Kendra Neal Masters paced her living room floor. Her life was about to change for a second time. After fourteen years of being denied visitation of her twin daughters Becca and Rose Masters they were heading home.
Her ex-husband Charles Masters had passed away unexpectedly leaving her now 18 year old girls by a mere two days homeless. In his Will he bestowed Kendra a resumed custody to make certain his daughters were cared for.
The specifics to be discussed shortly when their Case Worker brought them by. All she knew was that her girls had been sheltered. Charles being a wealthy man enforced they remain with him instead of their Mother. She had no choice but to relent. Bringing up past mistakes led her to give in far too easily. Regret to say the least.
She knew very little about these last twelve years other than Charles isolating the girls from the world on a desolate stretch of beach in North Carolina. Kendra was happy to reunite but her nerves were on edge. They barely knew her. She only remembered them as babies.
Having spent some time hospitalized after Charles took the girls away, Kendra took years to get past her nervous breakdown. Going on to school and taking her life back. Now employed as a Surgical Nurse for a Heart Surgeon. Buying her own home.
Spending time just rebuilding herself. Kendra felt life again. Now this.
Everything up until the last 48 hours was smooth sailing. Two years ago she had met a dashing Contractor who owned his own business building homes all around the greater Memphis Tennessee area. He was good for her. Caring yet strict when necessary. A great provider when she needed it. Preferring to take care of herself. Her independence kept her down to Earth.
Tony Desmond was her rock. Now if he would only put that rock on her finger.
"Where are you Tony? I need you here before the girls arrive. I know I should do this alone but you being here will help me keep sane." Kendra continually peers out the picture window of her home, "Fourteen years. I missed their birthday by two days. I hope Tony remembers to get the cake I bought. My sweet girls are eighteen now. Even moving here with me now will probably be short lived. They will want to get out on their own I'm sure. At least they will get to know me again before making that decision."
Clock ticking away she decides to call Tony in transit. Ringing five times before he picks up on his Bluetooth from his black Chevy Silverado pickup.
"Are you close?" She frets.
"Not far. Just picked up that cake. Got some candles and a big number 18 to put on top. You holding up okay?"
"No. I'm a nervous wreck. Thank God my Boss gave me today off short notice. I don't know what I'll do tomorrow. I can't miss work twice in a row or Doctor Marconi will have a fit. He's short staffed as it is."
"Stop worrying. I have your back. If necessary I'll let my foreman Murray run the builds for a few days. I can babysit."
"You would do that for me?"
"Of course. I love you Ken."
"I love you too. Thank you Tony."
"Sit down and relax. My ETA is ten minutes."
"I'll try." She makes a smooching noise into the phone then hangs up.
Tony was a well tanned Boss of a man. When standing he stood 6'4, 260 pounds of chiseled muscle. Dark brown hair with a well groomed goatee. Piercing blue eyes. Tattoos all across his upper body. From neck, across his shoulders, and down his biceps was a massive piece of artwork. Designed to be armor plating overlapping each other. Very realistic in black ink. A centerpiece connecting the shoulders around the front of his throat with chainmail. Engraved within the chainmail were the Chinese characters for GOD. In his own egotistical way he thought himself one. Even though he contained his ego around Kendra.
Regardless Kendra was swept away by his charismatic charm. He knew it. Which is why she felt so safe in his arms. Kendra Neal referred to him as her Knight in Shining Armor. Just as they had hung up on each other a white Ford Taurus pulled up into her Kendra's driveway. Fanning herself with fluttering fingers Kendra whimpered. Tears forming as she looked over on her fireplace mantle at baby photos of her girls. With a deep breath she exhales, "Then and now. Let's do this."
Exiting from the car was a large African American woman dressed in yellow. She had informed the girls sitting in her back seat to remain there until she returned. With a weak knee the woman limped her way to Kendra's front door, ringing the doorbell.
Swiftly opening up Kendra greeted the woman with trembling hands, "Mrs. Johnson. Hello."
"Please call me Edith." The woman timidly smiles and shakes Kendra's hand. Stepping just inside the door leaving it open.
"Alright. Edith? I'm really nervous. Fourteen years."
"I totally understand. Before I re-introduce you, we should go over a few things. Their Father left a sizable Will with stipulations. Both for yourself and your daughters." She reveals an envelope from within her purse, "Here is a copy."
Kendra cautiously opens the paperwork as Edith shuts the door behind her. Respecting the fact the air conditioning was running.
"As you can see Charles left a considerable inheritance. His daughters are well taken care of but will only receive the money when they turn 21 and can fend for themselves. His request is that you guide them into adulthood. What our offices have managed to learn your daughters have not attended school a day in their lives. Not even home schooling."
"What?" Kendra stares at Edith with surprise.
"I know. How Charles managed to get past this is beyond me. They do however seem quite intelligent if not book smart. Very naïve. Innocent. Well mannered. Charles at least taught them respect."
"That's a good thing. So, at 18 now what do I do about any schooling? They're adults."
"I suggest home schooling."
"I work 12 hour days 5 days a week. On call if emergencies. How can I teach them from home?"
"A tutor perhaps. I will leave that up to you. There is more. He gives you authority over a percentage of their inheritance to feed and clothe them. Small monthly increments as needed. A list of rules is included in that."
Kendra reads as fast as she can until locating the rules.
"I have no say in their choices in clothing? Seriously?" She continues the list, "In my own home? How could he possibly expect me to abide by his rules when he stole their childhood from me?"
"While I do understand your frustration. I do ask you to look upon the Lawyer notes at the bottom. You might like what you read."
Groaning Kendra skips ahead. Locating a segment that details the furthering of Charles Will. Her jaw drops.
"At age 21 on the condition I follow his instructions I receive a sum of $2 million dollars? That's unexpected. He left me with nothing when he took the girls."
"While that amount is admirable considering, the girls split quite a bit more than that. From what I understand, and do please consult your Lawyer as well as that of their Father, the girls should get upwards of $150 million. That does not include the daily costs of preparing them to enter society on their own at age 21."
"Good lord. Charles must have invested well. Okay? So, in order for me to inherit $2 million I need to put up with whatever Charles instilled in my daughters for the last fourteen years? Some of these rules are ridiculous. I must maintain their body weight at no more than 110 pounds. Pamper them with beauty treatments including facials, manipedi's, massages, tanning sessions, and grooming." Kendra shakes her head boggled by the list, "Am I raising future runway models?"
Edith thinly smiles, "They are quite beautiful. If not childlike in appearance. If I did not know their true age I might suspect they were fifteen. Their innocence quite bashful at times."
"Can I see them?"
"In a moment. I left the car running and the air on. They should be comfortable."
"What are you not telling me?"
"That's rather hard when we are uncertain ourselves. Our Psyche evaluation of the girls separately were inconclusive. They refused to discuss how their Father treated them. On the outside they appear perfect Angels. Yet, with no schooling or connection with society we worry what type of shall we say conditioning they went through."
"Are you saying...Charles might have?"
"Please don't jump to conclusions. We hardly know anything. All we do know is they are well mannered young ladies. If you would like to arrange counselling for the three of you feel free to call me. I will recommend someone."
"Let's see how our first week goes."
"If I may, Ms. Neal? All they have known is Charles. You being a female although their Mother a bond might be complicated at first. With no male influence like they are used to you might struggle at first."
Hearing a car door across the street Kendra looks out the window, "Speak of the Devil. That male influence just arrived. My boyfriend of two years. He's a Godsend."
Edith glances out to see Tony Desmond crossing the street bearing a cake box and a plastic bag. Respectful not to even walk in the grass he chooses to traipse beside Edith's car on the concrete driveway. Noting him take the time to wave at the girls in passing.
"A very handsome Rogue. A dapper dresser even. Rather intimidating if I might add."
"He builds homes for a living so he keeps in shape. Loves to look and smell good. I'm very lucky."
Edith turns her gaze to the girls reaction. It was a bit of a challenge to see well but she did interpret them as to be giggling. Harmless enough. At least they appeared happy. That would help Kendra.
Excusing herself to open the door Kendra greets Tony with a brisk kiss to his cheek. Not wanting to show too much intimacy in front of the Caseworker.
"Sorry to intrude Ladies. Birthday cake coming through." Tony raises the box and winks at Edith. She found him very charming.
"Bless you. Tony this is Edith."
