by Vera Quinn
“Thank you, Lesley. I’m sorry for being an ass, not enough sleep and too much work. I’ll be back to normal come fall.” We both laugh because we both know I am always this way since Talia.
“You two enjoy your meal,” Lesley tells us.
“That’s the first descent thing I have seen you do in a month or two—maybe there is hope for you after all. I wanted to tell you if you want a shot at Sage you better take it soon. My dad and Branton had their heads together quite a while last night. Branton sent Cassia packing back to her dad. He was telling Dad that he knows Sage’s mom and that the mom is going to pay him to get close to Sage. That put Branton to thinking, so he did some digging on Sage and then he and Dad locked themselves in Dad’s office for the rest of the evening. I overheard the two of them together this morning discussing that instead of Branton taking the mom’s money, he would get close to Sage on his own because she is some big deal. They were watching what they were saying around me, so I don’t know the whole story, but what I do know is Branton is going to unleash his whole package of charm on Sage with Dad’s blessing. That means you need to make your move or stand back and watch Branton make his.” I consider Trask’s words as I eat my food. I consider my words carefully.
“Sage won’t let anyone get close enough to her to unleash their charm on her. She has a barrier built around herself, so no one can get to the real Sage. If something is meant to happen between Sage and me then it will happen, barrier or no barrier but I have come to realize that Sage needs control over her life. She’s felt so out of control in her past that she needs the control now to feel safe. I can understand that. I feel the same way, but we will need to meet half way. I don’t know if she is ready for that right now, but I am going to try and convince her that she is. We can get to know each other and see if we have anything but plain attraction between us—that’s if I can keep my anger under control so we can talk.” I think that is the most honest thought I have had since I met Sage. I’m pushing her away with my outbursts to protect myself and she is pushing me away, so I won’t let her down later down the road by leaving her. We are a total mess waiting to explode but I want to try. I have my insecurities where relationships are concerned, but if I want a chance with Sage, I need to overcome them. I feel a sick feeling in my stomach just thinking about it.
“Let’s get lunch over with because I want a front-row seat for whatever is going to happen this afternoon.” I agree with that. I am hoping to get another piece of the puzzle that is Sage.
“Sounds like a plan.” The sooner the better.
Chapter Twelve
Sage…
I don’t know why but I slept through the night. It’s like a calm came over me after I talked to Roger. I just want to live my life in peace. Dealing with my mom has been weighing heavily on me and I didn’t even know it. Now that I have all the details planned and the meeting is happening, I only feel relieved and determined to get through it. No apprehension at all. Roger and I have been waiting in Haddie’s parlor for the past fifteen minutes waiting for Mom, Greg and her attorney to show up. Mom is never on time for anything. Haddie has been in and out. She wants to be here for moral support, but she still has a bed-and-breakfast to run. Nick is on the porch watching for any sign of my mom or Greg.
“I texted Katrina’s attorney and informed her that we are waiting another fifteen minutes but after that this meeting is off.” Roger hates rudeness and making someone wait is at the top of that list.
“Do you know the attorney Mom hired?” I don’t know how she managed to come up with money to pay the person.
“I know of her, but I have never met her in person. She’s an ambulance chaser and I don’t like using that term, but it’s the only way to describe her reputation. She has a private practice and she takes on clients she knows are guilty and has no way of getting them off a charge. She hikes up the price and collects every penny, one way or another. Some of the people she associates with have no morals and wouldn’t blink an eye at breaking someone’s leg to collect money. That is all hearsay, so I will keep an open mind when trying to work through this today. I am only relaying the rumors, so you know what kind of person you are dealing with. Her name is Ms. Wilkens.” I am surprised that Roger is repeating a rumor, that’s not normal for him. “Don’t worry Sage, you are in the right here by law and by what Travis wanted you to do. I wish you would reconsider some of the choices you have made but I can’t say I expected anything less of you. I think the interview this afternoon will clear up anyone’s misconceptions they have of you; if they don’t then they don’t deserve to be in your life.” I knew that Roger would and always will stand beside me. Then our talk is forgotten when my mom and her entourage of people walk in. Mom is dressed like she is going to a fashion show. It probably took an hour just to get her makeup on and then there is Greg who has left his usual jean attire behind for a pricey suit. I look at Roger and he just lifts his shoulder. Behind those two is a woman with her hair up in a French braid that is wearing shoes that look like she might topple over at any puff of wind and she has a crisp white shirt on with a white linen skirt. Haddie comes up and sits beside me on the love seat. Roger stands from the chair to my left and goes to shake hands with the guests coming in. Nick sits in the chair on the other side of me.
“Looks like I am under dressed in my own home.” I start to reassure she looks fine, but Nick beats me to it.
“Haddie, you would look better than those two women dressed in a wet potato sack.” Nick is patting Haddie on the hand and she is smiling at him and I feel like an intruder in a special moment between two people.
“Thank you, Nick. That was so sweet of you to say,” Haddie says sweetly.
“No sweet to it, just the plain truth.” I look away from the two of them, so they can have their minute. I look over and there are two men that came into the room who are whispering with Greg while Roger talks with Mom and the other woman, but he is eyeing the two men. They both look dangerous and I don’t know why they would be here. They have nothing to do with me. Roger walks back over by us and squats down to talk to us.
“The attorney says that those two,” Roger looks towards the two men that are looking right at us, “are business associates that would like to sit in on the meeting. I don’t know the men, but I will call the sheriff if you are uncomfortable, Sage, in any way.” I look at the two men and they seem like normal people. I see no evil in them but is that really something you can see?
“What I have to say is not going to change if they are here or not and they have nothing to do with me, so if you’re alright with it then so am I,” I answer without hesitation.
“Then let’s get this over with.” Roger stands up and faces the people waiting for Roger’s answer. Mom looks confident she will get what she wants but there is something else there that looks a little like fear. That doesn’t sit right with me, but it also doesn’t make sense. My mom has nothing to fear here. I stand up as does Haddie and Nick. “This is Ms. Wilkens and she is representing Katrina. Ms. Wilkens if you would introduce the other two gentlemen. Ms. Dade has agreed to let them attend the meeting but is as mystified as I am at how it may concern them but, in all fairness, she does not object to them being here. This is Mrs. Carpenter and Mr. Styles. They are here as moral support for Ms. Dade.” Roger points to Haddie and Nick. I didn’t think this was going to be a formal meeting, but Roger knows best.
“Please have a seat on the sofa and the chairs I have brought in. If anyone would like anything to drink, I can have it brought in.” Haddie is being gracious as always.
“I don’t think any refreshments are required. The two gentlemen are Mr. Smith and Mr. Jones and they are business associates with the elder Ms. Dade along with Mr. White.” I almost choke at the names that the attorney gave for the men. They could get just a little more original. “Now shall we get down to business, so we can get out of this small town and back to the city?” Now, I know I don’t like the woman. “If I may go first with th
e proposal that the elder Ms. Dade has for her daughter, Lyric Dade.”
“Ms. Wilkens, this is not a formal business meeting, in fact, this meeting is only so Katrina will know what Lyric is willing to give her to go away. This meeting will only go on for as long your client is willing to listen and not fly off into hysterics and demand unrealistic terms. This will be the sole meeting my client has with yours. To set the tone for this meeting, I would like to inform your client that the life insurance policy that she had on Lyric is null and void and she will be receiving notification from the insurance company. You, Ms. Wilkens, will be receiving notice from my office that your client does not have permission to take out any policies from any agent in her name, can’t use her name representing anything to do with Travis Dade, and can’t use Travis Dade’s name or his bands name in any kind of business ventures. Now, Ms. Wilkens, you have the floor.” The look my mom is giving me is one of pure hate.
“We are here today to come to an understanding about Lyric’s inheritance that she will be given full control of in twenty-nine days. It was brought to my attention that Mr. Dade had been under stress when he changed his will three years ago. His band was going through a transitioning period and there was a conflict between the younger Ms. Dade and the elder Ms. Dade and Mr. Dade changed his will during this stressful time. The elder Ms. Dade said that she and Mr. Dade talked it out and came to a solution over the ordeal and he had every intention to change the will back to where the elder Ms. Dade received fifty percent of his estate.” Roger had warned me this was coming. They had filed documents with the court and the case had been turned down by the judge. Ms. Wilkens was warned about filing frivolous suits when they had no evidence and only Greg to collaborate Mom’s accusations.
“Ms. Wilkens, you had your day in court and lost. Shall we move on.” Roger knows why Dad changed his will and the idea he was going to leave Mom half his estate is ludicrous. I just want this over.
“Ms. Wilkens, the reason my dad changed his will was because he found my mom in our house in their bed with Greg. My dad and I had been away with the band on a camping trip with all the kids and families of the band members. Mom wouldn’t hear of going so we went, and she stayed home. My friend Zane encountered poison ivy and he had a very bad reaction to it, so we decided to all come home a day early. I went in the house and to my room, but it was only a few minutes when I heard my dad yelling at my mom. I went to see what it was about, and Greg and Mom were still in the bed and Dad was angry. The thing that stayed with me that day was Dad yelling at Mom that all he asked of her was to keep the damn men out of his house. I won’t ever forget that day and if you want to know the details of what the old will said, all you have to do is ask. The only thing my dad changed was she was not getting that house. I think the exact words that I heard him telling Mr. Stanton is that he would burn it first. Everything else was left the same. Mr. Stanton showed me copies of both.” I sit back down. The two men are whispering to each other and Greg and Mom are both looking extremely nervous. Ms. Wilkens hasn’t said a word. Haddie grabs my hand and squeezes it.
“Ms. Wilkens, Lyric is telling the truth. Mr. Dade’s will is a legal document and it states everything including the pre-nup that was signed before the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Dade so the laws pertaining to spousal support do not factor into the equation. I also have pictures and video that a private eye made available to Mr. Dade when Mr. Dade hired him to investigate his wife’s extramarital affairs. Lyric has only one concession for Ms. Dade and that comes with a stipulation that Ms. Dade will need to sign off on said stipulation before Lyric turns twenty-one on July first.” Roger is in attorney-mode and he knows he’s right. He pitches the idea so maybe Mom will go for it. I know she isn’t going to just drop it, but Roger wants her signature now.
“Mr. Stanton that was all stated clearly and to the letter of the law, but we have in our possession photos of Mr. Dade in compromising situations that may persuade the younger Ms. Dade to reconsider the distribution of assets after she views them.” I see red. I hate this woman and right now the anger I feel at my mom is on the edge of hate. Haddie feels my body go stiff. I’ve heard enough, and this civil meeting is going to take a turn into madness. I stand up and my whole focus is on Ms. Wilkens.
“What my mom forgot to tell you is I have already seen every one of those pictures the day I turned fifteen. What my mom also forgot to say is my dad caught Greg in our home again and Mom and Dad were arguing about it. My mom took the photos out and threw them at me. I picked the folder off the floor and sat at the breakfast table and looked at them all. There were scantily dressed women around the entire band. There was also one of my dad with a woman leaning on him, and they walked into his room together at a hotel. My dad didn’t try to hide them from me or take them away from me, but he told me that he never had sex with any of the women, and my question to him was why not? Mom cheated on him right under his nose. He had to hire guards to keep the men out of our home. Apparently, some sleazeballs get off on having sex with a woman married to a famous man in his bed. There is nothing that you or my mom can show me that will change my mind about anything. My dad was the best dad in the world. He kept our family together when most men would have kicked my mom to the curb long before. He made sure I had the best life he could give me.” I stop and take a breath before I say something I can’t take back. I don’t want to hurt my mom on purpose or callously, but I want her to understand that she could never change my opinion of my dad. He deserved a better life with someone that loved him like a husband should be loved. “Ms. Wilkens, have you ever wondered or even cared why I thought it was in my best interest to leave the only place I have called home before now? It was days before my mom knew I was gone. If the school hadn’t called—it would have been weeks. Have you ever gone over my schedules before I left that house? I had hardly any free time because I was booked with back to back after-school classes on things I didn’t even like. My mom kept me in those, so she didn’t need to spend time with me and she could be free to socialize. It got so bad that Dad paid Mom to go to spas and other expensive places, just so we could have time with his band, because they were and always will be our family. Mom couldn’t even be nice to them. She was downright rude to them. So, no, Ms. Wilkens, I am not interested in anything you think you need to show me about my dad. I already know who he was, and he showed me all the love a little girl could need.” I sit down, and all my energy is gone.
“Ms. Dade said you had a flare for the dramatics and now I see it for myself.” I laugh. Yes, I laugh out loud and stand back up.
“Ms. Wilkens, you and your entourage can see yourself out. This meeting is over. I tried to take the mature route in this matter, but you just pissed me the hell off. You have Mr. Stanton’s number if you have any more questions but there will be no more meetings between us. I have twenty-nine days before my birthday and I am not going to spend them worrying about any of you. You’ve gone to court and done your best and lost—that was without my attorney breaking a sweat, so we are done. Ms. Dade, the elder, may want to stick around and hear the interview that is going to happen out on Haddie’s front porch in just a few minutes. You may find it educational as well.” Ms. Wilkens face has turned white and my mom is about to explode with rage. One of the men steps forward.
“Are you saying that Kat is not getting any money or assets from you and Greg is not owed money either?” I don’t even want to answer but no worries Roger stands beside me.
“By Mr. Dade’s will Mrs. Dade will get her personal possessions, her personal vehicle, and one dollar as of July first. Mr. White was not a friend or associate of Mr. Dade’s and he was not in the will in any way,” Roger tells the man. The man, Mr. Jones looks at Mr. Smith and then they look at Mom and Greg.
“We will be in touch with you two very soon. When you get back to Dallas don’t try to skip town, we will find you.” The two men leave.
“You know you just signed their death warrants. Mr. Smith and Mr. Jone
s are in the business of loaning money and you either pay them the green back with hefty interest or you pay in blood. Either way they get theirs.” Ms. Wilkens looks at me. “Kat is right, you are one icy bitch. Even I care if my mom lives or dies.” Ms. Wilkens looks at my mom and Greg. “At least if they’re dead my boys won’t need to break their legs.” Then Ms. Wilkens walks out without saying a word to Mom or Greg.
“Lyric Sage Dade, I need the money to pay those people—if not you are going to be an orphan. Is that how much you hate me? You want to bury me too. I need five hundred thousand dollars to pay them by the end of the month and another thirty thousand for the lawyer. You have the money and with what you are going to inherit on your birthday you’ll never miss it. I brought you into this world and you are your dad’s daughter—I know you will do what’s right just like he always did.” My mom is laying the guilt on thick but if I bail her out now, she will know she has me every time she needs more. I know what I am about to announce at the interview is the right thing to do and this just proves it.
“Goodbye Mom.” I can’t look at her right now.
“Just come home Lyric, and we’ll be a family like before. We treated you right and we can do better,” Greg puts in but that is the worst thing he could have said.
“You mean drug me, so I will comply. I heard your phone conversation Greg. I am not buying your load of crap.” I like he knows what I heard. Greg gives up, he knows I heard the entire conversation. “Mom, when did you change your name from Stanton hyphen Dade to just Dade? Dad tried to talk you into dropping the Stanton and you refused but now you do it or is it even legal?” Greg is nudging Mom towards the front door. Mom has no answer. She gives me a look and I know this isn’t over. I walk over to the front window and I see the woman that is going to interview me setting up her equipment and I see Mom and Greg leaving. I turn back to Roger. “Do you think you can find out what all that is about? I don’t want to be involved with those men, but I can’t let Mom get hurt no matter how mad I am at her right now.”