Chapter Ten

The rest of the day felt like a dream. She felt free for the first time she could remember and had the time of her life. There were twelve girls, including her, in a small room with a large round table. She liked that because she could see everyone’s faces. She met two new girls, and they were just as sweet as the rest.

When the others talked about their daddies, Courtney started to feel like an outsider. She knew she’d have to think about her future, and she didn’t know where to start. She never imagined being free from her mother. Now that she had that freedom, she had to be independent.

She wasn’t worried about money. Even though she couldn’t get her father’s inheritance until she was twenty-five, she still had enough in her bank account because of the monthly dividends her father had set up. She wasn’t sure, but she figured it would be a large sum since she’d never used a cent of it.

They stayed at the restaurant for over two hours. Some of the women came home with Larkin, but others were picked up by their daddies or their daddies’ drivers.

Once back at the house, Courtney decided to go to the bank and check the balance in her account. The only problem was she had the bankbook but didn’t have any identification to prove it was hers.

“Hey,” Brylee said. “What are you thinking about? You look so sad.”

Courtney shook her head. “No. Not sad. I’m just trying to figure a few things out.”

The other girls stopped talking.

“Like what?” Larkin asked.

“I need to find out what my balance is in my account that my father started for me, but I don’t have identification.”

“No driver’s license?” Shelby asked.

Courtney shook her head. “No. And we never traveled, so I don’t have a passport.”

The girls looked around at each other.

“Nia is the only one with a driver’s license,” Eve said. “I don’t think I have a passport either.”

The others nodded.

“Do you have a family lawyer?” Larkin asked.

“Yes, but I only have his name,” Courtney said.

“Let’s see if we can’t find his number so we can call him,” Brylee said.

It didn’t take long. The Internet was a wonderful thing.

The girls sat around her as she made her call.

“Hello. This is Stewert, Jenkins, and Masterson Layer’s office. How may I assist you?”

Courtney clutched the phone. “Um, may I speak with Mr. Stewert, please?”

“Do you have an appointment, Miss?” the woman said.

Courtney gritted her teeth. “No. Do I need one for a phone call?”

“May I have your name?”

“Yes. It’s Courtney Warner.”

“Let me see if he has a minute.”

“Thank you.” She felt a small measure of relief.

“Courtney?” a man’s voice said.

She perked up. “Yes. This is Courtney.”

“I’m sorry I wasn’t able to talk to you earlier,” he said.

It took her a second to realize who he was. “You were the man with my mother?”

“Yes, Honey. I could tell how anxious you were, so I decided to get your mother out of there as soon as I could.”

“Thank you for that, Mr. Stewert.”

“You’re welcome. Now, please call me James. I had known your father for a long time. He was a very good man.”

“I think so, too.

“Now, tell me, what can I do for you today?” James asked.

“Well, now that you know I’m on my own, I’d like to get into my bank account. The one my father set up for me.”

“Do you know who your bank is?”

“Yes. I have my bankbook. It’s not up to date, and I have no idea how much is in it. I never needed it until now.”

“I can meet you there and get you in, but I thought Mr. Blackwood was helping you?”

Courtney swallowed. “No, sir. He’s just Larkin’s daddy’s friend.”

“Oh. Okay. When can you meet me, Honey?”

“Anytime,” she said.

“How about in thirty minutes?” James said. “Or I could pick you up.”

“No. I can take an Uber. It’s no problem. I’ll see you then.”

“Yes. Bye.”

“Bye.” Courtney handed the phone back to Larkin. “He’s meeting me at the bank in thirty minutes. He’d said he’d be able to help me.”

“If you need a ride, Hicks would be glad to drive you?” Larkin said.

“No. An Uber is fine.”

Larkin reached for her hand. “I wish you’d wait until my daddy gets home. He’d know what to do.”

Courtney shook her head. “No. I’m not going to bother your daddy anymore.”

“But you’re not a bother. I promise.”

“Let me see what I can do first. Okay?”

Larkin sighed. “All right. Do you want one of us to go with you?”

“No. The lawyer will be there with me.”

“I’m going to brush my teeth and hair.” Courtney walked toward the bathroom and stopped suddenly, turning back. “I don’t have any money on me. Can I borrow from one of you, please?”

“We got you covered,” Brylee said.

“You guys are a godsend to me, and I love every one of you.”

“We love you, too,” they cried as they surrounded her.

Courtney closed the bathroom door behind her and exhaled. She wanted desperately to tell them of her fear of being alone, but she had to do this for herself, and there was no way she’d ask them for more. They’d done so much already.

She checked herself in the mirror after brushing her teeth and hair. She could tell she’d gained a few pounds because her face was fuller. Her nose had a few freckles on it from being out in the garden. She could also see her hair was growing out, and she wanted to make it look better so she’d find a way to change it.

When she opened the door, she saw all the girls standing and waiting for her, smiling.

Larkin held out a small purse. “Take this. It has money, lip gloss, your bankbook, and some mints.”

Courtney’s eyes filled with tears. “I couldn’t ask for better friends.”

“Don’t you dare cry,” Brylee said, her own eyes filled with tears she was furiously trying to hold back.

Courtney sniffed and grinned. “Sorry.”

“We called an Uber for you,” Shelby said. “Are you sure you don’t want one of us with you?”

Courtney wanted to yell, Yes, but I have to grow up and take care of myself now . “No, but thank you.”

She hugged them as the Uber drove up to the house. She walked down the steps, turned back when she got to the car, and waved. “I’ll talk to you soon. I’ll call you when I can.”

The women looked shocked.

“Wait,” Larkin said. “You’re coming back here, right?”

Courtney slid into the car. “Not right now, but I’ll have to come back for my clothing, and I have to see you guys again.”

“No,” Brylee called out. “You need to come back here.”

Courtney shook her head and tried to smile. “I’ll see you soon.” The girls kept yelling and trying to get her attention, but she ignored them. “Let’s go.” She gave him the address, and they drove off.

So many emotions were racing through her, and none of them were good. She needed to get through the next few hours and find a hotel for the night. Only then would she let the tears fall that desperately wanted to cascade down her face.