Next Generation (Book 4)

Gut Feeling

|Paul's POV|

Something in my gut was telling me Murphy was up to something when she wanted to be dropped off to school early. She said she had work to do, I didn't question it. After dropping her and Vaughn off, I waited for them to go into the building before pulling off and heading back home.

As I entered the house, Steph was coming down the stairs.

"Hey, you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine.

I watched the frown form on her face. Ever since my health scare a few years back, she's been watching me more intently than ever.

"You don't look fine, Paul. What's wrong?"

"I'm just thinking of what Murphy is up to. She's been extremely moody lately."

She rolled her eyes.

"Paul, this is not our first rodeo raising moody teenage girls. This is not new."

"What's new is her wanting to get to school this early."

She sighed.

"Paul, are you really questioning this?"

"Yes. When it comes to any of the kids, my gut is never wrong. When something is off, it's off."

"Fair enough. Well, until she gives us reason to think otherwise..."

"I'll table it for now. What's the game plan for today?"

"You and I, relaxing, going to lunch, then picking up the girls and off to Houston we go."

"Relaxing?"

"Yes, have you heard of it? It's quite amazing."

I laughed at her sarcasm.

"Come on."

"Where are we going?"

"Back to bed. Paul, stop questioning me and move it!"

She didn't have to tell me twice. When we got up again, we double checked to make sure we had everything before getting in the truck. We were grabbing lunch and picking up the girls early.

Steph stayed in the car to take a call as I went to sign the girls out of school. I was waiting in the office as they called for early dismissal for both Murphy and Vaughn. Vaughn came in first.

"Leaving school early on a Friday, my kind of start to the weekend."

I laughed at her comment.

"Mr. Levesque, Murphy never signed in today," the secretary stated.

I turned to Vaughn to see if she knew anything.

"Have you seen your sister?"

She shook her head. I turned back to the secretary.

"Thank you. Have a good weekend."

"You too," she replied, giving me a half hearted smile.

Just as we were about to leave, Murphy appeared.

"Hey dad."

"Where were you?"

"In class."

"Why didn't you sign in this morning?"

"Oh, I forgot. My friends and I went to get breakfast during our free period this morning."

I gave her a look.

"Go to the car. I'll be right out."

Vaughn nodded, but Murphy shook her head.

"You don't believe me?" she questioned.