Nocturne’s Reaping® : Prelude
Chapter 3
It was going to be a busy day, but Celeste felt ready for it. First thing was first — get Lark ready and out the door. It wasn’t part of the plan for Lark to stay home again; Celeste couldn’t deal with that. The possibility of having to call Mrs. Baker was not something Celeste even wanted to consider. Fortunately, Lark seemed more cooperative than she did the day before, and Celeste managed to get her onto the bus on time.
Next, was school. After what happened yesterday, Celeste had to make it clear to the other members of the club that she was up for the responsibility of being the club president. Celeste had to admit there was a risk to her showing up at school at all the day after the news of her parents’ deaths broke; people might think she was cold. But let them even suggest she wasn’t grieving enough, and they’d regret it. Celeste would just burst into tears in front of everyone. Not to mention, if Celeste didn’t show up at school who would excuse her absence? The last thing Celeste needed was people thinking she couldn’t handle herself.
As it turned out, the day was uneventful — if not a bit awkward. Most people didn’t even talk to Celeste; they just looked at her blankly. The ones who did talk to her gushed sympathy; this got to be annoying quickly. Yet, because most of these were the ones who supported Celeste’s bid for the club presidency she had to play along. But what made the situation truly intolerable was the fact there was no news about the club presidency or when the meeting was to be rescheduled. In fact, when Celeste tried to press the members for details there was a distinct feeling that the topic should not be breached. Celeste decided there was always tomorrow. Celeste would figure out what was going on and fix it. In the meantime, there were other matters to attend to.
Celeste was grateful that her father’s lawyer fit her into his schedule that day. Celeste figured that if anyone could help her return her life to normal it would be he. Just the idea of that was a relief. People like Mrs. Baker just wanted to change everything, to ruin the good things in Celeste’s life. Celeste was determined that Mrs. Baker’s vision of the future would not come to pass.
Right after school, Celeste headed to the lawyer’s office. Regrettably, there wasn’t even time to go home and change out of her school uniform. As Celeste approached the large, marble steps of the lawyer’s building, she reflected on the fact that Lark was getting out of school right then. Celeste had given Lark instructions on how to get off the bus, let herself into the house, then lock up behind her. Celeste hoped that Lark could handle this one thing. Celeste didn’t need any more complications.
After tracking down the lawyer’s office number from a registry on the wall, Celeste headed for his office. The waiting room was large. It had well-groomed plants and a waterfall sliding down the opposing wall. Right in front of Celeste was a huge cherry-wood desk with a well-dressed woman sitting behind it. Celeste went straight toward her.
“Hello. My name is Celeste Tampy. I have an appointment with Mr. Robert Davis.”
The receptionist lifted her eyes slowly. Then, she began to rifle through a day planner.
“Ah, yes.” she started. “I see he’s going to squeeze you in.” The receptionist made a directive gesture with her hand. “Please, have a seat.”
Celeste turned around. This was unexpected. Celeste needed to get this done and return home before anyone realized Lark was home alone. Maybe if Celeste mentioned her cousin … Celeste turned back toward the receptionist. Only this time, Nancy Springfield was turned away from Celeste and had her phone to her ear.
Celeste looked back toward the chairs; she grudgingly headed toward them. She remarked to herself that the chairs’ cushions were made with expensive-looking blue velvet. Celeste daintily sat on a chair with a direct view of the receptionist. Several times, Celeste lifted her eyes in irritation toward the woman, but the woman didn’t return her gaze. As time passed, Celeste began knocking her Mary Janes against the wooden legs of her chair. If the receptionist noticed Celeste’s actions, she never showed it. Then, all of a sudden, the entrance door to the office swung open powerfully.
A tall, well-dressed blonde teenage boy walked briskly into the room. He went directly toward the receptionist. Nancy Springfield turned, a surprised look in her eyes. She said good-bye slowly then hung up the phone. The teen looked about the room briefly, his eyes scanning above Celeste’s head. He then turned his attention back to Ms. Springfield.
“Where’s my father?”
“In with Mr. Davis.”
“Why was I summoned here if my father doesn’t have the decency to wait for me?”
Ms. Springfield just stared at him. Finally, after a few moments of the two of them staring at each other, the teen turned on his heels and headed over to a chair. He sat next to Celeste without actually looking at her. Eventually, he did look over and at Celeste directly. He noted how pretty she was with her long blonde hair and delicate features. He thought she looked a lot like a female version of him.
“So, have you been waiting long?” the boy then asked Celeste.
Celeste turned her head fully toward him and looked him in the eye.
“Do I know you?” she returned.
The boy laughed.
“Ha! Most girls want to be nice to me.” the boy responded.
“I’m sure.” Celeste replied. “But you see, most boys want to be nice to me as well. There are so many who talk to me; I lose track.”
“Wow, really?”
Celeste smiled.
“Yes and no.” she said. “I don’t remember you.”
“Frederick Applegate.”
Frederick offered his hand. Celeste waited a moment then decided to shake his hand.
“Celeste Tampy.”
“That’s a pretty name.” Frederick admitted.
“And yours is impressive.”
Frederick’s face fell.
“What?” Celeste wondered.
“You recognize my name?”
Celeste looked at him doubtfully.
“No, should I?”
Frederick analyzed her for a moment. Suddenly, the door from the inner office opened. Two men emerged, both meticulously dressed. They shook hands. At that moment, Frederick stood, his attention directed solely at the men.
“Frederick.” the older of the two men stated. “It’s good of you to show up.”
“I got here when I could.” Frederick mumbled.
“I’m sure. I’ll fill you in on what was discussed when we get home.”
Frederick looked on his father with irritation.
“Thank you for your time, Mr. Davis.” Mr. Applegate concluded.
“Sure. Thank you for your patronage.”
Mr. Applegate came up to his son and placed his hands on Frederick’s shoulders. As Frederick turned back around, he looked at Celeste. He maintained eye contact with her as he left. She returned a look of sympathy. After all, she now knew how it felt when adults tried to run your life. Celeste then turned her attention back to the receptionist. Mr. Davis and Ms. Springfield were discussing something.
Ms. Springfield looked up.
“Miss Tampy, Mr. Davis is ready for you now.”
Celeste stood up then followed Mr. Davis into his inner office. Mr. Davis pointed to a chair in front of his desk. Celeste sat down.
“So, what can I do for you?” Mr. Davis asked as he walked behind his desk.
Celeste’s forehead crinkled.
“Well, don’t you know that my parents are dead?”
Mr. Davis was briefly taken aback by Celeste’s affect.
“Yes, I was informed.”
“Well, I don’t know what to do.” Celeste admitted. “I’ve never buried anyone. I’ve never paid bills in my life. I was hoping you could help me.”
Mr. Davis sat down.
“Your father wasn’t just my client; I considered him a friend. I would be glad to help you in any way I can. I can make Ms. Springfield available to help you with the funeral arrangements.”
“And the estate? What about that?”
“From what I understood from talking with your father, there should be enough money in your father’s and your uncle’s estates to take care of both you and your cousin until the two of you reach your majority.”
Celeste beamed.
“As long as the two of you can adhere to a budget …” Mr. Davis quickly added.
“Budget?” Celeste repeated.
“Yes, there should be plenty of money for all of your living expenses. As I’ve said, you can live quite comfortably until Lark reaches her majority.”
Celeste bowed her head in thought.
“Of course, there’s the matter of guardianship. I’ll have to review your aunt and uncle’s will to see whether they recommended anyone for Lark.”
“I’m almost eighteen.” Celeste said.
“Yes, that is something to consider. But I realize you must be busy …”
“Part of the estate would go to Lark or at least to her guardian, right?”
“Yes, of course.”
“What if I became her guardian?”
Mr. Davis looked perplexed.
“You’d have to prove you were mature enough for that.” Mr. Davis informed her.
“How?”
“For one thing, you should find some employment.”
“Employment? Why should I have to do that? You said we’d have enough money.”
“It doesn’t need to be a full-time job, but it would help to show you can be responsible with money.”
“I see.” Celeste uttered.
“When is your birthday?”
“Next month.”
“Assuming that is what you both really want, we could delay filing for guardianship until then. But in the meantime …”
“What if I hired a nanny until then?”
“That could be a possibility.”
“Well, how long before the estate is dealt with?”
“I can’t give you that information just now. I will have to see whether there’s an executor named.”
“And if there is, he or she will be in control of the money?” Celeste continued.
“As you know, I’ll have to review your parents’ paperwork. There may be stipulations about age, trust funds, and other such things. I’ll try to free up some liquid assets for you and your cousin right away. In the meantime, talk to my assistant about arranging for the funeral. Once again, I considered your father a friend, so I will pay for the funeral expenses.”
“Thank you!” Celeste was quick to say.
The thought occurred to Mr. Davis that he couldn’t tell whether Celeste was happy for her relatives’ sakes or because she wouldn’t have to pay the expenses. Perhaps it was both.
“Why don’t you make an appointment for tomorrow afternoon? That should give me the time to look over at least some of your parents’ documentation. Will you and your cousin be all right overnight?”
“Yes. We have enough food.”
“Good. Then, I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Mr. Davis picked up his phone.
“Ms. Springfield, I’m going to send Miss Tampy out to you. I want you to make her an appointment for tomorrow afternoon. I also need you to please help Miss Tampy make arrangements for a funeral for four individuals.”
“All right, sir. By the way, your 4:30 appointment is here.”
“Okay. Thank you.” Mr. Davis hung up the phone. “Thank you for coming in, Celeste.” Mr. Davis stood and offered his hand to Celeste. “Ms. Springfield will take care of you outside.”
“Thank … you.”
Celeste headed out the door. As she stepped into the waiting room, a man rushed past her and into the room. The door was shut soon after.
“Miss Tampy. If you’d take a seat in the chair by my desk, we’ll get started.” Ms. Springfield offered.
Celeste sat down. Things were happening quickly now.
“That’s good,” Celeste thought.
The only problem was it felt as though she had just lost control of her life.
Copyright © Jennifer Alice Chandler 2015
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