Chapter 14
The next day, after receiving a call from Mitch, Bennett arrived at Mitch and Shelly’s beach bungalow.
Mitch met him outside. “Thanks for coming over. I was relieved to see Vanz still sleeping when I got up this morning. I was afraid he might bolt during the night, but he stayed. He even called his mom this morning. I think he’s a good kid at heart.
I could be wrong, but I really believe that.
His mom seems to have influenced him more than his wacko dad. ”
“Did you talk to her?”
“Yeah, Shelly did, too. Just to assure her that Vanz was being looked after and not sleeping rough in the wilds of nature. Or in some sketchy area where he might get assaulted. You know how it is. Or maybe you don’t.”
“Not really, but I can imagine. He’s only a kid.”
Mitch glanced over his shoulder to check on Vanz through the window. “Did you talk to Clark?”
“I wanted to check with you first.”
“It’s cool, you can call him now. Come on in. Shelly has a fresh pot of coffee for you, and I made cranberry muffins.”
Bennett followed him to the house and greeted Vanz inside. He recognized the kid’s fresh T-shirt as one of Mitch’s, which was a little large on him. But he’d showered, his jeans were washed, and his canvas sneakers cleaned.
While they spoke, Shelly brought a tray of muffins. He noticed that Vanz took two and ate them hungrily.
He told Vanz that as the mayor, he had to alert Chief Clarkson to let him know of the situation with Vanz and his mother.
When Vanz lowered his eyes and frowned, Bennett quickly added, “Mitch and I will be with you every step of the way to make sure no harm comes to you. You’ll be able to stay here.”
“I guess that’s okay,” Vanz said, looking a little relieved.
Bennett went into the kitchen to call Clark. When the chief answered, Bennett quickly filled him in.
“You’re with him now?” Clark asked.
“That’s right, and Vanz is concerned about his mother’s safety. From what he’s told us, he has reason to be nervous.”
“I’ll contact the Palm Vista police department about a safety check for her.” Clark paused, listening to Imani, who was with him. “Imani is asking if the boy’s mother gave permission for him to stay with Mitch?”
“She did.” Bennett could hear Imani in the background giving more advice. Moments later, Clark passed the phone to her to speak.
“Glad you’re helping Mitch with this situation,” Imani said. “What I was saying is that if Vanz plans to stay here a while, Mitch should have written permission from the mother, appointing him temporary guardian. That way, Vanz can register for school in Summer Beach. I’m happy to help with that.”
“That’s very generous of you. We’d appreciate that.”
Imani added, “If the situation at home is as he says, it’s important to keep him out of harm’s way or child protective services will have to get involved. But if Mitch steps in to care for Vanz, it will be better for all involved. It’s good that he’s willing to help.”
Bennett recalled when Mitch arrived in Summer Beach years ago. “He went through a tough phase, so he’s eager to help Vanz get through this.”
“I’d like to meet Vanz. Preferably on neutral ground. May we meet at the inn in a little while?”
“That’s a good idea,” Bennett replied, and they agreed on a time. He joined the others in the small living room and explained the situation.
“I’m kind of nervous.” Vanz rocked slightly on the futon where he’d slept. His sunken eyes loomed large in his thin face.
Mitch put his arm protectively around the boy. “Don’t worry, Imani is a friend. She’s helped a lot of people get out of bad situations.”
Vanz fidgeted with a braided bracelet he wore. “Why help me? She doesn’t know me, and I don’t have any money. Neither does my mom.”
Bennett smiled, trying to put the boy at ease.
“Some attorneys will help those who can’t afford their fees.
They might be paid by the court, or they give their time.
That’s called pro bono, and it’s their way of giving back to the community and helping folks who really need it. Imani is part of a legal aid society.”
Vanz seemed to consider this. He raised his eyes to Mitch. “Did people help you like this?”
Mitch jerked a thumb toward Bennett. “This guy did. Wouldn’t be where I am without him.”
Bennett grinned and bumped Mitch’s fist. “Mitch was hustling coffee sales on the beach when I met him. He’d developed quite a business with the sunrise surfers, and his coffee was the best around.
We wanted him here, and as it turned out, he was worth the bet.
Your cousin here is smart and works harder than anyone I know. ”
Vanz looked between him and Mitch, clearly intrigued by this. “I didn’t know how you got started. That’s cool.”
Bennett realized this might be the first time Vanz had been able to look up to a male relative.
“You could do something like that, too,” Mitch said to Vanz. “You seem like a smart guy who isn’t afraid to strike out on his own.”
Vanz’s face brightened. “You really think so?”
Mitch nodded with confidence. “I sure do. I’m good at reading people.”
Bennett was proud of Mitch for saying that. Showing faith in a young person could make a real difference in how they perceived themselves and instill aspirations for their future. Mitch had come full circle now.
A little while later, Bennett returned to the inn. Mitch, Shelly, and Vanz followed him. As Vanz entered the Seabreeze Inn, he looked around in awe at the furnishings and the people milling around. Ivy and Poppy were busy tending to guests.
Caleb greeted them in the foyer holding Lucky tenderly in his muscular arms. “Thought you might like to see our little patient. She’s doing well, but I’d like to keep her today, if that’s all right with you.”
Vanz stroked the kitten’s head, visibly relaxing. “Sure, that’s okay. Thanks for letting me see her.”
As Caleb left, Shelly took her little girl’s hand. “I’ll drop off Daisy with Darla so I can help Ivy and Poppy. Be right back.”
“Bye-bye,” Daisy said to everyone in a sing-song voice. She kissed her daddy and waved at Vanz.
The teenager looked pleasantly surprised.
Bennett led them to the library where they would have privacy. Mitch and Vanz sat at a table, and Bennett could tell the boy was nervous by his fidgeting.
Presently, Imani swept in, wearing a vibrant pink and orange dress with layers of handcrafted necklaces. Her thick dark braids were arranged like a crown on top of her head, and she carried herself like a queen.
She reached out to shake the boy’s hand. “You must be Vanz.”
Vanz rose unsteadily and shook her hand.
Mitch gestured for her to sit down. “Imani used to practice in Los Angeles. That means she’s seen everything.”
“Nothing surprises me, young man.” She looked steadily at Vanz. “We can talk privately if you prefer. You won’t hurt their feelings. That’s called attorney-client privilege. What we talk about can remain between us.”
“Can they stay?” Vanz asked.
They all agreed, and Imani began asking questions.
Vanz seemed to relax around her. He answered shyly at first but gained confidence as they spoke.
Finally, Imani spoke to his mother, Melinda.
After she hung up, she turned back to Vanz.
“It’s all arranged. She wants you to stay with Mitch while she figures out a next step for the two of you.
She plans to visit as soon as she can. I told her we’d take good care of you while she sorts out the situation with your father. ”
Relief washed over the boy’s face, but then he set his jaw. “I’m not going back as long as my dad is there.”
“Do you think he deserves a second chance?”
His face darkened. “He’s had a hundred chances. If my mom thinks there’s any hope for him, she’s wrong. Don’t listen to her about him.” Vanz began to confide in her, sharing what had happened in the past.
Imani listened carefully before answering. “I understand your point and the issues. Your mother is scared and needs your support, too. I think you’ll find she is working on a good plan. Her primary objective is to keep you safe and make sure you return to school.”
Mitch added, “We’ll take you for some school clothes tomorrow.”
Vanz took all this in. “What about my mom? Will she be safe?”
“We’ll make sure of it. Chief Clarkson is seeing to that, coordinating with the local police in Palm Vista.”
Vanz’s shoulders visibly released some of the stress he’d been holding, and he thanked Imani for helping him and his mother.
After Imani left, Bennett turned to Vanz. “As soon as guests are on their way, we plan to go to the apple orchard. If you’ve never picked apples, you’ll be surprised how much fun it is. Plus, there’s plenty of apple pie, apple cider, and all the fresh apples you can pick.”
Vanz looked slightly confused. “Right off the tree?”
“That’s right,” Mitch replied. “We’d all planned to go today, but it wouldn’t be the same unless you were there. Best pie you’ve ever tasted, too.”
Vanz hesitated, but the pie angle worked. “That sounds good, I guess.”
Bennett rose from the table. “Let’s organize everyone. Doesn’t take too long to get there. We’ll put the extra seat in the back of the SUV. Come help us, Vanz.”
As he walked behind Mitch and Vanz, Bennett was struck by how much they looked alike, even the way they walked. No wonder Shelly had thought Vanz might be Mitch’s son. Bennett was proud of both how Mitch was handling the situation and the generosity that he and Shelly were extending to Vanz.
This solution was temporary, but depending on what the boy’s mother decided, it could turn into a permanent situation. Bennett didn’t know if Mitch and Shelly were prepared for that possibility.