Chapter 42
Summer
Saturday morning, Bay and Seb go home, but I decide to stay with Alex to get some schoolwork and SAT prep done while Zander works.
As we’re quizzing each other on the couch, E shows up, bags in hand, looking absolutely destroyed. Alex and I jump up and go over to him. “E, what’s going on?”
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry,” he says, before breaking down and crying. Alex and I take his bags from him and set them on the floor before leading him to the couch.
“What happened?” Alex asks.
“I left. You guys were right. They don’t care about me at all. I tried everything. I went along with as much of it as I could stand, but it didn’t matter.”
“Start at the beginning,” Alex says.
“My grandparents are not nice people. Georgia, the girl I was in the paper with, has been at every function since, at our table. I promise that I never let her touch me again, but she was always there. She’s even been to dinners at the house.
“After I talked with you and Steven, I met with the lawyer and found out there are no conditions set for my inheritance. To gain more control, she recommended I ask them to put the inheritance terms in a written agreement for everyone to sign. They said they would, so I’ve been waiting, but it never happened.
“I finally confronted them yesterday, and my grandmother admitted they wouldn't agree to anything. They planned to keep changing the conditions of my inheritance and wouldn’t simply hand it over, even when I graduated from college. My dad still doesn’t have all of his inheritance from them.
They bought his house and keep him in the lifestyle he’s accustomed to, but they still control his money.
I never knew that. When he didn’t marry the woman they chose for him, I guess they refused to give him the money.
He got some when I was born, but not all of it, and he never will. ”
I get up and get him a bottle of water. He thanks me and takes a few mouthfuls before returning to his story.
“When they decided I was to be their heir, they decreased his allowance. That’s why I haven’t seen him since I moved in.
He’s pissed off at them. I told Steven what I had planned for today for my grandparents as one last-ditch effort, and he told me it wouldn’t work.
And when I realized he was right, I knew I needed to cut ties with them because I was setting myself up for a life of loneliness and misery.
He knew the three of us broke up and tried to make me understand that money isn’t worth it,” he sighs.
“I assume he mentioned our situation?” Alex asks.
Nodding, E continues. "He admitted his failures and voiced his many regrets.
He would give up all his money to have that time back and would choose differently if he could.
So, back to my idea. My grandparents had a lunch reservation at the restaurant we went to before prom, and I asked the chef if I could prepare their lunch.
I went in there and created my own dishes, made them all myself, and the staff served them.
They were so impressed with the food that they wanted to meet the chef.
When I walked out and told them I was the chef, that I had designed and prepared all the food myself, they said it was wonderful but foolish because I could never be a chef.
“My grandmother summoned me to the sitting room shortly after we returned, where Georgia and her family were waiting to talk about our engagement. I rushed back to my room, threw my belongings into my bags, and quickly left. And here I am now.”
Alex and I exchange a look. “Welcome home,” Alex says. “Let us get you unpacked and settled.”
We grab E’s bags and haul them into our room.
I grab a pen and paper to start a list of whatever he needs as we help him unpack his things.
It’s mostly clothes, books, and toiletries.
I fill his dresser drawers while he and Alex work on the closet.
Once I’m done, I grab his cookbooks and take them to the living room bookshelves.
When I check back with them, it seems E has most, if not all, of his clothes. “Are you missing anything?” I ask.
“My basketball uniform and a few other clothes were in the laundry, but I have the rest.”
“What about non-clothing items?”
He goes over to his backpack and dumps it on the bed.
“My laptop. I have all my school stuff because I haven’t started my homework yet, but I left my laptop on my desk.
A few picture frames, too. I was so stunned about the engagement I wasn’t thinking.
All the stuff from when I was growing up too, but I don’t care about that so much. ”
I write all that down. “How do you want to handle getting that stuff?”
“I don’t know. They must've realized by now I left. I took everything out the side door and drove off without saying anything to them.”
“I will ask my father to come upstairs,” Alex says.
We go out to the couch to wait for Steven, who arrives a few minutes later. “Hello everyone. What’s going on?”
“E moved out,” I reply, “but he’s missing some things from there, and we’re not sure the best way to get them.”
E fills Steven in on what happened, and he thinks it over for a few minutes.
“I believe you have a few options, Elijah. You can return and tell them you’ve moved out, want nothing to do with them, and retrieve your items. Or, if you are not in a place you can deal with them directly, we can ask to have the items sent here or allow someone to get them for you. ”
“Mentally, I don’t think I can see them right now,” E replies, looking down at the floor, shuffling his feet.
“They may get rid of everything to spite you. Let me call them and see what the best option is. Excuse me for a moment.”
“I’m proud of you for leaving E,” I tell him, squeezing his hand.
“Do you think we can get back together?” He asks hopefully.
“I don’t know about that, E,” I reply, shaking my head. “You’ve done a lot of damage. It’s not something I can do right now, but I'm still your friend.”
E looks down and nods. “I should text Seb and Bay the news.”
Steven returns from the hallway before he gets a chance. “Georgia’s family has left. They didn’t realize you had moved out and thought you were having a tantrum instead. I’m not sure they believe that you have cut ties despite my telling them you did. We can pick up your things tomorrow morning.”
“Thank you, Steven. I didn’t ask, but are you okay with my staying here?”
“Yes Elijah. This is your home now. I’ll take care of everything you need. Not to worry,” he smiles.
E
Steven and Alex drive me to my grandparents’ after breakfast the next morning.
We ate in the dining room downstairs, and I can’t remember the last time that happened.
Alex and Steven were so relaxed with each other, and I’m happy for them.
Steven suggested I bring my emancipation papers, which I had drawn up months ago, just in case.
I’m hoping to avoid everyone when we get there.
The butler greets us at the door and insists we wait in the formal parlor for my grandparents, despite telling him I just need to grab my things. “This is going to be bad.” I tell Alex and Steven in a low voice as we take our seats.
“Don’t worry, Elijah, I will handle them,” Steven says with a kind smile.
Nodding, I sit back. I’m not a confrontational guy, and this is stressing me out.
I wish Summer was here right now. She was always so strong in dealing with my family and always had my back.
I messed that all up, though. Seb didn’t offer to come with me today, either.
Considering how they would’ve treated him, I can understand him not volunteering, but I don’t think he would’ve come anyway because he’s so hurt. I have to find a way to get them back.
Coffee service interrupts my musings. Alex and Steven both take a mug, but I don’t need extra caffeine this morning with how much anxiety I have.
After a long 30 minute wait that I’m positive is intentional, my grandparents finally show. My grandparents exchange pleasantries before sitting. “Now, Elijah, what is all this nonsense about you moving out?” Bill asks.
“I have moved out, grandfather. I can’t stay here anymore, and I won’t marry that girl.”
He waves away my concern. “If you feel that strongly, then we can find another girl. Your grandmother has several suitable ones to choose from. No need to have a tantrum.”
I put my face in my hands. They’ll never get it.
“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 follow Alex 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.