[pauses]
What’s the matter, Penny?
I just wish I knew . . .
Knew what?
Whether or not I should hate her.
[pauses] Do you miss her?
[shrugs]
I know you’re angry. But that doesn’t mean you can’t miss her and the time you spent with her.
I do sometimes. I miss movie night.
I was wondering about movie night. She devoted a lot of scenes to it in the book. I wasn’t sure how much of that was true.
Oh, it was all true. [pauses] [smiles] Movie night was the stuff of life. We watched Pleasantville, Whiplash, Rocky, and a few others.
Rocky? Really?
Yeah. The first one. I know there’s a bunch of ’em. Did you know that Rocky wrote the first draft in three days? Sylvester Stallone wrote it, I mean.
No, I didn’t know that. That’s amazing.
For real. He had $106 in the bank, and his wife was pregnant. So he wrote the screenplay and convinced producers to make the movie.
Wow.
His success story really motivated Fatima. She called him unassuming, ’cause, like, you’d never guess him being so intelligent with his looks and how he talks.
I see that. I always forget that he wrote it.
She also said you shouldn’t underestimate people when they’re hungry.
Huh. That’s definitely true.
And she told us to be proud of the things we like—our music, our designer clothes, our TV shows or movies—even if other people think they’re unintelligent or lame or frivolous. For creative people, you never know where inspiration will come from.
Like The Bachelor.
What? [pauses] . . . Oh.
The Absolution of Brady Stevenson
BY FATIMA RO
(excerpt)
“So, tell me how it’s been going between you and Brady.” Thora hopped onto her bed and crossed her legs. “I’m dying to get the full report.”
Sunny sat on the edge of the bed. “Things are getting better,” she said. “We’ve been meeting in the art room during lunch so that I can work on my project. I’m desperate to finish it by Christmas break. I can’t think of what else to add, but Brady gave me a photo of his front door.”
“Cute. It’s important to be with someone who supports your creative endeavors. It’s not easy to find a guy like that. Believe me. Too many men are all about themselves and their money. Me. Me. Me. So, what else?” Thora asked, patting Sunny on the leg.
“Well . . .” Sunny bit her lip. “We’ve been heavy-duty making out behind the shelf of unclaimed pottery.”
“Aha! I knew it! You two are oozing with sexual tension,” Thora said. “So, what’s the problem? You look like you’re about to throw up.”
“I’m just not sure that it’s healthy,” Sunny said. “I mean, after the nightmare he’s been through? It’s like we’re avoiding his problems every time we fool around. Maybe he needs to emotionally heal. Do you think that we’re displaying a classic case of denial? Because if we’re just avoiding some deep-seated traumatic—”
“Stop.” Thora grabbed Sunny’s hand. “If you don’t stop psychoanalyzing this with Psychology 101, I will disown you. Seriously, it’s good that you’re learning about that, but you have to stop thinking so technically and start trusting your feelings.”
“Okay.” Sunny dropped her head into her hands. “Ugh, I have zero self-control around him. I’m just so embarrassed.”
“Don’t be embarrassed! Are you forgetting who you’re talking to? The author of a semiautobiographical novel about a girl who uses sex to avoid the reality of her mother’s illness.” Thora shook Sunny by the shoulders. “Helloooo!”
“Oh my god,” Sunny said. “I’m an idiot.”
“Not at all. But I do know what you’re feeling! You and I are so much alike,” Thora said. “You know, that relationship I wrote about in The Drowning was a learning lesson in real life. I grew and matured from it.” Thora leaned back against her pillows. “You keep searching for a guidebook for right and wrong to guarantee that no one will get hurt. But that doesn’t exist. You either connect with him on an authentic level—which is the only way to truly live a meaningful life—or you don’t.”
Sunny bit her lip. “How do I know if it’s authentic or not?”
“Well, how does it feel to hook up with him?”
Sunny smiled. “Earth-shattering.”
Thora laughed. “Really? Well, well, you’ve found his hidden talent. Then why are you even questioning it? Let yourself go! Be happy. I’m happy for you!”
“Are you positive?” Sunny asked.
“Yes!” Thora insisted. “So, tell me, what exactly goes on behind that pottery shelf?”
“He chapter ten-ed me,” Sunny blurted, referring to the steamy scene where Jules sits on Sam’s lap and he rolls her tights down “slowly and torturously, inch by inch.”
“Well, shit!” Thora gave Sunny a playful shove. “No wonder you can’t finish that damn art project!”
Miri
Are you all right?
[sits down] I’m fine. [slides Us Weekly back across the table]
Do you want to address this at all?
Yes. [clears throat] As a matter of fact, I do.
Great.
Penny thinks this discredits Fatima, but it doesn’t.
How do you figure that?
Well, let’s say Fatima did get the idea for the theory of human connections from The Bachelor. She took something trivial and developed it into something deeper that can be applied to strengthening real relationships.
That’s fair.
This magazine doesn’t take away the fact that she wrote two novels and encourages people to live fuller lives. Penny needs to get a grip, honestly. She does this. She blows things out of proportion.
Did you say you were the captain of the debate team at Graham?
Yes.
NEW YORK CITY MAGAZINE
FOUR-PART SERIES
* * *
Stranger Than Fiction
The True Story Behind the Controversial Novel
The Absolution of Brady Stevenson
SOLEIL JOHNSTON’S STORY, PART 3 (continued)
* * *
Journal Entry
November 26, 2016
Fatima’s house
Movie night
9:42 p.m.
Chinese takeout from Pearl East. Penny newly infatuated with Kate Hudson, Googling her outfits, trying to find her stylist. Miri in her element hanging on Fatima’s every word. Jonah looking cute in track pants and sweatshirt, reading over my shoulder as I type this, so I had to say that, haha. SOLEIL LOOKING HOT IN JEANS AND #TheTheory TANK TOP!!!! <<< Okay, that was Jonah. Very charming. Don’t you know that it’s rude to type in caps??? Give me back my laptop!!!
Analysis of Almost Famous as discussed by Fatima Ro begins now:
GOOD LUCK PAYING ATTENTION BECAUSE WE ARE UNDER A BLANKET AND I CANNOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT HAPPENS UNDER HERE. <<< So funny. And I will pay attention because this is Fatima’s favorite movie. I’ve always wanted to see it, and we are not going to disrespect her.
SHUT DOWNNNNN!!!
Seriously this time, let me try this again. Movie notes begin now:
Theme of authenticity in storytelling:
William Miller, 15, journalist, wanted to write the truth about the band Stillwater (including stupid things said on tour, how often they fought, how badly they treated their groupies). But the band members didn’t want William to write about that. They only wanted William to “make them look cool.” But William felt that wouldn’t be honest, interesting, or authentic. So, against the band’s wishes, he wrote the truth.
In the end, the band members couldn’t deny the story. William’s profile was real, whether they liked it or not.
Rolling Stone wanted William’s article because it revealed ugly details about what it was truly like to be a band on tour. The magazine appreciated Wil
liam’s raw portrayal, which did not make the band “look cool” all the time.
Artists are most successful when they reveal the precious truth, no matter how painful or embarrassing.
– William’s article made the band Stillwater famous because his article was honest.
– Because he was associated with Stillwater, William became somewhat famous, too.
– Almost Famous
SLICK FILM. JONAH GIVES IT 5 STARS! HOW DO YOU MAKE STARS ON THIS KEYBOARD? AHHH: ★★★★★!
Penny
Almost Famous was my favorite of all the movies she showed us.
Oh, that’s a great movie.
Yeah. I love Kate Hudson. Doesn’t she seem like a really happy person?
She does. She’s always smiling.
I know, right? It’s like nothing ever bothers her. I wish I could be like that. Even just a little. [pauses] Did you see Miri’s Instagram from movie night? She posted pictures of the screen and quoted Fatima, like, “‘The only story worth telling is the truth.’ #FatimaWasHere #AlmostFamous.”
I saw them, yes. Did those posts bother you?
Yeah. Why did she have to advertise everything we did? Our time with Fatima was, like, nobody’s business.
Did it bother Fatima?
No. But it bothered me. And you know what? Sometimes it matters what I feel. Maybe not to Miri, but sometimes it does.
The Absolution of Brady Stevenson
BY FATIMA RO
(excerpt)
Down in Paloma’s basement theater, movie watching was a pastime. At Thora Temple’s house, it was an education. Brady was never more content than when he was at the author’s house analyzing a filmmaker’s cinematic intent and charging Chinese takeout on Thora’s credit card.
“This is one of the movies that made me want to be a writer.” Thora pulled the movie from her DVD collection and held it to her heart. “Understand this.” Marni, Paloma, Sunny, and Brady waited for her next word. “I love Almost Famous the way I love a person. That is passion in its truest form. A thing can cause the same chemical reaction in your brain as a person: oxytocin and vasopressin. Did you know that?” Sunny typed that factoid into her phone while Marni took a picture of the DVD and posted it on Instagram: #ThoraWasHere #MovieNight #AlmostFamous #TheDrowning. “Love is simply your brain releasing those chemicals, these feel-good endorphins, and causing you to feel euphoric,” Thora said. Brady elbowed Sunny. She elbowed him back. They had familiarized themselves with euphoria these past couple of weeks by sharing frequent bursts of oxytocin and vasopressin in the art room behind the shelf of unclaimed pottery.
Mulder the cat jumped off the sofa to roll over and scratch his back on the carpet. “So, even the question of whether animals can love us back has been answered by science.” Thora gestured to the cat. “Of course they can.” Brady thought about how Cletus would sit and wait for him in the front window after school. “When our pets see us, their brains release those same chemicals.” Thora placed the DVD in the player. “Do you know what I’m feeling right now as I’m about to press Play?” She lifted the remote.
Brady watched her intently. “What?”
“Euphoria.” Thora clasped her hands together. “Who needs a chaotic house party when we have movies like this?” The group nodded. They would have thrown a party this weekend over Thanksgiving break. Their priorities were different with Thora. “And besides,” she continued, “there is one thing cooler than owning the scene.”
“What’s that?” Marni asked.
“Disowning the scene.”
The doorbell rang: Chinese takeout from Pearl East, Thora’s usual restaurant of choice. Pearl East wasn’t a takeout counter, but an upscale, five-star restaurant on Northern Boulevard. “Marni, can you sign for me? And give him a tip, will you, please?”
“Sure!” Marni hurried toward the door with her head high. Brady followed to help with the bags. Beaming, Marni opened the door. She signed the bill in large, looping letters: Thora Temple.
“Thanks,” Brady said, taking the bags from the deliveryman.
Marni tipped with her own five-dollar bill. “A pleasure seeing you again,” she said as the man turned away. “Always lovely to see a fan.”
Miri
After the movie, Fatima got a call from a guy, and she said that she was going out. Correction. I should say the call was from a “man.” [uses air quotes] A phone call, by the way, is the proper way to ask a woman out, according to Fatima Ro. Never accept a date from a text. It sets the stage for the entire relationship. Men treat you the way you allow them to treat you. That’s an important takeaway. And I have to tell you that Fatima’s going-out process was something for all women to aspire to.
Why is that?
She didn’t even change her clothes. Same pair of jeans and black tank top she wore the whole day. She popped into the bathroom, did her topknot, and put on red lipstick. Then she threw on a pair of heels on her way out the door, and that was it. In five minutes? [snaps] Date-ready.
Impressive.
It takes some people longer to take the garbage out. I wish I’d taken video, but I was too mystified to even think of it. It would’ve gotten a zillion hits by now.
NEW YORK CITY MAGAZINE
FOUR-PART SERIES
* * *
Stranger Than Fiction
The True Story Behind the Controversial Novel
The Absolution of Brady Stevenson
SOLEIL JOHNSTON’S STORY, PART 3 (continued)
* * *
Journal Entry
Fatima’s bedroom
10:12 p.m.
The secrets to the perfect topknot (either all up or half up/half down) according to Fatima Ro:
With your head upside down, spray dry shampoo on your roots.
Secure a high ponytail with an elastic band.
Pull hair slightly, especially at the top of the head, so that it’s not flat. Pull a few hairs loose around the face and at the nape for a more casual look.
Tease the ponytail from the base to the ends of the hair. Teasing is key! Spray with hair spray.
Wind the ponytail around the base, securing with bobby pins as you go.
Tuck the end underneath and pin.
Set with hair spray.
The perfect topknot!!!
Secrets to the perfect matte red lips according to Fatima Ro:
Apply lip conditioner (matte lipstick tends to be dry).
Use lip liner that matches the lipstick. Outline lips first. Then fill them in. Don’t forget the corners of your mouth.
Apply lipstick.
Trace lightly outside the lip line with concealer using a small brush.
Secrets to dating according to Fatima Ro:
If a man texts you for a date, he’s a coward and you don’t want to date a coward anyway. “If a man can’t step to you in person or call you up and formulate full sentences, he’s obviously lousy in bed.” (Hahhahahaa!!!!)
Never put too much effort into getting ready for the date. It sets your expectations too high, and you look better the less you try anyway.
If the date’s going badly, LEAVE!!!
Penny
I don’t think that Fatima really had a date. I think she left so that Soleil and Jonah could be alone.
Wait a minute. You think the date was a sham?
Uh-huh, so that something could happen between the two of them. Soleil would tell Fatima all about it, and then Fatima would have a hot sex scene to write about.
That is some accusation.
[shrugs] Well, Fatima’s personality changed after her dad called. She was always thinking and worrying. She didn’t have enough to write yet because of how dullsville we were, and so she was desperate for something major to happen. And her so-called date? [sighs] I bet you she sat in the café by herself all night. I mean, she didn’t shower before she left. She didn’t even change her outfit. Why would she go out like that? She had her mother’s vintage Chanel and Dior in her closet! And Halston! [s
hakes head] She even owned a Balmain double-breasted blazer; it’s literally the mother of all blazers.
Well, some might find it admirable that she didn’t get all dressed up. It shows confidence. Or maybe it was just a casual date.
It’s easy to think those things when you’re around her ’cause she’s so glamorous and so sure of herself. We were, like, mesmerized watching her get ready. I wanted to be her—getting a call from an older guy and going out late—Fatima seemed, like, super mature. But later, when you’re alone, your best friend is crying, and your other friend is in a coma, you don’t see things the same anymore, and Fatima doesn’t seem so perfect.
The Absolution of Brady Stevenson
BY FATIMA RO
(excerpt)
Brady and Sunny were alone.
“I guess it’s just you and me,” Sunny said.
“Yup.” Brady smiled. “I guess so.”
They kissed their way into the hallway. There, they pawed each other against the wall and kicked their shoes off.
“What are you thinking?” Brady raised his eyebrows. “Bedroom?”
Sunny nodded. She wanted to “grow and mature” and live a “meaningful life” by getting naked with Brady. They groped each other as they passed the bathroom and the hall closet, and then pushed the bedroom door open with their bodies. At the foot of Thora’s bed, Brady pulled his sweatshirt and T-shirt off in one motion. Sunny shouldn’t have been surprised at how fit he was beneath those layers. He was an athlete. Sunny pulled her tank top over her head. She ran her hand down his stomach and then backed herself onto the bed.
Weeks of torturous behind-the-pottery-shelf action had left Brady aching to have Sunny stretched out beneath him and to feel her, skin against skin. He lowered his pants, too impatient to take them off, and crawled on top of her.
“Did you know Thora had a date?” Brady asked.
Sunny adjusted the pillow under her head. “If I’d known I would’ve worn matching bra and underwear.”
All of This Is True Page 17