CHAPTER 17CHARLIE
July 16, 2090
A single tear slipped down her cheek, caught the sunlight, and projected an entire spectrum of colors. It was a glimmer of hope from a manifestation of despair . . . This story will be continued on your next birthday.
I carefully tore the pages of Kat’s birthday story out of my notebook and folded it to fit in the envelope sitting on the seat of the truck beside me. At first, I had planned to buy her something new for the kitchen, but I had spent all of my paper route money on parts for the truck. Then I decided to take her for a drive, but I still couldn’t get the truck started. So I finally decided to write her a story, which I had finished with minutes to spare. It was almost ten o’clock on a Sunday morning, and the Aumonts would be home from church an
