Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 27612 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 138(@200wpm)___ 110(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27612 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 138(@200wpm)___ 110(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
I sigh.
“You kicked Dad out,” I remind Nanette. “You didn’t think he was doing enough to support us.” After all, when Kevin wanted to spend more time with me and less time working long hours, Nanette decided he wasn’t good enough for her anymore. Fortunately, my dad was tenacious and I have a good relationship with him to this day, but I often have to remind my mother that it’s not that my dad chose to leave. She wanted him out to make room for husband number two, who was supposedly the heir to a massive candy fortune. While dating, he conveniently omitted that he’d been disinherited not one year earlier, and it was only after they tied the knot that Nanette found out Lawrence was practically a pauper.
“Once you have a nice husband of your own, you’ll know what I’m talking about,” Nanette says airily. “I just don’t want you to make the same mistakes I did.” But before I can say anything, she keeps talking. “I’ll send you one of my gowns,” Nanette enthuses. “How about the pink one with the crystals on the bodice? You loved that one. Didn’t you wear it to a school dance last year?”
“Yeah, because it was a PROM DRESS, Mom. Normal people don’t wear that shit on a regular basis.”
My mom tsks.
“Young lady, your language is atrocious. Besides, when have I ever taught you to be normal? I bet you’d land a nice law student easily with that gown. I’m sending it to you by courier.”
“Please don’t. I won’t wear it. Seriously, do you expect me to parade around the law school in that pink poof? I’d be so humiliated!”
“But darling,” my mom protests. “You were so cute in it! You looked just like a delicious cupcake.”
I roll my eyes because thinking back on senior prom makes my old life seem so juvenile. What was I thinking, wearing that rose-colored monstrosity anyways? Ugh, I’ll never live it down. But I change the subject before Nanette can press her case any further.
“So I’m looking forward to meeting Bernard over winter break,” I say. “It’ll be nice to finally meet your fourth husband.”
After all, Mom and her billionaire fourth husband, Bernard Goulding, eloped after just a month of courtship. Nobody knew, but the wedding made Page Six, and a friend was the one who brought it to my attention. After all, the photos in Page Six were comical. Mom was dressed in a slim-fitting white cocktail dress, and she literally towered over her tiny, elderly husband who gripped a cane in one hand. I merely shut my eyes and shook my head. But Nanette sounds confused.
“What do you mean, darling? When are you meeting Bernard?”
I furrow my brows. “Well, I figured I’d spend some time with you over Christmas break. I could see his house, meet the husband, et cetera. Right?”
Nanette clucks her tongue and shoots me a disappointed look. “I’m sorry honey, but not this year. Bernard’s manor is being renovated so it’s not a good time.”
I cringe at the word “manor,” but I suppose it’s the appropriate word seeing that the monstrosity allegedly has seven bedrooms, six full baths, a movie theater, an indoor pool, an outdoor pool, and a solarium, not to mention a home library and home gym.
“Okay, so there are renovations, that’s fine. You know I’m not picky about where I sleep, so I could even stay in the staff quarters if necessary. I’ve been living in the dorms for the last few months, remember? It’s totally fine.”
Nanette clucks sadly.
“Yes, but the thing is that Bernard and I are going on an Arctic cruise because the renovations are getting serious between Christmas and New Year’s. We wanted to be out of the house, obviously, so that the dust and demolition don’t disturb his lungs.”
I stare at Nanette through the phone screen.
“Wait, what? You’re going on vacation and you didn’t even mention it to me?”
My mom merely shrugs.
“Well, it’s our honeymoon, sweetheart, so I didn’t think to mention it. Everyone honeymoons, after all.”
I stare at her some more.
“Yes, but you went to Paris on your honeymoon. I got a postcard with a picture of a baguette on it.”
My mom nods.
“Wasn’t that postcard so cute? I swear, Paris has all the best bakeries, although of course, I can’t eat at them. Too much butter, and I want to watch my waistline. But yes, this Arctic Circle cruise is a second honeymoon of sorts. There’s no need to be a brat about this, Susie. Why don’t you stay in the dorms over break? You’ll get to hang out with your friends, and Bernard and I will be sure to send a nice gift. That makes it better, right?”
I stare at her unnaturally unlined face.
“The dorms are closed over winter break, Nanette. They don’t let any students stay here, period. There is no food, no electricity, no lights, no running water.”