My Life After Now - By Jessica Verdi Page 0,52

something like this:

Dad: Where are you going?

Lisa: Like you care.

Dad: Well, Lucy just got some great news and we’re going to have a little celebratory dinner tonight. We’d like you to join us.

Lisa: Sorry, I have plans.

Dad: Sorry, but that wasn’t a request.

End scene.

Now, as she shoved garlic bread in her mouth, I realized I hadn’t seen much of Lisa lately. The first couple of months she’d been with us, she had always been around, lounging on the couch or rummaging through the fridge or asking for rides. But the past few weeks she’d been a ghost. I wondered what that was all about. I didn’t think she knew anyone in Eleanor Falls.

But I just shrugged it off and dug into my meal. Today was the first truly good day in a long time, and I wasn’t going to taint it by worrying about Lisa.

“So what did you think of the contract, Papa?” I asked between bites.

“It looks pretty standard,” he replied, nodding his approval. “Union pay scale and residuals, and full compliance with child labor laws. Pursuant to New York State law, a percentage of your earnings will be sent to a trust fund that you’ll be able to access when you become of age. Hmm…I could probably negotiate free tuition to NYU too.”

I sighed. College wasn’t big on my list of priorities lately. “Maybe,” I said.

“What do you mean, maybe?” he said, frowning. “You do still want to apply there, right? With your grades—”

Dad cleared his throat loudly.

“Right. A conversation for another time,” Papa said. “Anyway, yes, it is a good contract.”

“And such a great opportunity for you, honey!” Dad chimed in. “I bet you’re glad you met Roxie when you did.”

“Who’s Roxie?” Lisa asked.

Roxie! I’d totally forgotten to call her!

“I have to go make a phone call,” I said. “Thanks for dinner. It was delicious.”

I ran up to my room and grabbed my phone, surprised to see I had an unread text message from Ty.

So proud of you! :)

I smiled, texted back a quick Thanks!!! :), and dialed Roxie’s number. She answered on the fourth ring.

“Lucy?”

“I got the job!” I said.

“What job? Wait—the job?”

“Yes! And they’re going to change it, so I actually get to act and play all different characters. It’s going to be awesome.”

Roxie’s screams pierced my eardrum. “Oh my god, that’s amazing! You’re gonna be famous!”

I laughed. “Well, I don’t know about that, but it’s a pretty good start, I think.”

“Okay, we totally have to celebrate. How about dinner before the meeting tomorrow night? Your treat.”

I laughed again. “Well, I have rehearsal until five-thirty, so the earliest I could get down there would be six or six-thirty. Would that be okay?”

“Totally. I know a great Indian place in the East Village. It’s totally cheap, and they give you free ice cream.”

“Sounds perfect.”

• • •

The Indian place was the craziest restaurant I’d ever seen. It was about the size of my bedroom, and there were a total of five tables in the entire restaurant. Funky disco-Indian music was playing, and the walls and ceiling were absolutely covered in twinkling Christmas lights, some draped so low they were grazing the tops of our heads. In the center of the room, a disco ball was hung, even though there was barely enough room between tables to walk, let alone dance.

“The best part about this place is that it’s BYOB,” Roxie was saying, as she withdrew a bottle of champagne from her purse.

“Oh, I don’t know…” I said. I wasn’t quite sure I was ready to get back on the drinking horse, after what had happened last time.

“Just one glass,” Roxie promised. “It’s the only way to properly celebrate.”

“Okay. Just one glass.”

We clinked glasses and sipped our champagne. The bubbles went right up my nose, and I sneezed.

“Gesundheit!”

“Danke,” I replied, giggling.

We ordered samosas, chana saag, and chicken tikka masala, and the food came almost immediately. We ate and drank, and talked and laughed, and soon I felt like I had known Roxie my whole life. Maybe it was the almost sisterly connection I felt with her, or maybe it was just the champagne going to my head, but I suddenly wanted to ask her things. I had so many questions, and something told me that Roxie was going to be more informative than any doctor or website would ever be.

“If I asked you some questions,” I said, “would you answer them honestly?”

“Honey, I am an open book,” she said, smiling.

I took another swig of champagne and nodded. “Who