Read Online Don't Slay the Dragon (The Chronicles of Elizabeth Marshall Book 1) by Rachel Lucas - Free Book Online
Authors: Rachel Lucas
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seemed to work towards breaking up the tension. How did these two manage to keep from killing each other with no one here all the time to break up their fights? I thought to myself.
We each settled into a peaceful meal. We often bumped elbows and struggled to find room for the serving dishes and our plates on the small table, but at least they had stopped arguing. I always felt so uncomfortable when they argued in front of me. I searched my mind for what I hoped was a safe topic of conversation.
“I guess you’ll be hearing from the Academy soon. Their deadline for notifying scholarship applicants has to be coming up any time now.”
“I really wish you would reconsider this ridiculous idea of being accepted into the Naval Academy, Elizabeth.”
Oh no, had I just stepped into a mine field?
“Drop it, Barbara,” Lisbeth mumbled but kept her head down and concentrated on her plate.
“You know how I feel about the military. They’re just a bunch of lying murderers, controlled by our corrupt government.” Barbara was warming up to the subject. I could see the blotchy red starting to cover Lisbeth’s face. “Besides, their entry requirements are far too strict. You’ll barely make the academic and physical requirements but they look for leadership skills too. When have you ever had any leadership experience?”
“I think Lisbeth has great skills,” I tried to defend her and side-track Barbara but Lisbeth interrupted me.
“I said drop it, Barb,” her voice had lowered and her shoulders were hunched over. “We’ve already been over this a million times before.”
Lisbeth was getting angrier and I hoped Barbara would read the signals and back down. What was with Barbara tonight, anyway? She seemed to be especially combative.
“You’re just doing this to be spiteful,” Barbara wouldn’t let up. “There are plenty of good local universities you could go to right here in the state. They would hand you a scholarship if you just applied for it.”
Lisbeth made a visible effort to get control of her temper. She took a deep breath, carefully put her steak knife and fork down next to her plate, and looked up at her mother across the table.
“I want to go to the Naval Academy, Mother.” Her voice was steady and determined. “I’ve met with the recruiters and scouts several times, as you know. They have assured me that I’ve met all their requirements. You need to just accept the fact that I’m going.”
Now I understood why Lisbeth chose the Naval Academy. It was her great act of rebellion. The military environment went against all of Barbara’s anti-establishment beliefs.
Barbara had always hated the government, the entire political process. The thought the military was just a war machine, full of murderers, sent out into the world as mercenaries to kill innocent lives. It was as though she was born for another age. She would have flourished in the sixties.
It wasn’t enough for Lisbeth to find a school out of state and on the other side of the country from her mother, she had to choose one that Barbara would least approve of. She wanted to find a place as far removed from this little trailer in the run down trailer park and her mother’s control as possible.
“Then why haven’t you heard anything yet?” She goaded. “They would have contacted you by now if they were really interested in you.”
Barbara’s hazel eyes narrowed at her daughter then she stabbed a piece of meat with her fork and put it in her mouth. I watched in trepidation as Lisbeth flattened her hands on the table next to her plate and utensils.
“Lisbeth, I’m about done eating.” I tried desperately for a distraction. “Why don’t we go for a walk then we can help with the dishes when we get back.”
She didn’t seem to hear me. Her left hand now hovered over her steak knife on the table. Barbara continued as though I hadn’t spoken.
“You
We each settled into a peaceful meal. We often bumped elbows and struggled to find room for the serving dishes and our plates on the small table, but at least they had stopped arguing. I always felt so uncomfortable when they argued in front of me. I searched my mind for what I hoped was a safe topic of conversation.
“I guess you’ll be hearing from the Academy soon. Their deadline for notifying scholarship applicants has to be coming up any time now.”
“I really wish you would reconsider this ridiculous idea of being accepted into the Naval Academy, Elizabeth.”
Oh no, had I just stepped into a mine field?
“Drop it, Barbara,” Lisbeth mumbled but kept her head down and concentrated on her plate.
“You know how I feel about the military. They’re just a bunch of lying murderers, controlled by our corrupt government.” Barbara was warming up to the subject. I could see the blotchy red starting to cover Lisbeth’s face. “Besides, their entry requirements are far too strict. You’ll barely make the academic and physical requirements but they look for leadership skills too. When have you ever had any leadership experience?”
“I think Lisbeth has great skills,” I tried to defend her and side-track Barbara but Lisbeth interrupted me.
“I said drop it, Barb,” her voice had lowered and her shoulders were hunched over. “We’ve already been over this a million times before.”
Lisbeth was getting angrier and I hoped Barbara would read the signals and back down. What was with Barbara tonight, anyway? She seemed to be especially combative.
“You’re just doing this to be spiteful,” Barbara wouldn’t let up. “There are plenty of good local universities you could go to right here in the state. They would hand you a scholarship if you just applied for it.”
Lisbeth made a visible effort to get control of her temper. She took a deep breath, carefully put her steak knife and fork down next to her plate, and looked up at her mother across the table.
“I want to go to the Naval Academy, Mother.” Her voice was steady and determined. “I’ve met with the recruiters and scouts several times, as you know. They have assured me that I’ve met all their requirements. You need to just accept the fact that I’m going.”
Now I understood why Lisbeth chose the Naval Academy. It was her great act of rebellion. The military environment went against all of Barbara’s anti-establishment beliefs.
Barbara had always hated the government, the entire political process. The thought the military was just a war machine, full of murderers, sent out into the world as mercenaries to kill innocent lives. It was as though she was born for another age. She would have flourished in the sixties.
It wasn’t enough for Lisbeth to find a school out of state and on the other side of the country from her mother, she had to choose one that Barbara would least approve of. She wanted to find a place as far removed from this little trailer in the run down trailer park and her mother’s control as possible.
“Then why haven’t you heard anything yet?” She goaded. “They would have contacted you by now if they were really interested in you.”
Barbara’s hazel eyes narrowed at her daughter then she stabbed a piece of meat with her fork and put it in her mouth. I watched in trepidation as Lisbeth flattened her hands on the table next to her plate and utensils.
“Lisbeth, I’m about done eating.” I tried desperately for a distraction. “Why don’t we go for a walk then we can help with the dishes when we get back.”
She didn’t seem to hear me. Her left hand now hovered over her steak knife on the table. Barbara continued as though I hadn’t spoken.
“You
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