Persona by Amy Lunderman Read Free Book Online Page A

something soon.
    ***
    September 2028
    That Friday after school, Moira finally had a chance to catch up with her father. He has been so busy lately that he is never home, so her step mother Caroline made a special meal for him. Moira did her best to help, but mostly got stuck buttering rolls to bake. Which is fine, she had never been an expert in the kitchen. With a pot roast with vegetables and rolls, they all get to sit at the table for the first meal together in the new house.
    Her father sits patiently listening to everyone’s stories, and offers smiles when needed. Moira can’t help but to notice how raged he looks, since the move. She knows it has to be hard on him to be back here, because it is for her. She thinks about her mother constantly, wondering if she went places that she frequented.
    After dinner, her dad went off to be alone in his study, and rather than help cleaning up, she joins him. Caroline and Annie have no problem picking up the kitchen, they usually prefer to do things just the two of them. And Damon didn’t even stick around to know what anyone was doing, he left with some new friends he made. Not that Moira cares, he never asked about her friends either.
    Knocking on the closed study door, Moira pushes it open not waiting for a response. Her dad looks up at her from behind his computer.
    “Hey kiddo, is everything alright?” He asks her, as she walks over to the couch he has along the wall in front of his desk.
    “I guess so. I just wanted to see how you were doing, if work was going good?” Sitting down on the couch, Moira leans her head back and closes her eyes.
    Ever since she was young, she always loved hiding out in her dad’s study. It felt so private and secluded inside, and was the perfect hiding spot from her siblings. She used to always fall asleep on this sofa, and then later wake in her bed in the middle of the night. It would scare her at first, thinking it was magic that moved her, but later realized her dad would move her. As she got older, she still would hide out and fall asleep, but then wake up to have the blanket on the back of the couch draped over her.
    “Working is going about as well as can be expected. The rights bill should be getting voted on in about a month. Hopefully all goes well.” He says distractedly, as he types away at the keyboard.
    “A month? That’s really fast isn’t it? I would have thought it’d take longer.”
    “I’d like to say it’s a good thing, but I think it’s getting pushed so no one has to deal with it for long. I went to the facility the other day.” The typing stopped, and Moira knows her dad is watching her for a response.
    “Oh? What was is like?” She says nonchalantly.
    “The same hollow shell of a place. Doctor Fletcher was there, and he was asking about you.”
    This gets her attention, and she opens her eyes and glares at her father.
    “What the heck did he want?” She asks with venom in her words.
    “Just wanted to know how you were doing, he wasn’t very subtle though. He mentioned that he’d like to see you, but I told him you’re busy with school.” He reassures her.
    Sighing she says, “Thank goodness, the last thing I want is to see that guy. He still gives me the creeps even in my dreams.” She stifles a shiver.
    “I know sweetie, I’m keeping him at bay for as long as I can. But listen, next month some government officials are coming into town for a meeting. So I won’t be reachable most days.”
    Closing her eyes again, she just nods her head. She understands how busy he can get. It was like that when they moved to Rhode Island when she was young. It’s understandable that with the bill, things would be hectic here too. She’s used to fending for herself at home. Her step mother isn’t much help. After sitting in silence for a while, Moira eventually leaves her father to his work.
     
     
     
    Upstairs in her room, she decides to makes some use of her alone time. Tossing her pillows off her bed,