A Summer in Paris Read Free

of her family had no purpose in life other than to drive her crazy.
    “Where is everybody?” Jennifer asked, following her into the kitchen.
    “My dad’s on one of his business trips. Want something to eat?”
    “Sure. I figured your dad was working. But how about your mom and Kerry?”
    Kristy just shrugged. “Oh, they’re probably at some stupid audition.” She opened the refrigerator and stuck her head inside. “All we have is ginger ale and root beer.”
    “Root beer. Wow, your little sister is at an audition? Where?”
    “In New York, I guess. I don’t bother to keep track anymore. Hey, look. Oreos!”
    “Isn’t it exciting, Kristy? Having a little sister who’s a celebrity?”
    As Kristy turned around to face her, a bottle of root beer in one hand and a package of Oreos in the other, there was an odd expression on her face. But before she had a chance to answer Jennifer’s question, there was a commotion at the front door.
    “Hi-i-i!” Kristy called.
    “Hello!” Jennifer joined in.
    But instead of having their greeting echoed, Jennifer heard Kristy’s mother saying, “Now, Kerry, you’ll have to add tap lessons. I know you already have ballet class, and of course there are your voice lessons, but it’s absolutely essential that—”
    As Ms. Connor and her eight-year-old daughter Kerry came into the kitchen, they both seemed startled to find Jennifer and Kristy there.
    “Oh, hello, dear,” Kristy’s mother said. “I didn’t realize you were home already.” She cast a quick nod in Jennifer’s direction. “Goodness, what time is it?”
    “Three-thirty. The same time I always get home.” Kristy sat down at the kitchen table, deliberately choosing a chair that forced her to turn her back on her mother and her sister.
    Jennifer was puzzled. But she smiled and said, “Hi, Ms. Connor. Hi, Kerry. Gee, you sure are all dressed up. And is that makeup you’ve got on?”
    “Of course.” The little girl was wearing pigtails and more makeup than seventeen-year-old Jennifer had ever worn in her life. “I was at an audition.”
    “That’s what Kristy thought. What were you auditioning for?”
    “A Broadway play.” The little girl tossed her head. “And I got the part.”
    “Wow!” Jennifer’s blue eyes were wide. “You’re going to be in a Broadway play?”
    Kerry nodded. “I’m playing a six-year-old in a new musical. It’s going to be the hit of the season.”
    “Golly, that’s terrific!” Jennifer glanced over at Kristy and saw that she was keeping her eyes down and at the same time stuffing Oreos into her mouth as fast as she could.
    “Well, you shouldn’t be surprised, Jennifer, dear,” Ms. Connor said coolly. “It’s not as if Kerry hasn’t been doing plays and even television since she was four. You have seen her cereal commercial, haven’t you?”
    “Sure. Everybody in Weston knows that Kerry is practically a star. But a Broadway play? Gee!”
    “I thought it was off-Broadway,” Kristy mumbled. “Or maybe even off-off-Broad way.”
    Her mother didn’t seem to have heard her. “Kristy, did you read Kate’s letter? I left it on the dining room table. She has some wonderful news.”
    “I can hardly wait to hear it,” Kristy muttered. Jennifer was taken aback by her sullen tone, but once again, her mother acted as if she hadn’t even heard her.
    “Yes, your big sister has been nominated for May queen at her college. She sent a clipping from the school newspaper. Her picture was on the front page. It’s such an honor. Any one of the sorority girls would have given her eyeteeth to be May queen. Of course, it’s not as if her father and I haven’t been expecting it all along.”
    “Mom, since I’m going to be a famous Broadway actress,” Kerry interrupted, her voice an irritating whine, “does that mean I can get some new clothes? I think I deserve a whole new wardrobe.”
    “Of course,” Ms. Connor replied without hesitating for a moment. She leaned down