Chapter 7
1114 Words
It didn't take long until I called Aunt Rose and told her that I was at Teresa's house. She came to pick me up the next day and I knew that we'd have to have the talk. The one about the next steps, but Ava came over and we had a sleep over, and I didn't want the night to end. We talked and even Abe came up in the conversation. I'd sent him a couple of texts and he seemed to be eager to be there for me. It was kind of sweet the way that he was concerned about me.
But our conversation didn't get far. I didn't know what was next. Aunt Rose spent most of her time traveling, which meant she didn't have a permanent home. I just knew that we couldn't stay in the hotel she rented much longer. Not only had Mom lost most of her money, but Aunt Rose had too. No one knew how.
I frowned as she started the car and pulled away from Teresa's house. What were we going to do?
"Graham has good news," she said as she leaned into a curve.
As much as I loved the idea of staying in a hotel before, knowing that I had nowhere to go made it even worse.
She didn't want for me to respond. "He's got a contract and maybe a record deal so he's leaving in the morning. Good news, right?"
Really?
Was this good news? I didn't know whether to laugh or cry? Uncle G was talking about feeling guilty about not being there for Mom. We still hadn't set a date for the funeral and he's running off for his record label. I didn't know what to think of anything at the moment. I was angry at the dead, but now I was just as furious with the living.
Did no one care?
My last two living relatives didn't seem to give a damn.
Then she blurted out of nowhere, "I have no money Vicki. I'm not going to lie. I sold the house, so I could travel and try and further my career. Besides, I was in a bad way when Dad died and not feeling great after Mom's death."
I wanted to point out that she only came to the funeral for Gran. Mom packed up and so did I to spend some time with her, Aunt Rose didn't even bother.
"I thought that I at least had money in Graham's trust fund account, but that's gone, and I need to pay for your mom's funeral. This is just killing us. At least if Graham signs his contract and gets an advance, then we can figure out how to pay for the funeral and then take things from there."
Again, I nodded waiting for her to catch her breath and tell me my fate.
"And it seems that your mom made plans in case some-thing happened, you know, something like this. So, with at least sorting out the funeral, you don't have to worry about go-ing to school. You can go to Hawk Academy in the next couple of weeks."
Again, I nodded not knowing where the hell this acad-emy was or what else she had to tell me.
"I'm supposed to be in my final year. Going to college, and now..."
She turned to face me for the first time since she picked me up. I thought that she was feeling bad about the fact that I ran out of Ned's office, but now I could tell that there was something else on her mind.
"I travel a lot. I can't leave you alone or move you all the way to New York. It makes no sense. You belong here, but I don't think that's possible."
I remembered Teresa's dad offered for me to stay with them. Just to finish the final year.
"I could stay with Teresa and her parents. Yes, you are my legal guardian, right? So, we could talk to her parents and then you could send some money or something..."
She shook her head. "No. I couldn't give them money for your keep. That just wouldn't be right. And it seems that your mom made plans for you to go to Hawk Academy. It would just be easier for everyone."
Her blue eyes started to fill with tears and then I knew that that this was just as difficult for her as it was for me. Even if I was having doubts about her motives. She seemed to be sad, but sure the hell didn't act like it. If I really thought about it, I remembered Mom calling and telling her about Gran. She said that she would arrive soon and always found an excuse not to come. Until the day of the funeral. Apparently, she dropped everything to come then, and as soon as it was all over, she was gone again.
Did Mom really call her?
I mean they were twins, but they were so different in not only looks but the way they acted too. Mom would help anyone in need, whereas Aunt Rose would think twice about it.
"I don't want to do this," she said as she held my hand, "But, it's in the will. If anything should happen to her, then you should go there."
"Why? Mom didn't have enough money to send me to a private school, when she was alive. Why would she send me to one when she was dead?"
She shrugged as she couldn't hold back the tears any-more. She pulled me in closer and started to sob. I wanted to see her face, to figure out if they were real tears or just croco-dile ones.
"If it all goes bad. Sour and you're not happy then I'll find a way. But can you give it a try? It would be better for all of us in the long run."
I nodded my head, I didn't want to, but things were hard enough as it was at the moment and I didn't want to make it even more difficult. I didn't have a choice. I had a chance to finish school and by the sound of things, I'd have to find a way to get help to go on to a university. Maybe get financial aid, or scholarships, but I had to figure that out in the coming months, not right now.
There was light at the end of the tunnel, and I should have been happy, but it just made me feel even worse. I was leaving Utah again, but not for a little while this time. This time it was for good.
- Writer
