REPRESENTED

by K'Anne Meinel

  As the elevator took them down Jana asked “what about your pets?”

  “I have a dog walker that will come in once a day and I called her yesterday” Karin informed her as she winked at Carl in the reflection of the elevator. He knew she was gone frequently and knew the routine.

  A Park Avenue limousine was waiting at the curb and Karin handed her two bags to him as the other three struggled with their huge bags. He too seemed to grunt as they wrestled them into the trunk of the car. Karin sat in the back seat with Miranda next to her both of the girls took the other seat facing them as they tried to act like this happened to them all the time. They were impressed though and couldn’t help but grin at their mother as the car drove them through afternoon traffic. Karin was busy on her phone texting someone or checking her email, they couldn’t be sure which. The car drove through a special gate at the airport and pulled up on the tarmac near a plane.

  “We’re going in a private plane?” Molly asked incredulously as she looked out.

  The driver opened the door and Karin pushed Miranda lightly on the shoulder to encourage her to get out as she answered “jet actually” and then got out herself followed by the two awestruck teenagers. Karin walked over to the jet and mounted the steps as though she did this every day. The other three followed a little more slowly.

  “Ms. Myers?” a man in captain’s uniform inquired as they all came on board.

  Karin nodded and he introduced himself. “I’m Captain O’Reilly, there is a phone call for you” he indicated one of the phones near the plush chairs spaced out in the cabin. Karin saw a red button on it and picked it up.

  “Hello?” she watched as a steward began helping Miranda and her girls to their seats. She listened for a while and said “of course, not a problem, we will wait” and hung up the phone. She looked around and said “Captain O’Reilly if you don’t mind waiting we have an additional passenger.” He nodded and giving her a half salute he left the cabin.

  “Would you like something to drink before we take off?” the steward inquired solicitously as he eyed her.

  Karin smiled and said “perhaps after we take off, nothing for me now.”

  Karin went to sit next to Miranda and she asked “who are we waiting for?”

  Karin pulled out her cell phone and turned it off and waving it at the other three indicating they should do the same with theirs “oh someone who missed their connecting flight to LA, we’re giving them a lift.” She heard their luggage being tucked in underneath the plane and then she glanced out the far windows and saw another car pull up and someone get out of it. One of their stewards hurried over to help with their luggage. A woman came up the stairs and Karin rose from where she had been sitting.

  “Ms. Myers?” the woman inquired politely.

  “Karin, please” she answered.

  “Call me Celina” the beautiful blonde smiled. Karin would have recognized her anywhere even if she hadn’t known who they were waiting for.

  “Let me introduce my friends” she introduced the three of them and could see that their guest was recognized. As one of Hollywood’s most beautiful woman she was very recognizable. She had won an Academy Award a few years ago and while South African from birth she had risen to be an international favorite.

  The beautiful blonde turned back to Karin after politely shaking the hands of the three of them. “We have friends in common.”

  “Yes, I know, Elliott called me to arrange your ride” Karin answered.

  “No, although he was a dear to call you before you took off, I was talking about Em Phillips?”

  Karin’s face tightened a little and she said “yes, I know Em, how is she?”

  Celina smiled knowingly, “she’s better, you did a terrific job and she’s forever grateful.”

  Karin shrugged “well, it was a while ago, I hope she is doing well.”

  Celina nodded. She knew a lot about it but now wasn’t the time to speak of it. “Won’t you join me?” she raised an eyebrow and indicated the two side by side chairs further into the cabin from where Miranda and her girls had chosen to sit. Karin never batted an eyelash as she said “of course” and followed her. Miranda looked at her strangely but acknowledged this might be work related.

  The stairs were pulled up and in the plane sealing it as the stewards checked that their passengers were all buckled in. Karin realized the stewardess checking hers seemed to take an inordinate amount of time and brushed against her breasts unnecessarily. Her startled look was returned with an amused one by the pretty redhead. Karin glanced away momentarily only to catch the knowing look of Celina who seemed just as amused.

  They were soon taxiing down the runway and just as quickly in the air and on their way. Celina talked to Karin for a while about mundane things but soon got down to business. She wanted Karin to represent her and wasn’t willing to take no for an answer.

  “After what Em told me you did for her I want someone I know can help my career” she insisted as she drank the champagne the redheaded stewardess had offered. Karin had refused on more than one level.

  “Celina, I appreciate the vote of confidence, I really do. I don’t however handle entertainment clients anymore. Elliott knows this and Em especially knows this. I can refer you to any number of people who...”

  But Celina was shaking her head and saying “look, it was a horrible situation. You handled it with discretion and honor. You shouldn’t let it sour you to the whole business though.”

  Karin smiled, she loved knowing her reputation was such that people wanted her work but she wasn’t willing to take the chance. Some people knew about Em but only one other person knew about Phil, she wouldn’t go back into entertainment representation if she could help it. It was her choice. She deflected Celina’s arguments adroitly and they still managed to enjoy their flight together. It got cozy enough that despite her refusal to work for her Celina managed to make a pass at her. Karin was surprised and then a little embarrassed when she realized that despite the cabin pressure that her guests could hear everything. She caught Miranda’s eye and rolling her own she sighed mightily. She pretended to get some work out and went to sit in a solitary chair. Celina pretended to doze as she watched Karin through slit eyes.

  They landed late for New York time but still early for Los Angeles time. A car met Celina first and before she left she made sure to give Karin her personal card and lingeringly shake her hand. Karin had to admit she was interested in Celina on a personal level but she also realized that would be a mistake all the way around. Miranda was amused as Karin watched her get off the plane and get into her car. Their own car pulled up shortly thereafter and the stewards quickly loaded their luggage as they got in. Miranda noted that the redheaded stewardess watched Karin closely as she closed the door.

  “Popular aren’t you?” Molly asked with a grin. Not much got by that kid.

  Karin looked at her surprised and not amused. She wanted to pretend ignorance but knew she couldn’t get away with it and instead ignored the comment.

  “Ms. Myers?” the limo driver called from in front.

  Karin looked up inquiringly “yes?” she called back.

  “Is there anywhere you wish to stop before we go to the hotel?”

  She shook her head and sat back in her chair closing her eyes. It had been a long flight.

  “Nice digs!” Molly enthused they looked around.

  Karin tipped the porter who had brought all their luggage up, on a cart instead of carrying the heavy load and getting a hernia. She thanked him as he wheeled the cart out of the hotel room.

  “Your room is over there” she indicated the two doors.

  “We have to share?” Jana asked.

  Karin nodded as she headed for the basket that was on the bar. Pulling the card she read: Welcome to LA, Elliott. Inside was a fruit basket surrounding a bottle of champagne. She pulled the bottle out and uncorked it. She showed it to Miranda and asked “feel like celebrating?”

  Miranda smiled an
d nodded. It was a nice room. The girls were already fighting over which bed they got in their room. They checked the other room too and found a pair of double beds in there as well. The living room they were standing in was a fair size with two couches facing each other and a desk as well as the bar. The girls converged on the bar and Miranda said sternly “don’t touch a thing!” Mini bars were notoriously expensive. Karin appreciated it, she didn’t want to have to be the one to tell them no.

  “I’m hungry!” Jana whined.

  “Me too!” Karin said and asked “care to order a pizza?”

  “Pizza?” Jana asked astonished but then thinking again she reached for the menus that were scattered by a phone.

  “What did she really want?” Miranda asked her as they both lay in their beds that night.

  Karin turned to face her friend from across the small aisle between the two queen sized beds “she wanted me to represent her.”

  “And you won’t?” but Miranda had heard the conversation, she also knew why Karin wouldn’t.

  Karin nodded sadly. She didn’t like thinking about what had happened back when.

  “She wanted you though” Miranda smirked. It was funny after all these years to see Karin hit on all the time. Yes she had the confidence that had been lacking years ago but there was something more, something almost intangible. It made her desirable. Apparently Miranda wasn’t the only one who saw it though. They kept trying to get up her skirt. First the star and then the stewardess, even that woman back in New York at the restaurant, and numerous men including Chuck the owner of the helicopter service, it was amazing to watch.

  Karin laughed. She knew that too. She had carefully filed away the business card that had been so subtly given her. You never knew when you might need it...

  The next morning Karin was gone before the others even got out of bed. A note was left on the counter for them. It read:

  “I’m in business meetings all day, there is a car waiting to take you to Anaheim whenever you’re ready” and Karin had left five $100 bills attached to the note with a P.S. reading “for dinner and other things you might need.”

  Miranda and the girls got a limo ride to Disneyland and had a blast. The girls wanted to go to the California adventure but Miranda thought they shouldn’t take advantage of Karin’s generosity. When Karin heard it though she insisted they go. The car was comped anyway she explained, they just had to pay their way inside and this cost a lot too Miranda found. She wasn’t sure this was such a great idea. When Karin realized that she was low on funds though she came up with free tickets to Universal Studios, Knotts Berry Farm, and then suggested they go sight-seeing. By the fifth day though Karin was able to join them and she borrowed a car from her Los Angeles office to sight see with them. They went through Hollywood and saw the famous sign; they drove around Beverly Hills and marveled at the houses they could see. The four of them had a blast before Karin had to return back to New York. The return trip on the plane wasn’t as eventful and they all slept across the country.

  “I’m going to head back home” Miranda announced on their return the following morning.

  “Work everything out?” Karin asked as she ate a croissant.

  “No, I’m going to start divorce proceedings. He doesn’t get it and he showed up here while we were in California. Fortunately for Bradley he really didn’t know where we were.”

  Karin smirked, she was glad she could help. “I’m sorry” she really was. Her friend had lost out on marriage twice.

  Miranda looked at her sharply to see if she was sincere or being sarcastic. When she saw she was sincere she relaxed. It had been a good try. She had been happy for a time but not as happy as she had been when she and Karin had been together. Karin was right, they had given it a shot but Miranda had wanted a heterosexual relationship so bad she had convinced herself that Jeff was the answer. Using Karin again hadn’t been a good idea but she was glad they were friends again. Seeing her now she really wished she had been wiser. She was a good person, a good friend. Someone she wished she could be with but had missed her chance. She now wished her happiness. Seeing how much other’s wanted her and how she handled it made her wish for more but she settled for a good friendship.

  As Miranda packed up her little Saturn she was surprised at its cleanliness. Karin smirked when she spoke on it and then Miranda realized that Karin had arranged for it to be detailed. It was spic and span and any of their ‘valuables’ that they had questioned whether it was garbage or not was in a box in the back seat. Karin hugged each of the three of her guests as she watched them drive out of the parking garage. She was relieved she would have her spot back; it had been expensive to leave her SUV uptown but for her friend she was glad she could help.

  “Karin, I’d like to introduce you to some people” Elliott smiled as he led her to a group of patiently waiting people. She couldn’t believe she was back in Los Angles a week after leaving it but then that was the nature of the business sometimes. Karin recognized one of them faintly but she met people all the time and didn’t necessarily put faces with names right away. “Hey you guys, this is Karin Myers, Karin this is Cassie Summers” she realized who Cassie was immediately as she held out her hand to shake Cassie’s own. “This is Travis Collins, her manager” Karin smiled at him and he was immediately charmed, her beauty alone had caught his eye. “And this is our host, Michael Turner” she turned her smile on him and only fractionally froze at the incredibly ugly man she was addressing.

  “It’s a pleasure to be in your home Mr. Turner” she said politely to him having not addressed the other two other than a polite nod in recognition of the introduction.

  “I’m so glad Elliott brought you. I’ve been looking forward to meeting you for some time. You have an incredible touch” he grinned, referring to her talent “the last novel set them on its ear. And please call me Michael.”

  She smiled giving him her best smile that she reserved for meeting the public. Not too many people saw the real ‘Karin’; instead she kept a few facial contractions just for the ‘public’ since it was her job.

  “I really enjoyed the first book you promoted” Cassie contributed to the conversation and to draw Karin’s attention back to her.

  Karin turned to her in surprise, certain someone of Cassie’s stature wouldn’t have known who she was or that she was a promoter, mainly of books. Her eyebrow cocked as she prepared to put Ms. Summers subtly in her place. As she looked her in the eye though she froze. The gray blue eyes held hers and at that moment there was a sizzling sensation in Karin’s brain. Her own jade green eyes widened slightly at the sensation. She felt her body stiffen slightly but at the same time she felt curiously weak as her knees nearly buckled. She felt a shortness of breath. Her body instinctively knew though what was happening and rose magnificently to the occasion. This all happened in a micro-second as she came back to her senses in time to ask “really? That one was so sophomoric, I think several of my other novelists were much better” she was pleased that her voice sounded normal, at least to her own ears.

  “It was the one though that caught my interest in your work; it made me want to read other of your novelists. I think I’ve read all of them at this point. Maybe I should have had you promote mine?” She grinned.

  Karin was studying the dishwater blonde before her. She was a little taller than Karin’s own 5’7” and wearing slight heels. Her hair reached halfway down her back and the curls were so country but they looked just right on the slender figure before her. She was an attractive woman by anyone’s definition. “Have you read ‘Ominous’?” she asked with a slight dimple showing in her right cheek.

  Cassie shook her head and Karin was mesmerized by the cascade of curls that she could see with her peripheral vision, her own eyes never left Cassie’s as she tried to fathom why she was having such a strong reaction to this woman as she looked up into those gray blue ones.

  “You should come to my book signing then” Karin grinned. “Or rather Nina Lall�
��s book signing” she corrected.

  “Yes” Elliott put his arm around Karin’s waist to break into their conversation “that’s why we are in town. You should come, all of you” he included generously.

  Cassie noted that Karin didn’t like the casual embrace but you had to really look to see the slight tightening around her eyes. She broke eye contact with Karin to address Elliott “maybe we will.”

  “How about you, what are you doing in LA?” Elliott asked enthusiastically.

  Karin looked at him through slightly narrowed eyes. He was always hustling, always looking out for new clients. He had been so thrilled when she agreed to work with his firm but it was a long time in coming and she had made him jump through a lot of hoops before she let him work with her. By then she was neck deep in work and her other managers had been overwhelmed. If Elliott wasn’t so good at what he did, she wouldn’t have hired on with him. He made her life relatively stress free, provided her with the means, and it gave her a lot more time to do what she loved, promote.

  “We’re laying down the tracks on a new single” Cassie answered him.

  “Is it similar to the ballads you’ve been releasing or have you gone back to Southern Rock?” Karin put in astutely.

  Cassie looked at her in surprise. She had been almost certain someone like Karin Myers wouldn’t know who Cassie Summers was much less listen to country or Southern Rock. “Actually, this one is more like Southern Rock.”

  “Oh that’s good; I remember when you came out with Harlot. I fell in love with that video on CMT. I didn’t realize then that was even you until years later” Karin admired her.

  Cassie looked at her again and captured her with her eyes again. She was genuinely surprised to find that Karin was a fan of hers when she herself was a fan of Karin’s and the work she had done. “Did you like any other of my songs?” she asked as the men watching these two faded to the background momentarily for these two women.