Certainly Sensible by Pamela Woods-Jackson Read Free Book Online Page A

piano?”
    Caroline and Susan exchanged glances.
    “There’s no room for the piano, Allie,” Susan said. “It has to stay here. We’re taking a few things with us, but the new house is just too small for everything.”
    “Then where am I supposed to practice? I can’t just quit for the entire summer! When I get back to school next fall…” Allie scrutinized her mother’s face. “What else aren’t you telling me?”
    “Allie, we just don’t have any money for private education. Your dad… Well, there was a loophole in the divorce settlement that only requires him to pay for public-school expenses.”
    “Loophole? Mom!”
    “I’m so sorry, Allie. I didn’t listen to Sara when she tried to tell me. When I signed the divorce papers, I was very upset and not paying attention.”
    The color drained out of Allie’s face, and she took a step back, catching herself before she tripped on the top step. “I’m not going back to school? At all? I know Sharlene kept complaining to Dad about my expensive ‘hobby , ’ but…”
    Susan shook her head. “Not to Bryce, anyway. But I’ve been checking around and it seems Ball State University has a nice music department. They would be willing to accept you as a transfer student.”
    The blood drained from Allie’s face. She slowly collapsed onto the top step and put her head between her knees, breathing deeply.
    Susan sat down next to Allie and rubbed her neck. “I know this is a shock, and it’s true that Caroline, Megan, and I have all had a couple of weeks to adjust to the news.”
    “It’s not just you, Allie,” Caroline added. “Megan has to leave Willowby Hall and attend public school, too.” And then there was her own problem, something she’d been wrestling with ever since her mother had told her about their new financial situation. “I’ve got to do something about my job…”
    “Public school?” Allie mumbled, lifting her head. “Ball State? But I love Bryce. I’ve never even visited a public school.” Tears came to her eyes, and her chin began quivering. Not saying another word, she shuffled down the stairs directly to the piano in the formal living room, tied her long, straight black hair into a ponytail and sat down at the bench, feeling for the pedals. She scrunched up her brow and began feverishly playing Mozart’s Turkish Rondo. The frenetic pace of the music was in direct contrast to the somber mood in the room.
    Caroline and Susan tiptoed downstairs, watching silently while Allie played. “It’s like she’s playing for the last time,” Caroline whispered. “You go on back to bed, Mom. I’ll talk to her.”
    Susan nodded and started upstairs. She looked back at her daughters and opened her mouth to speak, but instead shook her head and went up.
    Caroline walked into the living room, sat down on the piano bench next to Allie, and waited patiently until Allie finished the piece and dropped her arms in exhaustion. Caroline put her arm around Allie’s shoulder, gave it a gentle squeeze, and said, “We’ll get through this as a family, I promise.”
    Allie nodded. Finally she put her head on her sister’s shoulder, tears spilling from her eyes. “Why is he doing this to us, Car?”
    Caroline sighed. “Dad doesn’t seem to have any backbone where Sharlene’s concerned.”
    “It’s not fair!” Allie looked her sister in the eye. “And you sure didn’t try very hard to tell me.”
    “You’re right. I shouldn’t have chickened out. I’m so sorry.”
    Allie sobbed for a minute. Then she sat up, wiped the tears away with the back of her hand, flexed her fingers, and started playing again, this time more quietly. Caroline hugged Allie’s shoulder once more and headed back to bed.

Chapter Four
    “Mom, you have got to be kidding! ” Allie threw her handbag on the floor of her bedroom, tears of frustration welling up in her eyes.
    Susan and Allie had just gotten back from a tour of their new house. Now Susan surveyed her