Clara's Assignment

By Dale Delarew

Nine year old Beth Greystone has been on the road to self destruction since her family life changed because of divorce. Since she hasn't received the help she needs, caseworkers on a distant planet send a humanized computer to help Beth to become the happy, successful child she has been in the past.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Jan 17, 2014
• ISBN: 9781483518176

Book preview

Addendum

1 - A Merged Family

Now what’s wrong with my cooking? MamaMadison sighed as she realized her ‘wannabe daughter’ wasn’t eating a thing.

I’m just not hungry, Beth murmured, trying hard not to cry.

Don’t expect to get some dessert if you haven’t eaten your dinner! the insulted ‘other mother’ snapped. Upon glancing at the girl’s father, she softened her tone as she added, You’re as thin as a rail! Everybody thinks we’re starving you to death!

At that the dad forced a smile as he said, We just want you to be healthy. Maybe a couple of bites will whet your appetite.

To please her father, the tearful girl forced down a bit of meat. Then, while wiping away her tears she murmured, It’s awful!

Beth, your father is right, MamaMadison said gently. You can’t be all you can be if you’re hungry all the time! Maybe that’s why …

At that moment Beth couldn’t stand to go through another meal in which her parents prodded her to eat more food! Even though she knew she was supposed to ask for permission to leave the table, she stood up and sputtered, "I don’t feel well! Then, while heading for the family room, she glared at Madison and barked, My real mother would notice that!"

Within moments Beth’s father had followed his child into the family room and closed the door. Taking his upset daughter into his arms, he said, Starving yourself won’t help you deal with your problem at school! Don’t worry about it! We’re going to help you. Now I want you to apologize to the woman who took the trouble to put your favorite on the table tonight! While you’re doing that, show her you’re sorry by eating at least two more forkfuls of something!

I can’t eat any more, Daddy! the girl moaned. I’m going to flunk fourth grade and there’s nothing anybody can do about it!

Now, Beth, it’s not as hopeless as that! Dad said as he gave his child an extra hug. Your principal did call me about that today. He said …

"Oh, no; they’re going to put me back in third grade, now!" the girl gasped.

He didn’t even mention such a thing! the dad snapped. After he calmed himself, he added, "From what Dr. Forester did say, I know you still have time to get yourself off the docket to be retained. However, it won’t be easy! You’re going to have to prove you’re up to snuff in math and spelling."

But there’s so much to catch up on! the girl sobbed.

While wiping away his child’s tears, the dad said, Imagine you are the captain of a ship. For quite some time, now, you’ve had to keep your vessel afloat as you plowed through rough waters. As would be expected, you’ve fallen behind schedule. Now, a captain as smart as you are can make up the time. All you need to do is put your smarts to work! If you’ll do that, you’ll be steering your ship into the fifth grade slip at the end of this year.

No, Daddy, that won’t happen. My ship isn’t sinking; it’s on the bottom of the sea! the girl exclaimed. I’m going to be retained!

You’re telling me I’m wrong about that? Dad chuckled. Then, as he tapped his daughter on the head, he said, "I’m not wrong. I’m going to see to it that you use what’s inside this head of yours to get yourself promoted! First of all, you must learn all of the multiplication and division facts. Nobody can do that for you! So, instead of crying about it, you’ll have to master them and there’s only one way to do that. What do you think that is? In response to his daughter’s shrug, he answered his own question by saying, You’re going to have to work your head off to prove you can be the student you’ve been in the past!"

It’s just too much, Daddy, I can’t … the girl groaned.

No, it’s not too much! the father argued. You just have to take it one step at a time. Tonight you make the six times table yours. That’s all -just the sixes! By week’s end, the tables through the nines will be yours!

That’s an awful lot, Daddy! the girl whined while adding, Do you think my real mother might have time to help me on the weekends? Although she didn’t mean to, the girl’s words made her father’s heart ache for the family they once had. Her mother’s decision to leave her married life was more than he could bear.

As always, Beth’s well-being came first. Thus, as her dad blocked his tears, he said, "You know what happened. Your mother is very busy doing her school work, now. She couldn’t possibly help you; she’s still on that Archeological dig in China! So stop dreaming and do what you have to do!"

On the way back to the kitchen, Beth stopped in her tracks for a moment to say, Gracie’s mother is taking courses at a university in Alphabasom. She comes home every day. Why can’t Mommy do that?

After he decided how to answer that question, Beth’s dad spoke softly as he said, "Your mother won a full scholarship to study Anthropology and become a professor in a highly rated university in New York City. I had to accept the fact that she was determined to do that and only that! I’m so thankful that MamaMadison was in the sidelines, ready and willing to fill the void. So now we’re going back into the kitchen and you are going to apologize to her for your rudeness."

* * * * *

Madison was just too hurt to smile graciously and say all was forgiven. Instead of doing that she murmured, I’ve warmed up your dinner. Your brother is already on his seconds! It didn’t make matters any better when Beth screwed up her face as she forced down some more food.

It wasn’t long before everyone’s plates were packed in the dishwasher. Then, as Dad took his turn at washing the cooking vessels, he caught sight of Beth and Todd as they headed for the family room. Hold on there, Todd! he called after them, Isn’t it your turn to spiff up the floors?

Oh, I’m sorry, Dad! I forgot, the boy replied. "Could that wait till Martian Dawn is over?"

Sure, but don’t forget! was the reply. Then, as he turned to Beth, the dad went on to say, As soon as that program is over, it’s upstairs with you! Learn every one of those sixes or there will be no allowance for you this week!

I’ll try, Daddy, but that’s an awful lot to … the girl squawked.

No excuses, Young Lady! I’ll be checking on you, so learn those facts! Dad scolded.

Beth enjoyed watching TV with her brother until she tuned in on what was going on in the kitchen. MamaMadison was doing all she could to control the urge to shout as she said, "I did friendly, Clark! While you were working your head off to do your best at work, I held her hand while she corrected her multiplication errors. Then to be sure she was on the right track, I had her practice the facts she didn’t know. Time and time again it’s been the same thing! Then what happens? One after the other, she brings home the failed tests to be signed! In every case she hadn’t had enough time to finish the tests. Why? She’s shaky on the facts! You would think she’d use that pricey disc to drill them. Does she? I’ll bet not! Sometimes I think she doesn’t want to learn them!"

I know all of that, Madison, but we have to be there for her now. She’s in deep trouble! the girl’s father replied.

"She won’t accept me!" Madison exclaimed as she blotted her tears. She even tells me that her real mother knows how to teach her the facts and I don’t! After all I’ve done for her! I even bought her that expensive box of beads and trinkets so she could enjoy her hobby. I give up! Let the computer be her tutor!"

More than upset to hear this report, Clark said, I had no idea she was saying such things to you. That will never happen again! He had thought Beth would be happy to have another mother,