Trials and Tiaras (Untouchable #7) - Heather Long Page 0,69
records, she moved out several months ago. She has ceased all support, financial or otherwise. Her legal address was changed with the postal service. I have notations here that during a hospitalization for Frankie following an assault, Ms. Curtis was unreachable. She also did not pay any of the hospital expenses.”
That, I hadn’t even thought about. I hadn’t seen any hospital bills at all.
Archie.
I blew out a shaky breath.
“Frankly, I don’t see why I should deny the petition at all when clearly Frankie has been living independently and managing very well, based on grade point average, scholarships, and college acceptances, and all the while, maintaining employment.”
I bit the inside of my cheek. I turned eighteen in a month. If he denied me, I’d be okay. I’d made it this far, I could make it a few more weeks.
“While I find Frankie’s determination and, dare I say, ‘grit’ commendable, I find it absolutely appalling that someone her age has had to fend for herself when she has the reasonable expectation of parental support. You were a single mother, Ms. Curtis, and while you may have been the only parent she had, that was a choice you made and a choice you then abdicated. Frankly, I think you should be ashamed of yourself, and if I had the power to charge you with neglect, I would.”
Holy.
Shit.
“As it is, all I can do is free your daughter from any legal obligations you’ve already walked away from and give her the freedom to make decisions she may need to make with regard to her colleges and future. My only other regret is I couldn’t give it to her sooner.” He looked at me with a nod. “Frankie, I’m granting your request for emancipation. Good luck, young lady. I think you’ve got a bright future in front of you.”
He said something else, but there was a small cheer behind me from the guys, and he glared past me a moment, even if the corner of his mouth twitched.
“All paperwork will be processed, Mr. Wittaker. I’m assuming you can take it from here?”
“I can, Your Honor. Thank you.”
He nodded again, and that was it. We were being motioned away, but I hesitated and the judge looked at me. I mouthed ‘thank you,’ and he gave me the first real smile I’d seen since he arrived. Then Wittaker was taking my arm. As I turned, I met the full wrath of Maddy’s icy glare, but I ignored her as my attorney guided me over toward a clerk, who was motioning to us.
Maddy snagged my arm, but her attorney grabbed her wrist and there was a frigid three seconds of a stand-off. Eddie appeared as I tugged my arm free, and he frowned as he glanced from me to Maddy, but I ignored them as Wittaker urged me away. They were already calling the next case, but I barely heard any of it.
It was done.
I was emancipated.
Free.
I signed where Wittaker gestured for me to sign and then accepted the packet I was offered. I was still a little dazed when we left the courtroom a different way from how we’d come in, and I frowned until Wittaker motioned up the hall where the guys were waiting.
“Yes!” Coop said, both arms high. He scooped me up as soon as I got to them, and then Jake tugged me into a hug and finally Ian. Archie was the only one who lagged back. I clung to Ian for a long moment, the shakes seeming to rock me, and he rubbed my back soothingly. Finally, I lifted my head to look for Archie and found him glaring at bad meatloaf, who also stood there waiting.
“Archie,” I said, and even in the busy hall with all the people and background noise, he heard me and pulled his gaze away to look at me. I raised my eyebrows. We’d discussed this. He and his grandfather were waiting for the right time.
Was now the right time?
His eyebrows dipped briefly as he looked from me toward bad meatloaf and then back. His eyebrows raised. Was I up for it?
Even if my insides shook like a fucking leaf in a tornado, I was ready. I had his back.
I nodded.
“Guys,” I murmured. “It’s time.”
“You be careful,” Ian answered in the same quiet tone. “We’re going to be right behind you.”
I nodded and then grinned at Mr. Wittaker, even as Archie approached bad meatloaf. “Thank you,” I told him. “For everything. You’re my hero.”