Chapter 10: Papers and Plans

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After lunch Arnold lead July back upstairs into her parents' study where there were more files that he needed. Charlotte had stayed downstairs to clean up and had said that she would come up as soon as she was done.

The study looked like an office with a couple bookshelves added in. There was a file cabinet that Arnold unlocked with a small silver key that was much smaller than the other keys on the set. He pulled out two more files and then they both seated themselves around a small mahogany table. Arnold opened his brief case and took out yet another file, setting it down next to the two that he taken from the file cabinet.

"Okay," he began, clearing out his throat. "Each folder has a set of papers. You're going to have to sign each one. One set I will keep for legal purposes, one set you will keep, and the other goes to the bank and other companies that need the papers to put all the items in your name," Arnold explained, opening the folders and grabbing a pen from inside his pocket, which he passed to July. He turned all the folders towards her and showed her where to sign on each page. Skimming over the pages, July saw they were just papers to put things under her name and nothing else.

After what seemed like a million signatures later, she was done. Arnold put two sets back into his briefcase saying he would make sure that they went where they needed to go.

"Is there anything I need to know?" July asked shuffling through the papers.

"No, these were just to put everything in your name. Promise. Now, let's see, what else do you need to know?" he mused, leaning back in his chair. The keys to the cars are in the ashtray in each one. You can just add them to the set you have."

"Well, won't do me any good at the moment. They have been sitting for ten years; they are going to need maintenance. New batteries, things like that."

"Oh, yes, well I didn't really think of that. I don't know too much about cars, just how to drive them," he said with a chuckle. "I guess you could fix them since you know how. The garage is large as you can tell, you'll have plenty of workspace. Your father did have a knack for cars and so there are plenty of tools."

July smiled at that. Maybe cars and mechanics were really in her veins after all, and the idea of having new projects at her mercy was thrilling.

"What else? The bills all get automatically paid so you won't have to worry about them. Tomorrow if you'd like we can go to the bank and get you a card and a checkbook to your parents' bank account. Financially you won't have to worry, and if there ever does come a time where you need money, Charlotte and I will always be here for you," Arnold assured her with another one of his smiles.

"Thank you," July said but before she could say anything else Charlotte entered the room, which she was thankful for since she didn't know what else to say. She wasn't use to someone taking care of everything for her.

"Honey? Are you about done? We still have that two o'clock," Charlotte reminded him, looking pointedly at the clock that hung on the wall. It showed it was a quarter after one.

"You're right, with traffic and everything we should get going, and I still have to look through a couple of papers," Arnold said getting to his feet and head for the door, his briefcase clutched in his hand. July followed after them to see them out.

"Are we still going to the bank tomorrow?" she asked as they walked down the porch stairs.

"Of course. How about I come around 11 and I can take you out to lunch and show you around LA so you don't get lost?" Arnold suggested.

"That sounds great," she answered truthfully. She really did need to learn the city.

"Okay, I'll see you tomorrow. Oh, and if there is anything you need let us know. Charlotte left our office and house number on the kitchen counter."

July nodded her head okay and smiled. "See you tomorrow."

"Bye," they said in unison, waving as they got into their car and drove away.

July closed the door and rested against it. She collapsed into a head on the floor and sat there for a bit, letting her mind catch up with everything. In less than a week her whole life had changed. She had turned eighteen, learned she was adopted and lied to for ten years, and now here she was in LA, not even knowing how to get to the nearest gas station and in a house that belong to her real parents, and only knew two people in the whole city.

Man you really know how to paint a picture black don't you?

The house was nice. Too bad she didn't have anyone to share it with. The feeling of loneliness was consuming and she fought to keep it down. But there was a bright side she tired to remind herself. She would meet new people. Here was her chance to start over, do things the way she wanted to.

First you need to get yourself together.

She took a couple of deep breaths and got up, her legs not as shaky as before.

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tbc…