My neighbor’s home has signs of fire damage at its edge closest to my home. I was told by police that my neighbors didn’t require any medical attention, which made me feel better.
Guilt strikes me hard, and I can feel tears welling in my eyes. I quickly wipe my face with my sleeve.
The police described the fire as an accident. These kinds of things happen when you run a meth lab in your home after all.
I know what really happened though, and I kept it to myself. Nobody would understand.
I walk past the burnt remains of my house and continue to the motel. Candice is waiting for me. When I shut the motel door behind me I fall into her arms, bursting with tears. She consoles me the best she can. She doesn’t say anything, and I don’t either. She just lets me cry. I could feel my soul become heavier with every tear dropping. Candice promises to stay the night with me.
I wake up in the motel bed, not feeling refreshed. I feel like I could sleep all day and still have no energy. The sun filters through the light curtains giving just enough light to see the whole room, and Candice Owens who’s drooling into a pillow on the other side of the bed.
A shadow in the light around the room gets larger and a sudden knock on my motel room door startles me. I open the curtain slightly and notice Ted Silvers, fixing his dark rimmed glasses, holding a suitcase. He smiles at me when he notices me staring.
I open the door. “Hey.” Ted’s smile grows bigger. Ted never smiled at me yesterday, which made his hard features on his face seem grim. When he smiles it lightens his whole complexion. It’s a bit contagious. I smile back at him awkwardly. “You okay?”
“I’ve got good news for you.” He says. “Can I come in?”
I wave him in. He looks for a desk or a chair to sit on, but all there is, is a large bed and a television in front of it. He notices Candice rolling over on the bed. Candice opens her eyes and stares at him awkwardly.
“So, what’s the news?” I ask him.
“Yes. So, I have connections with a lot of... philanthropists. These guys are rich and like to give back. After our conversation yesterday I reached out to one of them. He’s done some great things for this city in the past. I told him everything that’s happened, and he feels obligated to help.”
“Wait- so some rich guy wants to help me? How?”
Candice lifts herself up from bed and seems more interested in our conversation now.
Steve smiles. “Have you ever heard of Arthur Cain?”
I wave my head no.
Candice gets out of the bed completely, only wearing her bra and panties and stands beside me. “The oil tycoon guy? The one that has a whole state park named after him, and a hospital- and an elementary school?” She puts her hands at her bare sides and waits for a response.
Steve does his very best trying not to notice the beautiful, nearly naked eighteen-year-old in front of him. Besides a few glances, he’s doing a good job.
“The very one. I’m sure you heard of Ryland Academy.”
Who hasn’t heard of the richest school in the state located in the small town of Ryland less than an hour away? I had read something online that some of the graduates of Ryland include one ex-president, many politicians, and multiple millionaires, even billionaires. The article suggested that the gross income of the graduates of Ryland Academy could make up nearly ninety percent of the total wealth in North America. When they talk about the one percent of the wealthiest people in the country, there was a good chance they had roots at Ryland.
I look at Ted Silvers stunned. “What does this have to do with me?”
Ted’s smile grows again. “Arthur Cain wants to give you a scholarship at Ryland Academy, so you can finish your last year.”
Candice beats me to it. “Shut the fuck up!” Ted stares at her with a sour face until he looks at her breast and quickly looks away.
“There’s more.” He says, looking at the corner of the room, avoiding contact with both of us. “He has a guest house that you can stay at on his property while you complete your senior year. I did a little bit of snooping and hope you don’t mind, but I found out that you’re a smart young woman.”
“Thanks.” I say, completely frozen. Free education at the nation’s top high school, while staying at some billionaire’s guest house! What the fuck is going on?
“Mr. Cain says if you maintain your academics at the same level they were at last year, he will pay your full tuition and residence fees to any post-secondary school you are accepted to.”
I start screaming a mix of laughter and shrieks while jumping. Candice joins me and grabs my hands jumping in unison. Ted Silvers stares at us, not knowing how to react.
Over our loud voices the social worker yells. “Get ready! You leave tomorrow!”
Chapter 4
Candice wished me the best with my new life before leaving the motel. I kept telling her to shut up, but she’s right. It’s hard to be humble when it feels like you won the lottery. Free education at the best secondary school in the nation! Free room and board at what I can only imagine will be a mansion. All I must do is keep my grades and I get a free ride at any university.
I was pretty sure my life was in hell just a few moments before Ted Silvers knocked on my motel room door that day.
I told Candice that I would visit her when I could. She told me to shut up that time. She knows how much I want this. She told me to leave this place
