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Caroline was laughing hysterically. Then abruptly stopped, stared her mother in the eye without blinking refusing to let her smile fade. The family was quiet. Stunned would be more appropriate. Kevin immediately left the front room. He was mad but more so hurt that he saw something terribly wrong with his child. Kevin replayed that visit to Dr. Holland over and over in his head. The words were engraved vividly in his mind. Are you God fearing citizens of the state of Ohio? He stood around the corner before he had that smoke listening, wanting to hear but scared to face what was being said. Like a coward he left Ann to deal with this madness on her own. Kevin was truly sorry and decided tonight would be the night he would quit running and face the problem head on with his wife. He decided that he would tell Ann of things he saw and heard Caroline do but first he thought he would look up Dr. Holland. He was very glad that he picked up the card Ann had discarded years ago. Kevin left to go smoke. He didnt believe for one minute that his wife was or would be unfaithful to him but amused himself internally thinking this is not our child. They gave us the wrong baby at the hospital. He knew it wasnt true, just made it easier to deal with at times. It was easier than to buy into the Alicias seventh child crap. Kevin would never say it aloud, just always told Ann from the time Caroline was born this ones going to be trouble. He would never admit that she scared him spiritually. He had felt the same way about Anns mother Alicia. Kevin had spent countless nights praying for his childs soul and his mother-n-law. Ann answered her daughter. Caroline, that isnt true. Youre telling a story dear. I have encouraged you to use your imagination for good things. One day, youll be a great story teller. As you grow into adulthood, youll be a vibrant writer as long as you are able to distinguish truth from lies. Havent we discussed this time and time again? If you make up something thats hurtful to someone else its not funny, do you understand. Ann continued explaining to her child, still smiling but the shine in the smile now fading. For you to tell your father that I dare kiss another man at church is quite inappropriate. Its incredulous. Do you know what that mean. Ann always introduced new words to her small children to improve upon their diction. She and Kevin had discussed on several occasions the children deserved better lives than what they could afford them. Introducing new words was Anns way of giving her children an advantage, helping them to think and remember. I think you hurt him and need to tell him that you make up stories all the time and went to far this time, what do you think? Caroline continued staring her mother down with that unnerving smile but now she was showing defiance. She would not speak. She nodded her head toward her mother indicating that she would like her to finish, as if she was in charge. The word your looking for that you cant pronounce yet is adultery. Ann continued as instructed by her child. It is the seventh commandment and says Thou shall not commit adultery Ann spelled it out for her and then sounded it out, a-d-u-l-t-e-r-y, adultery. Youre about to get a lesson in the ninth commandment. It says Thou shall not bear false witness against thine neighbor.

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