Love at 11 - By Mari Mancusi Page 0,105
Terrance would stick up for you.”
“You know, he’s actually a good guy underneath that shallow exterior he portrays,” I informed her. “With insecurities and fears just like the rest of us. Fighting to survive in the cruel world of TV news.”
“So interesting,” Jodi mused. “But enough about Terrance. How about you! A job at Newsline—your ultimate dream come true.”
“I know, right? A new job, a really nice salary, moving expenses and everything. And I wanted to give you the purse because without you calling me on the carpet when I was going to sell out for that lousy News Nine executive producer job, I’d probably be stuck in ‘Products That Kill’ hell for the rest of my life.”
“Well, I accept it then.” Jodi said, pulling the purse to her lips and kissing it. “Thank you. And congrats. Of course, I’ll miss you tons.”
I rolled my eyes. “I’m going to LA. Not Mars. I’m two and a half hours away.”
“Four with traffic.”
“Still, we’ll see each other all time. Every weekend.”
“I know.” Jodi rose from her chair and walked around the table to give me a huge hug. “Congratulations, sweetie. You deserve it.”
“Thanks, doll,” I said returning the hug.
After a moment of best friend camaraderie, Jodi pulled away.
“While we’re here, do you want to go check out the fake purses?” She frowned at the amused look I shot her. “You know, just to compare them to the real thing,” she rationalized, tucking her new acquisition under her arms.
I started to giggle. No matter how things changed in life, there were some things you could always count on. “Okay, fine,” I said. “Besides, I want to thank Miguel. After all, if it weren’t for him, none of this would have happened.”
“Totally. And he should be happy, too. After all, thanks to you, his brother’s killers are in jail.” Jodi’s eyes took on a mischievous gleam. “He should give you a friends-and-family discount from now on.”
“Oh yeah,” I agreed as we headed toward the shop. “And then I can finally get that Kate Spade purse with the sewn-on label.”
Hi, Sis,
How’s it hanging? This rehab place blows. Totally boring. If I have to do one more arts and crafts project I’m going to kick someone’s ass, big time. I mean, talk about incentive to get off drugs—just making sure I never have to come back to this hellhole would be a good enough reason for me. But hey, at least I’m getting well. I’ve even stopped puking three times a day.
So, they tell me during sessions that the ninth step to recovery is to say you’re sorry to all those people you hurt with your addiction. Well, I’m actually only on step two, but you know me––I hate to go in order. So here you are, the official Lulu/Maddy apology Top 10:
1. I’m sorry I stole from you.
2. I’m sorry I trashed your apartment.
3. I’m sorry I made you worry about me.
4. I’m sorry I let Drummer use your toothbrush to clean his hash pipe out. (Though he did rinse it out afterward, I swear!)
5. I’m sorry I borrowed your DKNY top and lost it and then told you that someone broke into your apartment and stole it.
6. I’m sorry I broke that window to make “The Great DKNY Robbery” more believable to the cops.
7. I’m sorry about that time I told your high school boyfriend that you still had a Menudo poster hanging on your bedroom wall. (Though for the record I never thought he’d dump you over that and tell the whole school!)
8. I’m sorry for the time I drew on your face with permanent marker during your pre–senior prom nap. (But honestly, it really did look like a cool henna tattoo.)
9. Oh and remember that time mom accused you of being preggo? Well, that pregnancy test actually belonged to my friend Dora, but she didn’t want her mother to kill her (they’re very Catholic!) so we told Mom it was from you. Since you were so much older, we really didn’t think Mom would freak as much as she did!
10. Hmm, can’t think of a tenth thing, but I’m sure I’ll think of more in the next few weeks. After all, there’s not much else to do here.
Your loving sister, Lu
Chapter Twenty-one
Two weeks later Lulu was released from rehab and Dad threw a party to celebrate her recovery and my new job. Cindi decorated the yard with brightly colored balloons and streamers and Dad fired up the grill. Lulu and her friends