“Isn’t that true, Katie? Isn’t Willow going to be a huge star someday?”
“She’s pretty awesome right now, if you ask me.”
“And you were magnificent up there onstage, too, Katie. You’ve got real potential.”
“Thank you,” I said, but he had already turned his attention back to his daughter, as if my answer hadn’t mattered.
“It was so perfect the way you responded to those two clucks. Keep it up. It’ll make great fodder for our reality show,” he said.
“Conflict is at the heart of all great drama. Isn’t that what you always tell me?” Willow replied.
“See how she always listens to me, Katie? This girl is the best.” I nodded. It felt weird being with the two of them. Was this how families outside of Shepherd’s Bay interacted?
“In a few years, all these girls will be watching you on the big screen, while their rug rats are screaming up a storm.” He massaged her shoulders.
“I might have a few people over for a cast party tonight.”
“Wonderful! Hopefully, I’ll be able to get a few good shots.”
“No, I want this to be without any cameras around. Just a few close friends.”
“Willow, we’ve talked about this. If we’re to do this right, I need to be filming all the time.”
“I just need some chill time with my homeys. Please, Daddy?” Willow pouted in such an exaggerated manner that for a second, I thought she might cry.
“I’ll tell you what, honey. Let me shoot the first five minutes of your party, and then I’ll leave you guys alone.”
“Is that cool with you, Katie?” Willow asked.
“That’s totally cool with me,” I said. Had I missed something? Had she invited me? Should I have presumed to think that I’d been asked to join her and her friends? It excited and scared me at the same time, especially since I was supposed to go to a movie later with Drew.
“Good. Then it’s settled,” Willow said. “Could you call the caterer and have some food delivered, Daddy?”
“Sure, babe. First, tell me how much you love your daddy.”
“I love you more than all the galaxies combined.”
“And what do galaxies contain, sugar plum?”
“Why, stars, Daddy.” Willow giggled like a little girl.
“And what are you?”
“A star in your galaxy and the best daughter ever.”
He kissed her again.
“Will you tell Mom about the party tonight? So she doesn’t freak.”
“Of course.” He picked up his camera and stared down at me as if I was one of her adoring fans. “Bye, Katie. And great job up there onstage.”
“Thanks, Mr. Briggs . . . I mean Gil.”
He left us alone among the excited chatter to finish cleaning ourselves up.
* * *
My mother couldn’t believe it when the silver Mercedes pulled up outside our door. I kissed her cheek and ran downstairs with my bag before she could lecture me. I’d told her that Willow and I were planning to relax and watch a movie tonight. But inside my bag I’d packed a change of clothes, along with my pj’s and toiletries.
Gil had a driver pick me up. The man in the black suit smiled at me as he opened the back door. No one in Shepherd’s Bay ever used a professional driver. Before I made my way inside the car, I looked up and saw my mother peering out the kitchen window. The look on her face made me smile. I suddenly understood the power of money—and I liked the feeling it gave me.
The car took off and headed toward the water. Inside it, I noticed the ornate paneled wood and the stocked bar. The driver informed me that I could help myself to a drink if I wanted, and by that, I assumed I could take a soda. But when I looked inside the bar, there were no sodas, only bottles of alcoholic beverages. Did he know about this? I had not reached the legal drinking age, was not even close, and I’d never in my life tried alcohol. Was he suggesting that I could have an adult drink? Or maybe he was mistaken about my age.
Beyond excited to attend this party, I bounced nervously in my seat. I’d never actually been to Willow’s house before, although I knew it was one of the largest ones along the water. All my old friends’ houses were similar to mine, ordinary and unspectacular. Homes like the one Willow lived in were beyond anything townspeople like us could ever imagine. Or afford.