Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 97577 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 488(@200wpm)___ 390(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97577 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 488(@200wpm)___ 390(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
“My mother started the children’s hospital fundraiser!” I did my best not to yell, but my fist balled.
“It’s not under her, though. It’s under the Etheus Foundation—”
“My. Mom. Started. This.” I hissed out each word to her. “And your mom has her sitting near the trash cans! No, you said you had to find her a place? That means she didn’t even think my mom deserved to sit by the trash!”
Her shoulders dropped. “You know how they are, Odette!”
I wanted to scream in her face and tell her that wasn’t an excuse, that I wouldn’t let my mother ever do this to her or her mother. But I was so angry that I couldn’t even do that. I stomped into the hall and made a line straight toward my mom.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to take this moment to invite Augusta and Odette Wyntor to the front,” the host said before I could get to the back.
I glanced up to the front where he was standing, and beside him, Yvonne stood tall and proud, dressed as some queen herself, her blonde hair up in a ridiculous beehive formation with a small tiara inside it.
“Please, please, don’t make a scene now. I swear I will yell at her after,” Augusta said, coming up beside me with a smile on her face. “Remember, this is the first event without Dad.”
Inhaling through my nose, I forced a smile to my face before walking with Augusta. Everyone applauded, and a large photo of my father appeared on the screen. Reaching the front, I turned back to face the crowd, my eyes going to my mother. She stood, and I had to look around people to see her clearly. She relaxed her shoulders and motioned her chin. I knew immediately what she wanted. I relaxed my shoulders and lifted my head, and she gave me thumbs-up.
“Would either of you like say a few remarks?” the host asked.
Augusta reached for the microphone without hesitation. However, because my arms were longer, I reached out and took it first. She shot me a glance of worry. She knew I hated speaking at these things. I always left that to her, but not this time.
“I would like to thank you all so very much for taking the time to not only dress up but join us tonight. I honestly feel as though my father is having a good laugh right now. Mr. Stuart, you especially,” I said, causing everyone to chuckle, and then applaud at the man covered in blue paint.
His genie costume was interesting. He was far too short and round for it. He nodded to me, giving me a thumbs-up.
“As many of you know, the Children’s Halloween fundraiser was my father’s excuse to make you all get dressed up in costumes. Some of you may have heard this story, but what spearheaded this event was me. While my mother was in the hospital, praying to God I’d just come out already, she and my father met a bunch of children who were unable to go out like other kids to trick or treat. So, my mother paid to have the hospital decorated as a haunted house and allowed the kids to trick or treat there. It’s been twenty-seven years since then, and some of the many treats that have been given by all you wonderful people are the cost of hospital bills across the country and further aid to these children. For that, I thank you all.”
Once again, they clapped.
I waited for a moment before speaking again. “And to my mother, Wilhelmina Wyntor-Smith, who is here with us tonight, I want to say thank you for being such an amazing mother. And thank you for starting this. It’s astounding to see how one act of kindness can grow beyond measure. You are truly and always ahead of your time,” I said, applauding her, which caused the rest of them to do the same.
It took a second for the crowd to figure out where she was, but when they did, and she was at the center of the spotlight, she gave them her best pageant wave and smile.
I turned and handed the microphone over, not to the host but Yvonne. I could see the annoyance in her eyes, but she didn’t say anything as she took the microphone from me. I had words for her, but I held myself back. I had said what I wanted to say and tried to leave.
“Yes, it is always good to remember where we came from and how much we should give, which is why Augusta and I, in honor of Marvin and the children, began the donations with a check for five hundred thousand dollars,” Yvonne stated.
Everyone gasped and whispered among themselves before cheering at her big, fat heart.
I thought she’d be satisfied with stealing the attention back, but she apparently swore some blood oath to make my mom miserable. “Wilhelmina, I heard you also wished to donate?”