When Day Breaks Read Free Page B

garment was a real miracle worker.
    She finished changing and then went downstairs.
    Walking toward the Fishbowl, Eliza could see through the transparent walls that the Evening Headlines producers and writers had already assembled to discuss the dozens of stories developing around the world that had the potential of being reported that night. But as she entered the glass room in which the decisions were made on what the nation would see and hear, the topic of conversation was Constance Young’s final appearance on KEY to America that morning.
    “I almost believed she truly was upset about leaving. I think those tears looked real,” said Range Bullock, the executive producer of the evening broadcast.
    “Are you kidding? She’s crying with joy at the thought of all that money she’s going to be making,” said one of the news writers. “And you can’t tell me she didn’t time her departure to make sure it occurred smack dab in the middle of sweeps. Constance knows that the ratings are scrutinized more than usual now. She wants KEY News to take note of how powerful she is and to realize how much money in advertising dollars she could be taking with her.”
    “If you ask me, good riddance. They can have her over there.”
    “Easy for you to say. You don’t run the network news division. KEY to America brings in five hundred million dollars a year. Any audience that Constance takes with her costs KEY News big time.”
    “But think of the pressure she’s under. What if she doesn’t bring up the ratings on the other show?”
    “Don’t cry for me, Argentina. It might hurt her pride, but she’s set for the rest of her life.”

CHAPTER 5
     
    F aith stuffed the sheets into the washing machine, added detergent, and turned the water temperature dial to hot. Mother had soiled the bed again.
    Closing the lid, Faith felt herself growing tense. Though she had packed the kids’ lunches and set out their clothes the night before and gotten up early to wash her own hair, Mother had needed a bath, and it had taken her even longer than usual to nibble down her tiny breakfast. Now Faith was going to have to rush to get dressed in time to catch the train into New York.
    Climbing the stairs from the basement, she heard the doorbell ring. She glanced into the hallway mirror, running her hands through her still-damp hair and wishing she’d made the time to get it colored. She pulled the belt of her bathrobe tighter around her thick waist before opening the front door.
    “Hi, Mrs. Hansen.” The young woman was standing on the front porch. Her eyes swept Faith. “Am I too early?”
    “No, Karen. You’re right on time. It’s me who’s running behind. Come on in.”
    Faith held open the door as the sitter entered. Karen was carrying several large books.
    “I hope you don’t mind, Mrs. Hansen, but finals are coming up, and sometimes your mom just sleeps the whole time I’m here.”
    “Sure, Karen. That’s fine.”
    “Oh, and, Mrs. Hansen, I have to leave by three o’clock. Is that okay?”
    Nice of you to have waited till now to tell me, thought Faith. It has to be okay. I have no time to line up somebody else. “Gee, Karen,” said Faith, “I’m going to this fancy lunch in the city for my sister today. It’ll be a real push to be back here by three.”
    The sitter smiled apologetically and shrugged. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Hansen, but I have an appointment with my adviser about my courses for next semester. I have to leave here by three to make it in time.”
    Faith tried to manage a smile. What choice do I have? she asked herself. Though playdates had been arranged for the kids after school, Mother couldn’t be left on her own. Faith knew she was going to have to leave the luncheon by two o’clock, whether it was over or not, whether she wanted to or not.
    It never seemed to matter to anyone what she wanted. Todd and the kids took her for granted, but so many of her friends were in the same boat. While they stood