“I-I…I don’t understand this gibberish. I hear all of this he’s giving…he’s giving…he’s giving, I don’t understand what he’s taking?”
“Yeah, that’s my point, too,” Chesney drawled out, barely underneath his breath. “…but I’m here to service my client.” He rolled his eyes. Then in seconds, he straightened in his seat. “He’s taking responsibility. Mr. Rogers is saying this child Elizabeth, here, is carrying is his and he will take care of the child and Elizabeth.” Chesney started pushing more papers towards us. “And as soon as these agreements are filled out with social security numbers, bank account information and nondisclosure agreements are signed, we can implement his wishes.”
“Nondisclosure agreements?” I shrieked. That mention reminded me of Alton’s handling of Angela.
“Yes, Ms. Barrett. It is very key that we adhere to my mentions earlier about discretion and honesty. These details are of a private matter that we do not want made available to the public. Your business with Mr. Rogers’ provisions is not for public consumption. Is that understood?” His tone was the most intimidating it had been since the top of this meeting.
My father grunted. My mother grabbed her chest. And I sulked.
“Now, Ms. Barrett, do you have any questions, objections, or amendments here?” Chesney asked me, appearing bored with this whole ordeal.
I simply sat there, trying not to cry. I felt reduced to a child and embarrassed for me and my parents. I couldn’t believe I brought my parents this trouble. This mess. My parent were by no means incompetent, but I knew this “mediation” was over their heads. Heck, with my Ivy League status, I was confused by it all. It was well over their class placement, over their educational levels and realm of life experience. And not because of Ruth this time. No, the culpability of this blunder belonged to me.
Even in all of my self-debasement while there, I wondered where Stenton was. What was he thinking, bringing me and my family into this legal and sterile situation? Why couldn’t we have just spoken privately? Why humiliate me like this? I felt even more abandoned.
“I do have to get on a plane to my California office soon,” Chesney abruptly informed while checking his watch. “My associate, Whaler here, will assist in explaining terms of any of the agreements. You can take your time and read over some that cause reluctance on your part. We can discuss amending others. My strong advice to you is to get it all signed as soon as possible. It is my understanding that the foreclosure procedure is progressing. The sooner we take care of that, the sooner you’ll be relieved of that hassle. Mr. Rogers himself would like to have that settled for peace of mind.”
Chesney swiftly left the room without any pleasantries. We sat there in silence deciding to sign away our lives as we once knew them. I secretly questioned if we should have had a lawyer of our own to assist, but didn’t speak it. Deep in my heart I believed Stenton would never do anything shady to me or my parents. However, when I glanced down at my still flat belly, I wanted to rebel and refuse to sign anything for his negligence.
I could only imagine what my parents were battling individually. I’d disappointed them. One day their oldest child was enrolled in one of the most competitive and prestigious academic programs in the country and the next, they were sitting in a swanky New York City office with a half a dozen strangers, contemplating signing away their dignity.
“Zoey, dear, are you okay with all of this?” My dad swung his head towards the mountain of papers on the desk. “Is there anything we should know? Anything that you’re uncomfortable with? Are there any more secrets?”