“The singing,” she said, losing her earth child demeanor and allowing her irritation to show through. I grinned again. I loved it when her fake hippie persona cracked.
“Sorry about that,” I said. “But while we’re on the subject, did you ever think that your chanting might be disturbing me? I have a really big audition tomorrow.”
“My chanting benefits everyone in this house,” Tina said, her misty voice returning. “Seriously, Annie, I would think that you would thank me. I improve the aura of this house tremendously. Ugh, if you could only see what it looked like when I moved in here.”
I rolled my eyes. “It looked a lot cleaner before you moved in here,” I said, gesturing around the kitchen that was now cluttered with dishes, though it had been spotless before Jen and I left for work. “Is picking up after yourself too mundane for someone with your abilities for aura cleansing?”
She glared at me. “You just have no respect for the vibrations that I effect on a daily basis. It’s sad really. For a supposed artist you are very closed-minded.”
“What can I say, Tina? You’re one of a kind.” I struggled to control my temper. “Regardless, I have a lot of work to do, and I would really appreciate it if you kept it down. Or, you know, left. That would work for me, too.”
She turned around and stomped off so quickly that her scarves billowed out behind her. I sighed. Jen would be mad at me if she knew I had been so mean to Tina. We did need her for rent.
Ever since Ginny had married Josh and moved out, it’d been tough for us to make ends meet. Jen quitting her job at a high-end event-planning firm in order to open up shop with her friend Kiki hadn’t helped our situation much—not that I was complaining about that. Jen was so much happier now that she was working with Kiki.
I brought my chips and a pop out to the now vacated living room and sat down on the couch, wondering when Jen was going to be home. When she had worked at her old firm, I would know not to expect her before dinner most nights. She worked herself sick there, always trying to get ahead and prove herself. When Kiki’s family hired the firm to plan her mega-platinum wedding, I was worried Jen might actually have a breakdown. As it was, she got totally overwhelmed and almost completely ruined Ginny and Josh’s wedding in the process.
I know she still felt terrible about it, even though she had managed to salvage the event at the last minute. When she told us she was quitting her job and starting up with Kiki, who had become a good friend during the wedding planning process, it felt like I was getting my old friend back. So far, things had been going okay for them, no doubt helped along by the fact that Kiki was totally loaded and knew a lot of other rich people in desperate need of help in throwing parties.
I finished off my chips and stood up, stretching. There was no sound coming from Tina’s bedroom upstairs. Maybe she had taken my advice and left after all. I figured I may as well use the peace and quiet to make some headway on my monologue.
I was going to nail this audition if it killed me.
Chapter Four
‘Are you a working girl? The office can be a great place to meet your dream guy! You spend most of your day at work, so to discount it as a man-meeting opportunity would be foolish. Plus, if you are privy to a man’s work habits you’ll be able to determine how likely he is to be a good provider! While it might be tempting to neglect your early morning toilette when in a rush to get to work, I can’t stress enough the importance of always looking your best. You never know when you might meet Mr. Right!’ —The Single Girl’s Guide to Finding True Love
“Sandra, put that down.”
“But I want mine to be pink!” the eight-year-old beside me whined, her hand once again drifting toward the bottle of hot pink dye.
“I don’t care,” I said, reaching forward to move the bottle out of her grasp. “We’re doing one color at a time. I’ve told you that. Several times.”
“Fine,” she pouted, grabbing her bottle of blue dye and squeezing liberally all over the t-shirt in front of her.
I turned my attention back to Justin, who was making a terrible mess out of his tye-dye project. “Buddy,” I told him. “I think that’s enough green. Maybe go for something lighter.”
Justin looked up at me and grinned, showing that he had somehow managed to get dye all over his face, despite my best efforts to keep the kids well-covered in smocks and gloves. I sighed. “Better get you into the bathroom,” I told him, gingerly taking his hand.
“Chris?” I called down the table to my co-worker. He looked up at me and I had to laugh. He looked sweaty and irritated and totally not into the fact that he was spending his Saturday morning helping the kids in the theater camp tye-dye. “I’m taking Justin inside. Keep an eye on Sandra, okay?” I looked down at the little girl, whose hand was once again reaching for the pink dye. “She’s having a bit of trouble listening,” I said, an edge to my voice. She looked up at me and smiled sheepishly. It was a good thing she was so cute—otherwise Sandra would annoy the crap out of me.
I took Justin back inside the theater, sighing in relief at the cool air. I steered him over to the boys bathroom and set him up at the sink with soap. “Scrub your hands and face, okay?”
I walked back out into the theater lobby and collapsed into a chair. I was exhausted. My audition for Jenner Collins’ show had been the night before. To be honest, I think I nailed it. I don’t like to brag, but I felt really, really good about that audition. To celebrate, Ginny and Josh had taken me out for dinner, where I had enjoyed a few too many vodka cranberries.
In retrospect, that was a big mistake. Saturday morning theater camp was never an easy task, especially when it was this hot outside, but add a hangover and a killer headache and I was desperately hurting.
“Annie?”
I spun around and saw Grayson, a slightly senior co-worker, standing in the doorway to the stairs. I hadn’t realized he’d been up in the office, but I shouldn’t be surprised. Though our job titles were nearly identical, Grayson had a tendency to act like he owned this place. It was totally annoying.
“Why are you inside?” he asked. “I thought you were running camp.”
I tamped down a flash of irritation. Grayson always talked to me this way; like he was constantly judging my intentions. His bossiness got old really fast.
“I had to bring Justin in,” I told him, pointing to the bathroom. “He got some dye on his face. Chris and Maureen are still outside with the kids.”
He just nodded as she turned to go. “I have some stuff for you to do in the office,” He said over his shoulder. “Make sure you stop by after the kids leave.”
Once he was gone, I swore under my breath. I was not scheduled for office hours today. Why did he always assume I would just be at his disposal? Where did he get off bossing me around in the first place? I didn’t get paid enough for this shit.
“All done!” Justin said proudly, appearing in the doorway to the bathroom and holding up his clean hands. I looked at him closely. I could definitely make out a few smudges of green around his mouth, but I guess it was better than nothing. “Alright, buddy,” I sighed, taking his hand again. “Let’s go see what mess Sandra has made in the last five minutes.”
***
Two hours later I collapsed in my desk chair. The kids had finally all left, though several of the parents had, of course, been late. Most of the kids in our program were from this neighborhood, which meant that most of them came from single-parent homes. Most days, I was just happy that their parents could get them here at all.
I looked down at the pile of crap Grayson had left for me to finish before he left. He wanted me to work on a program proposal for the local high schools. Great. Just what I felt like doing.
Before I could get started, my cell phone rang. I looked at the screen and groaned. My mother.
“Hey, Mom,” I said, closing my eyes.
“Hello, Annie, dear,” my mother said. “How are you?”
“I’m good,” I told her. “How a
re you?”
“Oh, fine, fine,” she said. “I just finished my afghan, you know the one I was knitting for Beth? It turned out just lovely, very warm and cozy. I was thinking I would start on yours next, dear; it would be just the thing for you and Jen in that drafty old house.”
“I have plenty of blankets, Mom,” I told her, rubbing my throbbing temple. “And our house isn’t that old.”
“Well, if you’re sure, dear,” she said, sounding doubtful. “But I’d be happy to make you one if you change your mind.”
“Okay, Mom,” I said, trying to tamp down my irritation. Had she really called me just to talk about afghans?
“So what are you up to today?” she asked.
“I’m still at work,” I told her. “I had a few things to do after camp was over.”
“Are you sure you aren’t working too hard?” she asked. “It seems like every time I talk to you you’re either at work or running around with the girls. Won’t you wear yourself down this way?”
“I’m fine,” I said, struggling to keep from snapping at her. My mother was so annoying.
“Well, I just don’t know how any of your friends have met their young gentlemen when the three of you are always so busy,” she said.
I sighed. Here we went again. If I ever had a conversation with my mother that didn’t end up being about my lack of boyfriend, I might just drop dead from shock.
“It’s a mystery of modern society,” I muttered.
“Well, it just surprises me is all,” she said. “Dear, did you happen to get that book I sent you last week? I was worried because I hadn’t heard from you about it…”
“I got it, Mom,” I said. “I didn’t call because I assumed it was a joke.”
“Why would it be a joke?” she asked.
“Because I thought you would know, after countless conversations on the subject, that I’m in no hurry to get a boyfriend. I’m very happy with my friends and my life and the men that I date and I don’t see any reason for any of that to change now, or any time in the near future. Does that make it clear enough?”
On the other end of the phone, my mother sniffed. “I just don’t understand why you don’t want a nice man in your life. I know you say you’re happy, but what girl doesn’t want to get married?”
Because that worked out so well for you, I thought angrily.
“Mom,” I said, breathing heavily. “Please, please drop it, okay? I am perfectly happy. I don’t need dating tips from some book. Okay?”
“But doesn’t it ever bother you that Ginny and Jen are both so happy with their gentlemen, and you’re…you’re…”
“All by myself?” I asked. “Turning into an old maid? Becoming a spinster?”
“There is no reason for you to take that tone of voice with me,” she said, sounding wounded. “I just worry. I’m your mother.”
“I’m fine.”
“Well, dear, I suppose we should just change the subject then,” she said, clearly deeply offended. “How is Danny doing? Do you think he might like a new blanket?”
I closed my eyes again and settled into my chair, resigned to the fact that I wouldn’t be getting her off the phone any time soon. As she rattled on about the pattern she thought she might use, I looked down at the pile of work on my desk. It was only two p.m., but I had a feeling it was going to be a long, long afternoon.
***
When I got home that evening, I was pleased to see Jen’s car in the drive. I hoped that Matt wouldn’t be there. I liked him very much and I thought he was totally perfect for Jen, but I wasn’t quite in the mood to share my best friend tonight.
Before I could even get to the top of the steps, Kiki was throwing the front door open. “Annie!” she cried. “I’m so, so happy you’re here!”
“Hey, Kiki,” I said, fighting my disappointment. She was a lot to take, Kiki, but once you warmed up to her she wasn’t so bad. After the day I’d had, though, I wasn’t sure how much of her I could handle.
“I came over so we could talk about the event,” she said, moving over so I could squeeze past her through the doorway. “We have, like, so much work to do.”
“Crap,” I muttered, dropping my purse on the coffee table. “I totally forgot.”
Jen and Kiki had agreed to plan a fundraising benefit for the theater in the following month. It was really generous of them, as we wouldn’t be able to pay them much at all, but Jen assured me they would benefit from the goodwill publicity. Their firm was very new and could use all the positive PR they could get.
“Well,” Kiki said, following me into the kitchen. “I have some news for you. And it’s gonna make you totally happy, I promise.”
“Great, Kiks,” I told her, grabbing the water pitcher from the fridge. “So...uh, is Jen here?”
“I’m back here,” Jen called from her bedroom. “I’ll be right out!”
Kiki followed me back to the living room, kind of like a little puppy, and we both sat on the couch.
“So Jen told me you had an audition this week,” she said. “That is, like, so cool. For Jenner Collins? Oh my God, I just love him so much. Daddy has done some work with him. He’s totally into the revitalization of the city. It’s so, so awesome.”
“Yup,” I agreed, putting my feet up on the coffee table. “He’s a pretty cool guy.”
“So was he there? At the audition, I mean. How did it go? I bet you were just great.”
Kiki always talked like this, a mile a minute. When I first met her I had thought she was the most ridiculous person in the world. But I soon came to find out that she was genuinely this nice, this interested in other people. There was nothing fake about her enthusiasm. She was a good person to have on your side.
“Jenner wasn’t there, no” I told her. “It was only the first audition. I wouldn’t imagine he’d be around until the callback, if then. For all I know he won’t even have much to do with this show; he might just be producing in name only.”
“Well, I bet you get the part. And I’m sure he’ll be around for at least the performances. He’ll probably be, like, so impressed with you.”
“Thanks, Kiki,” I said, smiling in spite of myself. “So, what’s this awesome news about the event?”
“I actually have two awesome pieces of news,” she said, bouncing on the couch a little. “But I can only tell you one part right now. The rest will have to wait.”
“Um...okay?” I said, wishing I could just go lay down in my quiet room. My headache was coming back with a vengeance.
“Jen,” Kiki called. “Hurry up and get out here! I want to tell Annie the news!”
“I’m here,” Jen said, appearing in the hallway. “Hey, Ann,” she said, shooting me an understanding smile. “How are you feeling?”
“Pretty rough,” I admitted.
“What’s wrong?” Kiki asked.
“Was just out late last night,” I explained. “A little hung over.”
“Oh, you poor thing! And here I was talking your ear off when you probably only wanted some peace and quiet. I’m, like, so sorry. But I promise, this news will cheer you up!”
“Okay, Kiki,” I told her. “Shoot.”
“So, I told Daddy about this event Jen and I are helping you with. And he was totally curious about your organization. He hasn’t done too much work out in that neighborhood, you know?”
I nodded, trying to keep up. Kiki’s dad, David Barker, was one of the most well-known and prestigious developers in the city. He had made a ridiculous amount of money revitalizing run-down buildings and neighborhoods in Detroit. He was now the owner of numerous restaurants, clubs and hotels in the city, but to my knowledge his business hadn’t ventured much into the area where my theater was located.
“So, anyhow,” she said. “I had Jen talk to him and tell him about what you guys do, and he was totally into it. He wants to give the theater some money! Like, not a crazy amount, but he wants to be a patron. And as he gets to know you guys more, who knows how far the relat
ionship will go, you know? My dad is all about building relationships.”
I stared at her blankly. What was she saying?
“He’s going to become a donor, Annie,” Jen explained, smiling broadly at me. “He wants to come out to the benefit next month and get set up as a patron.”
“Oh my God,” I said, looking between the two of them. “Are you serious?”
Kiki just beamed at me. “See? I told you it would cheer you up!”
“This is…wow, this is just incredible!” I tried to wrap my mind around what Kiki was saying. Springwells was a pretty small theater, even amongst non-profits. We were constantly struggling to come up with funding. If we actually got a patron, especially someone at the level of David Barker…it could totally change everything.
“He wants to meet with you next week,” she said, still smiling. “Nothing formal, just a lunch.”
“Wow,” I said. “Kiki this is…well, thanks. This is amazing.”
“I did nothing,” she said, holding up her hands. “This isn’t a favor. I just mentioned the event. He was genuinely impressed with what you guys do for the community.”
“Wow,” I said again, shaking my head.
“So, what’s the other news?” Jen asked hopefully, but Kiki just laughed.
“Nope, I told you you’d have to wait.” Kiki said.
“You don’t know, either?” I asked.
Jen shook her head. “Kiki said we’re waiting for everyone else.”
“Everyone else?” I asked. “Like, who?”
Just then the front door banged open, revealing Ginny, Josh, and Danny.
“Yay!” Kiki squealed. “I’m so glad you guys are here!”
“Hi,” Ginny said, plopping Danny’s diaper bag on the floor. “So what’s this big news?”
“We’re just waiting for Matty and Eric now,” Kiki said happily.
“How are you doing today, Ann?” Josh asked, smirking at me. “You were pretty far gone last night.”
I rolled my eyes at him. “I feel great,” I said. “Just peachy, thanks.”
Three Girls and a Leading Man Page 2
