Chapter 12: An all around nice guy
Haley thought for a minute and come to an answer "I think I might have an idea."
"Haley" Nathan sighed, "there isn't anything we can do. I know it. I'm just glad that I have you."
"NO!" Haley said loudly "Emancipation. You could get emancipated." Haley looked at Nathan and saw him looking completely confused. It was obvious that he didn't know what emancipation was.
"What's that?"
"It is where you get yourself independent from your parents. You basically don't have parents anymore. My sister, Julia, tried it. She said that my parents were ruining her life and that she wanted to get emancipated. She even talked to a lawyer about it but was told that she didn't have a case because her parents hadn't done anything legally or even ethically wrong." Haley paused "But the point is that since your dad is such a bad guy that you can get away from him. This is your only way out."
"Oh my god Haley. You're the best. I love you sooo much." Nathan kissed Haley hard before remembering that she wasn't in the condition to kiss like this. Haley pushed Nathan away and gasped for air. Her lungs were very weak from everything that had happened "Haley! I'm sorry. Are you alright?"
"I'm fine." Haley smiled reassuringly
"Are you sure? I didn't mean to, just got carried away."
"No harm done. I'm fine." Haley looked and kissed him on the cheek "Now you go get out of here and find somewhere to get those papers. You need to get away from your father."
Nathan kissed Haley on the cheek and left quickly. He went downstairs and passed his father who tried to talk to him but he went directly to Lucas's house.
DING DONG
"Hi Nathan." Karen answered the door
"Hi Mrs. Roe. I know this is going to sound really bizarre but could you please give me the number or address for your lawyer. I need a lawyer and can't use my families."
"Sure." Karen said nicely "Why don't you come in, and by the way, you can call me Karen."
"Ok, thanks Karen." Nathan said as he stepped into the house of the people who he had despised for years and was now turning to for help
"No problem." Karen said as she walked to the kitchen and started going through numbers "Do you want to tell me why you need a lawyer?"
"Umm, well my uhh my mother died this morning –"
"Oh, Nathan honey. I'm really sorry for your loss."
"Yeah, but the thing is that now I have to live with my dad. I don't think that I can so Haley suggested emancipation."
"Haley always did have the answers. Ahh, here's the number." Karen said "William Huffman. The number and address are on the card. I hope this will help you. He is a very good lawyer and an all around nice guy."
"That you very much Mrs- I mean Karen. I really appreciate it." Nathan said as Karen walked him to the door
"No problem. Good luck with it all. I hope it all works out for you."
"Thank you." Nathan started walking out the door when he heard Karen call out his name
"Nathan. You know that you can come here if you need anything."
"Yeah, thanks again for the number." Nathan walked out and headed towards the lawyers office. He recognized the street and since it was noon, he decided that now was as good a time as any to go.
Nathan walked into the large office building and walked up a person behind a desk and asked for William Huffman at Smith Huffman & mills attorney Company. Nathan got directed to the elevator and went up to the third level. He walked out of the elevator and into a hall and the first door he saw said Huffman on it so he entered. He ended up in a waiting room talking to a secretary.
"Hello. Do you have an appointment with any of the attorneys today?" she asked routinely
"Uhh, no. I'm Nathan Scott and I'm here to see William Huffman. Is he here?"
"Yes, Mr. Scott he is here. You are very lucky that he doesn't have any appointment. I will talk to him and let him know that you are here."
"Ok, thank you." Nathan said, sitting down in a chair, nervously. Nathan sat there bouncing his knee in a nervous habit, waiting for Mr. Huffman to appear.
"Would you like to join me in my office?" a man asked Nathan. The man was wearing a nice suit. It wasn't overly nice, but nice enough that you could tell that he made a good salary. He had little hair and the hair that he did have was blondish red. He looked like an overall friendly guy, which helped to ease Nathan's nerves.
They arrived in a very nice office and sat down.
"Ms. Roe called and told me that you were coming and that your good friends with her."
"Yes. Her son and I are brothers."
"Ohh, so your Nathan." Mr. Huffman said
"Y-You heard about me?" Nathan asked confused
"Well, Karen and I used to be very good friends in high school. We are still good friends and talk on a regular basis. So, Nathan what is wrong. Why are you here to see me?"
"Well, my umm my mother passed away and now I have to live with my father."
"And you don't want to?" William Huffman asked
"I just can't. He is a bad guy. He pressures me and he hit my girlfriend. I won't live with him and that's why I want to-"
"Petition for emancipation." He finished "I figured. Now, I think that you have a pretty good chance. All you need to do is get your father to sign the papers and then I will file the papers and you will be emancipated."
"It's that easy?" Nathan asked, wondering where the catch was
"Yes, if he voluntarily signs them."
Nathan's heart dropped knowing that he wouldn't do that "What if he doesn't?"
"Then it will have to go to court."
