Chapter Two - Part Four

An awkward, stiff silence passed between us. Even Mr. Franks squirmed uncomfortably in place.

"You can stand there in your cheap shoes with your arrogant little smirk and judge me, but your father made the same, hard decisions that I did. And do you honestly think the fact that he sent you a few post cards over the years entitles you to any of this?"

In response to her question, the envelope was crushed in my hand.

"Leave Harbor, Naomi. There's nothing for you here. And if you're hesitant because of what Mr. Talbot might say, well, then we can settle this out of court. You can keep the money, just give me the manor and then leave town."

"I'm so sorry." I said, with coldness to my mother. "But I can't do that. And I wouldn't, not even if it meant I could have back what's left of my worthless family. I forgave you, Paris, when my father died and I couldn't see him. Somehow, I still forgave you for taking his funeral away from me. But I will kiss your fucking ass, before I let you let have this. I'll see you in court."

I waited to watch my mother's sneer crumble completely, before turning and offering Mr. Franks my most affable smile. I imagine watching my mother's face as it fell must have been a bit like viewing the complete construction of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. But in reverse.

"Good-bye, Mr. Franks."

I got into my car, trembling, and from the rearview mirror, I watched my mother's lawyer climb back into the limo. It was still for a few seconds, and then pulled away. And doing the breathing techniques that I remembered from anger management, I pulled out my new IPhone and dialed the first and only number that I had saved.

"Mr. Talbot speaking."

"Mr. Talbot, hello, it's Naomi Noble." I said, speaking with hesitance. "I'm sorry to bother you, but something's happened and I need help. I wasn't really sure who else to call...

"I am at your service Miss Noble." Mr. Talbot reassured with kindness.

"I remember what you wrote, in the letter you sent me about my father's will. You said that she tied up the legal process somehow, and that's why my inheritance came in so late. Well, she's trying to do it again. She had me served just now, for the manor, and I think her lawyer may have found a flaw in my father's will – maybe something that no one noticed until now... Anyway, she's got a man named Jeremy Franks working for her –"

"Ah yes. From Proctor and Sool?"

"Yeah," I replied. "The same law firm you had to fight against before. That's why I was hoping that maybe you could do it again."

"I apologize, Miss Noble, but I'm afraid that since Paris has decided to take you directly to court, I wouldn't be of much use. You see, after your father died, Mr. Franks and Mrs. Noble were quite willing to maneuver their tactics without stepping inside an actual courtroom. And that is also why, ultimately, they failed. But it would appear now, that she has finally found something credible enough for court."

Mr. Talbot paused to issue a sigh that was troubling.

"I would imagine that whatever it is Mrs. Noble has against you, would lie in the veracity of the manor's deed."

"That's exactly what I was afraid of." I replied, with honest frustration, staring down at the tedious envelope with strong dislike. "But I'll come up with something. I really don't wanna lose the manor..."

"Well, maybe you won't lose the house after all, Miss Noble." said Mr. Talbot cleverly, and at once I was heartened by the sure tone of his voice. "Can you meet at noon tomorrow? Perhaps I'll have some useful information for you. Sometimes desperate times call for different measures."

"Different," I repeated. "I like that."

"I find it a much more satisfying word than desperate, Miss Noble."

We exchanged our good-byes and I hung up, feeling much more optimistic than I had several moments ago. But I still knew that I wouldn't ever be able to think of this woman as my mother. This was not a family reunion, and nothing could bring us back together– not even the death of her husband. Too much time (and too many bad feelings) had passed between us for that.

With a sigh, I looked down and recalled how Paris had insulted my shoes. And then remembering what I had initially planned to do, I turned on the car's GPS system to locate the nearest, most expensive clothing store in Harbor Village. It was clear that Paris and Ethan both felt that I didn't belong in this town. So there were many changes to be made if I hoped to gain the respect of the people here.

And clearly it wasn't going to be earned in just sneakers and flip-flops.

* * *

I shopped for hours, but the time seemed immeasurable as I purchased thousands of dollars' worth of designer clothes and name brand shoes and accessories. Up and down the aisles of clothing stores I travelled, until my head was spinning. It was as if the money were burning a hole in my pocket. Sales clerks and other store associates walked behind me, carrying my items with contempt or scorn as I walked about their shops grabbing whatever items I wanted in whatever colors or patterns.

But they all treated me with respect once the card was swiped and they boxed the goods for home delivery. I had always thought it was funny how a little bit of money could change things. All it takes is one swipe of the credit card to turn someone's frown upside down and put them in your pocket.

I was sipping wine and inspecting one of the jewelry cases in the final store, when I was approached by an older, pretty girl. She had naturally red hair that was long and currently straightened. It framed a slender face with gentle features and wide, brown eyes. She was taller than me, with longer, slender legs on display beneath black tights and a skimpy black skirt. Her jean jacket was left unbuttoned to reveal a white tank top with Marilyn Monroe's face outlined in black. And a pair of maroon colored Doc Martens completed her look.

Her smile upon approach was easygoing and relaxed, but I could see in her large, amber eyes the caution reserved for when you meeting someone new. Briefly, I wondered how long she had watched me before deciding when to make her move.

"Naomi Noble, right? Jack and Paris' daughter?"

"Well, if you can recognize me by just my face, then I really must be famous." I replied, half joking half serious. But I took the hand she extended and shook it, making light note of the colorful design of tattoos that peeked from beneath the sleeve of her jacket.

"You are, actually. I mean, the whole town's talking about you. Word tends to travel really fast in Harbor."

"Right. Nice boots, I really dig the color. And you are..."

"Shit, where are my manners?" she said, with a light, informal laugh.  "I'm Adelle Newport. My dad serves on the Leadership with your grandparents."

"I'm sorry, but the Leadership... What's that?"

A wave of shock and surprise passed across Adelle's face – and perhaps even a small trace of pity too. But I knew that I was still extremely ignorant of the practices of my kind (and of other supernatural beings period). It just hadn't been made so clear until now. Most definitely I found myself embarrassed, but I was also angry. I should have known. Why couldn't I have been made to know about these things?

Meanwhile, Adelle's face had reddened.

"Sometimes I have perfect timing for saying the dumbest things." she said apologetically. "I'm sorry if I made you feel... out of touch. I just thought you already knew about that kinda stuff."

"Don't be. There are a lot of things I still don't know yet, but I'm happy to learn."

"Well, the Leadership is pretty much our government. They watch out for us, set the laws, and keep the peace between us and other Supernaturals. And your grandfather happens to be the Elder. Unlike the leaders, there's only one Elder in every Pack, and they're the higher ups on the Leadership. Anyone else – like my dad, for instance – is a Leader." And the Leaders work for the Elder, basically."

"And the Leaders work beneath the Elder, right?" I said, wondering if my father served on the Leadership as well. Had he too been in a position of power?

"Yep. They're Santa's little helpers, doing all the heavy lifting. But whatever money they generate, the majority goes back into the Pack or lining the Elder's pockets. They work for a dime only to have him squeeze out a nickel. It's shit for pay, but they do it more for the reputation anyway, ya know? Besides, if you're a Leader, then usually it means you've got money to begin with."

"Interesting," I said, appreciating her for the candidness. "Your cynicism compliments the boots. And I have to say, I admire you for having the guts to say all of that, considering the fact that I'm the Elder's grand-daughter."

But Adelle remained un-phased, returning my jab with a wide, toothy grin.

"Something tells me that you really don't give a shit what I say about your family."

"And why is that?"

"Seriously, babe? You've been in Harbor for, what, a month, and yet no one can say they've ever seen you with your family. Plus, you haven't been to any Pack meetings either, which means that you also aren't serving on the Leadership. So clearly, you aren't here to rekindle old family ties."

And Adelle was right. Evidently, the time for family bonding had long since come and passed.

*  *  *

We chatted on for a while like this, enjoying easy conversation. And though Adelle was blunt and her questions didn't hold nearly as much tact as you would expect from a perfect stranger, that didn't mean she wasn't friendly or good-natured. And unlike with Ethan, I didn't find myself working nearly as hard during my conversation with Adelle.

My instincts told me that I could trust her, and my instincts were usually right.