Chapter Eleven - Part Four

“They’re Jeremy’s notes.” Claire replied. “They pretty much outline why it is you’re being sued. Apparently, Paris hadn’t married your father until after you were born. So you still, legally, carry her last name, which means you were never really born a Noble. Jeremy and your mother are questioning the legality of your signature on the deed – they’re calling it fraudulent.”

Amazing. The very same loophole that Jack and Paris had themselves created, my mother was willing to use against me in court. And the simplicity of such a small technicality was almost enough to make me laugh rather than cry. But nevertheless, the paper began to shake in my hands and I felt the burning sting of unfamiliar tears as my throat grew thick.

“Crap.” was the only appropriate response I could think of

“Jesus, why don’t you just change your name?” Adelle said, as if it were the simplest solution in the world.

“Change my name?” I repeated, dumbly.

“Yeah! Change it from Talimer to Noble.”

“It’s not that easy.” Claire interrupted. “Even if Naomi changes it tomorrow, it wouldn’t matter. At the time your friend signed this deed, legally, she was still a Talimer, so changing her name now won’t do a thing. Technically, Naomi, every time you’ve signed your name up to this point, you’ve been committing forgery. So if you don’t come up with something soon, your mother could really take the house.”

I said nothing, but Adelle was very busy glaring at Claire.

“But isn’t it worth a shot?” Addy insisted. “What has she got to lose?”

“Look, I didn’t say I was an expert.” Claire retorted. “But when you’ve worked here for a few years, you tend to pick up some of that legal jargon, and sometimes it actually sticks. You don’t have to believe me now, but you’ll find out it’s the truth when your friend here goes to court. Jeremy may be a slime ball, but he’s a smart slime ball. He wouldn’t have taken the case if he didn’t think he could win.”

“No, Claire, we trust you.” I said, speaking up, but in a dull tone of voice. “Never mind Addy – she tends to get grouchy past midnight with no snacks. But listen, is there anything – anything at all – that I can do to get around this?”

Claire sighed, fingering her scarf again.

“My advice? Hire a lawyer – a good one. And they damn sure have to be better than Jeremy, if you plan on winning.”

“Ok, well then, what about Mr. Talbot?” Addy said. “Hire him. He’s a lawyer, right?”

“Yes, but he’s not that kind of lawyer, Addy. He wouldn’t be much help in court.”

As Adelle scowled in disappointment, I reached my hand into the pocket of my jacket, and produced the envelope that held the check I had prepared earlier that night.

“Here,” I said, handing Claire the money.

“What’s this?”

“Fifty grand.” I said, with a forlorn sigh, still thinking of the lawsuit.

“Are you freaking kidding me?! Just how much money does your family have anyway?”

“Apparently not enough to keep me out of trouble. C’mon, let’s get out of here.”

*  *  *

After Mr. Frank’s office was put back to rights, we locked the doors behind us and took our leave. We made our way just as silently from the building as we had come, and doubled back across the darkened street and to the alley where our cars were waiting. It had been a long night, but however disappointing, we couldn’t say it hadn’t been eventful.

“So,” I said. “What’s in the cards for you now, Claire? After all, sixty grand is a lot of money.”

“You’re right. It is.” she agreed with a smile. “And it’s more than enough to get me out of this soul-sucking job. As of right now, I quit. I’m done slaving for Jeremy and P&S. With this money, now I have enough to go home and think about leaving this weird, crazy town. Besides, my mother lives in Hasting. It would be good for the kids, ya know?”

“Of course.” I said with a small smile, giving her my hand. “Thank you, again, Claire. And for what it’s worth, I’m sorry it had to be this way. But I hope you understand, I needed your help.”

“Nope.” Claire said, taking my hand and giving it a firm couple of pumps. “Thank you. Naomi, you just gave me my life back; I could never be grateful enough for that. And good luck with the lawsuit. I hope you kick your mom’s ass in court. She sounds like a real piece of work.”

“That she is.” I replied.

“Well, give me a call if you ever need anything. In the meantime, take care girls. It’s been real – maybe too real.”

“So long, Sally.” Adelle said, giving Claire a salute and a grin, who responded by cheerfully flipping Addy the double bird as she walked backwards to her car.

“What’s the plan, Stan?” Addy asked leaning against the trunk of her car, and stretching a model’s legs. “What’s next on the agenda?”

“Well,” I said, sending my thoughts ahead to the future. “I have to find the triplets at their dispensary sometime next week. Plus I’ve got a meeting with the Leadership Monday, and then the gala is after that.” I said with a sigh. “And I still don’t even have a dress. I mean, I know I’ve still got plenty of time, but it feels like things will just keep popping up and I’ll probably end up forgetting to buy one…”

“Hmm…” Addy said. She was thoughtful, frowning into the distance. Claire had pulled away and driven off by then. And the only memory of her existence was now in the form of rapidly dissipating exhaust. She was free now – the existence of her past in Harbor was merely a foot stone to her future, and for this I envied her. My own future seemed to be filled with so much less hope and positivity than hers.

“Well, if you have enough faith in my shopping skills, I could always make a special trip to Saks on Monday while you’re at the Leadership meeting. I’ll pick out a dress and stick it way in the back of your closet, and you can just leave it there as a surprise for next Saturday. Whaddaya think?”

“I think, that that would be effing awesome. Thank you, Addy.”

But as I smiled and hugged my best friend, I wondered how it was possible to do so many bad things and still deserve such a true, and honest friendship. Because now was about the time that some unseen disaster of epic proportions would stroll along to mess things up. But I prayed that this time, in this town, things would be different.

*  *  *