Getting Played - Emma Chase Page 0,16

town, I was going to swing by his shop to see if he has scrap pieces we can take off his hands to build your headboard, and maybe a desk.”

Growing up, I was my father’s sidekick. His little helper. And, because money was always short, he’s a handy, resourceful guy. He taught me the ways of power tools, house repair, automotive maintenance . . . and now, I’m handy too.

My son smiles brightly—and right then and there, my whole day is made.

“Cool.”

~ ~ ~

It takes me a little over an hour to get the tables and chairs and decorations set up in the backyard. I take several pictures to post later to the Life with Lainey Instagram and Twitter accounts, then I adjust my tripod and set up my phone to film the show’s first live broadcast.

Some of my videos are prerecorded and edited—but this one, I wanted to do live. So the Lifers can experience this moment with me, feel the authenticity through the camera. That’s what my viewers are looking for—a connection. They want to feel like they’re part of the action, part of the experience, a part of my life. And in a very real way, they are.

I tuck a blond curl behind my ear, look into the camera, and hit record.

“Hi, Lifers! The big day has finally arrived! Moving day is here! I’m going to show you the property in a second, but first I wanted to talk about the logistics of moving. Anyone who’s done it knows it’s a nightmare and the cost of a good moving company can be extreme. So, because I’m always looking out for your bottom line, I’m going to show you how to move for less. The key to that is . . . a moving party! You get every friend and family member with a car to get on board and help you move—and label your boxes ahead of time with who’s taking what—to be sure that what everyone is moving will fit in their car. If you promise them a party afterwards, they’ll be more excited to help you out. If you make it fun, they will come.”

I stand behind the camera and pan the shot across the party area I’ve created on the back patio—and I also keep my eye on the number of viewers watching the post live. I’ve done a pre-launch marketing campaign online, so the viewers watching and liking the live video are already over one hundred thousand and climbing. My advertisers will be pleased.

I zoom the camera in—focusing on the folding chair and table settings—and talk behind the shot in a voice-over.

“Remember what I always told you—the only difference between shabby and shabby-chic is looking like you meant to do it. I chose teal-blue and yellow for my color scheme, because these padded folding chairs I found at that garage sale last month are teal-blue. I coordinated them with this fabulous set of mismatched cream dishware, and the yellow from our lemons—” I focus in on the clear glass bowls of lemons strategically placed in the center of the folding table. “—add the perfect pop of color.”

I swing the camera back to my seat and sit down, picking up the pre-filled glass pitcher of hazy lemonade.

“I’m a big fan of decorating with fruit. It’s affordable, the colors are great and it’s practical. My refreshments for my moving helpers today are lemonade for the kids, and for the adults—” I gesture to the bottle of vodka on the table, like a showcase showdown girl from The Price is Right “—vodka and lemonade cocktails! Grey Goose generously donated the vodka we’ll be enjoying today, and it’s one of my favorites. Vodka and Sprite, with a squeeze of lime is an amazing drink too.”

For a split-second I’m distracted by the remembered taste of vodka on my lips. Of where I was and who I was with the last time I drank it.

It’s like orgasm-PSTD.

It’s not the first time I’ve thought of Dean—he’s been popping up in my thoughts a lot these last months. But like every time before, I sweep the memories away and push on.

I smile into the camera. “Another way to set the stage for a successful moving party is ambiance. Decorations. These don’t have to be time-consuming or pricey.”

I take the camera over to the overgrown bushes and trees that surround the patio. They’re strewn with glittering star ornaments and twinkling lights.

“These are solar string lights from Kendall for just $2.99 a box,