“I guess you’re right.” I chew my lips, thinking about the distinction. “It’s not like I’m saying anything I wouldn’t say to his face or ask him about in person.”
“Exactly.” Lindsey puts both hands on my shoulders, giving them a squeeze. “And listeners love it. Not only do they love it, they’re telling their friends about it, and that’s where the magic happens.”
“Where is he, anyway?” Crossing my arms, I frown at the window facing the tall levee that holds back the Mississippi river. “He should be training, not gallivanting all over Los Angeles.”
“Sounds to me like your next hot take is waiting.”
My eyes flicker to hers, and a naughty smile pulls my lips. “Go left, K-Brad.”
* **
“Rememberthat time we did the Fireside Ladies’ spell to find lost things, and suddenly Scout appeared?” My aunt Joselyn, or Aunt Sly as we all call her, stands in the front of the picnic table holding a pink margarita. “The palm is sacred!”
Mom laughs, nodding and shaking her head. “I didn’t believe it at first, but now… I think it actually worked.”
“I always believed it did!” Aunt Sly replies, and they laugh together.
Summer’s over, it’s Labor Day weekend, and the new season yawns before us.
I’m back in Fireside with my parents and my extended family eating hot dogs, watching fireworks, and sharing old memories. It’s one of my favorite ways to spend the break, surrounded by the people who love me.
Lindsey came home with me, and Coco drove over from Oceanside to join us. She makes big eyes at me because of Aunt Sly’s proclamation, and I shake my head.
She’s convinced the Fireside Ladies’ book of spells is real, and she’s been begging us to read it with her. I just hope the three of us can sneak off alone to discuss her thoughts about the new direction of my show.
I’m still feeling secretly conflicted about it. Coco is two years older than I am, and she always has a way of helping me think through situations or at least ease my mind.
Dad seems to be doing the mind-reading tonight, however. Aunt Sly continues her story of how she and my mom brought my dad back from Hollywood with a spell when he walks over and puts a warm hand on my upper arm. “Take a walk with me?”
When I was a little girl, I didn’t pick up on the dynamics between my dad and his older brother, my uncle John Roth.Their mom died when Uncle JR was only ten and my dad was nine.
Their dad wasn’t great at expressing or handling his feelings, like most men I know. So they were left to fend for themselves. It made them super bonded to each other, and it also gave them a strong sense of justice, which has me nervous about this walk.
“Sure.” I stand, walking with him out into Aunt Sly’s expansive, overplanted backyard.
The air is heavy and warm, and it smells like sweet olive.
“How’s my princess?” Dad smiles down at me. “Are you happy?”
He’s still so handsome, I’ve never questioned my mom’s reason for falling for him. One only has to look at the guy. He’s a total Hollywood movie star.
“I’m a lot happier now.” I hold the crook of his elbow, leaning my head against his bicep. “Thanks for helping with the rent. I promise, I’ll pay you back.”
“It was a housewarming gift.” He pats my hand. “You can’t pay back a gift.”
“I can’t right now, but our ratings have been steadily climbing since we went viral. I might even be able to quit the rideshare job altogether.”
His brow furrows over bright blue eyes, just like mine. “I don’t want to hear about you being an Uber driver. You sneaked that in on me. I’d never have okayed it.”
“I’m a grown woman, Dad. I don’t have to ask your permission to take a job.”
“Well even if you don’t, it’s not granted for rideshare driving. It’s too dangerous.”
A wounded tone is in his voice, and I lift my head to smile up at him, giving his arm a squeeze.
“If it makes you feel any better, I don’t expect to do itagain. Like I said, the podcast is finally making money and hopefully it’ll keep trending as we move into the season.”
“Either way, you never had to worry about money. Your mom and I will gladly help you pay for whatever you need…”
