Federie

ch 6

So it begins...

Another year had gone by and I was finishing clinicals for my med internship. I had attended Omir, Sel, Rena, Nina, Lena, Ray and Apryl's graduation. I was proud of my girls and Omir. The past year I kind of went dark on everyone, focusing on graduating early.

I became overwhelmed and finished the semester in my hardest class, making an overall 99. I don't know why I was so hard on myself, but I was. I finished the other four classes with a perfect score. I decided the next semester I would only take two classes to give myself a break.

Mom had finally worked my last nerve a few years ago and emancipated me. I told her I graduated high school and college twice and it wasn't enough. I didn't want to disrespect her. She and dad were one and I know it hurt him to hear us go at it sometimes.

One day while he was at work we argued and she replied if I had the papers right now I'd sign your ungrateful a** over. You little b***h. I wish your dad had put you in my mouth, I would've swallowed you or better yet spit you out. I should've aborted you! You are a seed from hell!

I had had enough and that really hurt. Why mom? Because I won't comply and do what you did as a young girl? Or maybe because you feel I'm auntie Lisa and you finally get to tell her what you wanted to do all those years? No, it's because daddy looks at me more than he does you now. I don't blame him. Who wants to listen to a nagging B-. She raised her hand and slapped me.

You back talking b***h. Get your stuff and get the f**k out my house and don't ever come back!

Don't worry I won't.

I went to my room and collected my things. Tears formed in my eyes. I came back down with emancipation papers I printed while I packed. She signed them without even looking at me. I took them to the courthouse as soon as I left. Before I did leave she told me I couldn't take the Toyota Camry daddy had bought me for my 16th birthday. I left the keys and my phone.

I took an uber to the courthouse. My paperwork was instantly approved. I didn't have anywhere to stay or a job. I didn't know what I would do. I saved everything anyone ever gave me. For graduating, mom and dad didn't know Grammy and Pop Pop had given me a check for 50,000 dollars. I put it in a bank account I opened with daddy.

I banked all the tutoring money Roda's mom gave me. I helped out a lot of college students over the years and some paid me back after they got good jobs. I had well over 200K in my account last time I looked.

I wasn't worried about money. I checked my account and it said my balance was $543,682.85. I immediately went and got myself a new phone. I kept my number, so no one would have to remember a new one for me. I looked into getting me a car the same day. I phoned to ask Amari if he would go with me even though I hadn't spoken to him since we last talked.

Ella had the baby and it turns out he was the dad. Lisa's on the other hand was not his. He told Ella and it took a strain on their relationship. Not too much as she was pregnant again shortly after, or at least I thought. Not even a month after she had the second baby they were done. He took it hard. He was depressed. He halted everything. He came when I called. Omir was working or I would've asked him. I still would've had to call Amari, I didn't have Omir's number.

My brother's had enough drama with their wives and I knew they would talk me into going back home. Amari didn't ask any questions, he simply asked which one I was looking at and went to talk the guy into a cash price. I was happy when he came back and said he'd give it to us for 20k.

Amari had already paid when I pulled out my debit card. I tried to decline but he wouldn't let me. I sent it to him via apple. He did not return it as he knew I would keep sending it until he did. I thanked him and promised to call him later. When I phoned, he was busy and not really in the mood to talk to me. He did promise to call me later, he didn't.

I pulled off the lot and went to the local mart and retrieved a newspaper. I was looking for a place to stay, but it was getting late and I needed to find shelter. My phone rang. It was Sel. "Am where are you? You're only 16 your mom had no right to send you away."

"Sel drop it. I filed my paperwork in court earlier today. I am an adult! I bought myself a car and a new phone. If you want me to keep answering when you call, don't let this be what the conversation is about."

"I'm sorry, your brother was worried. He's over there stopping your dad from killing your mom. Can you call David to let him know you're okay. We love you sweetie. If you need a place to stay, you can come here. If I know you, you've already found that too."

I wished, I thought. "I'm fine and yes I will call dad and Jaye." I face-timed them both. Daddy answered the first ring.

"Princess...." He had been crying, I could tell by his voice. "Daddy what's wrong other than me not being there, that you're crying?"

"You're my world. My everything. Why would your mother send you away. I've given her everything no other man thought to give her. And she sends my only daughter away?"

I could tell this was killing him. After some time, I agreed to meet him for a bite to eat. Jaye never answered the call. He knew Daddy and I needed to talk.

Daddy gave me ten thousand dollar when I started to leave, after we finished eating. I tried to tell him no, but I saw how worried he was and couldn't really take seeing him like that. He also knew I wasn't coming back home. I told him all that had transpired for the day. He cringed listening to the words I told him mom and I exchanged.

I kissed daddy on the cheek and told him I'd call him tomorrow. He left first. I knew of an exclusive motel that rented rooms for a weekly or monthly basis. It had been slapped with a lawsuit when a minor was found in one of it's rooms with a guy well over 50. No one really went there anymore. This worked in my favor.

The bell above the door chimed as I entered. An elderly woman appeared. I told her I needed to rent a room for about a month. Her eyebrows raised. I gave her my emancipation documents. She didn't say much or ask any questions. She told me I was in luck it would only cost me $5000 as business was very slow. I was happy with that. Breakfast was included and she even added lunch and dinner since I was paying upfront.

_

It had been two years since that day as I looked at the classes I wanted to take. I agreed on two I felt were complex together. I wanted to keep my mind thinking. Again, I don't know why I am this way. My phone chimed it was Apryl.

Apryl: Hey girl what you doing? I already know the answer to this, but I am still asking anyways.

Me: Studying..looking at new classes. Being a bored person in this house by myself.

Apryl: Want some company?

Me: Sure why not

Apryl: We'll be there in 15 mins

I had found a run down foreclosed home out in the middle of nowhere basically. I liked it as there was a walk before there were any neighbors. I put money into it slowly. I got it for only 50k. The price was because of the neighborhood. I fixed up my room and bought furniture slowly as I was not expecting guests.

I immediately got all the electrical and wiring redone over. I had all the utilities turned on, almost the same day. I drove to the Mart and bought groceries my first day there. I made myself food and invited my brothers and wives and my girls over. They said the house had a lot of potential and were proud of me for being a homeowner before my 18th birthday.

Everyone brought gifts. I told them they shouldn't have. They didn't listen, clearly. There was cake and drinks for them, I didn't drink. The gifts consisted of a study chair, dishes, bathroom decor, bedroom decor, a couch, a dining room table and chairs, lamps, and pictures of us for the walls. Pretty much everything I needed. I bought whatever else I didn't get. I fixed it up nicely.

Apryl came over with the other girls. We talked and I told them I was feeling overwhelmed and they encouraged me to take the next semester off. I told them I was aiming to graduate early. I hadn't had a school break since graduating high school. I probably needed it. I didn't want to stop and not go back. Sel told me she had phoned Jaye's wife Sel, as a heads up. I rolled my eyes but I know why she did it. Before long my brothers were there with their wives and kids.

I hadn't talked about what happened. They only knew what mom had told daddy angrily. Daddy filed for divorce from mom he was so devastated. He rescinded it after I spoke with him. I asked him not to throw his marriage away because of our fight.

They all looked at me questioningly. I went off radar and didn't tell anyone where I was. When I found the house that was the first time they heard from me in a year and a half.  Hold on I said. Let me get the kids settled in the other room.

I sent my older nieces and nephews into the other room and we kept the younger ones. I spelled out the bad words so they wouldn't repeat them. After listening to me for over 2 and a half hours. They were all angry. I heard how could she say that to you more times than I could count.

Jaye: I'm glad you filed the papers and proved her wrong!

Sel (his wife): Yeah, bet she wish she could take it back.

Sel: What did she say exactly?

*She enjoyed knowing my sister in law was named Sel too. Her name was Serena, but Jaye's wife name was Selena.

Rena: How could she say those things and not immediately feel sad she was projecting all her anger on her seed?

Lena: Am, I'm so sorry you've dealt with so much from her. All your life

Nina: Well we will come visit now that we all are driving whenever you want. Don't sit in this house alone depressing yourself.

Ray: Don't busy yourself with classes either! We know you. We know you want to finish early, but seriously take a break.

Apryl: For us so we can believe that you actually are okay.

Jme: Sis please, book a trip to the beach Allyssa and I will pay for it.

Allyssa: yes you need to deal with your grief not work around it. That's unhealthy.

Jaxs: Kelly and I will go half with you guys, Jeremy. Sis will you do this for us.

Kelly: If you ever want to talk you know I'm a psychologist. I will squeeze you in anytime.

Me: Thank you all so much. I'm glad all of you are in my life. Thank you for bringing the babies.

I got up heading to my, now, open kitchen. I had it renovated after my house warming. They all told me how much more beautiful it was and bigger.

I had prepared a quick meal before they arrived and everyone ate, including the kids. The next couple of hours were filled with laughter. I don't remember who brought in the games, but it was hilarious to say the least.

I pulled out my phone, I forgot it was on silent. I had a message from an unsaved number. I opened it. Everyone was in their own conversations.

Hey I know it has been awhile, but I wanted to reach out as I ran into your brother and he told me a piece of what was going on. Enough for me to ask him for your number. This is Omir (Aryan) by the way. I care for you a lot and I want to make sure you're really okay. Anyways, I love you baby sister. Please call me back.

My heart filled with warmth. It had been just as long since I last talked to Omir. He was almost two years older than me. He wasn't good at math either. I was wrapped up in texting him back...

Hey Omir, glad you ran into my brother. Thanks for checking on me. Everyone is here now keeping me company. I got my own place not far from you guys. Let's have lunch one day this week to catch up.

Almost instantly I saw the dots start moving. A smile went across my face.

Apryl: What are you smiling at?

Breaking my thought, I looked up. Apryl was smiling back at me.

Apryl: Did you replace Omir already. I just knew you were going to marry him.

Jaye: Who's Omir?

Jme: Yeah who's Omir?

Jaxs: Am, you got a boyfriend? Yall better not be having s*x.

All their wives: *giggling* BOYS!!!

Selena: She's a grown woman now, she can do what she wants in her house!

Serena: Yupp!! But fareal you got a new boyfriend? We haven't heard you talk about Omir at all these past few month.

Selena: You mean Omari brother?

Serena: Yes Amari's brother

Jaye: You talking about Aryan Browner?

Jme: Who that?

Jaxs: How long this been going on? Does dad know? You know he going to kill that dude

Selena: Shut up Jaxs! Let her speak noisy people. But seriously spill it, who's the new guy?

My cheeks were fire engine red I'm sure. "Guys OMG stop it. I do not have a new boyfriend or a boyfriend period. Omir and I drifted away as he was working on his career. He said he ran into you Jaye and you gave him my number.

Jaye: Yeah I did. If I had known he had eyes or was making passes at my sister I wouldn't have. I would've kicked his a** instead.

Me: It's not like that Jaye. We are only friends. I don't think I'm his type. I did like him. I saw he wasn't interested so I liked our friendship and didn't pursue anything further. Guys stop it. Now I feel like I'm in high school drama.

Jaye: Yeah yeah.. I'll be stopping by to make sure he not in here boning my sister.

Jaxs: Let's go kick his a**

Jme: Guys I don't think you heard her. I trust her. She's always been responsible when we weren't. Now we are sitting here telling her not to do what she watched us do. Jaye you had JJ at 16. Jaxs Lilly was barely here and you had Kaliyah at 16. And I had Leah at 15. Let's trust our baby sister to make wiser decisions as she has always been smarter than us. She is 18!!

Me: Jme! Always my understanding brother. Thank you. That means a lot. I agree with Sel though I'm grown and if I decide I want to have s*x, that is on me. This is my house that I pay the bills in. I don't want to have s*x by the way. If I did, I would is all I'm saying.

Jaye: Sis I was joking before dad reloaded over there got in his feelings. You need to laugh more and that's all I was simply trying to do, make you laugh.

Jaxs: Sis Jeremy is right. We were irresponsible. We have you to thank for the men we became. You stayed on us. You made sure we knew how to clean a bathroom, a kitchen. That we knew how to do laundry. You helped us see things from a woman's perspective. We could never repay you. That's why we are here. To show you, now, that we are here for you the way you were there for us.

I began crying before I knew it. I thanked them all! We continued on for another hour. Omir and I sent text back and forth. Nothing serious, just small talk. He agreed to lunch.

Apryl: Why don't we all bring a dish and eat here on Sunday? I think I can get my parents to agree to it.

Me: Apryl I was going to suggest having a dinner so I could see you all again. On Saturday, but Sunday works fine for me.

Everyone agreed to bring a dish. I didn't know this would become a traditional thing over the years. Everyone came to my house to eat on Sundays.

_

What I did for work...

I had taken a job at a local law firm as an attorney, until I passed the bar. I had received my degree for law from the local university a year after graduation, I was only 14. The guy who owned the firm paid me well.

I increased his clientele when I came. A major crime boss wanted representation one day and he had completely lost the sale. I spoke with the client and convinced him to let us represent him. I knew he was guilty. I needed to work and did not want to ask my parents for money or my grandparents.

Sadly, I was in court as a legal aide when Maw Maw passed away. Paw Paw took it hard and not even a week later passed with her. I had lost both my dad's parents in one week. Over the years daddy always kept a check on me and I always made time for him to do lunch.

He came over most days, but I could tell he didn't want to invade my space or wear out his welcome. After their passing, I encouraged him to stop by. I would even call if it was almost 5 pm and he hadn't been by. He'd always come. I spoke to him over the phone when I went off the radar. I didn't want him to worry. I was a daddy's girl.

The client was looking at life in prison, without the possibility of parole. This case was world news. Everybody was talking about it. He was accused of wiping out every member of his girlfriend's family for snitching on him. She loved him and idiotly took him back despite him killing her whole family.

The evidence pointed to a guilty verdict. I, however, found a discrepancy in the evidence late one night at home. We recessed and I presented it to my boss who was sweating profusely thinking about what his fate might be if he lost this case. Our client threatened him on several occasions. He was always nice to me though. He gave my boss, Mr Lynx a very hard time.

"What do you have Am?"

"Evidence to help the case" I said.

We talked it over and I told him how I think he should present it. He didn't want to screw it up so he let me proceed. The courtroom was filled with gasps. I had found the loop hole no one was looking for. The judge dismissed the case on several technicalities, we had won.

Our client paid out over 2 million dollars or at least that is what I was told. Mr Lynx only gave me 1.5 million for winning the case he knew he had lost. Our client personally paid me 2 million himself as a retainer. He said just in case I need your beautiful eyes in the future. I gave him my card.

A few weeks later I learned I passed the bar exam. I quit Mr Lynx's. When he asked why I told him because he thought it was okay to cheat me out of what I was due. He knew he'd bombed this case and had lost. I gave him a solution. Me being an attorney, should have no jurisdiction on what I'm paid. Our clients sign a payment agreement for the legal counsel that represents them through proceedings. Don't take me being young as a sign I'm weak or ignorant. He snuffed.

He originally thought I was 18. I had a fake ID printed so I could get the job. I told him upon my resignation I wasn't 18 until months later. He turned blue. He knew the trouble he'd be in for hiring a minor, among other things. I later opened a part time firm while I completed med school. I leased a building.

To my surprise my crime boss was in trouble again and was one of my first clients. This time he had killed the girlfriend. I looked over the evidence against him and told him that there's nothing I could do. They would find him guilty. He and I were speaking via zoom. He was considered a flight risk and remanded to jail until the trial later in the year. He said if I couldn't find a way to get him out, no one could. He thanked me and still paid me for my services and time.

He had other counsel, I still went to proceedings. I even visited him once in jail. He asked me to do something for him as he knew he wouldn't live long in jail. He wanted me to access a lock-box and give the inside content to his daughter's mom. I did as he asked not snooping.

He informed her I would be coming. She opened the package and in it was millions of dollars I'm sure, deeds, bill of sales for stuff. I helped her get it all changed over into her name. He paid me and she did as well.

Business was booming and I had slacked on my med school work. My grades fell to low 90's and I ended up closing my firm down at the end of my lease. I had plenty of money from my clients. I made around 10 million dollars for a part time firm in just under 2 years. It took 6 months to get a business license and the building up to code per city regulations. That plus med school, I was slow to get everything going.

**

I visited my mom's parents often but this year would prove tragic for them as well. Pop Pop suffered a stroke and died in early Fall. By Christmas, Grammy had left us as well. My mom was devastated. I have never known what a mother's embrace felt like. When I showed up to both funerals each time, she hugged me like it was the last time she would hug me.

I hadn't really spoken to her about our fight, the emancipation, or anything going on in my life. Small talk here and there and I even invited her to my Sundays' dinners. Daddy was very proud of me when I did. I guess I wanted my mom around even if she didn't love me like my brothers. I didn't want to hate her for her anger she never got to release.