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Chapter 24
Brooklynn
Savannah, GA May 20– Saturday
Jeanine Shaw’s Second Birthday Affair
Strange. Strange things are happening. That’s the best way for me to describe what has been going on. Last week, I went to bed feeling completely lost. It seemed as if I wouldn’t find the answers I’d been looking to find. The next morning, it was like someone drew back the shade. The lights were on, and everybody was home. All the messages and notes and the voices, good gracious, were clear.
I’m aware of the fire and the loss of the house. I now know exactly why I can’t call my grandmother. Had I ever called, I wouldn’t gotten a prerecorded message on her voicemail. It would be my voice letting all the well-wishers know what happened and where they can send cards, gifts, or well wishes.
Being at Journee’s was an active choice. I could’ve gotten my own place. I can afford it. I inherited money from my father, my mother’s first husband. The Emory name is well-known for its fabrics. I didn’t want to take the helm of the company. I wasn’t ready. I wanted to start something that was mine. That’s how M.R.C. came about. Turns out, Paislynn is an executive assistant who has been pulling double duty being the office manager at MRC and the liaison for Emory Holdings.
So many strange things happening. Journee is feeling a lot better and more comfortable in her own skin. She’s taking self defense classes. The consummate passivist is learning to protect herself. A guy might have everything to do with that. She told me his name is Hudson Stone. That’s all she’ll tell me and nothing more.
The last strange thing happened not too long ago. As I walk back inside the house, Journee handed me an envelope.
“Package came for you while you were out. You going to be good here by yourself? I can call Noelle and tell her to head back before she turns in her keys.”
“I still can’t believe you convinced her to let go of her place to move in here with us.”
“I’m being proactive. She practically lives here anyway. Plus, we live closer to where she works.”
“True. Hold it. Rewind. What do you mean you’re being proactive?”
“Sorry. Gotta go. Mom’s taking me shopping before my appointment.”
“I hope you purged your closet. Not another thing is going in mine unless I can claim it as my own,” I yell after her.
“Love you,” she responds just before sliding into the car with her mother.
“Love you too.”
I close and lock the door before flopping down to the couch. When I pull out the card from within the package, I see it’s a formal invitation to a birthday party for Daire’s mother. I’m shocked to discover it’s in a few hours. Talk about a last-minute affair.
Pulling out my phone, I send a text to the number on the card.
Me:RSVP for two
Unknown:May I have a name to go with the response?
Me:Brooklynn Emory
Unknown:Don’t you mean, Dr. Brooklynn Emory
Me. My turn. Your name?
Unknown:wouldn’t you like to know?
Somehow, I know exactly who it is. I know it’s him.
Me:a famous race car driver?
Unknown:correct
