always looking out for her sister."
Betty beamed with pride. Curtis
crouched down, wiping her
tear-streaked face. "Silly girl, vol net
might survive on cat food, but
without water, it will be tough."
"Next time you plan to run away from home, take your mom. That's all you need."
Leanne couldn't help but laugh. "Could you not encourage her?"
Seeing Leanne's smile, Betty rushed to hug her. "Let's make up, Mommy."
Leanne knelt. "Not mad at me anymore?"
Betty shook her head. "I wasn't mad at you. You were mad at me. You scolded me."
Betty was feeling a tiny bit wronged herself.
"I'm sorry," Leanne said softly, "I'll try to be gentle, but you have to own up to your mistakes, okay?"
Betty nodded, hugging Leanne tightly. "Let's make up."
Ever the joker, Curtis suggested, "Now that we're all good, how about we all run away together?" "Nutcase," Leanne laughed, shaking her head at Curtis' antics.
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