When everyone said “Amen,” Traci and Janet began passing dishes, and Simone had never seen so much food. And it smelled so good. Turkey and cornbread dressing, candied yams, mustard greens, potato salad, baked beans, green beans, macaroni and cheese, ham, and fruit salad.
“So,” Traci’s dad, Earl, said to Chris, “have you lived here in Mitchell all your life?”
“Sort of, but not really. I’m originally from Nashville, but my parents moved here when I was two.”
“Nashville is a very nice city.”
“It is, and we try to get down there to see my aunts and uncles at least once a year.”
Tim scooped out a large helping of dressing and set it on his plate. “We have a plant down there, but I haven’t visited it yet. And Traci tells me that you work at the post office.”
“I do,” Chris said, picking up a couple of dinner rolls with a pair of plastic tongs. “I’ve been there since graduating high school.”
Earl nodded. “That’s great. Then you’ve been there for a while.”
“I have.”
Robin ate some macaroni and cheese, and then looked at Simone. “Traci tells me that your mother and grandmother live in California.”
“Yes, they moved there a few years ago.”
“And you’d rather be here for the holiday weekend instead of visiting out in sunny California?”
Simone smiled but didn’t say anything, because she was starting to feel as though Robin was purposely picking at her. But finally she said, “Oh my gosh, who made these yams?”
“I did,” Janet said.
“Well, they’re definitely the best I’ve ever tasted.”
Traci chimed in. “Yeah, we think so, too.”
Janet smiled. “Thank you, Simone. I’m glad you like them.”
“Actually, everything is good, and I will never be able to thank Traci enough for inviting me and Chris over. And Traci and Tim, your home is absolutely gorgeous.”
“Thank you,” they both said.
“And…I also hope Chris and I can get a tour before we leave,” Simone added.
Chris stopped in the middle of his conversation and glared at her, and she knew he didn’t approve of what she’d just said to Traci. But Simone ignored him. Then she looked at Tim and wished Chris would wear button-up shirts the way Tim did. Chris was more of a polo shirt and sweater man, but Simone was going to start buying him shirts with buttons.
Simone also couldn’t stop thinking about that red leather sectional that Traci had in her family room, along with her style of accessories. She was still so shocked that she and Traci had such similar tastes. Then, when they’d been on their way to the dining room, she’d gotten a quick peek into the kitchen and had seen their stainless steel refrigerator and microwave. Simone hadn’t been able to see the stove or dishwasher, but she was sure they were stainless steel also. Maybe it was best for her to give up her condo after all. If she did, she could replace all of Chris’s black appliances with stainless steel ones. She could certainly do the same at her condo, but since she wasn’t buying it, it didn’t make sense.
Simone chatted with Traci, Janet, and Ethan, and then found herself staring at Traci’s wedding ring. It was then that she realized she still needed to find a way to tell Chris that she didn’t want the solitaire ring he’d given her. She also had to figure out how to convince him to trade his truck for a Mercedes. And not for a black or silver one, or any other color. Simone wanted white—just like Traci’s.
But then, how great would it be, too, if a home went up for sale in Traci’s subdivision…on the same street…or better yet, right next door to her? Simone couldn’t imagine a more perfect scenario, and maybe if she planned and prayed with her entire being her dream would come to pass. She and Traci would live side by side and become closer than two women who had been friends since childhood. They would share an unmatchable, unheard of, unbreakable bond—the kind that not even blood sisters could speak of.
Six Months Later
Chapter 17
It had taken Simone six months to pull the money together, but she finally had her pure-white S550 Mercedes. Actually, if Chris hadn’t been so difficult and had been willing to trade his truck the way she’d asked him, she’d have had her brand-new vehicle much sooner. Well, technically her car was two years older than Traci’s, but it had been a lot more affordable. Yes, it had still cost more than she’d been comfortable with, and her monthly payment was far more than she’d been expecting, but she was happy.
Now she was headed to Traci’s local book-signing event for the release of her latest novel. Traci’s book had gone on sale nationwide two weeks ago, and while she’d already traveled on her ten-city tour, she’d decided to do her Mitchell signing at the very end.
Simone was excited for Traci, but she couldn’t deny feeling a little envious. She didn’t want to feel this way, but a part of her wished that this were her signing, her national tour—her big night. Although, if things continued to go well with her new publisher, Simone would be selling as many books as Traci in no time. It had been six months ago, in March, that she’d submitted her query letter to Michaela and Tanny, and Michaela had offered her representation. Then, not long after that, she had sold Simone’s book to a romance publisher. Simone had sort of been bummed about not being offered a contract by Traci’s publishing house, though, since that was where she’d wanted to be more than anywhere else. It also hadn’t been until after she’d received the offer from her current publisher that Traci had told her how she’d shared Simone’s first three chapters with her own editor. But Traci’s editor had decided to pass. Traci had insisted, however, that being with one of the most well-known romance publishers in the country was the best place for her, anyway. Simone, of course, disagreed, but it wasn’t like she’d had any choice in the matter. This was also the reason her first romance book would also be her last, and she was currently writing a contemporary women’s fiction title. That genre was working well for Traci as well as for many other authors, and Simone knew it would work much better for her, too. Plus, she’d recently come to realize that contemporary women’s fiction was what she most enjoyed reading. She hadn’t thought much about it before meeting Traci, but she wasn’t surprised because she and Traci always tended to like the same things.
Simone parked and walked inside the bookstore. She wasn’t sure what she’d been expecting, but Traci’s signing was standing room only. There must have been two hundred people either sitting or gathering around. Simone had already purchased her book the first day it had gone on sale, which she’d brought with her, so she moved closer to the crowd. She immediately saw Traci’s family: Tim, Janet, Earl, and Robin.
“Hey, Simone, how are you?” Janet asked, hugging her.
“I’m fine, Mrs. Calloway. How are you?”
“Great.”
“Hi, Mr. Calloway,” she said, waving to him. “Hey, Tim. Hey, Robin.”
Earl and Tim smiled, said hello, and waved back, but all Robin did was mouth a dry hello to Simone. Robin also stared at her and then shook her head, and Simone wondered what her problem was.
So she turned her attention back to Traci’s mom. “This is a really great turnout, and on a Tuesday night, even.”
“It is, and we couldn’t be more proud of Traci. More than that, though, we’re grateful to God for blessing her with such kind and supportive readers. That’s the reason none of us are sitting. We arrived early, but we want as many of Traci’s readers as possible to have seats.”
Simone looked toward the front, where Traci was standing, and waved.
Traci smiled and waved as well.
Then one of the bookstore staff members walked over and picked up the microphone from the table.
“Good evening, everyone.”
“Good evening,” most people responded.
“Tonight, we are honored to welcome nationally bestselling author Traci Calloway Cole.”
There was a huge round of applause, but Simone wond
ered why the staff member was referring to Traci that way. Traci had certainly made a few online bestseller lists, but not even her publisher referred to her as a “nationally bestselling author” on her book jacket. It wasn’t that Simone didn’t want Traci to be called that, because she did have readers nationwide, but she also didn’t like when people exaggerated things or made people sound as though they were more successful than they were.
The staff member continued. “I also think it goes without saying that we are very proud to have one of our own—a Mitchell native—representing our city all across the country. I can still remember Traci’s first book release and signing, and it’s wonderful to see how much she has grown as a writer and how much her audience has increased. I think at your first signing,” she said, turning to Traci, “there were maybe thirty attendees, and then for your second about a hundred, and now look at the amazing crowd who came to support you tonight.”
Everyone clapped again, but Simone wondered how much of Traci’s success with her local signings had more to do with her being a member of Pastor Black’s church than it had to do with her actual stories. Traci was a good writer, but nonetheless, Simone couldn’t help being a little skeptical. She was sure that Deliverance Outreach included Traci’s new books and events in their general announcements, and this was another reason Simone was going to join there. She’d, of course, wanted to do so before now, but Chris still wasn’t interested. If he didn’t get on board soon, though, she would join without him. Even if she had to lie and say she hadn’t.
“So without further adieu,” the staff member said, “I give you Traci Calloway Cole.”
The applause was louder than it had been the first two times, and Simone longed for the day when readers would show her the same kind of love and respect.
Traci hugged the woman and took the microphone. “Good evening, and thank you all so, so much for coming out tonight. I am so completely overwhelmed by your support and generosity, and I am forever grateful. God has certainly blessed me to be able to do what I love, but without all of you…without my readers,” she said, becoming emotional, “it never could have happened. Don’t get me wrong, I keep my faith in God and I know that I can do all things through Him, but I still know that you have truly helped make an amazing difference in my life. So thank you. Thank you so very much.”
There was more applause, and now attendees chattered with others sitting or standing next to them. One woman said, “Amen, Amen, Amen,” and Simone wondered if the woman thought she was at church.
Traci looked toward the back of the crowd. “I also want to thank the best parents in the world. Thank you for loving me so unconditionally, supporting me, and raising me up to be the best woman I can be. I will never fully be able to thank you for everything you’ve done, and I love you eternally. Then, to my sister and only sibling, Robin. What can I say? You are my sister, my confidante, my best friend. You are only five years older than me, but you have been looking out for me and protecting me since we were in grade school together. And I love you dearly. And to the best husband in the whole wide world,” she said, taking a deep breath. “Thank you for encouraging me, protecting me, and for loving me in the way every woman should be loved. You are truly my soul mate, and I love you from the bottom of my heart.”
Simone looked on as Tim, Robin, Janet, and Earl smiled with the kind of joy she wished she’d had the chance to experience with her mother and grandmother. If only they’d treated her better or had even made some attempt at loving her, she wouldn’t have such awful memories of her childhood. If only she’d been given the same love and opportunities as Traci, she’d have a husband, career, and house like hers. She’d have everything she’d ever wanted, and she wouldn’t have to drag herself to a job that she could barely tolerate. She also wouldn’t have to do what she’d promised herself she’d never do again: dig herself deeper and deeper into debt the way she’d been doing for months.
“Okay,” Traci said, now wiping away tears and laughing. “Now that we’ve got all that out of the way.”
Everyone laughed with her.
“So, as you know, Copycat is my third novel, and one I really enjoyed writing.”
Simone swallowed hard and tried to pretend she wasn’t hurt—and disappointed. Had Traci actually passed on acknowledging her? Her own friend? And not just any friend but a best friend?
Traci held up the book. “The story centers on a woman who, after becoming friends with a coworker, begins copying every single thing her friend does. She buys all the same clothing, jewelry, shoes, furniture, and anything else she sees her friend with. She even begins to act like her in a number of different ways and adopts most of her personality traits.”
“I know firsthand what that’s like,” a woman toward the middle of the audience blurted out, and most people laughed. “Oh…and I’m sorry for interrupting you, Traci, but you just don’t know how bad things got with this woman I used to be friends with.”
“It’s fine,” Traci said. “My hope is that the story will get a lot of folks talking and sharing their personal experiences.”
“Well, I had the same thing happen to me,” said another woman.
“Years ago, I had to change departments at work because a woman kept copying everything I did,” a lady standing near Simone said. “She even started doing things that I said I wanted to do! Even though I hadn’t done them myself.”
There was more laughter.
“How interesting,” Traci said. “I think copycatting is much more common than a lot of us realize, and while I don’t think most copycats mean any harm, most people don’t like having to deal with it. I also believe that when people become copycats on the level of the character I wrote about, they’re dealing with much deeper issues, such as envy and jealousy. They’ve also lost a great sense of self and their overall identity. They’re trying to be something or someone they’re not, and a few months ago, our pastor gave a sermon about that. The title was ‘Pretending to Be Someone You’re Not and the Ultimate Consequences.’ And I think this whole subject is very sad. Especially because people who don’t know it’s okay to be themselves must be very unhappy inside.”
Simone listened to the rest of what Traci was saying, and while she’d loved Traci’s other two books, she didn’t like this one as much. She wasn’t sure why exactly, but the story hadn’t grabbed her, and she wasn’t all that fond of the two main characters, especially the one who copied her friend all the time. The woman was just plain irritating, but Simone still hoped the book did well for Traci.
After Traci finished speaking and reading an excerpt from her book, she answered questions from the audience. Now she was getting ready to sign books.
“Oh, and one more thing,” she said, looking toward the back. “Simone, raise your hand.”
Simone had been caught off guard, but she lifted her hand and smiled.
“Everyone, this is my friend Simone Phillips, who is an amazing romance writer. I’m also very excited to announce that Simone has signed a publishing deal, and her first novel will be released next year. So I’m asking that you all please come out to support her signing and that you buy her book.”
People applauded for Simone, and while Traci had finally mentioned her to everyone, she was still disappointed. Traci had introduced Simone as her friend, but she certainly hadn’t raved over her the way she had about Robin or called her a best friend.
Simone tried to keep her composure, acting as though this hadn’t bothered her, but the more she looked at Robin, the more she wished Traci didn’t even have a sister. Simone could also tell that Robin didn’t care for her, and that she never had, starting with the day Simone and Chris had joined Traci’s family for Easter dinner. She’d given Simone the cold shoulder back then, and she was doing the same thing tonight. Actually, over the last six months, whenever Robin had seen Simone, she’d begun speaking to her less and less, and sometimes Robin pretended she didn’t see her at all. But Simone didn’t care one way or the other
, because the feeling was mutual.
She also still considered Traci to be her best friend, even though Traci hadn’t referred to her in that respect—because that’s what they were. Best friends, BFFs, and sisters for life—that’s what they would be until the end of time.
Chapter 18
After Traci finished signing the leftover stock for readers who weren’t able to attend the event, she, her mom, and Robin walked outside. It was almost closing time for the bookstore, so Tim and Earl had gone to get the car. Janet and Earl had ridden there with Traci and Tim, and Robin had driven separately.
But Robin wasn’t about to head to her car right away. “T., did you see Simone’s eyebrows? How she’s gone and gotten them shaped just like yours?”
Traci laughed out loud. “Robin, will you please stop it.”
“I’m serious, and that’s why when I saw her I shook my head. Mom, didn’t you notice it? You couldn’t help but to.”
“Yeah, I did,” Janet admitted. “But I just think Simone really admires Traci as a person, and she always talks about how they have the same tastes.”
Robin pursed her lips. “Un-huh, but if that were the case, then why is it that Traci always has everything first? When people have the same tastes, they buy and do the same things without even talking to or seeing each other. But when someone always gets everything after they see it, they’re nothing more than a copycat.”
“I still say it’s a form of admiration,” Janet reiterated. “And I also don’t think Simone sees anything wrong with what she’s doing.”
Copycat Page 10
