inaugurate

verb

1. begin or introduce

2. admit (someone) formally to office

3. mark the beginning or first public use of (an organization or project) with a special event or ceremony

Wallace and especially my mother wouldn't let me move out. They hated the idea of pushing me away from the family unit, but at the same time they sort-of agreed with what I had to say. Being the professionally educated psychologist and mental health practitioner that I am (NOT!) they felt that my advice was worth thinking about. I did tell them to seek professional advice as I wasn't and would never be Eyva's doctor – nor friend but I didn't tell them that. I also suggested they talk with Eyva about it all, when she wasn't drunk off her face. I left them in the lounge room and went to bed.

So, the night drama passed and the next day arrived, the launch day of my Antique & Arts App, and it looked fantastic. Sleek, easy to use, professionally design, and well put together. There were things about the app that I didn't like from the timeline 'before', like the colour scheme, but I decided not to change it too much. They had obviously done their research for what worked to attract clientèle for their app aimed at those interested in arts and antiques. The browns and tans used had a lime green added to them, just to give it a modern splash of colour.

Believe it or not, I actually had a launch party, an online party for those of us who were involved with its creations. All seven of us were included, and I say seven as I had to include my mother. Patricia, Grant and I ended up together at the estate in the entertainment lounge. Grant hooked my laptop up, duplicating the screen onto the huge TV. We connected with Freddy and even invited Wallace, my mum and Mr Anderson to join us online.

"All set up?" I asked Grant as the duplicate screen appeared before us.

"Yes, but let me check the sound connection." He signed in to our chat room using his phone and left the room. A moment later his face appeared under mine on the group chat app that we tucked onto the side of the web browser so it was out of the way of our app publishing launch. Patricia sat next to me and waved at Grant.

"Hi, I seem to be coming through via video, OK. How about the sound?" He asked then moved towards the kitchen to collect a tray of refreshments that his mother had arranged for him to bring back earlier.

"The sound is coming through the laptop perfectly fine, but not the TV." I shrugged. It didn't really matter to me all the same. I could still hear him.

"Hang on, I'll have a look at the speaker options once I come back in." He placed his phone, camera side up, on the tea tray and carried it into the entertainment room. We saw everything from his chest up, including the ceiling and lights and tops of curtains as he walked along.

"Nice view of your nose, Grant." I laughed.

It didn't take long for the audio to be connected to the TV. Then one by one, Mum, Freddy, Wallace, then finally Mr Anderson arrived via video. They were all at work, Freddy was who knew where, and we chatted and said hello to each other. Then I thanked everyone for being here with me.

"This is my first project for Pyrus Projects. The Antique & Arts App was an inspired piece of programming and without all of you here today, it wouldn't have got off the ground. Thank you to my team: Grant, Mr Anderson and Patricia for driving this project. You have been the core of my new company and I am proud to work with each of you. Patricia, I especially want to thank you for your dedication and friendship. You are seriously a goddess, as everything you touch turns to gold! I'm planning on giving you a plaque to that effect sometime in the near future." We all laugh at my lame as joke, but I really hoped that my words showed even an ounce of gratitude for my personal assistant.

"Mr Anderson, thank you for your service and role as my company CEO. I appreciate your time and effort you've given in getting my company set up. I know that I've been paying you, like a mountain load full, but your dedication in helping an under aged new business owner has been so very encouraging to me. You will always have my thanks." I give a little bow to my lawyer and he bows in return.

"You are welcome my dear. I've really enjoyed seeing your business develop and I'm looking forward to seeing how your new investments turn out."

"Investments?" Wallace and Mum ask, both at the same time, making me giggle.

"Yes, investments. I've been keeping Mr Anderson busy." I left it at that, not saying anything further. I didn't want to burden them with wondering if I was wasting my money or not.

"Thanks to Grant for all his help, I'm looking forward to going to university with him starting this coming week. Really excited about that."

"You left school, Lily?" Freddy asked. He looked a little shocked.

"Yes, sorry I didn't tell you. I have completed enough credits that I can graduate high school and Wallace and my mum helped me out with the paper work last Friday. I am a new high school graduate, and was accepted into Mt Sommers University a few months ago. Done and dusted."

"Congratulations," sounded out through the speakers of the TV.

"I didn't know you could do that." Freddy murmured and I wondered if he was thinking about doing the same now.

"Stay in school, Freddy!" I called out to him, laughing at the weird look on his face. Since we were all connected by video to the same chat session, everyone could see his reaction as well.

"Finally, I'd like to thank Wallace and my mum, Brooke, for all of the support and especially Wallace for his business mentoring. I've learned a lot from you, Wallace over this time and I hope I can continue to learn from you." I give another bow and a bright smile.

"You are really welcome, Lily. I've been surprised by your business acumen. It is startling to see a woman as young as you, with such a brilliant head on your shoulders. I am looking forward to seeing what your creativity and entrepenurialship will bring in the future. Well done, my girl!" He gives me a proud-father smile and I nearly choke on my spit. Coming from Wallace Overmeyer, this was indeed high praise.

"Ah, thank you." I wheeze out.

"I'm also proud, as a mother, to see you doing so many creative things. Well done, Honey. Your father would also be proud of you." She give a sad smile, then continues. "So, when are we going to be able to see this new app of yours?"

"Ah yes. We're all ready to launch it. Grant and Patricia uploaded it onto the various app distribution platforms a few days ago but left them unpublished. So, are we ready?" I turned to Grant, who has somehow become my IT guy, and he clocks a few browser pages open getting them signed in and ready on the user face dashboards for each platform. My app logo is there, all the data, photos, descriptions, price and meta data are all complete.

"OK, looking good. Without further ado, let's launch this baby." I clapped my hands once then Grant gave me the wireless mouse. I clicked the red 'Publish' button and the first mobile distribution platform was done. The various development fees had already been pre-loaded and paid, so it was just a matter of clicking the 'Publish' buttons and my app was launched on seven or eight distribution platforms.

"And we have lift off!" Wallace yelled and clapped. We all followed suit.

"The app wont be ready for purchase until each of the platforms have checked it and finalised things at their end. It may take up to two days." I reminded everyone, that although the app had been published, it wasn't ready for downloading until it was confirmed by each distribution platform.

"OK, how do I find it on my phone, Lily?" My mum asked.

"I'll send you the link. Does anyone else need a link?" I asked and everyone indicated they wanted an email with the links.

"Thank you everyone. Now please, don't let me keep you any longer. Please enjoy your day." Launch party complete.

"Just one thing, everyone. Lily hasn't mentioned it at all, but it is currently her eighteenth birthday today." My mum called out just before people started signing off and logging out of the video chat programme.

"Oh, congratulations again, Lily." Mr Anderson called out.

"Happy Birthday Lily." Others followed suit. When the birthday wishes settled down, my mother spoke again.

"Lily, if it is alright with you, would you spare some time today for a spot of shopping and lunch down town?" my mother asked.

"Yes certainly," I replied to her, and that was how the rest of my day was organised.