“I will never be one of them. When I finish law school in the spring, I will be a corporate attorney. My job will be to protect corporations and their money, not bilking innocent people out of theirs. I have neither the time nor the patience for those kind of lawyers. They give us all a bad name.”
“Nevertheless, you will still be counted among them. Why on earth did you ever decide to go to law school, Warren? You had been out of college for years.”
“I did not decide to go to law school. My father decided for me. I was enjoying a carefree life of philandering and spending. I guess it was too much for the old man to take. He decided that I needed to do something with my life. I thought I was already doing something with it. I suppose that is not what he had in mind. He thought I should become a responsible adult. So, he told me it was either go to law school and then come work for the family business, or go out there and try to make it with just my name. Warrenton Bingham Boatwright The Fifth is a great name, but it doesn’t mean a hill of beans if The Fourth doesn’t sign off on any of my ventures. I decided law school would be a great place to lay low for a few years to get the old man off my back. Worst case, I would go work for him. Surely, he wouldn’t fire me. I mean, after all, if he fires me then I will have to go to him for money. So, either way he has to pay me. It’s better for him if he gets some work out of me.”
“So, you always do what your daddy tells you, no matter how miserable it makes you?”
“Not always. He also told me to marry you. I told him that is where I draw the line,” Warrenton ragged her.
“Get out of my house, Warrenton,” Annabella laughed.
Warrenton grinned and turned to walk down the steps. Annabella watched him exit the room. She knew in her heart she adored him. She just wondered what kind of life could come from loving someone who obviously loved himself so much. Annabella hoped that the following day would bring a little more sanity to her life. She was intent on meeting her new attorney and hammering out a settlement she could live with. After all, she did not have years of her life to waste on Warrenton and his silly girlfriends. Annabella thought that if she had a dime for every floozy that Warrenton brought home, she would surely have enough money to pay off Marigold – with dividends!
Annabella awakened bright and early the next day. She selected her most dynamic skirt suit to wear. She was feeling empowered and she was sure Ms. Mary Jane De Bergerac was everything Hattie had described and more. Annabella was intent on getting her legal troubles behind her so as to be freed up to move to England. Her mind was made up and she was sure it was the right decision. She still had not told Warrenton her plans and she did not feel obligated to tell him. After all, he was not her boyfriend and he had never made his intentions, if any, known to her. She was not going to spend the rest of her life waiting for something to happen. Life was happening around her and she was missing the best part of it waiting for some man to rescue her from her mundane existence. Caroline had found her true love and as far as Annabella was concerned, she wasn’t nearly as desirable as Annabella. No, Annabella was now realizing that she was just being too stringent. She was not allowing things to happen naturally. That was all about to change soon. She had been in touch with her host family in England and everything was set for her arrival. Annabella would be living the life of virtual royalty. She would have her own Lady in Waiting. She would be groomed daily in the social conventions of interacting with wealth and privilege. She did not have a lot to learn, but her skills had been slowly dissipating as she interacted daily with people who had little or no couth. She was ready to be among those who shared her values and, quite frankly, she was just ready for change. So, she decided on a number that she was satisfied with, and she was going to settle her case with Marigold. Annabella planned to leave town as soon as the documents were signed. She did not know how to say goodbye to Warrenton and she did not feel obligated to figure out a way. She only felt that she needed to handle this business matter so that her family’s estate would not be in jeopardy. Annabella was only one meeting away from leaving the searing heat of the south and embracing her destiny. She hoped that Mary Jane was as efficient as Hattie described. Annabella was not looking forward to wasting another day of meaningless strategizing, racking up attorney’s fees, and being insulted in the process. She was sure Warrenton was enjoying his meetings with his attorney because they both were pigs. Besides, Warrenton wasn’t paying for the man’s time so it was like a fraternity meeting to him. But, one could be sure that Warrenton’s father was receiving a hefty bill for the time his son spent with that bologna of a man. Annabella despised him and could not fathom, for the life of her, trying to piece out any reasonable settlement as long as that man was in the room. He was unkind, unyielding, and downright disgusting.
When Annabella arrived at Ms. De Bergerac’s office, she could tell right away that her time would be well spent. The office was neatly decorated, and efficiently staffed. Everyone was kind and cheerful and Annabella did not have to wait long before the young, beautiful attorney appeared. She was everything Annabella imagined. Annabella thought for one minute that if she was a career woman, she would certainly want to be like Mary Jane. For as strikingly beautiful as she was, she was equally pleasant. Annabella wondered how she got anything done with people gawking at her all day. She was sure the woman could not pass on the street without being hit on. She hoped Warrenton never had to meet her, lest he defile her merely with is words. But, she would soon learn that Mary Jane knew Warrenton and his family. She tried not to let this fact change her opinion of the woman, that task proved most difficult. She wondered if Mary Jane had ever gone out with Warrenton and, if so, how it ended. The young lady seemed to have nothing but good things to say about the Boatwrights, so maybe Annabella was reading too much into the connection and maybe the relationship was strictly business. Besides, Annabella didn’t think the woman looked like the type to fall for Warrenton’s advances. She seemed confident and secure. Also, she seemed financially independent and unfazed by the wealth of others. Annabella hoped that she was right, but in the end she did not care one way of the other. She was there for the sole purpose of settling her business with Marigold and she was intent on handling it in one visit. Annabella simply had to sign a power of attorney for Mary Jane to negotiate a settlement up to the amount specified. Annabella was unmoved by the amount, but was more interested in putting the worst behind her. She knew she had done nothing wrong and that Marigold was feigning her injuries and anguish, but she figured karma would handle Marigold. Annabella needed to do what was right on her part to ensure the family was not at risk of losing anything.
Mary Jane spent the next few hours explaining documents to Annabella and having her execute the necessary ones. As Annabella signed, she began to feel stronger and more confident in herself. She wasn’t the shrinking belle that she usually portrays. There was something about anticipating a move abroad that made her a different woman. She wondered how her new role would translate in England. There were no southern belles to speak of and she was by no means British. She certainly could pass for one until the time she opened her mouth. As soon as that long, southern drawl was heard, her origin would be quickly identified. But, Annabella was no hick and she could sip tea with the best of them. She was not the least bit concerned that she would feel out of place. She was sure she would be different, but that was the point. Annabella always felt out of place at home. Maybe things would be different in London. She could only hope that was the case.
Annabella had signed the last document and she gently placed the pen on the counter. Mary Jane looked at her with satisfaction. She was not a loquacious woman and she felt everything had been said and done to her satisfaction. Annabella prepared to exit the office, but took a moment to reflect on what was next. She knew that once she left that office, there was no turning back. There was nothing left in her southern hometown holding her back. She had settled all her affairs. She got into the waiting car and signaled to the driver to
depart. Annabella was on her way to the airport and she had no regrets about the decisions she made.
Chapter Ten
Hattie turned up her nose as she looked out the window and saw Caroline switching up the driveway. Soon, Caroline was beating on the door like a crazy woman and Hattie was becoming increasingly frustrated with the entitled menace.
"What took you so long, Hattie?" Caroline inquired.
"I'm not as young as you pretend to be, Ms. Caroline."
"A bit snippy, aren't we? Where is Anna? Perhaps she is in a better mood than you."
"I should say so. She is somewhere she has been wanting to go for a long time."
"In a man's bed, I pray."
"Unlike you, Annabella's dreams do not end in a California King. She's in London."
"In London? What on earth for?"
"She didn't tell you?"
"She called me but I was still in Martha's Vineyard. I was distracted by a one Chad..."
"I used to think so highly of him," Hattie quipped.
"So did I. That is until he turned me down for a little fun."
"In that case, I still do."
Carline was getting frustrated with Hattie's put-downs, but she was more concerned with her missing friend.
"What's this all about, Hattie?"
"Annabella finally decided to start living her life. She knows what she wants and we had to let her go."
"When did she leave? I didn't even get to say goodbye."
"The driver should be arriving at the airport any minute now."
"Well, I guess it will be like our boarding school days."
As Caroline turned to walk towards the door, they both could hear blaring sirens. Hattie and Caroline wondered what could have happened on their quiet block to warrant such traffic. They both rushed to the door to see an ambulance and a fire truck turn the corner and pull up at Warrenton's house. Hattie told Caroline to go over and offer assistance, but she was met in the street by a frantic Warrenton.
"My father collapsed! He is not breathing. I need to go to the hospital with him. Where is Anna?"
Caroline and Hattie looked at each other and then down at the ground.
"Where is she?" Warrington wanted to know.
"She's on her way to England," Caroline bragged. "There is no reason for her to stay here. She has nothing holding her back."
“Nothing holding her back? Are you kidding? Her whole life is here! Besides, we are in the middle of a lawsuit. She cannot leave me now!"
"Leave you?" Caroline clarified.
"I mean leave here now," Warrenton said.
"Right. Well, she did. She should be boarding a plane right now."
"Well then stop her!" Warrenton demanded.
"We could not stop her if we wanted to. You know she does not have a cellular phone." Caroline took pleasure in Warrington's agony.
"You evil woman! She would want to know my father's condition," Warrenton told her.
With that Warrenton stormed out of the house.
"Hattie, you will surely not miss the soap opera that is our lives," Caroline assured her.
Caroline exited as though she had not a care in the world. Hattie stood motionless. She knew Annabelle's leaving would make her happy, but look what it was doing to everyone else. She went upstairs to take a shower and pack a bag. She planned on spending a long night at the hospital.
When Hattie arrived at the hospital, she was not surprised to find the Who's Who of their small, elite town. Warrenton's father was the unofficial Mayor of sorts and everyone either respected or adored him. With Annabella's parents away and Annabella on a plane to half a world away, Hattie knew she would be the Devereaux’ s only representative. She had played the role so many times before that it was like second nature to her. For the next few hours, she nodded off in a chair in the waiting area. At some point during the night, she had awakened, but was certain that she was still dreaming because she woke up to Annabella's flushed face in hers.
"Hattie. Hattie, Dear." Annabella awakened her friend and caregiver.
"Anna, my word. What are you doing here?"
"I am here for Warrenton. He came to the airport to retrieve me. Hattie, there has been some sad news. Mr. Boatwright passed away a little while ago. Warrenton and the family are with the body now."
Hattie reached out to the girl and palmed her tiny skull. She nestled Annabella's head into her bosom and wept. Annabella held on to her friend for what seemed like hours. Before long, a solemn Warrenton came out to console or be consoled. Hattie convinced the two to come back to the house and get some rest. She knew there was nothing more that could be done - at least until morning. The pair reluctantly agreed. When they arrived back at the house, Hattie left a disheveled Warrenton and a dazed Annabella in the parlor as she went up the spiral staircase to her quarters.
"I suppose I shall retire in this ensemble, as my bags are on their way to London. At least they will be starting a new life tomorrow," Annabella joked.
"I am so sorry to keep you from your destiny, Anna. I just didn't know what else to do. You really are my only friend," Warren tried to make amends.
"Warrenton, that is the problem. Our friendship is toxic. It is no good for either of us. We don't get along and we make each other's lives miserable, yet we cannot live without each other. That is not healthy. So, after the services, I shall resume my departure."
"Fine. You do that. To hell with everything else. You are too weak to stay here and fight."
"Fight for what? If it weren't for you, I would not be getting the pants sued off of me. There is nothing left for which I am willing to fight."
"Did it ever occur to you that me giving you the finest car on earth for a birthday present was my way of saying I care for you?"
Annabella was silent. She could not believe what she was hearing. It had never occurred to her that Warrenton had bought her a car just for the sake of doing it. She was always suspicious of his motives and she was sure he had ulterior ones by giving her such an extravagant gift. If she had not been so quick to jump to conclusions and hurriedly return it to him, she would have never hit Marigold with the car.
"No, that never occurred to me," she admitted.
"Well, I do. And I never meant anything more by it," Warrenton told the girl.
"Thank you."
"Anna, I need you to stay here. I cannot do this without you. With daddy gone and his millions up for grabs, Marigold with surely amp up her demands. I cannot fight this battle without my best friend," Warrenton admitted.
Anna was silent. She wanted to be there for her friend, but she could not give up her happiness to please Warren. She knew nothing could ever come of their relationship. Once he put the lawsuit behind him, Annabella was sure he would just continue his ways and cast her aside as he always had.
"Do you remember when Donnatella Davenport stood you up at the prom?" she asked her friend.
Warrenton was silent.
"You came over. You sat on my porch swing and cried on my shoulder. You told me I was your best friend and you could not get through the humiliation without me. Sometime during the night, she made her way to your door. She looked like she had been through hell. She stood you up for a college boy who tried to take advantage of her. She got away and came rushing back to you. You left me on the porch that night, Warren. You left me on the porch that night and every other night that you got a better offer. You see, I am not your best friend, I am your hag. I am your fallback girl. I am the one who will be there waiting for your when all the other girls leave you high and dry. Not this time, Warren. You will not leave me on the porch again. I'm taking down that swing. Go find somewhere else to cry your tears. My shoulder is no longer available to you."
Warrenton looked thoughtful. It was like Annabella had finally gotten through to him. He knew she was right; he just hoped she never noticed that she was his security blanket and he never realized how that made her feel. He thought that because she did not let anyone into her intima
te circle that she did not have real feelings or emotions. He somehow thought she was supposed to be his rock, his back-up plan, his social security. But, Annabella had finally come to her senses and refused to let Warrenton inadvertently run her life by making it impossible for her to leave his side. He knew that as long as she lived next door to him, she would somehow always be tied to him. However, Annabella was ready to give it all up for the sake of her happiness. She didn't care if she had a penny to her name. She was ready to step out into the world as her own woman - not someone's daughter or someone's friend.
"You will never make it without me," Warrenton warned her.
"If I need you in order to make it, then I choose failure here and now. Goodbye, Warrenton."
Annabella stood up and waited for Warrenton to do the same.
"You will rue the day you left here, Annabella," he told her as he walked to the door.
"Warrenton, kiss my lily-white ass."
Annabella slammed the French doors behind him. She leaned her back against the doors and looked up at the ceiling. Tears streamed down the sides of face between her cheeks and ears. Annabella knew she was finally growing, but she did not like the growing pangs.
Chapter Eleven
Annabella awakened to the smell of blueberry waffles. Hattie always knew how to make her Annabella feel better. Annabella knew she would miss Hattie and her cooking. If she thought for one minute Hattie would go with her, she would surely ask her to move to London. But, Annabella recalled Caroline’s words. She knew Hattie was in her life for a season and that she would soon leave her. After all, Hattie had her own daughter and going off to college no less. No, Annabella knew that this was something she was going to have to do on her own. She wasn’t exactly ready, but she was definitely willing. As she made her way down the steps in yesterday’s garb, she recalled the conversation from the night before. She wanted to confide in Hattie, but she knew that Hattie would insist that she was in love with Warrenton and tell her to stay and work things out with him. She decided that she would keep the conversation light and enjoy her last days at home. But, Hattie had something else in mind.
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