From the Streets - Chapter 8 (Patreon)

Sophie was surprised that the school hired professional psychiatrists as the school counselors. She met with a woman who was very sweet.  She never said a word the whole  time Sophie rambled, cried, and ranted, and waited till she had gotten it all out to add her two cents to the conversation.  She paid very close attention to every detail Sophie gave even so she could form what she wanted to say.

“So, just so I’m understanding this,” she said, “The donation came after the conversation with Katelyn about her being your mother?” she asked tactfully.

“I’m not sure,” Sophie said.  “I couldn’t get an exact date.  But these things take time to mobilize.  It almost had to have been before she knew. It was over 490,000 american dollars in product.”

“Oh, I see.  Sorry,” she said.

“Yeah,” Sophie sighed.  “I wanted to believe it was after, but when I saw the shipping containers...  There’s just no way.  And I don’t even know why it bothers me.  It’s like... Like maybe I’m looking for reasons to be mad at her, and that just makes me angry at myself.”

“So you think it’s bothering you because you want it to bother you?” the woman, who ironically enough, was a Miss Summers, asked.

“That’s what I keep asking myself.  Am I angry because of the fight?  Am I angry because I feel like she lied to me?  She said she hates children, yet she donated to my charity.  But that could just be because it’s got her name all over it by proxy, so she felt like she had to, or maybe... I don’t know.”

“She’s the CEO of the modeling agency you work for.” Miss Summers spoke, “I won't defend her, but she does have the right to donate to any of her employees’ charities she wishes what she wishes does she not?”

“Yeah, that’s... what I’ve been asking myself actually.  I mean, hell, tons of companies have been jumping on the hashtag Irish Princess charity bandwagon to look good.  Why should I be bothered  because she did too?”

“As a school our nuns have decided to volunteer at your shelter as well.” Miss Summers said, “It’s something they’ve chosen to do.  I can’t answer your questions for you, but I can give you something else to think about,  She may hate kids, but you are her biological child, she might have known somehow, and subconsciously donated all that out of a sense of remorse or guilt, to try and do a little good, knowing what a bad parent she was to you. I;m not supposed to really take sides in these matters hon.  I’m just trying to offer you another perspective. ”

“No, that’s exactly what I needed right now,” Sophie said.  “She’s lying in a hospital bed, possibly still in life threatening condition.  I can’t ask her.  And that’s what...”  She sighed.  “That’s what made me so angry.  I couldn’t ask her.  I couldn’t just say “Melissa, what the fuck.”

“I'm going to tell you something, it may never be easy between you two, it’ll probably always be bumpy. But somewhere in her, she cares about you.  She sounds like an angry woman.  Without meeting her myself I can’t say with certainty, but there are... so many things that could cause compounded anger, and turned inward, it can eat at you until there’s nothing left.  I’m not suggesting you sympathize with her of course, but...”

“But you’re offering another perspective,” Sophie said, smiling.  “And I appreciate that because  I’m a lot like her there, much as I hate to admit it.”

“Exactly.  As a Psychologist, and everything you told me about her, she sounds like she has this disorder I read about in college, I’ve forgotten the name, next time you come to school I’ll have it, and I'm not 100% sure she has it, and it’s no excuse at all even if she did, but it blocks those motherly instincts we women have.  It’s a form of dissociative disorder, but instead of disassociating with everyone, the mother disassociates with the child.”

“She said she was in therapy for about four years,” Sophie said after a moment.  “It... may be you’re right.  I mean yeah it’s no excuse, but if she’s disassociated from me, even now, then it would sure the hell explain a lot.”

“Try to watch the swearing outside this room by the way,” Miss Summers let out a small laugh.

“Oh,” Sophie blushed a little.  “Yes, I’m sorry.  I’ve actually been working on that, pretty successfully ‘till yesterday.”

“The nuns will hit you with a ruler for it,” she said. “I can’t diagnose your mother with it unless I meet her, and I cannot practice medicine in the united states anyway, but it’s my professional opinion, anyway.”

“That’s okay,” Sophie said as she stood, and gave her a tight hug.  “I don’t know if hugging is okay here, but you’ve given me a lot to think about.  I thought I’d just talk to a priest, cry it out, and then try to think happy thoughts, but this... This is wonderful.”

“You can still see the Priest after school if you want?”

“I might do that,” Sophie nodded.  “There’s some other things I need some guidance on that aren’t related to my messed up childhood,” she giggled softly.

“Father Duhan is a nice man, if you need guidance to the ways of God, or just about anything else he can help; he’s also a Licensed Psychologist.”

“There was one other... tiny thing,” Sophie said sheepishly.  “Um, could you write me a note?  I hate interrupting a class without a note like I’m more important than everyone else.”

“Classes haven't started yet.  It was a late start day today.” Miss Summers said. “

“Seriously?” Sophie squeaked.  “Oh wow that’s wonderful!” she said excitedly.  

“If only all students were that excited to learn,” she said to herself after Sophie had practically skipped out of her office.

One of the  sisters stopped her, “Slow down young lady.  A proper lady doesn’t  run.”  She smiled at Sophie.  “Also since you’re here early like some of the other girls, we have lunch in the cafeteria still.”

“Sorry, Sister,” Sophie said.  “I’m just really happy that I didn’t miss classes.”

“My dear.” The Sister smiled brightly and laughed, “I have never heard any of my girls ever say that.”  She leaned closer and grinned, “It makes me suspicious,” she teased.

Sophie giggled.  “It’s... been a complicated couple of days, but since I’ve been enrolled here ma’am, I’ve managed to miss classes every day, and it’s been bothering me a lot.”  She had really been working on her elocution.  She still sounded Irish by any stretch, but less like she had a mouthful of pebbles.

“Are you Sophie Dee then I take it?” The Sister asked, “I’ve been informedyou were going to attend classes today and tomorrow.”

“Yes ma’am,” Sophie said.  “I had to meet with a counselor about what’s been happening first.”

“Remember to be at school tomorrow at 6am.” The sister advised. “Today is a short day because of some early announcements from the his Holiness.  Do you need any help getting your bearings?”  Ah, Hailey,” she  called to the blonde that sat behind Sophie during her first class.

“If it’s not too much trouble,” Sophie said sheepishly.

“Hi Sophie!” Hailey said brightly. “I follow you on twitter btw, that was soo cool what you did when you first got to Hollywood.  Oh!  I’m sorry Sister,” she said quickly.  “How can I help?”

“Would you mind showing Sophie around the campus, and take her to the cafeteria first?  Her stomach just growled at us.”

“I’d be honored,” Hailey said.  “Cafeteria, then tour, then classes,” she said energetically. “Do you have your schedule?  It might be best to just show you where your classes are instead of showing you the entire school right now.”

“Um, oh!” Sophie said, remembering the little laminated schedule card she put in her school approved backpack’s side zipper, and handed it to Hailey.

“Oh wow.” Hailey giggled, “We literally have all the same classes.”

“Can I send a text during lunch?” Sophie asked.

“Just don’t let the nuns see the phone during class, or even hear it, like turn it off off.” Hailey said, Any other time you’re fine,” she said, pointing out an older sister standing near a hallway corner, texting away too.  Sophie giggled.

“Cool then give me a second.” Sophie said as she fired off a text to Amanda, ‘AnnLee at the Shelter needs bookkeeping access to charity.  Shes a business major and can handle it :)’  It took her a few seconds to find the right letters.  She took a typing class at her old school, but it had been awhile, and using thumbs was different from home row typing.

‘Okay sweetie, if you didn’t read, Kate and I have your money till you’re 18, so we’re putting most of it aside and putting some in a bank account you can use.’ Amanda texted back with a couple texts ‘Your card is here when you get back, Nicole has the company card if you need anything for now.’

‘I trust you, and love you both.’ Sophie texted back. “Thanks for not ratting me out for having a cellphone,” she teased Hailey.

Hailey giggled, “We all have them, Like I said, just turn it off in class, unless you have special permission to use it.  Like Emily, this legally blind student, she gets to use hers to record lectures.”

“Oh, wow that’s really cool!” Sophie said brightly.  “Just curious, does anyone give her crap for being different?”

“Nope,” Hailey giggled.  “You’d think so, but everyone here is just lucky to be here.  The sisters have totally expelled people who don’t follow the rules, no matter who their parents are, so everybody’s respectful.  It’s a total change of pace from my old school let me tell you,” she said as they walked to the cafeteria together.

“Jeez no kidding,” Sophie nodded.  “So nobody ever picks fights or anything?” she asked.

“Oh no, we have arguments and stuff,” Hailey shook her head.  “But like nobody straight u p bullies anyone.  Physical violence is almost unheard of unless it’s a nun with a ruler.”

“I was warned about that,” Sophie giggled.  “I kind of... sort of want to know what that feels like just so I can avoid it.  I know, that sounds stupid.”

Hailey grinned.  ‘Sister Mary Francis?” she said, approaching a rather young looking sister, who couldn’t be more than 25.

“Yes Hailey?” she said, turning to the girls.

“Sophie was just telling me she wants to know what it felt like to have her hand slapped with a ruler, so she can avoid it in the future.”

Sister Mary Francis grinned.  “Really?”

Sophie nodded sheepishly.  “I’ve been hit with a beer bottle, keyring used as brass knuckles, had a baseball bat to the stomach, but I’ve never been smacked with a ruler.”

Mary frowned.  “You poor dear.  Well, if you’re really sure, then hold out your hand and I’ll demonstrate,” she said.  Sophie held out her hand.  Mary adjusted the position slightly - she had very soft, small hands.  She took a ruler from Sophie didn’t dare ask where, raised, it, and wrapped it across the back of her hand.

“Ow!” Sophie said.  “Wow that stings!”

Mary nodded.  “We mainly use that as an attention-getter.  It should wear off in a minute or two, and we never, ever leave a mark.”

Hailey giggled.  “Thank you, Sister.  Sorry to bother you.”

“Oh it’s no bother,” Mary said warmly.  “See you in class this afternoon.”

“Sister Mary Francis is our art teacher,” Hailey said as they entered the cafeteria, “So she can wield a ruler or a paint brush,” she teased.

“I can totally tell.” Sophie said as she followed Hailey to the lunch line.  They had trays, but they were flat trays that let the girls stack saucers and plates on them to suit their personal taste, everything from vegan meals to cultural offerings like Mediterranean or Spanish food, and even traditional English cuisine.  It was like one of those all you could eat buffets but with good food.

They even had, “Fish and chips!” Sophie said excitedly.  “Oh my gosh I love you St. Margaret’s,” she bubbled, taking four pieces plus a load of fries, and then a small salad on the side, “This right here.” she pointed to the fish on her plate when they found a seat, “Just made my entire day.”

Hailey giggled.  “I’d never had fish and chips before coming to St. Margaret’s.  I’m totally hooked,” she said, having taken a few pieces herself, as well as a couple of rolled soft tacos.  “It’s one of the amazing perks here, being able to try new stuff.”

“Amen to that,” Susan said cheerfully.  “Mind if I sit here?” she asked.  They were sitting at an otherwise empty table with several chairs.

“I don’t mind,” Hailey said.  Sophie had a mouthful of fish and couldn’t answer.  She had to swallow first, and then giggled.

“Sorry, didn’t want to choke,” she said.  “No, I don’t mind at all.”

“How's things going Sophie?” Susan asked.

“Better now,” Sophie said.  “You wouldn’t believe how much it helps being around people who just treat you like a normal person.”

“Care if I join you?” A red haired girl asked.  “And I know exactly how you feel.  A lot of us feel like that here.”

Sophie motioned to the empty chairs.  “By all means.  Open table,” she giggled.

“Sometimes the Nuns treat us like kids, because we are, and other times they treat us like adults,” the red haired girl stated, “But everyone treats each other pretty much normally around here. If a girl is a dorm girl and they have an ‘issue’ all the other girls are told because we’re supposed to know, but we don’t usually care. Nobody even had a problem with me.” she just rambled.

Hailey giggled.  “Yeah.  You know what really impresses me about the school, is nobody even cares if someone’s a scholarship student.  At my last school, I saw a girl literally get run out of school because she wasn’t rich.  It was so gross I begged my parents to let me quit in protest.”

“Wow.” Sophie ate another bite fish after she swallowed and leaned a little, “I’m new to being rich, and it’s kinda nice to know that, not all rich people especially my age are stuck up.” she grinned.

“Oh Gosh no,” Susan giggled.  “I’m actually super embarrassed to talk about my family.”

“She’s old money.” Hailey winked.  “Like, really, really old money.”

Susan blushed a little and nodded.  “I um... yeah.   You know the Hudson bay company right?”

“Damn that is old money.” Sophie said.

“Actually, my family’s money is older than that.” Susan blushed again.  “Please don’t let this get out, but I kind of... have a royal title,” she sighed.  “I’m, like, 127th in line for the English throne or something.

“That’s cool.” Sophie said, “So I have to like bow to you.” she teased quietly and then giggled.  “Just kidding.”

“Don’t you dare,” Susan burst out laughing.  “That’s exactly why nobody knows.  Except you guys now.”

“I’m a citizen of the crown by birth.” Sophie giggled. “Except I moved to the Republic when I was 12. I like it down here better than up north.”

“Aye, I got to read an early version of Susan’s article,” the red haired girl beamed.  “You’ve really come through Hell itself to get here.  It’s inspiring, for what it’s worth.”

“You’re from further south arent ya?” Sophie asked the redhead.

“Oh Aye,   Victoria McAllister, I’m actually from Cork.”

Sophie started to giggle.  “Another McAllister.  I love it.  My best friends’ mum is a McAllister from Belfast, and my adopted Mum’s from Cork.”

“Actually my family last name isn’t McAllister, but my mom changed my last name to it.” Victoria giggled, “When I was born.  Her married name is Price.”

“Wait, what?” Sophie looked at her.  That was enough to actually make her stop eating.  “My name’s Sophie Dee Price.” she looked at Victoria.

“You’re Aunt Katie’s adopted daughter?” Victoria almost squealed.

“Aye, but I don't use the Price last name on stage or for a lot of things, but when we signed the papers at the judges office, it was put on my birth certificate.”

“Mum’s sent me half a dozen emails and facebook messages about how excited she’s been over Aunt Katie adopting,” Victoria giggled.  “I can’t believe I didn’t put two and two together.”

Susan giggled, “It’s because nobody calls her Sophie Price, or Sophie Dee Price, they just call her Sophie, or Sophie Dee.”

Sophie nodded.  “Aye.  Or occasionally Soapy,” she laughed. “But you guys can’t call me that.” she gave them all the eye. “Joking, my close friends call me Soapy.”

“Sorry,” Hailey said, “But I have to say it.  You have the most amazing, beautiful eyes I have ever seen.”

“Yeah.” Victoria nodded.

“I can text at lunch right?” Sophie asked again.

“Yup,” Susan nodded.  “Actually I need to text Mum really fast if you guys don’t mind.”

“Victoria, can I call you Vicky?” Sophie giggled. “Can I get a selfie with you for my mom Katelyn?

“Everyone else does,” Victoria laughed.  “Or occasionally Sticky,” she stuck out her tongue at that.

“Na I wont be callin you sticky.” She said as she put an arm around Vicky and took a selfie with her, and texted it to Katelyn, ‘Know ur busy, but met ur niece Victoria, btwHi!!! I love u.’   she then tweeted the picture, ‘Victoria McAllister my 1st Cousin on my mother Katelyn’s side.  Met ‘er @ school!’

‘Nah it’s only 4am here.  Haven’t started my day yet.  Tell Vicky I said hi and give her a big hug for me!!!  <3 you both’ Katelyn’s text came back rather quickly.

“Here you go.” Sophie showed Victoria the text.

“Didn’t think Aunt Katie would talk to me.” Victoria shrugged. “I know my mum’s proud of her, but you know the stories right?”

Sophie shook her head.  “I”ve only been a part of the family a couple of days.  And that’s been hectic as he-” she caught herself as a nun passed by, “Huckleberries.”

“I usually habaneros.” Susan giggled.

“Ah, well,” Vicky said, “I’ll give you the condensed version.  And just so you know, there’s no bias from me.  I think it’s all silly.  Basically Auntie Katie took and blew her money on something the family didn’t approve.  There was a big falling out.  Now only gran will talk to her.”

Sophie nodded.  “Aye that does sound silly.  She’s got control of the company now, after what happened yesterday with Melissa.”

“Well damn.” Victoria said. “That’s bloody awesome.  I’ve always kinda been proud of Auntie Katie, Mom a little, she was just upset about the money thing, because nobody really told us what it was she spent it on.”

“Wow, really?” Sophie said.  “Well, I only just found out, but Mom has a 59% controlling stake in WP Modeling and Acting agency.  And with Melissa in the hospital she has control of her stake too.  There’s talk of throwing Melissa out because she’s...  Well... She’s nae right in the head, in a clinical sense.  The woman needs help.”  She left out that Melissa was her birth mother.  “That’s probably part of the troubles.  Her business partner’s unstable and kind of a brat, if you take my meaning.”

“Ohhhhh,” Victoria nodded.  “Okay suddenly that all makes total sense.  It might have been her business partner that the family had issue with, and Katie having Gran’s legendary temper and all,” she said, trying not to giggle.  “One thing led to another.  Would it be alright if I sent a pic to mum before we have to get to class?”

“Sure.” Sophie said. “Can I tell you a secret?”

“Sure,” Victoria said as she held out her expensive phone to snap a photo of the two together, and then quickly texted it to her mother.

“It might sound really vain, but I love having my picture taken.” Sophie stated.

“Nah,” Victoria laughed.  “I’m addicted to selfies.  I want to be a real photographer someday, like Aunt Katie.  I’ll show you my Instagram later.”

Susan spoke up, “She’s the normal photographer for the school paper, but she was out the other day when you were in class.”

“Aye, thought I was getting the flu,” Susan nodded.  “Luckily it was just a 24 hour head cold.  So where are you staying while you’re here?”

“A  shelter my charity bought.” Sophie giggled. 

“Oh, grand,” Victoria said without a hint of sarcasm despite the word choice.  “I’ll try and stop by this evening and we can catch up some more.”

“Cool.” Sophie answered, “You know where it’s at?” she gave the address as well as exchanging phone numbers.  For a girl who’d never used a smartphone she was catching up pretty fast.

“They have a few of the rooms converted into private rooms for like the two headstaff and any visiting people of importance like me.” Sophie giggled.

“I’m a dormer myself,” Victoria said, “But I try to get home to see Mum and the family as much as possible.”

Hailey spoke up, “Vicky, if you want to get a pass off campus, you should talk to Sister June like really soon, I think she’s going to be going to the church later.”

“Oh, shoot,” Vicky said.  “I’ll see if I can catch her.  Thanks Hayhay,” she said as she jumped up.

“No problem, I was in the office this morning after the tv thing, and she said something about it.” Hailey shrugged.

“I should get back to work too,” Susan laughed.  “One final edit before my article’s ready for print.”

“I’ve got to finish showing Sophie where her classes are.” Hailey nodded.

“Thanks for hanging out with us,” Sophie said brightly as she and Hailey got up to clear their trays with the other two.

Victoria smiled and leaned over to Sophie as she put her tray on the other dirty trays, “You’re family.  Family sticks up for family.”  she winked and gave her a hug.

“Just so there’s no surprises, we don’t have any titles in our family right?” Sophie giggled.  Both Susan and Victoria laughed.

“Nah, not yet anyway,” Victoria said, giving Sophie a playful poke before she headed off to catch up with the siter for an off campus pass.

~oOo~

Sophie had almost forgotten the events of the previous day by the time her last class ended.  It was the stress relief she didn’t know she needed, just being surrounded by people her age who treated her like one of them.  It wasn’t that she didn’t love modeling, or meeting celebrities, or even becoming a celebrity herself, but it was all so much, so fast, that she needed time, and the school had really given her that.

Anyone who did recognize her might have asked one or two questions, and then gone on about their day chatting with her about the school or how her day was going, little things like that.  By the time she met up with Nicole again, she was positively beaming.

That evening, she spent some time walking the streets of Galway with Nicole.  Every so often she’d duck down an alleyway for a few minutes, and a few street urchins would creep out and head in the direction of the shelter, but she managed to make it back in time to meet up with Victoria.

“Mum says we’re going to be making a trip to California this week.” Victoria beamed. “She told me to tell you not to tell Aunt Katie though.  Oh, and it has nothing to do with you telling us what really went down.  I think mostly it’s Melissa being out of the picture,” she said sheepishly.

Sophie laughed.  “Oh don’t worry.  I’ve met the woman.  I don’t bloody blame anyone not wanting to deal with her.  I’m glad they’re talking though.  Mum Katelyn really loves Ireland and her family.”

“Yeah, Family means a lot to us.” Victoria stated. “The problem is when the olders get something in their head, they tend to push others away.” she sighed.  “Same thing happened to Uncle Toby and Uncle Jonathan, on my Da’s side you know.  They got into a row over something stupid and wouldn’t talk for fifteen years.”

“Do they talk now?”  Sophie asked.

Victoria giggled.  “Oh aye, they both married ‘good Irish women’, who berated them about what foolish children they were being, and they eventually settled it over a beer and a game of pool.”

Sophie giggled as she showed Victoria around the Shelter. “I don't have any biological family, but Mom Katelyn and Mom Amanda said that their family was mine now.”  That was technically true.  Melissa didn’t want to be her mother, after all.

“Bloody right we are,” Victoria beamed.  “You could be black as coal or Japanese or whatever, we’d love you just as much.  Auntie Kate wouldn’t just adopt someone without good cause.”

“Nope just a Brit Irish girl.” Sophie teased. “She found me because of my eyes, but I like to think she’da done something to help me regardless.  I’ve come to realize that about her.”

“There’s more to it.” Victoria stated. “Aunt Katie is like my mum, so there’s got to be something else she found in you.”  She waved her hand in a broad, sweeping motion, “Like your bloody huge heart.  Sophie this place is breathtaking. The kids are actually doing cleaning?”

One of the boys who was cleaning a window nearby looked over and grinned.  “Aye, a few minutes of mopping’s worth a hot meal and a warm bed.  There’s even central heating in all the rooms.”

“It’s a pride thing.” A girl spoke up; she was about 11, “We live here, so we want to make it look good.”  She was wearing a cute, light pink sweater and jeans, and a huge grin. “Turns out, when you look good, you feel good, so we want our home to look good too.”

“Well you certainly look good,” Victoria giggled.  The girl giggled too, grinning even wider as she went back to work.

“It’s required that they clean up their sleep areas, mostly.” Sophie explained. “They get paid for some chores, to teach them responsibility, and give them a sense of accomplishment.” she showed Victoria the price chart for the chores and the sign up sheet.

“I wish I had brought my vlogging camera,” Victoria giggled.  “Wow, that’s definitely a fair wage.  More than my brothers and me got from Mum for chores growing up,” she giggled again.  “And shelters like this are opening all over the island?”

“That’s the plan,” Sophie said.  “I’ve turned over bookkeeping to my friend AnnLee, so she can work out the logistics of extending it beyond Ireland.  It was getting too much for me to deal with.”

“Family.” AnnLee said as she walked by.

“Family,” Sophie giggled.

AnnLee came back out of her office, “I mean you and I are family Sophie, as are all these other kids, you have no idea how many people you’ve touched.”  She turned to Victoria.  “I don’t just mean this shelter either.  This girl is a legend on the streets.  She never let anyone go hungry, even if she had to.”

“When I did, Richie, You or Mrs. McAllister made sure I had something.” Sophie stated.  “I’ve always paid it forward.  Everyone thinks I’m some kind of saint, but I’m not.  I’ve done shitty things, I just always took care of our own.”

“We’ve all done shitty things.” Richie spoke up. “Some shittier than others, and even your Catholic Saints did shitty things even if they did a lot of good.”

“Saint Soapy,” AnnLee giggled.  Sophie stuck out her tongue and laughed.

“Well that would be a first for our family.” Victoria giggled. “We got a dirty history the Prices do.”

“Hey, I meant to ask, I mean if it’s okay to ask,” Sophie said.

“Why did Mum change my name to McAllister?” Victoria asked.  Sophie nodded.

“Because of a good friend.” Victoria said. “I’m proud to be a Price and a McAllister. When I was born thats the name mum put on my birth certificate. The problem with being proud of being a Price though is we were Pirates and whores..” she winked. “We made our money off of robbing people and fookin’ them.” she giggled.  “You know that song, Whiskey in the Jar?”

“No way...”  Sophie giggled.  “That’s about one of our own?”

“It’s about our family.” Victoria nodded.  “Fair Jenny is our great great gran, so, whatever your past, girl, you’re one of us.  I’m kind of the white sheep of the family,” she teased.

“The good girl she means.” A 13 year old girl spoke up. “I knew a few of yer kind when I was younger.” she said as she passed, carrying some laundry.

“Exactly,” Victoria laughed.  “We’ve got family in prison, some IRA, one’s even a cop,” she snickered. “Actually we got two in law enforcement that's right, Aunt Daisy, and Aunt Ruttie.  Aunt Ruttie is with Irish Secret Service.  Aunt Daisey just got promoted to DI.”

“Holy shite, I know her,” Sophie laughed.  “Small fookin’ world eh?”

“Probably.” Victoria laughed, “She was a bobby here in Galway. I don’t get to see her often though, it’s hard to get an off campus pass.”

“Aye, she and her partner on the beat spoke up for me at the custody hearing.”

Nicole spoke up, apparently to AnnLee and Richie.  “It’s not what it looks like,” she said.  Sophie looked over, to see her escorting a girl about 14 or 15, holding a black eye, escorting her toward the nurse’s office.  The girl was in old dirty clothes, definitely new off the street.

“Aye,” the girl said sheepishly.  “I really did walk into a door. The Giant lady here scared me.”

“I am so sorry,” Nicole said.  “We’ll get you some ice on that right away,” she said as disarmingly as possible.

“I keep sayin it’s okay, it’s reflex.” The girl giggled.  “Tiny Tim would’ve startled me just as much.  I’m not used to... people.  Plus I don’t see so good, I got hit a long time ago with bleach in me eyes.”

“Jesus,” Nicole said.  “Well if there’s anything that can be done to help, these people will find it.  If they can’t, then I’ll find someone who can.”

“If you need surgeries not covered by the coverage of the hospital here, just tell Richie or AnnLee, and they’ll talk to my mum who will do something about it.” Sophie said, “Because I obviously had no idea about this place, they’re the ones that are sort of in charge of things right now.”

“Thank you,” the girl said.  “Like I said, I’m not used to people.  I’m especially not used to kind people.  It means a lot.”

“You’re in good hands here, AnnLee and Richie will explain the rules after you see a Nurse about that blackeye.”

“Here you go,” one of the girls said as she came up to Nicole with a medical ice pack.  “The nurse is in the office waiting,” she added warmly.

“This might sting a little,” Nicole said as she placed the ice pack in the girl’s hand.

“Ouch,” she said.  “Yeah, just a little.  But it’s okay.  It feels good too,” she said as Nicole carefully guided her.

“Poor thing,” Victoria sighed.  “I hope she can be helped.  Emily was just telling me - Emily is a blind girl at school by the way - that there’s a new surgery that might be able to help her.  She’s on the waiting list now.”

“I can get Tina on the waiting list as well.” The nurse spoke up. “With some pull I might be able to get her a little higher up on the list  if it’s the surgery I think it is.”

“Corneal transplant,” Victoria nodded.  “She’s ineligible for biological corneas, and the artificial ones don’t work for some reason, so they’re able to grow them in the lab based on her DNA.  It’s super sci-fi.”

“Yup.” The Nurse nodded. “I don't want to bump anyone else down on the list, but I can at least put her on it?”

“Knowing Emily, she would volunteer her spot,” Victoria laughed.  “How is the girl?  Tina?”

“I got her laying down for right now, she said she also fell down and hit the back of her head.  Nicole’s keeping her company until she falls asleep.”

“Didn’t take long,” Nicole laughed as she approached.  “Now I know why Rich is here though.”

“Oh?” Sophie grinned.

“These kids get to you, in a good way,” Nicole said.  “I mean it started with you, you little brat,” she grinned, giving Sophie a hug.  “I mean I know why he came here, but now I understand why he stayed.”

“It’s hard to leave.” Richie stated. “Once you find something that clears your eyes of the crap we did.”

“Yeah, I got that now.” Nicole smiled at Sophie.  “I still have the headaches, but they don’t seema s bad.”

“Oh I got a text.” Sophie giggled and pulled out her phone, it was from David, the weekend Bodyguard, ‘Elizabeth says thank you.’

Sophie typed out, ‘Tell her she has the next 3 days off paid, to spend time with her little girl.’  She then fired off a text to Katelyn, ‘Mum I need a big favor?  Can u buy tickets 2 Disneyland for Elizabeth and her kid from my account? :)  Gave her next 3 days off paid since I can just get Nicole or James to drive me if I need it :P’’

“Sorry about that,” Sophie said as she put away her phone.

“No need to apologize.” Victoria goosed Sophie’s side. “Hey I had to ask you, there’s this rumor going around that you and Ashleigh Brown are a thing?”

“Sophie’s dating Ashleigh Brown?” A girl asked. “Wow!”

“Damn.” A boy grumbled as he walked by with a box in his hands.

“Wait, what?” Sophie said.

“Yeah on my way here I saw this.” Victoria showed Sophie one of those sites that only get the news right about 1% of the time, but it was reporting that Sophie Dee and Ashleigh Brown were officially dating.

“Excuse me a second,” Sophie sighed, dialing Amanda’s number.

“Hey sweetie.” Amanda answered, “You’re very lucky I just got off the phone with Ashleigh Brown’s Agent.”

“That’s what I’m calling about,” Sophie sighed.  “Have you seen the Daily Wail?”

“About the rumors?” Amanda stated. “When you get home, we’ll get with Ashleigh and her Agent and we’ll find a way to get ahead of this, because if we don’t it’s going to get out of hand.”

“I want to know how this rumor even got started,” Sophie said.  “Don’t get me wrong, I like Ashleigh, but we are so not dating.”

“Someone seen you talking to her and took that picture.” Amanda stated. “You’re famous now sweetie, the press is going to take everything you do out of context till you explain it.”

“Is Ashleigh okay at least?” Sophie asked.  “I mean I know she’s got a lot on her mind.”

“Yeah, she was laughing at it.” Amanda giggled softly.

“Oh good, okay,” Sophie relaxed.  “Okay that’s the main thing.  Thanks Mum.  Sorry for bothering you like this.”

“Anytime sweetpea.” Amanda replied.  “You’re not bothering me.  This is part of my job, even if you weren’t my daughter.  Anytime, day or night, you have a problem, you know you can come to me or Katelyn.  You just have fun over there, and we’ll take care of this when you get back.”

“Maybe I should call Ashleigh?  Or should I just let this go?”

“You do whatever you want sweetie.” Amanda stated firmly. “But Ashleigh is your friend.”

“Oh,” Sophie said, “What’s that noise?”

Amanda laughed.  “What’s it sound like?  A buzzy beepy sound?”

“Yeah, that’s it,” Sophie said.

“That’s call waiting.  I’ll let you go so you can answer it,” Amanda giggled.

“How do I ... Um,” she fiddled with the phone a second.  “H-hello?”

“Sophie?” An Irish accented girl spoke.

“Yes?” Sophie answered.

“Thank God.  It’s me Destiny.” Destiny spoke.

Sophie laughed.  “I didn’t recognize you on the phone.  I was just about to call you.”

“I just came out,” Destiney blurted out and then giggled. “It went way better than I thought, so you can change my name on your phone to Destiny.  I stopped using the phony accent too.  Oh my God I feel like a fifty ton weight got lifted off my chest.”

“That’s great!” Sophie said excitedly.  “I’m really proud of you.  I’m just sorry I couldn’t be there in person.”

“That’s okay.  Megan and Juliette and a bunch of their friends were,” she giggled.  “Anyway did you read that rumor?”

“Aye, typical Daily Wail,” she laughed.  

“How do we want to handle it?” Destiny asked. “My Agent said that you and I should work it out.”

“Yeah, I talked to Mum Amanda a few minutes ago.  She said we should get together and figure it out when I get back in a couple of days.”

“Well i’m on my way to Ireland right now,” Destiny stated, “We have a photoshoot there, you and I.”

“We do?” Sophie asked, a little surprised.

“Yeah, In like 3 days.” Destiny stated.  “Nobody told you?”

“Not yet.” Sophie said. “Maybe they’re waiting because i'm on a 2 day vacation.”

“Oh God that’s right, I’m sorry,” Destiny said.

“No, it’s okay,” Sophie laughed.  “Now I can make plans to have my cousin Victoria there for the shoot too.  She’s a photographer like Mum Katelyn, so it’d be good for her.”

“Oh cool!” Destiny said.  “Well anyway, I should let you go, I just wanted to touch base and let you know what’s up.  I’ll be in Dublin by... Um...  I don’t know what time it’ll be there,” she laughed.  “I suck at timezones.  But I’ll see you some time in the next few days after you’re rested up.  Oh, before I go, Angela asked me to tell you she had nothing to do with this.”

“I didn’t blame Angela.” Sophie giggled.

“She was freaking out,” Destiny laughed.