Chapter 30
Summer
After a short sleep and breakfast, Alex drives Nick and me over to see Mr. MacLeod. Nick insisted on coming with me while the others headed to the beach. They all offered to come, but I didn’t want a crowd.
Mr. MacLeod’s cottage is actually a cottage. A square, one-story house with yellow siding. He’s on the water, but there are sand dunes in front of the house. He greets us at the door and walks us to the dining table where we meet his wife before I call Zander.
“Alright everyone. On Monday morning, we will go before the judge, where we will listen to any evidence Mr. Bancroft’s lawyer has, and I will object to the case. Summer, what information can you tell me regarding your mother, Lily, and Mr. Bancroft?”
“Um, Mom had a one-night stand with someone she met at a bar. They didn’t exchange names or anything, so Lily’s birth certificate is blank under the father’s name.
She would have included that information if she had it.
That’s why Zander’s name is on mine. She wasn’t trying to hide anything from anyone. ”
“That’s helpful,” he nods, taking notes. “Did she ever mention seeing the father again at any point in time?”
“No, never.”
“Did she talk about him to you or Lily?”
“She told me what happened after she found out she was pregnant. I remember Lily asked where her daddy was one time, and Mom told her he was out living his life somewhere, and that satisfied Lily. I don’t remember her ever mentioning him otherwise.”
“That’s good. I’m trying to establish that there was no relationship in existence, so there is no reason to share the money. Now, although I’m not expecting to need this now, do you have your settlement paperwork?”
“Yeah. Zander got it yesterday.”
“I’m hoping this case doesn’t go past Monday and the judge will dismiss it, but I like to be prepared for all outcomes. If we go to trial, I will probably call Sarah as a witness. Depending on how things go, a few people who were around you after the accident. Who would that be?”
“Jake’s dad was the only person around all the time, other than the doctors and nurses.”
“Who is Jake?”
“Oh, sorry. My best friend. He was in the accident with us. He’s in a coma now. His dad handled a lot of the legal stuff for me since I was in the hospital for a few months.”
He nods. “Do you have your medical records?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Good. I would suggest business-casual attire for Monday. I will meet you at 8:30am outside courtroom two. Zander and the boys know where to go. We should be there for less than half an hour. If the case is dismissed, then that’s it.
If it goes to trial, the judge will set the date while we're there. Then I will start contacting witnesses and building your case if needed.”
“What does a case like this look like?” Zander asks from the phone.
“Well, it’s subjective in the sense that there is no smoking gun.
We'll show there has never been any type of relationship between Mr. Bancroft and Summer’s family, why she is solely entitled to the money, Mr. Bancroft’s poor life choices, and things like that.
I see no reason he should be entitled to any of your money, so the judge should side with us.
Being a sperm donor with no contact, which was his choice, shouldn’t give him any rights.
From what I have gathered so far, Mr. Bancroft is doing poorly at work, and I don’t expect him to last much longer there.
That, coupled with what Ben told you about them being cut off by family, is probably making him desperate.
Unfortunately, that has come down on you. ”
“Yay me,” I deadpan.
Mr. MacLeod smiles kindly, then asks if there are any more questions, but we have none. “Now, the hard part of the morning. I need you to verify that the items Zander brought me are, in fact, Lily’s.”
I take a deep breath and nod. I knew this was coming, and I think I’m prepared for it.
Mr. MacLeod walks down a hallway and returns with a clear plastic sealed bag.
He sets it in front of me as I look down.
A tear leaks out as I see Lily bee’s pink hairbrush, headband, hair elastics and clips, and her giraffe toothbrush.
It’s the first time since the accident that I’ve seen anything of hers.
I run my fingers over the bag and then turn it over to make sure none of my or my mom’s hair stuff got mixed in. “It’s all hers,” I tell him.
“Thank you, Summer. That’s all I need from you. I’ll see you Monday morning.”
I nod and get up to leave. Nick follows behind, grabbing my hand as we get outside.
I cry once the door closes behind us and he pulls me into his arms for a hug.
It’s not a loud cry, just a torrent of tears flowing down my face.
Alex joins us and unlocks the SUV, opening my door for me as I climb in. “Darling, are you okay?” Zander says.
“Sorry, yeah, I am. Just needed a minute. Thank you for going up there for me. I don’t think I could've done it.”
“Of course. Hopefully, this will be over on Monday, and you can start your summer on a high note. Call later if you need anything, okay?”
“Yeah. Thanks again,” I say as we hang up.
Alex drives us back to his house, and I let them know I’m calling Sarah from my room. She talks me through my feelings about Lily bee and the case. I cry a few more times, but I feel better afterwards, even though my heart still hurts.
I sit out on the balcony for a while, allowing the bright sun to warm my chilled skin, and watch the guys on the beach. Nick is swimming with Bay and Alex while Seb and E are lying under the canopy talking. There are a lot more people down there today than I’ve seen so far.
Before too long, two girls in bikinis walk up to Seb and E and start a conversation.
Seb sits up to chat with them, but when one of them tries to sit on the blanket between him and E, he shakes his head at her, and they leave, heading for the water.
They try their luck with Alex and Bay next, and the girls last longer this time but still move on.
When one of them spots Nick getting out of the water, she veers over to talk to him, but doesn’t even get within a few feet before she’s moving back beside her friend.
I can’t help but smile, wondering if his scowl or words stopped her in her tracks.
It’s kinda fun people watching. A couple walking along the water’s edge wave at Alex, who returns the gesture.
I get a text from Seb checking in. I tell him to look up at the house and wave when he turns around. He jogs my way after he spots me. “Sunshine,” he sings, coming up the stairs. “How was your chat?”
“Helpful, as always,” I say as he joins me on the balcony.
“What’cha doing up here by yourself?”
“People watching.”
“Oh fun. I have someone to do that with this summer,” he says, rubbing his hands together with a smile. “It’s best in the afternoon or at beach parties. Look,” he points. “I bet those chicks talk to Nick and E or plant themselves on the beach in front of them.”
I look over at who he’s pointing to and see 3 women walking on the sand with string bikinis on, and bags over their shoulders.
They’re walking slowly, looking around. Sure enough, they spot the guys under the canopy and stop to spread towels on the sand between them and the water.
They’re making a big production out of getting settled, bending over to flatten the sand and adjusting their suits while peering back towards the canopy. “Wow,” I say.
“The first few weeks are crazy around here. All the single people are looking for their summer fling. It’ll settle down, though. Don’t worry, you’ll get your fair share of interest, too,” Seb says.
The chicks lather up with sunscreen, one even facing the guys to do so, taking her time to rub around her boobs. “Desperation isn’t a good look,” I say.
Seb barks out a laugh. “No, it’s not Sunshine. Nick and E aren’t even looking at them.”
I notice the guys are both laid out on their backs with their heads facing the house.
Alex and Bay get out of the water and walk towards the canopy.
One girl holds out a tube of sunscreen towards them, but the guys must say no because they keep walking.
“There’s a beach party tonight if you want to go,” Seb tells me.
“Like on the beach or at a beach house?” I ask.
“On the actual beach. In fact, there will probably be several, since it’s the first weekend after school. Want to go?”
“I’m not sure.” I’m feeling a little vulnerable after this morning.
“Okay. We’ll follow your lead. We can go or just have our own bonfire on the beach tonight.”
“You guys can go, Hurry. You don’t need to babysit me.”
“Hey now, it’s not babysitting if I’d rather be with you,” he says.
I smile at him, then notice the guys heading our way. “Come on. It’s lunchtime,” I say, getting up. He follows me downstairs, and I look in the fridge to see what I can make for lunch.
It looks like E has already made wraps and salad for us, so I set them on the island along with two pitchers of iced tea as the guys return.
After lunch, I change to join the guys on the beach.
E and Nick grab the volleyball net this time, and we bring some chairs down.
As the net is being set up, I lather up with sunscreen.
The guys line up for me to get their backs, then we relax on our chairs in the sun.
The three women are gone, but it’s getting more crowded.