Ax to Grind Read Free Page A

acting future on the skids now, she didn’t have to pay such close attention to her figure. 
    “The fact is, I didn’t even get the worst of it.  This news is tough enough for me to deal with, but I can’t even imagine what it’s like for Owen Goodman.  Or Vanessa McMillan.  Not to mention Sebastian Brown.  It must be the hardest on Daphne Scott, though.  Her ex-husband buys the theater, and then shuts down the show she’s worked so hard to produce.”
    Liz had thrown out a whole slew of names.  Meg took a moment to get them all straight.  They were all involved in the production of the musical in some way.  Owen Goodman was the director of the show, Vanessa McMillan was the writer, Sebastian Brown was the lead actor, and Daphne Scott produced the musical. 
    Meg agreed with Liz.  Ethan had sure found a way to screw over his former wife. 
    “You have to really hate your ex to do something like that,” Meg said. 
    “The fact that Ethan is going to use the theater to stage a play his third wife wrote is the real kicker.”
    “It’s good to know nepotism is alive and well,” Meg deadpanned. 
    “Tell Wyatt Wakefield that.  He’s been looking to get the stage show he wrote produced for a while.  Instead, his father chooses to put on his new wife’s play instead of his,” Liz explained. 
    Meg’s head was spinning just hearing about all the backstabbing and hurt feelings.  “That’s a whole lot of drama.”
    “That’s the theater world for you.”
    “Yeah, but the drama should be on stage, not off.”
    “You never know what to expect from a group of thespians.”
    Meg switched gears. “Speaking of, what are you going to do now?”
    “Other than eating donuts?  I don’t know,” Liz replied.
    “I have a great idea.  It’s time we have a girl’s night out.  Let’s just hit the town and cut loose,” Meg suggested.
    “Don’t you have a date with the hunky detective?”
    “I did, but my plans have suddenly changed.”
    “You don’t have to cancel your date for me,” Liz insisted. 
    Meg would not be thrown off.  “Connor will understand.  Besides, if this situation doesn’t call for an emergency girl’s night out, I don’t know what does.”
    “Thanks for trying to cheer me up.”
    “I’m not just trying.  I am going to find a way to cheer you up.”
    “You’re such a good friend,” Liz said. 
    “Is that a yes on the girl’s night out?” Meg asked. 
    “Sorry, but I’m just tired and mentally exhausted.  Besides, I really have to try to find a new role in a show somewhere.”
    “I understand.  At least let me pack up some more donuts for you.”
    Surprisingly, Liz refused those too.  She looked down at her stomach.  “No, I can’t.”
    “But they are on the house.”
    “Trust me, I want to say yes, but I’m afraid I have to say no.  Anyway, I should really be getting home.  I can’t afford to be out of work for long.  Otherwise, I might have to beg for my old waitress job back at Al’s Diner.”
    “Are you sure there’s nothing else I can do?” Meg asked. 
    “You’ve done plenty already,” Liz insisted. 
    When Liz left the donut shop shortly after, Meg knew she’d done her best to cheer her friend up.  Unfortunately, Liz was still noticeably rattled.  It was understandable.  Her whole life had been turned upside down.  At the same time, Meg could sense there was something deeper going on than just Liz’s recent and wildly unexpected unemployment.  Meg couldn’t place exactly what else was bothering her friend, but maybe Liz would reveal it to her during their night out.  In the meantime, all Meg could do was speculate. 
     

 
    Chapter Four
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Meg hated to see her friend having such a hard time.  Life barely gave Liz time to enjoy the stroke of good luck before throwing some seriously bad luck at her.  It just didn’t seem fair.  Meg was still rattled by her conversation with Liz two hours later when