Chapter 20

Emma was startled when she looked at her father and quickly locked her cell phone so he wouldn't see anything. He sat up, his face showing no happiness. He also sat on the bed and looked at her in silence, analyzing her.

"What is it?" Emma asked, averting her eyes.

"What's going on with you? You haven't been answering us, you've been rude and careless. You seem different. What has changed?"

"Nothing has changed, I'm just being myself."

"Yourself?" the man laughed. "You know, I got a call yesterday."

"What call?" she looked at him.

"From the music school. I heard you were interested, but it was only once. Why didn't you pursue it?"

"I just didn't want to anymore."

"Why?" the man insisted.

"Why, Dad? Jeez, do I have to explain? I just don't like it." Emma lied.

"I see," the man said simply. "So here's what we'll do. Since you're not enjoying music anymore and you're behaving badly at home, you'll be grounded for two weeks, an