Her father, Jonathan Wright, was traveling constantly for his consulting firm, moving between cities and time zones with barely enough time to unpack his suitcase. On that particular weekend, he was in Toronto finalizing a contract that promised long term benefits, and Harper was left alone with Meredith in the large, quiet house.
Harper had spent the morning carefully completing her homework at the dining table, proud of herself for finishing everything without reminders. When Meredith passed through the room, Harper held up her notebook with cautious hope.
“I finished all my assignments,” she said softly.
Meredith barely glanced at the pages.
“That is not my concern,” she replied. “Go find something else to occupy yourself.”
“But my teacher said I should show you,” Harper insisted, taking a small step forward.
Meredith’s patience snapped instantly.
“I told you to go away,” she said sharply. “Are you incapable of understanding simple instructions.”
“I am sorry,” Harper whispered, stepping back.