Charity's Storm (Charity Series Book 4) Read Free Page B

impressed by my statement. “That would be lovely, dear. My name is Nana Butterfly, by the way.”
    I was surprised by the unique name. And as I studied her, I could make out red hair under her straw hat. She had beautiful flowers in different colors wrapped around her hat. Suddenly her name seemed to fit perfectly. “Umm, Nana Butterfly? Really?”
                  She laughed. “I know, but that’s what I’ve been called for years.”
    “Well, Nana Butterfly, it has been a pleasure meeting you. And thank you again.” I shook her hand.
                  “It was my pleasure, dear. And you are?” Her eyebrows rose in question.
                  “Oh, sorry. My name is Charity.”
                  “Well, Charity,” she said, patting me on the shoulder, “I will be praying for you as well.”
                  I smiled widely. I truly liked this woman. “Thank you so much.” I left then and caught up to Ashley while she was paying at the front counter.
                  As we walked back to the car, I told her what had happened. She wanted to borrow my new lip balm, but I was sure I would never let anyone but me use it—ever.

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Three
     
     
    “Happy birthday, Sunshine!!” my mom and dad said as they came into my room and opened the blinds. I squinted against the blaring light of a new day, but despite my sleepiness, I bounced with excitement in my bed.
                  “What did you get me?” I asked with eager anticipation, continuing to bounce. My mom always got me something special, and my dad always made me something special. He went into the hall and brought back with him something wrapped in a white sheet. I had a suspicion as to what it was and jerked off the sheet to reveal a breathtaking painting of a lake with a canoe and some ducks floating in it. “Oh, Dad, it’s beautiful. Thank you. I know exactly where I want to hang it.” I gave him a big hug. I always loved his paintings. He was a very talented painter in his spare time.
                  “You’re welcome, Sunshine.”
    My dad always called me Sunshine because he said my smile could light up any room. And sometimes I really felt like that was true. My life was pretty perfect. I mean I couldn’t really complain about much of anything. I had the best friend anyone could ever ask for. I had great, loving parents, and I had a happy spirit. I was pretty tall for fourteen, and I didn’t have zits like Ashley and a lot of other kids my age. Yes, my life was perfect.
    My mom gave me a small diamond necklace since the diamond was my birthstone. It was beautiful, and I loved it. And that night they took me and Ash to see Charlie Brown on Ice. I know it seemed like a young thing to do for my age, but I loved Snoopy. I’m not totally sure why, but then again who didn’t. Afterward, we stopped at a nice restaurant and had dinner. My mom and dad held hands on the drive back home while Ash and I took turns braiding each other’s hair—that was when she still had long hair. It was a great and memorable day.
                  At school the next day, I showed off my new necklace and Ash and I told all of our friends about our trip. Delaney teased us, of course. She always seemed to do things like that, but it didn’t bother either of us too much. Stacy seemed slightly jealous that she didn’t get to go. I had to explain that I was only allowed to take one person. She said she was okay with it, but she still seemed bummed. I felt bad. I knew I would need to plan something with her soon.
                  As I sat in my first period class, I thought again about my weekend with my parents, celebrating my birthday, and I smiled, twirling the diamond from my necklace around my fingers. It was a great weekend; one of the best we had ever had, actually.
                  “Charity?” Toby