Frog Tale by JT Schultz Page A

the fact she’s my sister and I will love her, but I certainly don’t have to like her or think her mean spirit is appropriate.”
    “You little bitch!” Stella rose off the seat of the sofa about to lunge at her. Part of Chloe wished her sister would just ‘bring it’ so she could punch her into the next decade.
    “Stella! Don’t call your sister a bitch.” Their father focused his attention on her sister and glanced at Chloe. “She has no right to bully you and say cruel things.”
    “Too bad it’s the nature of her tongue and you do little to stop it.” She sounded bitter. What a coincidence, she was very bitter. “Then again, I can tell you really don’t care about me as much as she and Georgina, since you didn’t even bother waiting up for me last night. I’m not one of your blonde bimbo daughters am I Daddy? Only the ugly duckling. Good thing I came home and didn’t fall victim to one of the evil predators mom always worries about, but she no doubt popped a sleeping pill and fell asleep since it wasn’t one of her blonde idiots out late.”
    Her father’s temper reflected in his eyes. “That isn’t fair.”
    She scowled trying to be emotionally moved by her father’s disposition, all his attitude did though was kick her anger up past the numbness. “Neither is your favoritism toward the bimbettes.”
    Her father parted his lips and lifted an arm about to wag a finger in her when the one of the maids walked in. “I’m sorry to interrupt sir, but a delivery arrived for Miss Starling.”
    “Oh! I love presents!” Stella squealed and bounced off the sofa. Her hair looked terrible but , knowing their mother, she would pay to give the vain little bitch hair extensions.
    The maid cast a leveled gaze. “Not for you.” Georgina stepped forward and the maid offered her a bland smile. “Or you.” She turned to Chloe who remained seated. “Special delivery, Miss Starling.”
    The maid passed her the small box and she blinked. She never got mail, not even a postcard. Once she got a credit card offer, but her father told her not until she got a job. Then went on about how there were merits to using cash and mumbled what idiot company would send a card offer to a child who couldn’t enter a legal, binding contract.
    With careful preciseness, she opened the box and removed a black velour square box. She lifted the lid, stared at the name of the upscale and prestigious jewelry store name, then glanced at the black satin. The most amazing necklace stared up at her.
    Chloe,
    Don’t sell yourself short. You can be anything…Remember to me you will always be more than a princess, but a queen.
    My love always and forever...
    Georgina squealed. “Those are real diamonds. That necklace is expensive.”
    She lifted her gaze to her sister then darted a quick glance to Stella, who glowered in rage. Turning back to Georgina, she smiled. “Why yes they are and yes the necklace is very costly, thick rope chains have a tendency to be such.” Her attention fell back on the tiara shaped pendent on the thick almost white gold chain. The necklace and pendent would have cost a small fortune.
    “I’m going to borrow that!” Stella snapped. “You owe me for cutting my hair.”
    Anger rose within her and she glared at her sister. “You touch this necklace and so help me Stella. You will lose a lot more than a few inches of hair.”
    “Stella! Chloe!” Her father yelled. “I've had enough of the fighting.”
    Her gaze narrowed on her father. “Then I suggest you lock the blonde terrors in a noise proof room.”
    “Stella, Georgina, leave me to speak with Chloe―alone.” Her father’s penetrating stare never wavered from her.
    “ You're really going to get it now!” Georgina reveled as she and her evil counterpart walked out of the room. Chloe remained silent and held the note in her hand tight. Again, her gaze wandered to the expensive jewelry against black satin.
    “ I think we need to talk.” Her father