Chapter 8
Miss Lillian had already eaten and was nursing her glass of brandy when Amanda came in with the dogs. “What’s up, fam?”
“I was just telling Miss Lillian about the day I had at the bird sanctuary. It was spectacular, and I encourage you to go while we’re here this summer.”
“I’ll keep it in mind. Is it wheelchair accessible because I’m sure Miss Lillian would enjoy it, too?” Amanda asked.
“Not the part where I went, but they do have some sections with paved paths. I’m sure you’d be able to take a peek. Look it up online; it’s part of the state park.”
Amanda lifted a purple box from Lenox Bakery. She brought home a slice of chocolate molasses pie for Miss Lillian, her favorite. She was delighted, and it paired perfectly with her brandy. After she drank the last drop from her glass, she was ready to call it a night.
Amanda told Sophia that she would join her outside.
She knew the request meant her niece had something important to share.
She grabbed the cookies and milk before heading out, since they needed supplies anytime they had a heart-to-heart.
Sophia walked outside and saw that the papers on her desk had been organized into piles.
She wasn’t exactly keeping things from Amanda, but what she obviously saw required explaining.
“Welcome to my open-air office. You saw my papers, didn’t you?” Sophia asked.
“I did. First, I saw all the college brochures for Cal Polytech, UCLA, and other schools I have no chance of getting into.” Amanda put up her hand because she didn’t want Sophia talking until she was done.
“I was flattered that you think I belong at any of those schools. I’m a nineteen-year-old with no sense of direction.
I’d like to have them if you don’t mind and put them on my vision board. ”
“You have a vision board?” Sophia asked.
“Yes, I’ve been working on it since we got here, and believe it or not, I have visions for my future,” Amanda said with a smile.
“I’m so proud of you.” Sophia wiped away a tear. “What brought on this change?”
Amanda sighed. “I’ve had time to think when I’m walking along the beach with the dogs.
I see families, and I wonder if I want that, which I do someday.
Before that, I want a career, something of my own making.
Dad will be out of prison someday, and I want him to see that I have amounted to something.
That look of pride on his face will mean everything to me. ”
“This is not what I expected. I’m pleasantly surprised to say the least.”
“Don’t get too excited. I saw the file on Kitty and Derrik Wiles and wonder why that even exists. He was completely exonerated, and all the blame was put on my dad. Is there new information that could help Dad, and why the heck wasn’t I told about this?” Amanda asked, putting her hands on her hips.
“I only just discovered this, and I’m shocked that Vince didn’t uncover it.
Janet hired an investigator and got this information.
I can see why she didn’t do anything about it because it doesn’t prove anything.
Derrik and Kitty have skeletons in their closets, which doesn’t mean they had anything to do with the Ponzi scheme.
Many witnesses testified that your father was guilty. It’s doubtful that they all lied.”
“Can you do me a favor?” Amanda asked.
“What’s that?”
“Can you hire a lawyer to take another look at the evidence?”
“Honey, I can’t do that without your father’s consent. He’s made it clear that the case is closed, and we are to move on without him. He doesn’t want this to dominate our lives more than it already has, and we can’t have the case reopened without him.”
“I want to go see him. He’s my father, and I think I’m old enough to handle it. You know what it’s like to lose someone. I lost someone too, but he’s not dead.”
Sophia had never thought about it that way, but Amanda was right. Depriving her of seeing Kenny except once a year wasn’t right. She and her brother thought they were doing the right thing, but they were wrong.
“I have a call scheduled with your father tomorrow. We were granted a rare one-hour block since I won’t be able to see him weekly this summer. I want to know one thing,” Sophia said.
“What?” Amanda asked, mouth full of snickerdoodles and milk.
“When did you get so smart and well-spoken?”
“I was raised by a professor who was always giving me books to read. I read a few.” She smiled. “Is there anything else you’re keeping from me?”
Sophia tapped her chin with her index finger. She sighed, and it was probably nothing, but she told her about the boat in the harbor.
“That’s creepy. Why would they follow us? Kitty checks in with us every week, and she never did that before Dad was incarcerated. Are you going to tell Dad that nugget of information?” Amanda asked.
“No more secrets. I’ll tell Kenny everything.”
“I know you hadn’t planned this for the summer, but I’m glad we’re doing this. I’m going to crash. I love you,” Amanda said. She kissed Sophia and went off to bed.
Sophia’s phone rang, and she didn’t recognize the number. She answered it anyway out of curiosity.
“Sophia, it’s Arch.”