“If I may,” Steven interrupts with a friendly smile. “Elijah has moved into our home permanently. He is no longer your heir. I have already contacted my lawyer to file for emancipation on Monday morning, as he still has his paperwork from this spring. Mr. Macleod will request an emergency injunction, so we should be in front of the judge no later than Tuesday. I would suggest calling your attorney first thing tomorrow morning to prepare.”
Grandmother gasps, gripping her pearls, while grandfather looks pissed.
“Now, if you would allow Elijah and Alex to grab his belongings from his room, we will take our leave. I’m sure you have plans for this beautiful Sunday,” Steven continues with a smile still on his face.
“He will take nothing from here!” Grandfather bellows, getting up from his chair while his face turns red. “You ungrateful child. We offered you the world, and you thank us by causing a scandal. How dare you!” he yells, spittle flying from his mouth. “Everything you own is mine. If you leave, it will be with the clothes on your back and nothing else.”
Alex taps my shoulder, gesturing for me to get up. Steven is now standing as well. “Bill, if this is the path you wish to take, then we can certainly go down this road, but if you are concerned about a scandal, then I suggest you allow Elijah to grab his basketball uniform and school supplies. That’s all he wants from his room. He will, however, be keeping his truck. It was a birthday present from his parents, and the title is in his name. The rest you can do with as you wish,” Steven responds, as calm as when we got here.
Grandmother is still clutching her pearls, literally, while grandfather gets even redder. “Fine,” he spits, and calls for the butler to retrieve my things. He quickly returns with a box in hand, passing it to Steven.
“We’ll be going now. Enjoy the rest of your day,” Steven says, gesturing for Alex and me to leave first. I followAlex out the front door and get into the back seat. Wow. Steven swiftly places my box on the seat next to mine before settling into the passenger seat. I check it and see my sneakers, uniform, a hoodie, and my laptop inside.
“Thank you both. That was…crazy,” I say, shaking my head.
“I expected them to put up more of a fight,” Alex replies.
“They would have if I wasn’t there, I believe, but it’s over now. You’ll have no further contact with them if you don’t want to, Elijah,” Steven says, looking over his shoulder to make eye contact with me.
“What about the emancipation?” I ask.
“That’s for the lawyers to discuss. If you want it, we can certainly get that done, but I’m assuming your grandparents want this kept as quiet as possible, in which case you can just remain with us until you turn 18. Then it’s a moot point.”
“I don’t care, as long as I never have to go back there.”
Nodding, Steven turns back around to face forward. “We’ll see what their lawyer has to say tomorrow, then.”
The following week is both stressful and lighter. The lawyers went back and forth the first part of the week, with reputation winning. Emancipation will not occur, but I have severed all ties with my family. The thought of my lost inheritance still gives me anxiety, but Steven and Alex have been great. I hope to get my footing in my new life soon.
Chapter 43
Summer
“Thanksgiving's this week, Sunshine. Are you gonna go Black Friday shopping with us?” Seb asks me after school on Monday.
Man, how can it be Thanksgiving already? The holiday didn’t even register with everything going on. “Who all goes?”
“Everyone, including Z, Troy, and Gabby. We divide and conquer. It’s a lot of fun.”
“Sounds good to me. Any special activities like Easter?”
“Alex and his dad always work at a soup kitchen serving turkey dinner. The rest of us have volunteered over the years, but there’s honestly so many people who volunteer that weekend that it’s crazy. We usually donate food to different charities, which cook meals for lower-income families instead. We use Black Friday to get toys and stuff for the kids for Christmas too.”
“That’s nice. Where do you eat?”
“Alex, Bay, and E at home. Z always comes to our place to eat. Although maybe we need to adjust that this year. I’ll talk to the guys and see.”
“Something to look forward to then,” I smile. “I invited Sue to join us, but she made plans with Mal.”
Seb calls later that night, and with all the changes in our extended family, Thanksgiving is being held at Alex’s house this year.
Zander and I are up early on Thursday morning to bake. Troy and E are doing the cooking today, including two turkeys. E is cooking the traditional turkey in the oven while Troy is deep-frying one.
Zander and I are baking several pies. Seb is busy getting shopping lists ready with Gabby for Black Friday tonight. Bay will be with his family for dinner, but he's joining us later to shop. “So, what can I help with?” Zander asks after we’ve cleaned up breakfast.
“I’ll get the crusts prepared if you'll cut the apples.” I made a traditional pie crust after school this week to prepare for today. We’ve decided on four pies: apple, pumpkin, blueberry, and coconut cream. I watch the parade as we bake. Jake, Lily bee, and I watched it every year growing up, and I still love seeing the enormous balloons.
The morning goes quickly, and we’re soon packing up to leave. The door to Alex’s house is unlocked, so I head towards the kitchen. Alex, Steven, and Troy are in front of the tv when I pass. I find Seb and Gabby at the kitchen table with a laptop, and E at the island. “Pies have arrived,” I announce, setting them on the counter.
