In the Newspaper

Chapter Thirty-three

“Janelle! Come on! It’s time for church.” Her father’s voice boomed from the foot of the stairway. “I haven’t been home on a Sunday for three weeks, and I don’t want to be late.”

         She glanced at her watch as she curled her hair in the bathroom. “Be right there, Dad,” she called. Releasing her hair from the curling wand, she walked into the hallway and glanced over the stair railing. “Give me five minutes, okay?”

He stood at the bottom, an open newspaper in his hands. “Those reporters put your story in the paper after all.”

         “What?” She ran down the stairs.

         “Yep. Front page too.”

         Janelle took the newspaper. The headline read, “PI’S DAUGHTER KIDNAPPED.” A full-length story followed, finishing up on page 8A. Janelle’s college graduation picture was in the corner of the front page, right next to a picture of her dad.

         “Look at this.” He took the paper. “They make such a big deal about me being your father.” He began reading the article. “ ‘Janelle Weaver, daughter of the prominent and local private investigator George Weaver, president of Weaver Investigation Services, was kidnapped Friday night.’ ” He lowered the paper. “Do they think I’m some kind of celebrity?”

         Janelle sighed. She would never get out from his shadow. “Maybe this will help your business, Dad. A blessing in disguise.”

         “A blessing! How can you say­­—”

         The phone rang.

         “Great!” Dad threw down the paper as he went into the kitchen to answer it. “Now everyone and his brother will be calling to ask what happened.”

“Don’t get upset, Dad. Your blood pressure, remember.” She picked up the newspaper, hoping they got the facts right. 

Reading the first two sentences, a grin stole to her face. Wow! She was in the newspaper!

* * *

         Until tomorrow… May the Lord bless your day!