Chapter 14

Indeed Karen was beginning to wonder what was taking Kenny and Avery so long to return from the study room. She was itching to know what they could be discussing.

As she was wondering, she sighted Kenny and Avery walking up to her and Marjorie in the formal dining room.

"Wow! That was some bonding time. I almost thought you both will never come out for supper " Marjorie said with a smile.

"It sure was" Kenny agreed.

Avery only smiled shyly.

Karen asked curiously "What were you telling your uncle Kenny, Avery?"

It was Kenny who replied "Avery was telling me of her love for reading so I took her to my study. She immediately fell in love with the fiction books there"

Avery nodded in agreement.

"That's right. She always goes to the library just to read" Karen said.

Kenny was about to question her regarding her decision to pull Avery out of school but decided to do so after supper.

Marjorie had prepared some tender roast chicken and fluffy mashed potatoes with steamed veggies for the main course, sauteed spinach and creamy coleslaw for the side dish and chocolate cake and a selection of different fruits for dessert.

Avery enjoyed the delicious meal very much.

After the meal, Kenny asked Karen and Avery to accompany him to the living room.

"Karen" He began "You came to me earlier on to inform me of the danger you perceived that you and Avery were in from your husband, Fred. You came to ask for my help to protect you both from him but you conveniently forgot to inform me that you pulled Avery out of school claiming there was no money. Why would you do such a thing? Didn't my brother set up a business for you solely to meet your's and Avery's needs before she'll come of age to claim her inheritance?"

Karen panicked "Ken, I was misled by Fred. He kept telling me that the company was running at a deficit"

"I'm totally disappointed Karen. The only job you had was to take care of one kid and you failed miserably!"

Karen started shedding tears "I'm so sorry!"

Ken shook his head in disgust and said "That asides, I wish to suggest moving you and Avery out of the country till when Fred has been taken care of. What do you think about this?"

Karen's eyes shone with elation. This was the perfect opportunity to be free and safe from Fred.

Without having to wait for Kenny, if she had the means, she would have taken Avery and escaped to where Fred would never find them but Fred was in charge of the finances and hardly gave her any meaningful allowance.

"I agree with you Ken, you're right" She eagerly said.

"Then that's it. I shall make arrangements for both...."

"I don't agree" Avery interrupted.

Karen was shocked "What are you saying, Avery? Don't you love your life?" She asked.

Even Kenny was surprised "Avery, why don't you want to leave?"

Avery calmly answered "Mom, uncle, I can't possibly be running away every time a difficulty arises. If Fred is a threat to mother and I; then I should assist uncle in fighting him"

Karen couldn't believe her ears. She tried to persuade Avery. "Avery baby, don't do this. You don't know how dangerous Fred is. How can you possibly fight him? What would become of me if anything happens to you? Be a good girl and listen to your uncle Kenny and I; let's leave. We can always return after Fred has been arrested, please" She pleaded.

Karen knew that Kenny would never help her in isolation without Avery. That was why she pleaded with Avery.

Avery refused to budge "Mom, I'm serious. I need to stay back and assist uncle in anyway I can"

Karen became furious "And how precisely are you going to help? Your uncle graciously offered to help us escape from that mad man and you don't want to leave!?"

"Mom, I'm sorry but it was you who brought that same mad man into our lives!" Avery retorted rudely.

Avery's response made Karen shocked. This was the first time, Avery ever spoke rudely to her but on thinking deeply about what Avery said; she was indeed right when she said it was Karen who brought the mad man into their lives.

She could only keep quiet while staring at her daughter.

Kenny silently watched the exchange between mother and daughter and decided to appeal to Avery again.

"Avery, please reconsider. It's for your safety I made this offer. I had earlier offered that you come live with me but you refused and now ...."

Karen couldn't keep silent anymore.

"WHAT!!??" She exclaimed. "Avery, your uncle even offered that you come live with him here and you refused!? Are you a glutton for punishment? Why would you turn down such an offer? And you didn't even tell me first. I really don't understand you anymore"

She turned to Kenny "Please don't mind her, Ken. She's just a child. What does she know? We'll accept your offer of travel ....."

"Mom, I've said it. I'm not leaving. You're free to go but I will stay. I refuse to run" Avery interrupted her.

Karen was truly stumped for words.

Was this the same Avery that she knew as quiet and unassuming?

She had never seen this side of Avery before and to Karen, it was very confusing.

But Kenny could read the lines on the wall and knew that without loosening the knots in her heart, Avery would never leave behind memories she cared about to start afresh somewhere else.

He was proud of this little niece of his but was also worried for her safety at the same time. How was he going to protect her?

While thinking about it, he suddenly thought of a solution.

"Just to be clear, Avery. What's your final decision?" Kenny asked.

"My final answer remains NO! I won't leave" Avery replied.

Karen felt defeated. She couldn't leave if Avery chose to stay.