Chapter 12: The Curb
Valerie Vance had always prided herself on her image. She spent thousands of dollars she didn't have to ensure the women at her country club believed she was untouchable old money.
At exactly 10:00 AM on Tuesday, that illusion was violently shattered.
Two deputies from the county sheriff's department knocked on the heavy mahogany door of her luxury condo. When she refused to answer, they didn't hesitate. The locksmith drilled the deadbolt in under three minutes.
Valerie was sitting on her pristine white sofa, wearing her silk bathrobe, weeping hysterically.
"Ma'am, the seventy-two-hour notice has expired," the lead deputy said, pulling a clipboard from his belt. "You need to vacate the premises immediately. The property now belongs to the Oakmont Trust."
"You can't do this!" Valerie screamed, throwing a throw pillow at the deputy. "I am a respectable woman! My son is going to sue all of you!"
The deputies ignored her. They signaled the removal crew waiting in the hallway.
For the next two hours, the residents of the exclusive, gated condominium complex were treated to a free show. Valerie's neighbors—the same women she had spent years trying to impress and intimidate—stood on their balconies, sipping their morning coffee, watching in fascinated horror.
Movers carried out her expensive Italian leather chairs, her crystal chandeliers, and her racks of designer clothing, depositing them unceremoniously onto the public sidewalk just outside the complex gates.
Valerie was escorted out by the deputies. She stood on the sidewalk, surrounded by a mountain of her possessions, weeping as a light drizzle began to fall.
She reached into her designer purse, her hands shaking violently, and pulled out her phone. She dialed my number.
I was sitting in Arthur's office, reviewing the final divorce petition, when my phone lit up with her contact name. I put it on speaker and set it on the mahogany desk.
"Charlotte," Valerie sobbed the moment the line connected. "Charlotte, please. I'm on the street. It's raining. My friends won't answer my calls. I'm begging you, just let me go back inside. Just for one night."
Arthur looked at me, raising an eyebrow, waiting for my instruction.
I leaned forward, looking at the blinking speaker light.
May you like
"Family money belongs with family, Valerie," I said, my voice as calm and flat as a frozen lake. "I hope you enjoy the rain."
I ended the call and blocked her number permanently.
