Page 23 of Never Forever
“She needs to know. They both do,” Mom finally acknowledged Annie, who shrank into her chair.
“Know what?” I asked. They still didn’t answer. “Know what?!” I screamed.
“Your father took most of our money.”
“Cecelia,” Gran moaned. “Don’t put that on her.”
“She needs to hear the truth,” Mom shot back.
“Took our money how? What does that mean?”
“Off-shore accounts, shell companies,” Mom shrugged. “He stole it.”
I had no idea what those words meant, but I understood the expression on her face. Desperation.
“The curse,” Annie breathed.
“There’s no curse,” I cried, looking at my sister. I knew if she believed she was doomed to have her heart broken, she would hide behind her books for the rest of her life.
“Well, your father was certainly disappointing,” Gran said. She ate the other cucumber.
“Every last penny has gone into your vocal coach, your acting coach, the photographer for your headshots,” Mom said.
“Wait…what?” I looked at Gran for confirmation and her beautiful wrinkly face was pulled taut. She nodded.
Oh my God. Mom had gambled. On me. I was sick.
“You’re taking this job,” Mom said. “And we are all going to hope and pray this pilot gets picked up. For all our sakes. Am. I. Understood?”
I looked at my sister, gripping the edges of her book. And Gran with her housecoat and joints who married a man whodid worse than just disappoint her. Mom, angry at me, sure, but under that, completely stressed out.
This wasn’t just about me. This was about us. The Piedmont women.
I had to save us.
I lifted my chin and smiled the way Mom liked best. With confidence. Sparkle.
“Mom! This is great. I’m really excited. Of course, I’m going to take the part.”
Later That Night
Matt: Hey, you never texted back. Why was your mom freaking out?
Me: I got a part.
Matt: Fuck yeah! What is it?
Me: It’s a TV show.
Matt: Holy shit! That’s awesome. I knew it. You’re totally going to be a star.
Me: I leave really soon.
Matt: Oh right. Where are you going?
Me: Vancouver. They do a lot of filming there.
Matt:…