Unbound by Emily Goodwin Page B

come and see the house. She wanted you to go as soon as possible. I can have a car pick you up tomorrow.”
    I started to say ‘ok’ but then I realized that wouldn’t work. “I have school. And I’ll have to find someone to take care of my animals. I have two horses, a dog and a ferret.” I doubt he’d care, but I told him anyway.
    “I see. Well, how about the weekend then?”
    “Ok. I really should talk to my parents though.”
    “Right. Before you go back to class, I have a few things I need you to sign.”
    I could have sold my soul to the devil for all I knew. I didn’t read anything, I just signed at the bottom of what seemed like a thousand pages. James went through everything, but he explained it all in a very lawyer like way that meant nothing to my understanding. Aunt Estelle said I could trust him. But since when did I trust Aunt Estelle?
    James stood. I guessed that meant we were done now. I was hungry, and I couldn’t wait to tell my friends and Harrison the bizarre news. James fished a card out of his brief case.
    “Call me at this number after you’ve made arrangements. It is imperative you come as soon as possible.”
    “Ok.” I couldn’t find my voice. James gathered up the papers. He let me keep the map and the letter from Aunt Estelle. He pointed to the smaller briefcase and said. “This has copies of everything. If you have any questions, don’t be hesitant to call.”
    “Ok.” I nodded and gathered up my own things. I put my books on top of the briefcase to make carrying everything easier. I hoped it would fit in my locker. “Uh, thanks.”
    James nodded. “I’ll be in touch.” He gave me a faint smile and held the door open for me. I still felt dazed as I walked down the hall. I opened my locker, put my books away, grabbed my lunch, and opened the briefcase. I put the letter and map inside and took out a copy of my inheritance. With a bit of difficulty I finally got the briefcase shoved safely inside. I hurried to the cafeteria.
    “Where the hell have you been?” Marie asked when I got to the table.
    “Long story. I have to talk to Harry.” I put my lunch bag down and went over to the table where Harrison and several other members of the football team sat.
    “Hey, sis.” Harrison looked a little confused. “What’s up?”
    “Can I sit?” Both chairs on either side of Harrison were occupied.
    “Of course.” Luke said and got up. I wondered if he already told Harrison about my strange visitor. I took his seat.
    “Aunt Estelle died.”
    “Oh, shit. Well, I guess we won’t be getting any more weird presents.”
    I was about to tell him that’s an awful thing to say but remembered that I had thought the same thing. “Yea. Anyway, this weird lawyer came and told me. I asked him if I could get you to tell you too, but he wouldn’t let me because he said ‘it didn’t concern you’ and Mom doesn’t know either. It’s really confusing.” I showed Harrison the paper. “And she left me all this.” Harrison snatched the paper out of my hands for a closer look.
    “No fair! Why didn’t I get anything?” He was pissed. Great, this wasn’t the reaction I was hoping he’d have. I should have figured though, and it did seem unfair.
    “You can have half. I don’t care. I’m just, I don’t know, unnerved right now. The lawyer said I need to go to the house in Indiana. He wanted me to go today.”
    Harrison looked up from the paper at me. “Are you going?”
    “What? No, of course not. And who would take care of the animals?”
    “You just inherited all this and you’re worried about your animals?” he asked incredulously.
    “Yes. They can’t take care of themselves. Plus, I don’t want to go by myself.” I noticed Luke hovering close behind us. “I have to eat. I’ll tell you more about it on the way home.” I took the paper out of his hands. He still looked pissed and jealous. I went back to my table and got out my turkey sandwich on whole wheat and took