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The two sat down and Charlie told Maggie all about the past few days. Maggie was fascinated to hear Charlie tell about the jet ride; she laughed to hear the way her friend had tricked Adam into eating his dinner and how he had finally fallen asleep in time for the Christmas concert; she smiled when Charlie related the pretty dress she wore and how Adam had choked on his drink when he first saw her in it; Maggie gasped with surprise when Charlie told her that she had actually been to Adam's Christmas concert, and all about the red dress mix-up.

"And that very night," continued Charlie, "was when he first told me that he loved me."

Maggie sighed dreamily; that was the best part of the story.

"He sent me this music box, just today," said Charlie, showing her the ornate box.

Charlie wound it up and played the tune for Maggie. A solitary sad tear rolled down Maggie's cheek.

"What's wrong, Maggie?" asked Charlie.

"Dad said I can't see Jeff, anymore!" she cried.

"Did he give a reason?" asked Charlie, sympathetically.

"Dad says he doesn't trust Jeff alone with me; that he's just going to get me pregnant and then ditch me; he said cops can't be trusted," repeated Maggie, accepting Charlie's shoulder to cry on.

"There, there," said Charlie, patting Maggie on the back, comfortingly.

"Jeff tried to reason with Dad, but Dad refused to listen!" continued Maggie. "I can't ever see Jeff again!" With that, Maggie wept so pitifully, that Charlie found herself weeping, also. There was little that Charlie could say to console her. Maggie was losing out on the one hope to have a family of her own, that she had ever had. When she left later that evening, it was with a bittersweet heart; Maggie rejoiced in her friend's happiness, but she mourned for Jeff-- the only man she had ever loved.


The next morning, Charlie woke up to find reporters in front of the Overholt house. In accordance with Adam's instructions, Melvin had officially announced Wallace Shipley's engagement to Charlotte Overholt.

"Such a commotion!" Vera said, entering Charlie's bedroom. "The phone's been ringing off the hook! Gloria said it's even on the news. Come, you had better dress, for there's someone in the living room to see you," coaxed Vera.

"Is it Adam?" asked Charlie, getting dressed to meet her company.

"No, it isn't," said Vera. "It's Melvin."

Melvin politely stood up when Charlie entered the room.

"It's nice to see you again, Charlie," he greeted, shaking her hand. "Adam sent me to help you prepare for the press. There's been a lot of publicity over this tour, and your engagement is now right in the middle of it!"

"What do you want me to do?" asked Charlie, surprising herself by how calm she was. After the school board's interrogation, she felt she could endure anything.

"When you go outside, remain calm and confident," instructed Melvin. "When you're asked something that surprises or shocks you, don't become flustered. If you don't want to answer a question, simply smile politely and say, 'no comment,' or, 'I'd rather not say.' Don't let anyone provoke you into speaking rashly. Always appear to be in control-- especially when you're not."

"Anything else?" asked Charlie.

"If you would," suggested Melvin, "refrain from calling your father, 'Daddy.' It's in Adam's best interest that you appear to be as mature, as possible. Also, try not to overuse the words, 'you know,' 'like,' and, 'uh.'"

"I wasn't aware that I did," smiled Charlie, amused.

"Any questions concerning Adam's tour, you either defer to me, or, if I'm not there, don't answer. When sex is brought up, be careful how you answer. If it unintentionally comes off as though you and Wallace have had sex, then Adam is going to get into a lot of trouble, because you're under age. This is a very sensitive subject, so be careful."

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