Francine rapped lightly on her father's office door, and at his gruff invitation, she stepped inside. The moment she closed the door behind her, she could see the anger etched across his face, his eyes narrowed as if he was trying to decipher a complex puzzle.
"Sit," he commanded, pointing to the chair across his massive, dark wood desk.
"Hi, dad," she greeted, offering her sweetest smile in an attempt to diffuse his anger. However, his stern gaze made her feel small, causing her to sink into the chair as if she were a little girl again.
A soft knock interrupted their silent standoff, and her father called for the person to enter. Francine's mouth fell open in surprise as she recognized the newcomer. Her eyes followed their every move as they gracefully took a seat beside her, their gaz
