Chapter 19

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There is no place like home. I know it’s a cheesy quote, but there is a reason it’s stitched on pillows or hung up in frames. After all the hustle, bustle and hurt feelings of Manhattan, I looked forward to putting on some pajamas and lounging in my room. Sometimes there is nothing the sanctuary of the four walls and a ceiling that you see everyday. Any dreams of unwinding, however, were crushed when I saw the camera crew inside my living room.

Lydia was flirting and smiling while someone took, test shots of her, and my mother, in full showgirl makeup talking animatedly to a harried looking guy with a clipboard, telling him her stories about her past as a “starlet.” When Mother tried to wrangle her “beautiful” daughter Jane into the conversation, I took control, grabbing my older sister’s hand and dragging her upstairs.

I found my dad in his study, tapping away on his computer. I walked over and shut off his monitor.

“Why in the hell is there a camera crew in our living room? When did the Alana Bryce show turn into the Lydia show?”

Dad smiled at me, grabbing my hand. “Well, you know your sister. Apparently her and the Bryce girl got along like gangbusters, and Lydia’s vivaciousness charmed the producer. Lydia has been offered a promotion. She will be one of Alana’s BFFs once the show is moved to Manhattan in two weeks.”

“Manhattan. You are unleashing my sister upon Manhattan?” I could not keep the misbelief and incredulity out of my voice.

“Well, yes. With your mother and Lydia haranguing me I had no choice but to sign the consent forms. Besides, I’ve spoken to the executive producer and everything is above board. They know Lydia is a minor, for the next few weeks, at least, but she’ll be eighteen soon enough anyways. The show is about frivolity. It airs on basic cable, so there can’t be anything too bad in it.”

“Anything too bad in it. Have you met Lydia? With her it’s not give an inch take a mile. It’s give a nanometer take a thousand leagues. It’s embarrassing enough her boy crazy and wild antics here in the Hamptons, but unleashing her on the city that never sleeps!”

“Embarrassing? Worried your sister’s bad behavior will reflect poorly on you? I didn’t think you cared so much about what people said or thought about you.”

“I don’t care, but that doesn’t mean we should give Lydia free range to ruin her life, or drag our family name through the mud.”

“Family name!” Dad broke out in laughter. “Now you sound like one of those snobs that hung around that pleasant fop that broke Jane’s heart. Worried another rich suitor might be scared away?”

I took a few seconds and let a breath out. “Way harsh, dad.”

“Sorry, buttercup.” Dad offered me a sheepish grin. “In a few weeks, Lydia will be eighteen and ready to unleash herself on the world, so there’s no point in denying her this opportunity. She would just go wild just to spite me if I didn’t let her go. She will be fine, the production team has assured me that she will be well looked after.”

“I’m still against this, one hundred percent.”

I tried to give Lydia a speech but she wouldn’t have it. I told her to be careful and watch out for people trying to take advantage of her. My mother merely laughed in my face and began, once again, talking a mile a minute about all the things Lydia could do to make more of an impact. I groaned and went to the kitchen. Mary was eating an apple and studying.

“You should be more worried about Lydia corrupting people than vice versa.” Mary offered, her eyebrows shooting up into a wry look.

“You are probably right.” I sighed. I had, at least, slyly convinced my mother to travel with Lydia to Manhattan for two weeks to help her settle in. I mentioned the prospects of her mentioning her daughter’s impending rise to fame with her former friends, and Mary was kind enough to ask if she could tag along and make a visit to Columbia University. Lydia had balked at the idea, but Mother thought it was fabulous.

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