She was very much not okay, but she didn’t want to bother Viv with it. What could her former stepmother do anyway? She couldn’t unlock her phone or send her back to California. Unfortunately.
“I’ll get the groceries,” Viv said, opening the heavy passenger door. “Go call Raymond.”
Kalista hurried into the house where a light green phone hung on the wall. She lifted the receiver and saw the round dialing mechanism. She couldn’t even remember the last time shedialeda phone. But dial she did, using her father’s phone number.
“Hello?
Kalista groaned, her shoulders slumping at the sound of the breathy, high-pitched voice on the other line. Bettany. Ew, she did not want to deal with her. “I need to talk to Daddy.”
“He’s not available.”
“Bettany, who’s on the phone?” Daddy’s question sounded in the distance.
Anger rose inside Kalista. “I thought you said he was busy?”
“I said he was unavailable. Which he is. He’sverybusy, Kalista.”
A stab of pain burst through the anger. How many times had she heard those words—from secretaries, nannies, maids, his former wives... He was always busy.Too busy for me.
“I’ll take it, babe,” Daddy said.
“But Ray—”
“Hello, Kalista. I’m glad to hear from you—”
“Why did you turn off my phone?”
“Because I didn’t want you spending all your free time on it. You’re there to work and learn, not chitchat with your friends.”
“But that’s not fair!” She stamped her foot.
“And that right there is why I’m doing this. Sweetheart, you’re not a child anymore.”
Kalista rolled her eyes. “Daddy, I don’t want a lecture. I want my phone turned back on. And if you won’t do that, I’ll buy another one.”
“With what? You have no credit cards, no checkbook, and your bank account is suspended.”
“Can’t you give them all back to me?” she whined. “I don’t understand why you’re being so mean.”
Silence. Then, “I’m sorry, Kalista. I don’t like being mean to you, but this is for your own good. You have to learn responsibility—”
“I am. I have a job. I start tomorrow.”
“Really?” he sounded shocked, then happy. “That’s great! Where are you working?”
“I’m... in the newspaper business. AtThe Clementine Times.” He didn’t need to know she was throwing newspapers.
“That’s wonderful, Kalista.”
“Can I have my stuff back?”
“No. I’m proud of you for getting a job, honey. But let’s see what you do with it first.”
He’s proud of me?The words sounded foreign coming from him. A small smile formed on her face. Then she realized she had an opening. “I could do my job better if I had my phone.”
“If you’ve got a job, you can buy your own phone.”
“Ray,” Bettany whined in the background. “I’mwaiting.”
