CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

"Are you sure you don't want to just stay here at Belle Fleur?" asked Lauren, staring at the three men and April.

"We're sure, Miss Lauren," smiled Vic. "We're not far away. The house is just beautiful, and we have a tutor coming three times a week for April. And for us."

"For you?" frowned Erin.

"Yep. There's more for us to learn that we can teach ourselves. Keith is sending someone to us to help catch us up on all the events we missed. I don't think the television is the answer. Them reality television shows confuse the hell out of me," said Calvin. The women just laughed, hugging each of them.

"Mr. Matthew got us a nice used car," said Damon, pointing at the SUV. Used was a relative term. It was only a year old and probably had less than five thousand miles on it. "One thing we didn't forget how to do. Drive."

"We'll come and see you all soon," said Lily, hugging each of them. "April, call us if you need anything. Use the telephone."

"I know how to use the telephone now," she smiled. "I can even text you."

"Text?" frowned Vic.

"I'll explain later," she laughed. "Thank you all!"

They waved until the vehicle was out of sight, all of them crying like babies. The house was literally ten minutes away, but they were going to miss them all.

Yet, in a strange way, it felt right that they should trek out on their own just days after Kaplan was killed. They were free now. Free to make their own choices.

"They'll be okay," said Matthew. "Calvin is going to work at the boy's shelter, and Damon is gonna help Molly and Asia at the shelter downtown. I think they have a lot they could offer the kids. Vic and April are okay staying close to home for a while. When they're ready, we'll have something for them to do as well."

"You're a miracle worker, Matthew," said Lily, kissing his cheek.

"No. I'm not the miracle worker. But I'm fortunate enough to help support hundreds of them. Isn't that an amazing life for a man to live?" Matthew smiled at the girls and walked back toward the cafeteria. Erin smiled at the other women, nodding.

"An amazing life indeed."