Chapter 19 - The New Foundation
By early autumn, the trees along our suburban Columbus street had turned brilliant shades of copper and gold.
Clara, Iris, and I sat at the walnut table with Sarah Bennett, reviewing the incorporation papers for our new venture: *The Phoenix Restoration Project*.
Using the court-ordered restitution funds, we had established a non-profit organization dedicated to providing immediate legal defense, emergency locksmith services, and forensic accounting for women trapped in predatory domestic marriages.
Iris was serving as the financial director, her meticulous ledger skills finally being used for righteousness. Clara was our client intake coordinator, helping women navigate the terrifying first forty-eight hours of filing protective orders.
And I remained on the board while continuing my work at the hospital, ensuring our medical and trauma protocols remained airtight.
“We have our first three clients,” Clara announced, handing around the case summaries. “All three have had their locks changed, emergency housing secured, and their marital accounts audited before their husbands could drain them.”
“Wesley would hate this,” Iris said with a wicked grin, sipping her cider. “We took his mother’s dirty money and turned it into a shield for the exact women she tried to destroy.”
“Wesley doesn't matter anymore,” I said, looking around the bright room. “None of them do.”
My phone chimed on the table.
It was an automated notification from the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator system.
*Inmate Ward, Wesley – Transferred to FCI Terre Haute. Custody level: Medium-High. Projected release date: October 24, 2042.*
I glanced at the date. Twenty years.
May you like
I swiped the notification off the screen, permanently disabled the inmate tracking alerts, and turned back to the three women sitting at my table.
***