The White Horse

The White Horse Read Free Page A

Book: The White Horse Read Free
Author: Cynthia D. Grant
Ads: Link
stuff and went straight to the point. Sheila and I don’t get along .
    â€œMom wanted me to call you.”
    â€œWhy? What’s wrong?”
    â€œNothing. She wants us to be on TV.”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œJust listen. You know the Larry Singer show?”
    â€œNo.” My hectic schedule doesn’t allow for much TV .
    â€œHe’s this talk show host. People get on and talk about their problems and their families.”
    â€œSo?”
    â€œHe wants our family to be on the show.”
    â€œHow’s he know about us?”
    â€œShe called him. There’s a number at the end, and you call the show. They’re gonna be in the city interviewing people.”
    â€œWhat’s this got to do with me?”
    â€œYou’re part of the family.” Sheila sounded pissed. “They want everybody there so it’ll be more real.”
    â€œMaybe we could all get in a fight.”
    â€œLook, it wasn’t my idea to call you! Mom wants to get on. It’s the least you can do.”
    â€œRight. After everything she’s done for me.”
    I could hear Sheila smoking, blowing hard .
    I said, “Will Willie be there?”
    â€œMaybe. He’s in juvie.”
    â€œWhat about Ray and Lynette?”
    â€œRay’s in jail.”
    â€œFor what?”
    â€œBeing stupid. Selling crank to a cop. Lyn’s back East.”
    â€œHow come?”
    â€œShe and Gary finally got married.”
    â€œHow’s Brandy doing?”
    â€œYou can ask her yourself. Don’t you wanna be on TV?”
    â€œNot really.”
    â€œMom wants you there! The people said—”
    How many times can you trick a dog into coming back so you can kick him? A lot. A lot. This time you might pet him .
    So I called the number Sheila gave me and made an appointment to “audition.” That’s why I didn’t show up at school that week. One reason .
    The appointment was in this big hotel downtown. The doorman tried to chase me off until I said who I was meeting .
    I rode the elevator to the top of the building, up to the penthouse, one whole floor. A guy opened the door, looking too glad to see me. Another guy was on the phone the whole time I was there .
    â€œLorraine? Come in! Dick Simpson! Associate producer. We’ve heard so much about you!”
    â€œI’ll bet.”
    â€œSit down! Can I get you something to drink?”
    â€œYeah, a fifth of vodka.”
    â€œHa-ha! Seriously, would you like a soda?”
    I was playing the part, being who he expected. I didn’t want to disappoint him. Or her .
    â€œSo!” Dick said. “They tell me you’re homeless. That must be pretty rough.”
    â€œYeah.” The place was huge, with a thick white carpet and a glass wall framing the skyline and bridge. The furniture was all chrome and leather. “That wig sure looks real,” I said .
    â€œIt is.” He looked alarmed .
    â€œReal hair cost more?”
    â€œNo, I mean it’s mine. See?” He didn’t look happy. “So, anyway,” he said, “you left home when you were twelve.”
    â€œFor good? Or all the other times she kicked me out?”
    â€œFor good, I guess.”
    â€œFourteen.” I lit a Marlboro .
    â€œYour mom said you two don’t get along. Is that right?” He handed me a gold and crystal bowl for an ashtray .
    â€œYou’re kidding me,” the other guy said into the phone .
    â€œShe said you were incorrigible,” Dick added .
    â€œI doubt it. She wouldn’t even know what that means.”
    â€œUncontrollable, she meant.”
    â€œShe said that?”
    â€œNot exactly.” His eyes bulged. “I gathered that you were the most difficult of all her children.”
    â€œMost intelligent,” I said. “She don’t like that.”
    â€œWhy not? Please tell me about it, Lorraine.” He leaned forward, lips parted for a juicy morsel .
    I

Similar Books

Dr. Identity

D. Harlan Wilson

Richard Powers

The Time Of Our Singing

Breaking Danger

Lisa Marie Rice