Your Perfect Life

Ava

A new show? New York? How could Rachel keep this from me? This is my life, not hers, even if she is in my body! I read back through the chain of emails between them, Rachel clearly uncomfortable with the idea of moving and Ava reminding her of my contract and what would happen if I didn’t take the job in New York. They’d have the right to terminate my contract and would have no problem doing just that. Basically they were blackmailing her into taking the job. So many questions swirl in my head that I grasp the edge of the desk to steady myself. How can she leave her kids? Is Charlie going? Why didn’t she confide in me?

I click on an email from Destiny about looking online at apartments in Brooklyn. And one from Charlie saying that Ava called a meeting with him and that he thought they were going to ask him to executive produce the show. Tears spring to my eyes as I realize that Rachel was willing to give up seeing her family so that I didn’t lose the one thing I had always loved most, my career. It was clear in the emails that she had been trying to buy as much time as possible before finally getting backed into a corner. I can’t let her do this. I know if I call her, she’ll tell me that we’ll figure things out before she has to leave for New York, that I should just let her take the job for now. But now that I’ve fallen in love with all the people who mean the most to her, I know that she can’t spend another day without them.

I know what I need to do.

I push send a few minutes later and hear a soft knock on the door. “Mom?” I hear Sophie’s voice. “Is this okay?”

I open the door and gasp. “Sophie, you look beautiful.” Her lips form a shy smile as I take in the perfect black silk dress she’s wearing, her unruly hair pulled into a tight knot, the small pearl earrings Rachel and John had given her for her birthday last year dangling from her ears.

“Audrey helped pick it out.” She smiles again and I wonder if she’s been acting out because she’s craving attention from us, because Audrey’s been getting so much. She tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. “I’m sorry about earlier,” she says, hugging me.

“It’s okay, baby,” I answer, more sure than ever that I made the right decision a few minutes ago.

“Are you crying?” she asks, noticing my tear-stained face.

“I’m just happy,” I confess. And for the first time in a long while, I truly am. I wipe my face with the sleeve of my sweater. “Do you mind getting Charlotte dressed so I can get ready? Pick her out something pretty to wear? Since Audrey helped you, maybe you can give your little sister some assistance in the fashion department too.”

She eyes me warily—I doubt she’s seen Rachel cry more than once or twice in her lifetime. “I’m fine, honey, really,” I reassure her.

“Okay. I’ll get her ready,” she says as she heads down the stairs.

My mind is rushing over what I just did. By turning down the New York job, my career as I know it is basically over. To reject an opportunity like that, well, let’s just say it’s unheard of, no matter the reason. It’s okay, I tell myself as I apply moisturizer to my face. I’ll land on my feet. I always do. I hope Destiny will forgive me. I’ll take her with me as soon as I land another job. And Charlie. Will he go to New York without me? And will he still want me if I’m not on a top-rated show? I guess I’m going to find out.

I emerge from the bathroom and examine myself in the full-length mirror. Wearing the sequined black dress that Rachel had picked out months ago for this occasion, I have to admit that she knows her body well. It hugs all the right curves and shows just enough cleavage to make it interesting. I run a brush through my hair one last time, spray Rachel’s Trish McEvoy perfume generously, and hope I’ll make her proud tonight.

When we arrive at the venue, my heart beats wildly and I’m hoping I’ll pull off the surprise. The valet opens my door and I gingerly step out before leaning in to unclasp Charlotte from her car seat. “Come here, baby girl,” I coo. I place her firmly on my hip and John materializes at my side and puts his arm around me possessively. “Ready?” I say.

“You bet,” he says, having no idea that one hundred of his slightly buzzed friends are getting ready to scream surprise. Destiny texted me ten minutes ago and gave the all-clear. Everything’s ready to go here. Maybe we should have waited on the open bar?! LOL See you in ten. xo

We ride up the elevator in silence, the girls looking at each other nervously. The door dings and opens to two large doors. Beyond them, I can hear a few shhh’s and smile. I look at John—he has no clue. “Is this the dining room?” he asks, confused.

Liz Fenton , Lisa Steinke's books