The Third Throne: Angel of Darkness Read Online Free Page B

their plans.  He might cancel the trip and have her evaluated.
    “Uncle Bob, do you think I’m strange?” she asked before she could stop herself.
    He pondered her question for a moment and tilted his head.  “No.  I think you are very bright, intelligent, loving, and caring.  I don’t think that’s strange.  Why would you ask that?”
    “I feel out of place sometimes, like I have a force field around me.  I see what’s going on, but I don’t feel like I’m a part of it.  I feel disconnected,” she was afraid he would dismiss her concerns.
    “My darling, you see the world very differently than most, but there’s nothing wrong with that.  I’ve watched you grow up and I know you’ve had trouble making friends.  CJ is the only person you are close to, which is fine, but I believe you need to trust people more.  You are very quick to judge strangers and decide they are not worth getting to know better.  Take the time to learn about people and you will build friendships.  Patience and understanding are vital to creating new bonds with those around you,” Uncle Bob patted her arm.
    Michelle hung her head.  “I understand what you are saying, but sometimes it’s hard to let people in.  Maybe if I can get some distance from this place, I can start over.”
    Uncle Bob took Michelle’s hands into his.
    “Michelle, life isn’t easy.  We don’t always know what fate has in store for us.  I promise that you will make sense of things in time.  You are in such a rush to leave home, but I’m afraid you might regret losing the simplicity of this place.  The world can be overwhelming and you will have to find your own way.  You will take on new responsibilities and be expected to do great things.  You may yearn for the safety of this life and wish you had stayed a little longer,” he sounded wistful when he spoke, as if he regretted growing up too fast or having too many responsibilities on his shoulders.
    Michelle slumped back into the couch and felt guilty for wanting to rush through the next few weeks.  She took his advice to heart and told herself to be patient.  He always had a way of making her see things from a different perspective.  She valued his opinion above all others.
    “Okay.  I’ll relax and try to enjoy what I have here,” she pulled her hands away from his and picked at her fingernails while she thought about what he said.  She would try to make the most of the next few weeks so that she wouldn’t regret rushing through it.
    CJ burst into the living room and greeted Uncle Bob with a handshake.  “Good to see you, Uncle Bob.  I want to hear all about Maui, or Canada, or wherever you were, but after dinner,” he quickly headed into the kitchen to see what Mrs. Black was making.
    Uncle Bob chuckled when he saw CJ’s enthusiasm over a pot roast.  “His parents still make him frozen dinners I see.”
    “Yes, they do.  Sometimes I think it’s the only reason CJ is friends with me.  If mom ever stopped cooking, he would move on to some other girl who had a mother with culinary abilities,” Michelle chuckled darkly.
    Uncle Bob laughed.  “Don’t dismiss the boy’s feelings so quickly.  Though, if his parents cooked, he would probably have to come up with a new excuse to spend so much time here.”
    Michelle rolled her eyes.  “Stick to Communication Management, Uncle Bob and forget the relationship advice.  You’re bad at it.  Three girls asked him to Prom this afternoon alone.  Well, technically, it would have been four, but I saw her stalking him and he was able to avoid her.  I have to help him sift through the offers tonight.  He needs to give them an answer by tomorrow.  There will be a lot of crushed hearts come morning,” she hated the thought of helping him pick the future Mrs. Jeffries, but she would do it with a smile to make him happy.
    Uncle Bob crossed his legs on the couch and rubbed his chin.  “I beg your pardon; I happen to be very good