What Matters Most (15 page)

“I’m sorry, Maya.” Bruce looks sadly my way. “You have a lot of talent. But the timing is all wrong.”

“I’m sorry too, Maya,” Robert says. “But maybe it’s for the best.”

I just nod without speaking.

“You people have lost your freaking minds!” Shannon looks from Bruce to Robert and finally to me. “And you’re not even going to fight this, Maya?”

I just shrug.

She grabs her bag and stomps out of the office, slamming the door loudly behind her.

Now I look to Bruce and Robert, hoping they’ll shed some light on the situation—or else just put me out of my misery.

“I’ll draw up a new contract,” Bruce says quickly and quietly.

“Dated
after
your emancipation hearing,” Robert says. “I told the judge about your situation, and she moved the court date to Wednesday of this week.”

“After your emancipation is official, your mother won’t have a legal leg to stand on,” Bruce says. “After speaking to Robert, I got this sneaking suspicion that you wouldn’t want her managing your money for you.”

“Thank you so much,” I say as I stand. “Thank you both so much!”

“You better hurry,” Robert tells me. “You’ll have to do damage control with your mother now.”

And yes, I do have to do damage control. But ironically, our drive back to the Phillipses’ house is much more pleasant than the one to the law firm.

“That Bruce Glass is certifiable, you know,” she tells me once we’re in the car.

“I think he was worried,” I say.

“I think he’s insane.”

“Well, he’s hired to look out for the best interests of the band, Shannon.”

“I can’t believe you’re taking this so lightly.”

“Like I told you, I’m a Christian, and I have to trust God with these things.”

“So you’re not upset?”

“Of course I’m upset. Who wouldn’t be upset? One day you think you’re about to embark on a music career, and the next day it’s over.” I make a forced-sounding laugh. “Although that’s the exact thing Dad always told me. I guess he was right.”

“Well, if you ask me, that Bruce Glass is a complete flipping nut case. I told him I’d sign the contract. Why was he so stubborn?”

“He’s watching out for the band. And I wasn’t the only girl they were considering to replace Laura.”

Now there’s a long silence, and finally Shannon speaks quietly. “Are you mad at me?”

“No more than usual.”

“Well, you still have your other jobs, Maya. You’ve made quite the impression on this little hick town—what with being on the local news and in your uncle’s paper.”

“And I still have my job at Jacqueline’s,” I point out, although I hope I’ll be giving Jackie notice by the weekend.

Shannon sighs as I pull into the driveway. “And you shouldn’t complain either. Your jobs are a lot more glamorous than mine.”

“Who’s complaining?” I give her a small smile as she gets out of the car. I can tell she’s eager to get away from me now. She probably thinks I want to kill her. “Tell Marissa I’ll see her on Thursday.”

And so, as I write this entry, I’m thinking,
God is good
. Really, really good. And He really does watch out for His children. I went over our conversation in the law office several times, and I’m convinced that none of us lied to Shannon. Not once. Not about anything. She simply believed what she wanted to believe. And Bruce and Robert protected me from her.

Oh, it’s sad when a girl must be protected from her own mother. But I saw those dollar signs in Shannon’s eyes as she offered to sign my contract. I could hear the eagerness in her voice when she volunteered to manage my earnings. And after all, hasn’t she managed our money before? She managed to bankrupt my dad, and she managed to steal my savings. I am so very thankful for Bruce and Robert and the way they helped me avoid a train wreck today. And really, God does work in mysterious ways, doesn’t He?

I
’m so used to taking care of myself and depending on myself that I don’t expect too much from anyone. And yet it seems people are always helping me. I believe it’s a God thing (a phrase I picked up from Caitlin). Anyway, today was no different.

I had to leave school early to appear before the Honorable Judge Helen Anderson at 1:30 p.m. Robert told me that judges are sometimes in a better mood following lunch, and when he can, he tries to get those time slots. Although in this case he simply got lucky.

As he’d instructed me, I tried to put together a nice, neat outfit that looked “mature and responsible but not overly sophisticated”—a navy woolen skirt and navy hose, topped with a pale blue Ralph Lauren shirt and a tweed vest. I suppose it was kind of preppy looking, but I think it worked. And I arrived at the courthouse early—just to get acclimated…and to pray.

My biggest fear was that somehow, and I had no idea how, but that
somehow
Shannon was going to find out about it and turn the whole thing into a circus.

Robert Bernard met me in the lobby, then took me to a quiet room where he briefed me on what was about to happen. “I know I don’t need to tell you to answer the questions honestly, Maya. But don’t be afraid to explain some things to the judge. She’s had the paperwork to examine, but judges are busy, and sometimes they skim over things. And remember, she doesn’t really know you or Shannon. All she can work with is what she hears today.”

I nodded and swallowed. “Okay.”

“And I’ve got some witnesses lined up as well.”

“Witnesses?”

“People like Jackie, who can testify to your maturity and conduct.”

“Oh, good. Thanks.”

“Are you ready?”

“I think so.”

He grinned at me. “Let’s do this.”

He led me to the courtroom, and I was stunned to see quite a crowd when we walked in. But upon closer examination, I realized that they were all friends. Most of them were grown-up friends, but Chloe and Allie were there as well.

The procedure was actually rather simple. I was introduced to the judge, and with Robert’s help I presented my case. Then Robert invited witnesses, one by one, to step up and speak on my behalf. And it was really amazing. From Uncle Allen to Suzy Richards (from Channel Five News) to Mrs. King (from school) to Jackie Bernard
(my boss and friend) to Caitlin and Bruce and Chloe and Allie and others, they all told Judge Anderson what they knew about me and why they thought I was capable of being emancipated from my parents. It was totally awesome…and humbling. I have never felt so thoroughly loved in my life. God really does take care of orphans. And okay, I know I’m not a real orphan, but there have been a lot of times when it felt like I was…or when it felt like I’d be better off as an orphan.

“This is all very impressive,” Judge Anderson finally told me. “For a sixteen-year-old girl”—she glanced at her file—“who will turn seventeen next month, you’ve really worked hard to build yourself a respectable and worthwhile life that even an adult could be proud of.”

“Thank you.”

“At your attorney’s suggestion I spoke to your father, Nick Stark, early this morning. Your father is completely supportive of your emancipation as well. He understands that his traveling schedule makes it impossible for him to perform the responsibilities of legal guardian to you. I’ve gone over your mother’s arrest and court records, and after hearing all that I’ve heard today, I am in agreement, Miss Stark. You have certainly proven yourself ready to accept the responsibility of legal emancipation from your parents.” She looked around the room. “And I must say it’s reassuring to see that you have such a supportive circle of friends. You are a very fortunate girl.”

I just nodded, trying not to tear up.

Then she signed and stamped the papers and congratulated me. And the room erupted into cheers and applause.

I thanked her again, and it seemed that we were done, but before we gathered our things to leave, the judge spoke up again. “By the way, Maya,” she said, “I have enjoyed your green column in the newspaper as well as your spot on Channel Five News. I hope you’ll continue your commitment to protecting our environment as you embark on your musical career.”

“I plan on it,” I told her.

“Good for you!”

And so I am free. Although I don’t really feel any different. Well, besides relieved.
I am so relieved
. Robert pointed out that there’s always the chance Shannon could challenge this. “But it’s highly unlikely she’d succeed.” And I decided I’m not going to worry about that. Then he told me that Bruce is drawing up a new contract that should be ready for me to sign on Friday.

“So how about if we practice this afternoon?” Chloe suggested as they walked out of the courthouse with me.

“I’d love to,” I told her.

“Group hug,” Allie said.

“We’re your family now,” Chloe told me.

And yes, they will be my family. But I realize I have a lot of other people in my family too. All the ones in the courtroom today plus some (like my dad and Kim and Dominic) who weren’t
even there. Judge Anderson said I was fortunate, which is true, but I also think I’ve been blessed.

I took Marissa to church with me today. It was her idea to go (I think because she wanted to get out of the house—and probably wanted to get away from Shannon too). But I sure didn’t argue with her. And I actually think she enjoyed the service, at least the music. But this made me think she might like youth group as well. So now I plan to get her going to some of these things, which means I need someone else to commit to taking her since Redemption hits the road next week. I’m pretty sure Shannon won’t agree to do this since she made it perfectly clear when I picked up Marissa this morning that she has no desire to go to church—ever.

So I’m thinking of Dominic and Eddie. And maybe even Brooke and Amanda too. But I’d like to put some pressure on Eddie. He’s been on such a guilt trip any way… maybe he’d like to let some of it go by becoming Marissa’s personal chauffeur. Just as long as he doesn’t drink and drive this time. I’m pretty sure he has no intention of doing that again.

As I drove Marissa home, I explained to her that I wouldn’t be around after next week but that I’d stay in touch through e-mail. She’s just starting to read and write, so this will actually be good therapy for her.

“Where you going?” she asked with a furrowed brow.

“Remember the band Redemption?”

“Yes.” She smiled. “The concert. I played my recorder.”

“Well, I’m going to go on tour with them. We’ll travel around in their big bus and do concerts all over the country. So I’ll be gone quite a bit.” Then I explained how I wanted to help her get rides to church things. I didn’t mention Eddie, but I did mention Dominic, and this made her happy.

“Come inside,” she said when I pulled into their driveway.

I started to make an excuse, but she started getting sad again. So I decided, why not? After all, her dad was home today, which meant Shannon (if she was even there) had to be on her best behavior. When Adam’s around, Shannon acts almost like a different person. In some ways I think this could be good for her.

As it turned out, Adam wasn’t there. “Where’s Dad?” Marissa asked.

“Getting groceries,” Shannon answered. She had on a pale blue jogging suit in need of laundering and was sitting by the open patio doors, smoking a cigarette and drinking coffee.

“Dad said no smoking in the house,” Marissa chided her.

Shannon held out her packet, and to my surprise, Marissa took one and then joined her.

“When did you start smoking?” I asked Marissa.

“I always smoked.” Marissa lit the cigarette and took a long drag, then blew it out. “Remember?”

Of course I remembered. I was just surprised that she remembered. But of course, Shannon had probably helped in that regard.

“How was church?” Shannon asked in a tone that suggested she really didn’t care.

“Good music.” Marissa pulled a kitchen chair close to the door and sat by Shannon.

“Church music,” said Shannon with disdain.

“Maya makes good music,” Marissa told her.

“Yeah…yeah…” Shannon took a disinterested sip of coffee.

“Maya and Chloe and Allie have a band,” Marissa continued. For her that was a pretty long and cohesive sentence.

“They
had
a band,” corrected Shannon. “Maya’s out of it now. Remember?”

“No.” Marissa shook her head as she took in another long draw of the cigarette.

Shannon just rolled her eyes.

“Actually…,” I began, thinking,
Why not just get it out in the open?
“I am back in the band.”

Shannon looked up at me with wide eyes. “Bruce Glass came to his senses?”

“Sort of.”

“What are you saying?” Shannon stood up and ground out her cigarette in the bowl she was using for an ashtray. “Do they want you back or what?”

I nodded. “They want me back, but—”

“He’s redrawn the contract?”

“Yes, but—”

“And they’ll need me to sign it?”

She looked so hopeful that I really almost hated to burst her balloon.

“Well, what, Maya? Good grief, can’t you even answer a simple question?”

“Don’t yell at her,” scolded Marissa.

“I can yell at her if I want to,” Shannon shot back.
“She’s my freaking daughter!”

Marissa frowned. “Dad said no yelling.
Remember?”