Chapter 714: Beaulieu Manor
Friday, March 17th, Evening
She pushed open the door of the Lady Parlor and entered the room. She found the residents of the East Range assembled as she told them to be. She looked them over; Lucas sat in an upholstered chair, a book across his lap. Ellie was at a table with her laptop open and tapping away at the keys. Julian and Tucker Baker sat on one of the sofas, the dad and son talking. Two of her grandchildren, Naomi "Nomi" and Ellis Scott, sat near the Bakers. Her youngest, Keni, and her best friend, Lucas's youngest daughter Sawyer sat on a third sofa, barely talking as they were on their smartphones.
Walking across the room, the door closed behind her. Brooke Davis sat in her chair and looked over the room. In some way or form, Brooke was related to everyone in this room.
"Thanks for coming together tonight, I wish Izzy could be here for this, but she had stuff to do in DC," Brooke said.
"What's up, Mom?" Tucker asked.
"In a moment, Tucker," Brooke said.
"I have things to do before I head back out on tour," Tucker said.
"I'm well aware of that, Tucker," Brooke said, "Without any more interruptions, this should be quick."
"Mom," Keni said.
Brooke sighed, "Yes, Keni," she said.
"Why does Tucker get called by his name when you're made, but I get called a cute name?" Keni asked.
"Are you being a wise ass, Missy?" Brooke asked.
"No, just asking, Mom," Keni said.
"I want to keep this short. Could you please hold your question until the end," Brooke said.
"Okay," everyone said.
"Two days ago, Shay O'Brien came to visit me. She wanted to talk to me about a girl at school," Brooke said.
"I didn't do a thing, Mom," Keni said.
"Nor me, Aunt Brooke," Sawyer said quietly.
"It's not about either of you," Brooke said.
"Then what is it about?" Keni asked.
Sawyer shook her head and looked at Lucas. "Dad, did you know about this?" Sawyer asked.
"No, I didn't; I would like to find out what Aunt Brooke has to say, so please listen," Lucas said.
Sawyer sighed, "Fine, Dad," she said.
Lucas nodded and looked at Brooke, "Go on," he said.
"Thank you, Lucas," Brooke said.
"You're welcome," Lucas said.
"As I said, Dr. O'Brien came over to discuss this girl at the high school. It seems that this young lady recently came out to her parents, and they didn't take it so well. They kicked her out and left her at the Saltwater Motel," Brooke said.
"Oh boy, that's a fate worse than death," Ellie said.
"Yeah, I agree," Tucker said.
"Grammy Brooke, what is the Saltwater Motel?" Nomi asked.
"It's not a nice place," Brooke said, "They also only set it up where she can stay for about ninety days, and then the money runs out. So, I was asked to take her in," Brooke said.
"Who is this girl?" Keni asked.
"Her name is Callista Ashe," Brooke said.
"Callista? Callie Ashe, the freshman?" Keni asked.
"I believe she's a freshman," Brooke said.
"She's a nice girl," Sawyer said.
"So, her parents didn't think that much of her after she came out, so they dumped her in the Saltwater Motel?" Tucker asked.
"They probably thought they put their trash with other people's trash," Ellie said.
"Ellie!" Lucas snapped.
"You know I don't believe that, but I'm trying to look at it from the parent's side," Ellie said.
"So, what did you decide, Brooke?" Julian asked, cutting over the loud clatter.
"I'm taking her in; as you know, I have a weakness for taking in strays," Brooke said.
"Do you have the ability and whatnot?" Julian asked.
"I've talked with Declan," Brooke said.
"You're going to have to find a new go-to guy in the PD," Julian said, "Declan is retiring July First."
"How do you know that?" Brooke asked.
"He's coming to work for me at the studio," Julian said.
"Damn, I wanted him in that role," Lucas said.
"Me too," Brooke said.
"Can we get back on topic?" Keni asked.
"What do you want to know, Keni?" Brooke asked.
"Where is she going to stay, here, I mean?" Keni asked.
"In one of the empty bedrooms by you and Sawyer," Brooke said.
Keni nodded, "As long as we don't have to share a bathroom," she said.
"You share one with me," Sawyer said.
"You're different," Keni said.
"How?" Tucker asked his baby sister.
"What are you going to do at college?" Ellie asked.
"We have a plan," Keni said.
"Want to make god laugh? Tell them your plans," Ellie said.
"Who says I believe in god?" Keni asked.
"We're not going there," Ellie said.
"Better not," Keni said.
"So, when does Callie move in?" Sawyer asked.
"I go and get her from the Saltwater Motel tomorrow," Brooke said, to which most people nodded.