“Hi, Brion, this is Helene.”
“Hey, Helene. What’s up?”
“Welllllll, you know the first episode is about to drop. We have gotten a lot of great feedback from the trailer. Prayerfully, the show will do great, and we don’t want to drag our feet. We’d love for you to become a regular cast member. I don’t even know if you’re dating a player, and I don’t care if you aren’t. As London’s friend, you’re in the mix regardless of who you date.”
“Um, I don’t know.” Biting my lip nervously I thought about the reality TV curse. “You know they say once you do reality TV your ass gets divorced. Nobody came to blows that I know of during filming, but the tension was there a few times. I’m not pussy, but I’m not with the drama either. I don’t want to be on television fighting. I have kids.”
“I get that and contrary to what some may think, a good, unbiased castmate that doesn’t have a hidden motive makes for good television too. You’re very strong, independent, and humble. Different cast members get different pay, but I’d love tooffer you $15,000 per episode, and I foresee you being in at least five episodes if you’re down.”
My jaw slacked even though she couldn’t see me. She was offering me a total of $75,000. That was insane to me. “Um, can I think about it and let you know?”
“Sure. I can even send the contract to you via email, and you can get a lawyer to look over it if you’d like.”
“I’ll do that. Thank you so much.”
I stood there stumped. Never in my life had I contemplated being on a reality TV show. Hymn and I weren’t hiding from the world, but our relationship was still new, and I wasn’t sure I wanted the world in our business. Then again, television might bring me more clients. My fiancé was pretty much rich, but I wanted my own money. I had done the being put up thing before, and I liked being a boss ass chick better.
While I was standing there stuck on stupid, London walked in. It must have been the day of surprises. I talked to her once I got back from Greece, but I hadn’t seen her in a few weeks. Despite her offering me a weak smile, I could tell she was going through.
“Is that baby being mean to my friend again?” with extended arms, I walked toward London to give her a hug.
Squeezing me tight, she chuckled. “Assault and battery to the highest degree. Jesus, I’m ready to get past this first trimester. How are you?”
“I’m good. Overwhelmed, over stimulated, and busy, but life is good. And guess who just reached out to me?”
“Helene?”
“Yes. She talked to you?”
“She called and offered me another season. She also asked how I would feel bringing you in as a friend of the show. I told her I don’t even know if I’m coming back, but I had no issue with you being asked to join the cast whatsoever.”
I pushed out a deep sigh. “I don’t know, London. Reality TV can be good, but it can also be blah. I kind of feel like my relationship is too new for that. If I do join, they can film me while I’m working, or while I’m planning the wedding, but I don’t want them all in my relationship business, and I don’t think I want the girls on TV.”
“Just tell Helene what your terms are, and I’m sure she’ll agree. My experience filming the show wasn’t actually that bad. I don’t want to sit there and have to rehash everything that transpired in my marriage but truthfully, doing another season will be the easiest way for me to stack some money. I know Isaac will take care of his child, but I want my own money. I need my own money. I have a nice lil’ savings, but what’s the harm in making more money if I can?”
“I get that. How have you two been?”
“You know,” she chuckled lowly. “I feel kind of crazy. Like the first week, I cried every day. I was mad at God for allowing me to get pregnant at the worst possible time but suddenly, I felt peace. I can’t even explain it. Like I don’t know if I’ll take him back. I don’t know if I want a divorce. I don’t know, but I don’t have any energy to give the situation. I’m at peace. When he contacts me about the baby, I can have the most pleasant tone and demeanor. I’m not even really mad anymore, and he is so stumped,” she laughed.
“He doesn’t understand how I’m not visibly upset anymore, but I still won’t come back home.”
“I love that for you.” I genuinely meant that. “This is not the time for you to be stressed. Isaac realizes he messed up. Let him sit in it and get himself together while you focus on a healthy and stress-free pregnancy.”
“That’s exactly what I’m going to do.”
“What does the baby want to eat today? If you feel up to it, I’m treating you two to lunch after my first client.”
“I want tacos,” her eyes lit up making me laugh.
“Then tacos you’re going to get.”
CHAPTER 21
HYMN
“Can girls play football?”
“Of course, girls can play football. They even have teams that are only for girls.”
