I'm hoping to get another chapter written before Christmas. We are almost finished, but like everyone else, we are busy at this time of year.
Also, this morning, my Auntie died. She was a good age, 96. But she was more a mom to me than an Auntie. I want to be with my cousins to support them.
I must apologies to everyone for not thanking you for the reviews. I thought you might prefer that I write the next chapter. Life soon gets busy, and time flies by.
~T ~
Chapter 39
Narrated by Shelly Cope.
Izzy felt guilty for not visiting Meme earlier; now, it was too late. Meme was worried about what would happen to Pop once she died. Izzy calmed her worries by telling her she would do her best to get Pop to come and live with her.
Izzy asked Meme who the people with fancy cars were. But she was shocked to hear that her brother's grandson had inherited most of the farm. She hadn't realized because she didn't have it in writing that they were going to have to leave once she died. Her great-nephew has been making threats.
Izzy was annoyed, so she decided to act. But three days after she arrived, Meme passed away.
Meme was to be laid to rest next to her parents. Before that day, Izzy knew she would have to act and create the illusion that she knew the law. She was a silent partner and never wanted to be a part of the real estate business. But she needed Jamie's help. She couldn't allow this idiot to intimidate Pop.
~T ~
Izzy
"Where have you been, Bell? We were worried about you," Petal asked.
"Getting information about your rights. How we can buy some time," Izzy answered.
"It's nice to see your natural color," Petal said. "Are those fancy clothes in that bag?"
"They're not that fancy. They're uncomfortable, but I have a part to play where this joker is concerned. I hope you all won't hate me when you see what I'm capable of," Izzy sighed.
"I'm sure we won't, sweetheart," Daisy smiled.
They all met in the dining hall for their evening meal, and Izzy was worried about what she would have to tell them.
"As you know, I had been gone most of the day. I've contacted a close friend of mine who deals in real estate. I had to find out where you all stood on the legal side. As much as some of you are thinking about sitting and stopping them from moving you out, that won't work," Izzy began.
"In the '60s, we always protested like that," Daisy answered.
"I know that, but the police use more modern weapons than they did then. I would hate for any of you getting hurt. Although you and Meme never married, the law sees you as a common-law husband. Even with all that, he can't come and make you leave. Meme was here legally. She and her father shook on the agreement that you all could live here and have the field as long as they stayed in which you grow your crops. However, Meme's family must go to court and get an eviction warrant. But the courts will notify you of the case, and you can put your claim forward. If you lose and he gets an eviction warrant served, you will have 28 days to leave, but you can appeal against the order. That could cost you so much money, and you can't barter with him like you do with other people," Izzy began.
"But what are we supposed to do," Dylan asked.
"You need to be proactive. First, you have to decide where you ultimately want to fight it. If you don't, you must decide where you want to go. Then you sell as much as possible to have money to start up somewhere else," Izzy continued.
"But we have only known this way of life," Sandy interrupted.
"I realize that. But you did have a great deal to offer. I took the liberty of looking in town for any empty shops with living accommodations over them. I found one in a prime place. I can give you a good deal. Vintage clothes are big things at the moment. People go to thrift stores to buy clothes like the ones you have in the storeroom. Also, you could split the shop to sell preservatives as you do at the farmers market. Sandy makes furniture. This shop has a place in the back, and you could do that in there and sell them in the shop. You could also take orders. Make things for kids like small chairs and toy boxes with carvings, which will sell very well," Izzy told them.
"But we don't know anything about running a business?" Petal replied.
"I have a friend who could help you. Besides working for yourself, you don't have any education that qualifies you for a regular job. Unless you work for a fast-food restaurant, they only pay a basic wage. Which will not be enough for a decent home," Izzy continued.
"Or you can just buy this place for us, and we can stay here," Willow added.
"Pardon," Izzy said, shocked.
"You heard me. Pay for us to stay here. We took you in, and you ate our food and wore our clothes. You owe us," Willow snarled.
"Willow, that's enough!" Pop gasped.
"No, pop, that's okay," Izzy choked out. "You might have taken me in to keep me safe, but I worked harder than you, Willow. I even did your share of the work because I was so frightened they would find me if you turned me out.
"No one thought that," Dylan said as he tried to squeeze Izzy's hand.
"You might not know, but Sparrow never left me to keep me safe. He left me here so he could make a deal with the FBI. For me, he got himself a new identity and a place to live, all paid for by the government he claimed to hate. I have been through hours of surgery on my feet. Then, I have been in therapy since leaving here. I can't stand people touching me. I can't cope without Bobby. Don't you ever accuse me of that again! But don't worry, as soon as the funeral is over, I'll leave." Izzy said.
"But she's got money. Those clothes cost a lot of money. The suit is an Alexander McQueen, which cost over $2,000, and the blouse is made of real silk from Gucci. They are over $1,000. She also has Jimmy Choo shoes," Willow huffed.
"How would you know that, Willow? You're not supposed to be able to read?" Daisy questioned.
"Well, we know where her money comes from. You've got to have millions of dollars with all the paintings you've sold Phoenix," Petal added.
"First, those clothes are from the local thrift store and are made to look like designer-label clothing. The outfit cost me $50. The shoes I got from a clearance shop cost me $30, and they're imitations. I'm not a painter. I illustrate children's books. I live comfortably in Forks, Washington, with my half-brother and half-sister in a rented house. I date my childhood friend Teddy, who is a schoolteacher. That's how much money I have," Izzy gasped.
"I know you're all worried about what is going to happen. But Izzy is here to visit. Her father lives in New York. She been to visit him and stopped by to see us," Pops said as he winked at Izzy.
"I got these clothes to play a part in intimidating the guy trying to evict you. You don't think I wear clothes like that all the time? I wear clothes like this," Izzy pointed to herself." Izzy's voice wavered. "I've got two pairs of Jeans Carlisle and Esme brought me; they're Teddy's parents. Teddy brought me a coat for Christmas. Besides that, I make my clothes as Meme taught me to. I use an electric sewing machine; that's all that's different. I knit my sweaters and other clothing. I have the spinning wheel, and loom pop made me. I still use them, if you excuse me. Pop, is it okay if I stay tonight? I'll leave straight after the funeral."
"Of course, you're going to stay with me. I'll come across with you," Pop replied.
"Wait for me. I'll come with you. Willow, I think you should start clearing the dining room now," Daisy said.
"Why would you treat Izzy like that, Mom? She doesn't deserve that at all. She was trying to make sure we were going to be okay. What are we going to do now? To be perfectly honest with you. I'm terrified to leave here," Sonny said as he stood up and walked out the door.
He wanted to go to Pops to check on Izzy, but he thought against it. He just wished he could ask her if he could go with her. He felt safe with her. She knew what it was like outside of this place.
As Pops got to the house, he wanted to talk to Izzy, but her bedroom door was closed, and he could hear her crying. He looked at Daisy, who just shook her head. They had never been so disappointed with the people in the commune as they were now.
Pop had dreaded the day of the funeral. He wasn't surprised to see Izzy in her regular clothes. She was quiet throughout the funeral. Meme's nephew was there with his wife, smirking at them.
Pop said some words about Meme and how his years with her were the best of his life. He spoke about how she educated all the kids in the commune. Daisy told her friend how they had known each other since they met in 1965.
As they lowered Meme's coffin, they sang Hallelujah. Everyone could hear the nephew and his wife laughing.
Izzy looked at them, and she noticed his cheap suit and his jewelry, which was a cheap imitation. She just wished everyone would let her talk on their behalf. But she was leaving straight after the burial, although she wished she could stay for Pops. But if they had listened, hopefully, they would have stood up to him.
"Pops, I'm leaving now. I've left you a letter at the house. Don't forget that idiot has to go to court to evict you. I've left a lawyer's card who will help you. If you don't want to fight, you must leave 28 days after being served the eviction order. Get as much harvested as you can and sell it. You've always got a home with me, Pop. I've left my phone number," Izzy whispered as she hugged him. She hoped the thousand dollars she left would help them.
She got in her car and drove away, working out where she would go next.
~T ~
Teddy
Teddy didn't know where to look for Izzy. He had driven to the cabin they had gone to a few months previously. Mrs. P said Izzy had been there for five days until she was completely better. But had no idea where she had gone when she left.
He knew she wouldn't have gone to New York because she hadn't been on good terms with her dad for some time. But he was too pigheaded to see it.
She doesn't have any friends. Marcus had been to ask Pop and Meme if they had seen her. But he came up blank.
Teddy saw that Sue was home. He had been signed off sick for the next 10 days, so Teddy decided to go across to see if she needed help packing. She and the kids were moving into his house, and he would live with his parents.
~T ~
Teddy went across the road and knocked on Sue's door.
"Hi, Teddy, come in. Are you feeling any better today?" Sue asked.
"Hi, Sue. I still have a headache and sore ribs. It's been three weeks since the assault. I thought I would be better by now," Teddy replied.
"You can come and sit with me while I start to close Izzy's studio. Marcus thinks there could be at least two million dollars worth of paintings and manuscripts here. I have to crate up as much as I can. He's sending a truck to pick it up in two days," Sue offered.
"I can't believe how many paintings she has in here. Does she sell these sketches?" Teddy asked.
"Yes, she sells everything she makes, even the pottery," Sue replied.
"She makes pottery?"
"Yes, she has a wheel in the back of the house and a kilim out with the shed."
"I didn't realize. I knew she helped some students with pottery. I just thought she was working from the school."
"She did, but she has made pots since she came home. You have to remember Teddy. The places she lived were self-sufficient."
"I still feel I should have protected her. I shouldn't have followed the others. Being with her is like it was when we were kids."
"Teddy, do you know that, on average, how many kids are snatched in the country every year?"
"No, but it can't be that many."
"Roughly 840,000 kids are reported missing every year in this country. According to the town records, this town is below average for a town this size; only three kids have gone missing. One child was found dead in the forest in the 1920's; another child in the 1960's was never found. Then Izzy, who we thankfully got Izzy back."
"I didn't realize that many went missing."
"I can understand why your parents asked a lawyer to come with you to be interviewed. Many law enforcement officers have put words in kids' mouths, and they have ended up in Jail. But Teddy, this was mainly the adults' fault.
First, Renee manipulates people. Charlie for not taking care of Izzy. Even your parents are still determining if they can start looking after Izzy again after Charlie told them to stay away from you. But you had nothing to blame for. Izzy should have been able to go to someone and tell them she was being bullied. Sue began. Are you still going to therapy?"
"No, my insurance only allowed me twelve sessions. I can't afford to pay myself."
"You might have to go to the library or look online for a self-help site."
"We don't have a library, thanks to the Newtons. I want to bring that up at the meeting tonight," Teddy said.
Teddy continued to pack the paints and crayons into a wooden chest.
"Sue, why did Izzy get this literacy award for Izzy Inkpen?"
"I know she will be annoyed with me. Teddy, if I tell you, you can't tell anyone else. She's Izzy Inkpen."
"There's no wonder she thinks I'm a loser," Teddy sighed.
"Teddy, don't say that about yourself. She doesn't believe that at all."
"What other pseudonym does she go by?"
"You will have to ask her," Sue replied. "This painting is for you, I think. It has your name on the back,"
It wasn't a big painting. The background looked like First Beach, but something that looked like calligraphy was written on it.
I have spread my dreams under your feet
Tread softly because you tread on my dreams
"That's from one of her favorite poets. Yeates. Keep it, take it home with you, and ask her the next time you see her. The kids will be home soon. They can help me with some of these big canvases."
"Will you be going to the meeting tonight?" Teddy asked.
"Yes, I'll be there. It seems I'll be here until September. I want to listen to what they will do with this mess for professional reasons. We can use the aftermath in court against them. The Newtons and Stanleys have left a mess to sort out. I don't know if you know Teddy. Charlie is going to be arrested tomorrow afternoon," Sue replied.
~T ~
There weren't as many people when the Cullens got to the town hall as they thought. The Cheney's and The Biers sat with the Cullens, and Sue sat with Teddy.
"Teddy, I received a call from Jamie before I came out. Izzy has been visiting Meme and Pop. Meme died while she was there, so she stayed for the funeral and left straight after. He told her about what Charlie did to you, and she was devastated and blamed herself as usual. She said that she misses you and you better not drop the charges," Sue offered.
"Did he say if she was coming back home," Teddy asked.
"No, she didn't, but she wouldn't miss the kid's graduation," Sue replied.
"Teddy, could I have a quick word before it starts? Little Josh died this afternoon," Carlisle said.
"What about his funeral?" Teddy asked.
"We're not sure it will be up to the DCF. But to be honest, I don't know who will pay for it. Or where will he finish being buried? They will probably cremate him and scatter his ashes. The nursing staff was talking about collecting money to pay for it," Carlisle advised.
"I'm sure whoever paid for his treatment will pay for the funeral," Teddy replied.
"Who's Josh?" Sue asked, puzzled.
"He was a four-year-old child in the foster system. He was diagnosed with leukemia, and his foster parents handed him back as they couldn't afford treatment. We don't know how it happened, but an anonymous donor paid for his treatment. Josh came to our hospital for treatment. Izzy spent a lot of time with him, and Teddy used to come and read to him at bedtime," Carlisle revealed.
"Do you and Izzy do much work with the kids on the children's ward?" Sue asked.
"Izzy goes twice a week to do art with the kids. I had a free lesson last class on Friday. I go, and we either read a story or take our guitars and sing with the kids," Teddy said.
"That's nice of you both. How many more kids has she taken under her wing that I don't know about?" Sue asked, raising her eyebrows.
"Just AJ. He was one of her students at school. She got him a contract with a publishing house. He is talented. He writes and draws superhero stories," Teddy replied.
"Thank you for coming. As the deputy mayor, I have the task of sorting out this mess left by our Mayor and the Stanley family. I want to take this opportunity to tell you there will be an election for a new Mayor and other officers. But until this happens, we will try to sort out what can be done as they have demolished buildings without planning permission. We would like to know your Ideas," Harold Greene, the deputy Mayor, said.
"I want to know how I can get my business back. Stanley foreclosed on it when he had no right or reason to. Not all of us have had a benefactor like the little's did to get their business back," John Dowling shouted.
Ben stood up. "For those of you who have had your businesses and houses taken illegally, please call my office, and I'll help you claim against the bank. There is nothing the Mayor's office can do about it."
"Thank you, Ben. Most of you have already been told what to do. So please go to Ben's office and follow the right channels to correct that," Harold replied.
"Also, please don't think you can't claim because you can't afford it. We will give you the first consultation free. If you have a case, any costs incurred will fall on the bank to pay," DA Chaney offered.
"Will you be turning the park back into a park? The Newtons have playground swings, slides, and a seesaw in their garden, which they took from the park when Newton closed it. What about relaying the rubber floor covering?" Riley asked.
"The kids have nowhere to go and play," Someone else shouted.
"As soon as money becomes available, we will reopen the playground," Robert Hammond, one of the city council members, said.
"This is where it would be useful to have Izzy Swan here to help pay for things like this," someone yelled.
Standing up, Teddy growled. "Izzy has no responsibility to pay for the mess this town is in. She has given things to this town, who turned their back on her more than once. You all complained about her dog. You made a complaint to the police when she had a PTSD attack. She owes us nothing."
"I'll second that. Walmart has asked about buying that eyesore that they called a spa. Let them buy it. That money can pay for things that need doing. Start with the smaller things, and then look at the bigger mess they have made," Emmett offered.
"Walmart will bring more money into the town. It will create new jobs. We won't have to drive to PA to shop," April added.
"You hold the key to planning permissions. Just work with these people," Gale Clapp declared.
"The Newtons demolished the library to build their house. Can't the house be turned back into the library, and maybe it has room for daycare, too? That way, people can have daycare here and not have to go to PA. The junior library can be on the bottom floor, and the older readers could be upstairs, and have a computer lab for those who don't have access to a computer at home," Esme asked.
"That seems like a possibility. We will have a meeting with Yorkie and Son Builders. They built the place, so they should know if it is possible," Deputy Mayor Greene said.
"I don't suppose anyone knows what happened to all the books and shelving, do they?" a counselor asked.
There was mumbling in the room.
"Probably sold them on eBay," Sue whispered to Teddy.
"Yes, I wouldn't be surprised," Teddy answered.
Teddy raised his hand to ask a question.
"Yes, Edward?" a council member asked.
"I was wondering what that building was that was past the shops that Newton had built; did Newton get permission to build them?" Teddy asked.
"No one knows, and he won't tell anyone," Harold Greene replied.
"May I suggest that we turn it into something where we can start a scouting program? We have never had Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts. It would be good for the kids. It would give them something positive in their lives," Teddy offered.
"If we do, who will run the scouting programs?" someone shouted.
"I would," Teddy replied.
"I'd help as well," Riley and Ben said together.
"I'd run the Girl Scouts," Alice offered.
"I'd help as well," Jena offered. She was Alice's friend from high school.
"Okay, that seems like something that we could start. I would think it has to be registered or something," Greene offered.
"I've already looked into it. I'll discuss it with you when we look around," Teddy said with a smile.
Now, all he had to work out was what he wanted to do as a job. He wanted to teach younger children.
Teddy zoned out when people were arguing about Stanley Manor, as Carmen Stanley named it. He heard his dad say something about each family planting a tree.
"Before we close, could I ask about that house that has been built on the edge of the town? Who does it belong to? Is it something Stanley has done?" Phil asked.
"No, it has nothing to do with the Stanleys or the Newtons. We have been dealing with their architects, builders, and lawyers. All we know is they are recluses and wanted somewhere quiet to settle," Harold replied.
"We're not looking at a cult or commune, are we?" Esme panicked.
"No, I believe it's just one person," Harold reassured.
~T ~
Charlie
Charlie moved across the floor towards the baggage carousel, looking to see if he could find Sue. He couldn't believe that she was taking this so far. That kid deserved what he got. He would stay away from his baby girl. As he walked out of the airport, two uniformed police officers approached him.
"Charlie Swan?" An officer asked.
"Yes, son, what can I do for you?" Charlie answered.
"You're under arrest for assault and abetting an assault. You have the right to remain silent; anything you say can and will be used against you in a court….," the officer began.
"You don't have to tell me my rights. I was arresting punks when you were in short trousers. You can put those handcuffs away as well," Charlie growled. "If this is because of that punk in Forks, he will be sorry he went against me. I was a cop for over twenty years."
Charlie kept talking over the young officer. They had enough as they pushed him against their cruiser and cuffed him. They were putting him in the back of the car, with people at the airport looking on.
Thanks to my friend Kellie (Klcivinski) for my pre-reading. She always finds time to read and supports me when I doubt myself with the plot.
Also, thank you to Donna (EdwardsFirstKiss) for her magic red pen and for helping with the story, especially telling me how things work in the States compared to England.
Any mistakes are mine.