The Way We Used To Be

My name is Lauren Stone, and today my family called me back to the family home for a meeting. Walking back to this house feels so wrong. I left when I was 13, when my father married Linda Morgan, claiming she was his first love. The day my mother died, he was with her and wanted me to accept her as my new mother, and I refused. So he sent me to the temple where I spent the last 5 years with my Master practicing medicine, music, etiquette, history, calligraphy, and since no one cared about me here in the temple my master often sent me out for further studies.

While earning my high school diploma I was also attending Harvard university to study Law with a minor in Economics. When I graduated from Harvard I was 17 I earned both degrees in a little of 3 and half years just but got. I took some time off to travel and do some consulting work to earn a living. I just returned from Paris when I got the message from my father telling me to come home.

Butler James please tell my father i will arrive by next friday

But miss your father wants to come back with me today

Sorry but I have no intention of leaving the temple today. My master is not here and there are some things he left for me to do that I need to pass to him before I can leave. Please explain to my father that I will arrive home next Friday the 26th of June.

The butler looking upset could do nothing but turn around and leave.

There was no way I was going to go back with him today. I knew if I did I would be walking into a trap.

Remembering the last time I was home I just turned 13 when my mother Catherine watson-stone fell ill. She was in the garden pruning her roses . Nothing seemed out of ordinary but the very next day she was unable to get out of bed. She had called me into her room the same day and gave me a folded piece of paper saying if anything happens to her to contact this person he will help you after that day my mom was in the coma. Not knowing what was going on, I sat by my mother bed all day and all night she would not wake up the doctors did not know what was going on soon, after so may days of being unresponsive they moved my mother to a nursing home. Within three months, my mother's condition rapidly declined, and one day when I visited, they told me she had passed away. I was upset and screaming saying I want my Mom. I went crazy. It seemed like I was the only one who felt the pain. My father never came to see my mother and often went on so-called business trips. The day of the funeral it was a sunny day I was glad my mom like the warm feeling of the sun after it was over i quietly went to my room and locked the door, and opened the letter my mom gave me.

My Darling Lauren if you are reading this it means I am no longer with you. They are some things that you may not know about but remember Mommy always loves you . Your father is not the man I knew he will do things in the future that will question whether he is your father and when those questions arrive I want you to remember to be safe first everything else is secondary I have a master in the Village Mountain you are always welcome to come. Next you can also reach out to my attorney Mr. Norman Peters, once you get to his office he will know what to do. Remember my love please stay safe and mom loves you always. I put away the letter and pulled up my laptop which I kept in between the mattress of my bed. I did a search and found his information . I wrote it down and kept the paper on me. I could not use my phone because my dad monitors my phone, so I just leave it in her backpack at all times even when I am at home I reset the laptop back to original factory settings, cleared out all history, and placed it back between my mattress. I notice when I took it out it was not in the center where I place it and I always place a wet paper towel between the keyboard and screen i laced it with super glue. Then I laid down and went to sleep.

The next couple of days I did not come out of my room. My heart so much I couldn't believe that my mother was gone and these people who deserved to go were here. It made me sick that I could not do anything. After 5 days my father came to my room asking if I could come down to the living room.

Once I came down and saw my father along with a strange woman and a girl my age sitting on the couch together.

Lauren my father said once I took my seat this is Linda Morgan she is going to be your step mother.

My head quickly snapped up and looked at him in tears. What did you just say?

I know this is sudden but your mother would want us to be happy and this is

And before he could say the next words I got up and said I needed some air and ran out of the house. I ran so fast my father could not see where I had gone. The only thing I can think of was getting out of that house and remembering my mom's message. My father is not the man she knew so maybe this is what she meant. Maybe he had a mistress and another child all along and wanted to get rid of my mother. I ran until I saw a bus stop. I always keep my pouch attached to me with money and the paper for the attorney.

I got on the next bus and sat down. I needed to cool off and think for a moment. Where was I going? My mother had no relatives or friends. I thought of the attorney but where was his office. I got off at the next stop and went to a pay phone.

Hello can I speak to Mr . Nathan Miles?

I sorry mr miles is busy would you like to leave an message

No can you tell him it is Lauren Stone

Then the phone went silent

This Nathan, Lauren

Mr Miles this is Lauren my mother told me to get in touch with you

Where are you

I am at 10th street and gaines RD

Stay there I am coming to get you

Okay

In less than 30 minutes a black SUV pulled up the pay phone.

Lauren

I turn around to see and older gentlemen around 40 getting out the SUV and walk toward me

Mr. Miles

Lauren I wish it was under better circumstances that we are meeting but we need to get to my office.

Okay. He opened the car door for me and I got in and we left.

His office which was on 38th and Finley Street was very sleek on the outside it had the pillar poles holding up and a sign on the outside of it saying Miles Attorney at Law.

Once inside he ask if I wanted anything

Hold on one moment ms stone

I told my day I wanted to be with mom and he let me for 2 days on day 3 he made me go to school by the time i got home they had said my mom passed away i felt so numb and after that day I never talk to anyone again in that house. My father wanted to take over my mother assets but mom put everything in my name in a trust and unless I personally tell mr. peters that i want my dad to to handle my mother property they were nothing he could do. I took out a sheet of paper and ask to speak to mr peters alone. My father and Linda left. Once they left I wrote on paper. I wanted to me be emancipated I do not want to live her i will not live. Mr.Peter nodded his head and took the note and put in his briefcase and said I will suggest that you need to talk to someone and we can talk then.

Okay mr. norman said

I just nodded my head

Mr. Peters left the room, and then my father and Linda came back in the room and began asking questions which I did not answer. I just continue to look at them with cold eyes which was making them upset. They wanted my mother money badly and willing to do anything to get it that is why I need to leave this home and I think I have a better chance of being on my own than being here.