Mommies Behaving Badly by Roz Bailey

Author:Roz Bailey
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kensington Books
Published: 2007-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

19

Adapt or Die

Morgan was equally thrilled by the possibility of a promotion on the Allie Davis Show. We talked for awhile about how to market Ruby Dixon, the women’s fiction writer. We decided that Ruby would not mention her husband and children but would appear as an up-to-the-minute urban woman with witty observations of life, love, fashion and relationships.

“And who are we going to hire to play me?” I asked. “Susan Sarandon? Julia Roberts? Sandra Bullock? What will they say when I don’t match the woman in the bio photo with the ringlets and sequined dress?” And why had I thought it would be a good thing to paint myself as a swingin’ single socialite?

“I believe in you, Ruby,” Morgan said. “You did, after all, write the book. Stay true to your voice and things will fall in line.”

I groaned. All this talk about public appearances caused a queasy feeling in my stomach, as if the creature from the movie Alien were squirming around inside. I decided to change the subject. “How’s the home front?”

“We’ve called a cease-fire for now. Ron was so apologetic about cancelling, but I totally understood. His daughter was in a car accident and he flew out to Pittsburgh to stay with the kids. Ava, his daughter, is okay, but they kept her in the hospital for a day or two. Anyway, he must have called me from every kiddy location in suburban Pittsburgh. Playgrounds, McDonald’s playlands, farmers’ markets, the mall merry-go-round. He’s the one who suggested that Clare and I see a therapist, and that’s what I’ve been working on.”

“Did you find someone?” I asked.

Morgan related well to one woman but was waiting for Clare’s approval. “Not that I’m expecting a rave. She’s so negative about everything I suggest. Right now she hates me so much, and, honestly, with the way she’s acting, the feeling is beginning to be mutual.”

“I’ll bet a lot of this is misplaced anger toward her father. It can’t be easy to have a parent bail on you.”

“Transference. That would make sense, since I found out she tracked him down in Podunk. They’ve talked a few times and she’s got this fantasy about going off to live with him.”

I squeezed my eyes shut, feeling for Morgan. “And how does he feel about having a daughter again?”

“I haven’t gotten that far yet.”

Just then another call beeped in, and I asked Morgan to hold while I answered.

“I’m calling for Ruby Dixon?” a polite male voice asked.

“Speaking.”

“Hello, Ruby. My name is Tab Assante, and I’m a producer for the Allie Davis Show in Detroit.” He spoke slowly, in a hushed tone, as if telling a bedtime story to a child.

“Hey, Tab. How are you?” I bellowed, instantly realizing how inane I sounded.

“I’m just fine, thank you. I met with your friend Harrison today and wanted to call you and explore the possibility of an appearance on our show. Do you have a publicist or manager I can speak with?”

This was all happening so quickly, I felt as if I was coasting on a bicycle with no brakes.

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