The Other Side of Goodness Read Free

turning back to his father-in-law. “She has to go shopping to take her mind off all the depressing things she sees and hears on television and that comes across on the Internet. You know, all of those ‘devastating, distressing things that are happening all around the world,’ like poverty, all of those poor and starving folks in the world, the daily reported civil unrest around the globe, and let’s not forget those poor animals they show on TV in need of a good home. According to my dear wife, the only way she can feel better about all of these things after witnessing them is to go shopping.”
    â€œI’m sure this can’t be true,” Lawrence said. “I certainly hope it’s not. Paris’s mother and I raised her to be a productive member of society . . . to serve others. Paris, you could be spending time at a church or shelter, helping to feed the hungry, showing just how much our family truly cares about others.”
    â€œDaddy, I’m twenty-seven years old, twenty-eight in another eight months. I’m not a child anymore that you can mold into what you want me to be. I have a husband; we have our own home. I get to decide what’s best and right for me.”
    â€œIn other words: I can’t tell you what to do anymore?” Lawrence said with a slight frown.
    â€œNow, Daddy, I respect you. You just need to learn to respect me. I’m all grown up now. I’m not your little girl anymore.” Paris bit down on her bottom lip.
    â€œOh, now, you’ll always be my little girl.” Lawrence grinned. “And I’ll always be your daddy. And speaking of family and little girls, exactly when do the two of you plan on having children? Your mother is ready to be a grandmother. And being a grandfather would certainly look good on my political brochures. There’s nothing that says to the voters how much you care than letting them know you’re not only a parent but a grandparent. And a child or two would definitely give you more than enough to do to keep you busy around the house, Paris.”
    â€œDaddy, is that all you ever care about? How something might benefit your political aspirations?” Paris asked.
    â€œFor now it is. That’s why it’s important for your mother to put on the right face for the public.” Lawrence leaned forward. “That’s why you, your brother, Malachi, and little sister, Courtney, must be on your p’s and q’s at all times, representing our family with the highest level of degree. Proverbs 22:1 tells us that ‘a good name is rather to be chosen than great riches.’ Our name is a brand now. And we have to protect it. So I don’t need any of you doing anything that could embarrass or derail me, and especially not during this campaign cycle. I plan on winning my upcoming reelection. And I don’t need any problems popping up. That’s why I made sure I got that large ballroom last week for that campaign rally I had.”
    â€œWe know, Daddy. Stay on our p’s and q’s. You’ve drilled that point home to each of us enough. Oh, yeah, and I heard all about that underhanded ballroom acquisition,” Paris said. “That was so wrong of you on so many levels.”
    â€œSays who?” Lawrence pulled his body back as though he was shocked by her words.
    â€œMom, for one.”
    Lawrence waved her words off. “Your mother is such a softie. She’d give away everything if I’d let her.”
    â€œWell, to be fair,” Andrew said, chiming in. “From what I heard, you did manage to somehow finagle that ballroom away from an elderly man’s one hundredth birthday celebration after his family clearly had it reserved months before you ever thought about having anything there. That’s the way I heard it, anyway.”
    Lawrence stared hard at Andrew, then released a quick smile. “All’s fair in love and politics. If you can do it