Only Human

Laying it all out

I snuck the phone out from the waistband of the shorts and checked it for a moment before sending a text. ~Academy notary available tomorrow? ~ I glanced at Marie but she wasn't paying attention to me, her focus was on Dad. His pacing increased and I started to catch some of the phrases he was saying and my eyes narrowed slightly as I began to work out more of a plan. I really did need to know if someone would be available to be a notary public because I wanted, no, needed him to put somethings in writing without there being actual legal documentation.

At least, that's' what I gathered having ghost status with the Academy was about.

I couldn't jeopardize that status when I just found out about it and just earned my way in the door.

Mr. B: yes. Whatever you need, Miss Sorenson. We are here. Whatever you need. Negotiate it.

I breathed a soft sigh of relief and sent back a quick thanks before swiftly tucking the phone away. "Marie." I said, glancing up at her again and staring at her until she looked down at me with a grunt. "We have to stick together on this. Okay? You and I will work something out later but we have to get him to agree to leave us here first. Just trust me, okay?" she nodded slightly. "Thanks."

He finally caught sight of us staring at him, both of us with arms crossed as we stared at him. He ran his hand through his hair. "Look, you really should just come with me." He said.

"Oh... no." I shook my head. "We both know you never actually wanted us, you know." I pointed out. "We aren't boys. Not what you have with the new woman... she's got boys." I said before sneering slightly at him, noticing Marie's lip curled up at him as well. "Funny thing with that..." I said, arching an eyebrow at him. "It's the man who determines the sex of the baby... it's YOUR contribution that has made us girls." I shrugged. "So let's talk a bit..." I said coolly.

He frowned. "I'm not sure we have much to talk about." He said. "I guess I have no choice but to not put you in a new school." He said flatly.

Parts of my new plan started to pull together in my brain and I thought on a constant mantra... I can do this. I can do this. I can.... Just freakin' do it already, Sang. I straightened up. "True, you have no choice with that because we're flat out refusing. You can't make her." I said and Marie nodded. "And I'll disappear if you try to make me."

His eyes narrowed and he watched me as I pulled everything together and stood up straight. "Go on."

I inclined my head in his direction. "It's late." I said. "We should sleep on it. But tomorrow, I'm getting a notary public here because these things have to be in writing and we need them notarized as part of the agreements." I said. "But here's what you're going to think on... I don't care what you do about her mother." I jerked a thumb at Marie. "Frankly, she and I could care less about what you do with each of us."

He glanced between us, apparently finally seeing that we weren't exactly close sisters.

"But you are going to have to take care of your business. We're not playing go-between between the two of you anymore. If you want to divorce her mom, then be a man and take care of it. I know she's on the papers for this house, so you can't exactly sell it out from under her without consent." I said calmly, crossing my arms again. I glanced at Marie and saw the spark of interest. I continued. "So we're going to stay for at least 6 months... you're going to get us cashier's checks for the college funds you established for us." I said. "That's our money, set aside for us from our grandparents and you can't use it, we need it." I said.

He opened his mouth to protest.

I chopped a hand through the air. "No, you don't seem to understand." I said. "You walk away, you turn your back on me, and someone goes after you for child support. How in the world is that going to get you the extra money you claim to need? For someone trying to hide himself, you sure don't seem to know a lot about what will end up happening. I don't want support, I just want the money that's already saved for me. I'd take it and be out of everyone's hair, you wouldn't have to see me again."

I can do it

I can do it

I'll get through it