Bittersweet Sixteen (A Dodie Jenks Novel) by Lexi Witcher Read Free Book Online

less.”
    Standing, he turned to my mother. “I will need to spend as much time with her as possible between now and the big day. I do not want to disrupt your lives, but I will need access to her as I do my observation in the initial phase.”
    Observation? That made me sound like a lab rat. I didn’t know if I wanted to be scrutinized. I was a pubescent teenager. And even on my best days I still had my awkward moments. I did not want Leopold to see me this way.
    Mom crossed her arms over her chest and looked pensive for a few moments. “Her father and I would like her to continue with her studies. It is a crucial time in her education. If she survives this then we do not want any disruption that could hamper her chances on a good scholarship to college. What do you have in mind?”
    Oh my word! My parents still did not get it! I was facing death square in the face and they were worried about my education. Can we say D-E-N-I-A-L? No wonder they thought they could ignore Grandma all those years ago.
    “Like I said I do not want to alter your lives with my presence, but if I am going to make my best attempt at breaking this curse and saving Dodie, then I will need to spend as much time with her as possible.”
    “Perhaps, Glynis, she should come and stay with me during this time,” my grandmother suggested. “I could arrange for a private tutor so she will not fall behind in her studies. Mr. Leopold could stay at the house as well so he can observe her.”
    Mom pursed her lips together and tilted her head to the side the way she did when trying to make a decision. “I suppose that would work, but I’d need to run this by Robert first.”
    “Naturally.” Grandma winked at me.
    “Thank you, Mrs. Jenks for opening up your home to me.” Leopold half-bowed toward Grandma.
    Mom dug in her purse and found her phone. “Excuse me. I’ll just step out into the hallway and call my husband.”
    I sat in the chair and waited, watching while Leopold and Grandma talked. He had the cutest dimple in his left cheek when he grinned like he was doing right now to something she said. He also had a tendency to periodically look over his shoulder at me which made me feel giddy.
    My reaction to him and his good looks was a little strange. I didn’t normally go gaga over boys…well, in his case men.  I wondered just how old he was anyway.
    As if reading my thoughts he turned and smiled. “I’m eighteen.”
    “Eighteen,” Grandma repeated. “My, but I would have thought you’d be older.”
    “Yes. Most do.”
    I smiled, content to just sit and watch and not worry for a change. It felt good and I couldn’t be happier to know I was going to be spending the next three weeks with Grandma in Franklin.
    Mom finally returned to the room and her eyes and the tip of her nose was red. She’d been crying. “Dodie, your father reluctantly agreed, but you can go to Cherie’s for the observation. Mr. Leopold, we are putting our trust in you to save our little girl. Do not let us down.”
    He walked over to her and clasped both her hands in his. “Mrs. Jenks, I will do my very best to restore your daughter to you.”

 
     
    Chapter Nine
     
    The drive from Dover had been quiet. Mom drove to the house for me to get my back pack and then we went straight to the high school where we met with the principal about my leaving school. She explained how I was going to be staying with my grandmother for a while and would be enrolling in school there. Once I cleaned out my locker and turned in all my textbooks and homework assignments, we left.
    I didn’t even get to see my friends Callie and Lisa to tell them goodbye, but what could I really say to their face that would have been any different than sending them an email or a text? I’d be back in a few weeks and everything would go back to normal. Right?  I had to think positive.
    When we got home I went to my room and gathered my laundry, then I packed a bag of things I couldn’t live