Chapter 9 – First Morning
"So are we flying or driving?" Elizabeth asked.
"Flying, sort of." Jack said.
"What do you mean?" Elizabeth asked.
"We take a helicopter." Jack said. "It is just under an hour, maybe forty-five minutes or so, depending on if we have to go around for air traffic. The helicopter will land right in the yard at my grandparents place."
"Cool." Elizabeth said. "I have never been in a helicopter."
"It is a nice ride." Jack said. "Grandpa will have a vehicle for us to use while we are there."
"Are you sure that it is okay that I go up there?" Elizabeth asked.
"More than okay." Jack said. "Tommy might complain, but he is fifteen, almost sixteen, so he complains about everything."
"I get that." Elizabeth said. "Julie is the same way."
Elizabeth had grabbed a cup of coffee and toasted a bagel for herself. She sat at the table with a notepad and pen.
"What are you doing?" Jack asked.
"I like lists." Elizabeth said. "I was thinking of all the things that I will need for the trip as well as things that I will need here."
"Be sure to talk to Katie." Jack said. "She will make sure that you have what you need. She knows what is expected at Saratoga. She shops for my mother every year. Katie can also advise you on other things you may need. I hope that you feel comfortable talking to Katie. She is great. I know that you say you are okay, but we all need someone to talk to once and awhile. Katie is in her mid-thirties, a mother and a professional. She won't share what you talk about, with the exception that she is a member of the security team so if you are in danger she is required to report that."
"Thank you." Elizabeth said. "I have a question for you."
"Sure anything." Jack said. "I want you to be comfortable asking me anything."
"Church on Sunday?" Elizabeth asked.
"What about it?" Jack asked. "You can come with me and my family or I can arrange something for you."
"Where do you go?" Elizabeth asked.
"We are Catholic." Jack said. "Where we go depends on where we are. If we are at the house – St Luke's in Astoria, if we are in the city – St Patrick's and when in Saratoga we go to the Church of St Peter. Is that a problem?"
"No." Elizabeth said. "I have been to a Catholic Church before. My family wasn't all that religious but did attend a nondenominational church. Although we went to different churches as my mother's whims changed."
"Do you want me to arrange to go to a different church?" Jack asked.
"I would rather go with you." Elizabeth said. "I just don't want you to think that I am clingy and can't be without you. It is just that even with the security, I feel better when you are around."
"I don't think that." Jack said. "You have been through a lot. If you need me to be around a little more to feel safe, then that is what I will do. I am worried about you, if you want I can arrange for you to talk to someone. Things will be different when we are in Saratoga. I help my grandfather and do a lot of riding. You can go with me if you want, but I have a feeling you might be more comfortable with my grandmother."
"I don't know." Elizabeth said. "But I will think about it. So you are okay that I want you around."
"Yes." Jack said. "I just don't want to make you uncomfortable or cross a line that you don't want me to or that I have set for myself. So please talk to me about what you need when you need it. I will do my best to help you. I will stay here as long as you need me to."
"Thanks." Elizabeth said.
Elizabeth finished her coffee and then headed to get dressed for the day. Since she had taken a long bath the night before, she skipped the shower and just brushed out her hair before throwing it up in a ponytail. As she was getting dressed, she realized that she really didn't have a lot of clothes and that it was a good thing that Jack had gotten the personal shopper for her. After she got dressed, she went back out to the living area and grabbed the remote. She wanted to check out the news headlines and weather. Jack finished on his computer, then went and sat on the couch with Elizabeth. She immediately moved closer to him. Jack didn't mind and put his arm around her shoulder. That was how Devin found them when he keyed into the apartment after knocking and being told to come in. Devin realized that Jack and Elizabeth looked good together, but he also hoped that Jack was being a gentleman. Devin made a mental note to talk to Jack about just that when he had a moment alone with him.
"Morning you two." Devin said. "Miss Elizabeth, here is your coffee and croissants that JP asked me to bring you. JP, here is a large black coffee for you."
"Thank you." Elizabeth said.
"You're welcome." Devin said. "By the way, those croissants are really good. I had never tried them, but they looked good so I got one for myself and ate it on the way."
"They are one of my favorite treats." Elizabeth said.
"So what is the plan for the day?" Devin asked.
"Well." Jack said. "Elizabeth said Katie is coming late morning, I am sure that she will call first. You said something about going to the bank. I think that we should do that."
"Okay." Devin said. "Elizabeth, do you have your driver's license and passport? Not that you will need your passport, but I just want to make sure that you have it in case."
"Yes." Elizabeth said. "I have both. I don't know if my passport is still good. I don't think it was updated after I turned eighteen, but I do have one. I also have my bank card. I realized that I need to change my address on everything."
"We can change your address at the bank." Devin said. "I have already called your local post office this morning and am having all mail addressed to you held. I have the form that you need to fill out and they will forward your mail here. I have also printed the form that you need to fill out to change your driver's license. You technically have sixty days to do that, but I figured that the sooner the better. Now which bank do you have your accounts at? When did you get your last passport updated?
"Bank of America." Elizabeth said. "When I turned sixteen."
"And you are comfortable leaving your accounts there if we remove your parents from having access?" Devin asked. "Then your passport is fine for ten years, unless you have a name change."
"For now." Elizabeth said. "The fewer changes I have to deal with the better. Good to know about the passport."
"Okay." Devin said. "I will go with that then. I was thinking last night and I assume that you are still on your parents medical and car insurance. For now, they can't cut you off. I will talk to Mr Thornton to see what he suggests, but he may just add you to his plan or get a plan for you."
"Are you sure?" Elizabeth asked. "That is a lot of money."
"Don't worry about it." Jack said. "Your safety is more important. Dad will look into what is the best option. I told you not to worry about the money."
"Okay." Elizabeth said. "I will try to remember that."
"You don't have any appointments or meetings in the next month?" Devin asked. "I ask because you will be in Saratoga."
"I don't think so." Elizabeth said. "I do have a copy of my parents' insurance cards in my purse."
"Okay." Devin said. "If you need them, then feel free to use them. We will deal with it afterwards."
"Is there anything else that you thought of?" Jack asked.
"I don't think so." Elizabeth said. "I am sure that there will be things later."
"Do you have your social security card and a certified copy of your birth certificate?" Devin asked.
"Yes and no." Elizabeth said. "Social security card, but not the birth certificate."
"We can get you a copy of your birth certificate." Devin said. "What was your birthday? I know that Mr Thornton has it in your file at the office, but I can get one of the guys on it this morning."
"January 4th." Elizabeth said.
Devin and Jack just looked at each other and then at Elizabeth.
"You're kidding right?" Jack asked.
"Why?" Elizabeth said. "Is January 4th a special day or something? I mean other than my birthday."
"My birthday is January 4th." Jack said.
"That is really cool." Elizabeth said. "Now I will never forget your birthday."
"Or me yours." Jack said.
Devin just shook his head, he knew that those two belonged together. He just hoped that they took their time and did things right. He was worried about Elizabeth's emotional state and everything that she was going through. Devin knew that Jack was being protective of Elizabeth and just hoped that he was being careful with her emotional state as much as he was also caring for her physical state. Devin knew that Elizabeth was going to have to talk to someone eventually, but he was hoping that the trip to Saratoga would present a possible solution to that issue.
"It is just another connection that we have, I guess." Elizabeth said.
"I guess." Jack said.
"Are you two ready to go?" Devin asked.
"Yes." Elizabeth said.
Jack nodded in response.
"Okay." Devin said. "Elizabeth, please give me the address to your bank. We will go out to the garage and I will drive. I have all the paperwork that I need for the bank. Jack please send Katie a text and let her know that Chris will be here and will let her into the apartment if we are not back."
"On it." Jack said.
"Let me go grab my purse." Elizabeth said.
Elizabeth went to her room and grabbed her purse and phone. She was glad that Jack was there with her. She was also glad that she was gaining some independence even if she was relying on Jack and his family at the moment. It wasn't that her parents didn't allow Elizabeth her freedom, but they did try to control many aspects of her life. Removing them from her accounts was a step in the right direction. Elizabeth also knew at that moment that she was not going back to her parents house to live ever again. She may visit if they come around. Elizabeth knew that she would have to talk to her parents about what happened when things calmed down. She also knew that as long as they continued to side with the Kensingtons, that she would not be able to make any headway with her parents.
Jack and Elizabeth walked down to the garage with Devin. As soon as they stepped out of the apartment, Jack kept Elizabeth close. He knew that there was no real danger in the building, but he wasn't taking any chances. Elizabeth had also stepped close to Jack and seemed to want to be close to him. When they got to the car, he helped her into the backseat and then crawled in after her. Devin got in the driver's seat and punched the address into the GPS.
"Elizabeth." Jack said. "Now when we get to the bank, we need to wait for Devin to come around and open the door. He will walk in front of us and I will keep you close. Devin will never be far from either of us. He will have to stop at the door and we will wait with him."
"Okay." Elizabeth said. "This is going to take some getting used to."
"I know." Jack said. "But it is a safety thing right now. Things will be a little different in Saratoga. There will be security up there, but we don't use them much. Definitely at the track, but as long as we are not hassled in town we will have some freedom. We will just have to see how things are when we get back."
"Okay." Elizabeth said. "I am grateful for all that you have done for me. I realized this morning that I can't go back to my parents as long as they are siding with the Kensingtons. I want my freedom from them, but I know that I can't do it on my own yet."
"I will be here as long as you need." Jack said. "Like I said, you are welcome to stay at the apartment as long as you need or want."
Jack and Elizabeth talked a little while they were in the car. Devin allowed them to talk, but listened to them talking. As he was listening, he realized Jack was being a gentleman and taking Elizabeth's emotional state into consideration. Devin knew that he was still going to pull Jack aside and talk to him and remind him to be careful.
