“So, what did you want to talk to me about?”
Rick rests one elbow on the table. “What’s going on with you and Duncan?”
No beating around the bush here. “We came out here to see Jess. He is her father, you know.”
“Yeah, I know. I’m surprised that you and Jess aren’t taking time for the two of you.”
“This trip is about more than parental bonding.” How much should I tell him? It’s not like I owe him an explanation, but I find myself wanting to share what I’ve been going through. Considering the importance of not giving away show secrets, he’s the only one I can talk to besides Jess and Duncan.
So I spill my story, telling him about Susan, about the list, about how rich Duncan is and how I hoped we could help this family. When I get to the end, he’s smiling, and the ambient glow of a streetlight drops a shadow into one of his dimples.
“You are an amazing woman.”
“I am?” To be honest, I thought the story I just told him was more about Susan than me.
“Yes, you are. And the fact that you don’t know it makes you a little more amazing.”
“Well. Thank you.”
He laughs. “You’re welcome.”
The moment feels awkward, so I shift the focus elsewhere. “The list the family made is pretty cool. One of the items is to visit a genuine medieval castle. That’s what made me think of getting Duncan involved. I mean, if a Scotsman can’t get them to a castle, who can?”
Rick is nodding, but his eyes are looking just past me. Something is percolating inside that man’s head.
“I’d love to see their list. Do you think Jess would show it to me?”
“Probably. Let me go get her.” I go to the door, then look over my shoulder. “Would you like a soda or something?”
“A diet anything would be great.”
“Diet? Seriously?”
“It’s a job requirement.” He pats his stomach. “You know what they say about the camera putting on ten pounds.”
“Hey, you want to know a good way to keep your weight down? Try eating nothing but coconuts, bananas, and the occasional fish for thirty days. That’ll take the weight right off.”
His grin tilts. “Point taken. Now, about that diet soda . . .”
“Coming right up, oh camera-ready one.”
When I walk back in the house, everybody is right where I left them. They all look at me, obviously expecting a report on my conversation with Rick. Feeling a little playful, I decide to make them work for it.
“Is there any diet soda in the fridge?”
Jess stands up. “We have Pepsi and Sprite. Which one do you want?”
“It’s not for me, it’s for Rick. He seems more like a Pepsi guy, don’t you think?”
I head into the kitchen with Jess on my tail. When I turn from the fridge with the soda in my hand, she’s standing right behind me. “What did you talk about?”
“He wanted to know how things were going. Why Duncan is here. And I told him about the list your family made and how we’re going to do our best to work our way through it.”
“Wait. Back up. He asked why Duncan is here?”
“Yes.”
Her eyebrows waggle. “Did he sound jealous?”
“He kinda did. Yeah.” Despite my earlier protests, I have to admit that I enjoy thinking he might want to pursue a relationship with me.
“That is so cool.”
I nod. “But bringing this conversation back to reality . . . he wanted to know if you’d let him see your list. Would that be all right with your parents?”
“Sure. I’ll go get it.”
“Great. Meet us out on the patio. Oh, and Jess.” I lower my voice. “Don’t tell Duncan what we’re talking about out there.”
She giggles and runs out of the kitchen.
Two months ago, I was a forty-five-year-old woman with no romantic prospects and a predictably dull routine, and the only close relationships I had were with my best friend and my dog. Now, I’m a forty-five-year-old woman who’s been on an island adventure, is forging a relationship with an amazing young woman, and may very well have two handsome, available men vying for my attention.
“Well played, God,” I murmur as I leave the kitchen. “Well played.”
42
Four months later
“Are ya ready, Love?”
“Aye, as ready as I’ll ever be.” I’ve spent so much time with Duncan over the last few months, I’ve fallen into the habit of copying his brogue.
He laughs and hugs me to his side.
Jess hurries up to us. “How do I look?”
Duncan turns his finger in the air and she twirls full circle. He moves his fingers into an okay sign. “Beautiful, as always.”
She rolls her eyes. “Why do I even bother asking you? Mon?”
Jess may never call me Mom, but I couldn’t care less anymore. The relationship we’ve built means more to me than any title.
I tap my lip with my finger and give her outfit a critical look. “The dress is gorgeous. Very flattering.” And it’s one of her own designs, which makes it even better. “But I’d lose the necklace. It’s too heavy for the delicate neckline.”
She nods as she undoes the clasp. “I was thinking the same thing. Thanks.” She holds out the turquoise necklace to Duncan. “Would you hold on to this for me?”
“Of course.” He slips it in his jacket pocket. “Are your parents here?”
“Yep. Right in the front on the aisle. They saved you a seat.”
“Great.” He puts an arm around each of our shoulders, draws us to his side for hugs, and takes turns kissing the top one head and then the other. “Go knock ’em out, gals.”
As Duncan walks away, he passes Rick, and the two exchange waves.
“You two look great.”
Rick pulls me into a hug and kisses my cheek, then turns to Jess and does the same with her.
“You look pretty great, yourself.” I point to the Celtic cross hanging around his neck. “This is especially nice.”
“It was a gift from a very special friend.” He looks around to make sure no one can overhear him, then speaks in a low voice. “I have to admit, I’m thrilled that America cast the deciding votes tonight. Because if anybody accused me of being partial, I wouldn’t be able to deny it.”
I put my hand on his shoulder. “I’ve gotten so much more out of this experience than I ever dreamed I could. No matter what happens tonight, I’m one blessed, happy woman.”
His lips move into his familiar grin. “Just the way I like you.”
A production assistant calls out as he runs past. “Five minutes to showtime!”
Jess takes a deep breath. “Oh boy.”
“You’re going to be great. You both are.” One more smile, and then Rick leaves to get into place.
“Let’s go.” I link my arm through Jess’s and we walk around the dingy, unimpressive backstage area until we find the spot where all the contestants have gathered.
Even though everybody looks good, they all look so different than they did on the island that I have a hard time recognizing some of them. The men are clean shaven, the women have their hair and makeup done, and everybody put back on the weight they lost. Malcolm and Layla wave at Jess and me. We have just enough time to wave back when the music starts.
We’re live.
Through the backstage monitors, we can hear Rick welcoming the audience. Then, he introduces the contestants in the order we left the show. Sal and Gracie are first, Jess and I are last. When we walk out onto the stage, I’m disoriented for a moment by the bright lights and the roar from the audience. Jess pulls me forward. I follow her, but don’t see whatever it is my heel catches on. I stumble and almost fall but am able to pull myself up before doing any damage.
The crowd laughs. As we make our way to our seats, Rick ad libs with the moment. “This season, Monica visited the medics more than any other contestant in previous seasons. Jess, you’re in charge
of her tonight.”
More laughter. I look out into the audience and finally locate Robert, Susan, and Duncan. Right behind them are Jules and Jackson, and beside him is my mother.
The show goes on. Rick talks to each family. There are some comical video montages, including one of my many trips to the medical tent, which ends with me gazing up at Rick and saying, “You have pretty eyes.”
The crowd loves it. I still find it mortifying.
And that leads us into the part where Rick talks to Jess, and then to me, and then the big reveal about why Jess really wanted to be on the show. The story and the players are so familiar now, I didn’t expect to get choked up talking about it. But I guess some things will always stir the emotions seeing them again.
When Rick finishes with us, he addresses the audience. “I know you’re all anxious to find out which of our two final families is the last standing. But first, I want to share an exciting new project with you that spun off from this season of Last Family Standing. It’s the first of what we hope will be many more.”
The big screens on either side of the stage begin to show the prefilmed package. “For ten years, Last Family Standing has put families in survival situations and dared them to make it to the end. Now, in The List, we’re taking a family that’s going through a real-life survival situation and daring them to live out their dreams.”
I’ve seen this several times already, so instead of watching the package, I turn my attention to all the people who’ve become so important to me.
The last four months have gone by in an amazing, bittersweet blur. After reading over the Beckett family’s list, Rick shared his big idea with all of us. It would be a reality show, but it would be more than that. Not only would we work through the items on the list but also we’d participate in humanitarian events wherever we were. On top of that, we’d increase awareness of ALS, and let people share in the developing relationship between Jess, Duncan, and me. How could any of us turn down an idea like that?
We’ve already had our first amazing adventure. Duncan found us a castle to visit. Of course, it helped that the owner of the castle is part of the McAllister clan, which means Duncan isn’t just rich, he’s some kind of nobleman. Our stay there included reenactments of all sorts of medieval things, including a joust and a celebration ball that required us to be in historically correct costume. Rick still ribs Duncan about the unfortunate gust of wind that caught him in his kilt.
I’ve had the privilege of not only getting to know Jess, but getting to know her parents. To watch them together has healed a wound that was so deep inside me, I didn’t even know it was there. There is no doubt in my mind that I did the right thing all those years ago. This family—Susan, Robert, and Jessica—was meant to be together. And now, they’ve allowed Duncan and me to be part of it.
Jess and I have spent countless hours talking about how things work. Is it fate? Providence? Are our futures predestined? Does everything happen for a reason, or does God take everything we do, even the mistakes, and give a reason to them?
It used to bother me that I didn’t know the answer. Now I know that the answer doesn’t matter. What does matter is the life I’m living.
The clip comes to an end. The audience applauds. Rick’s voice booms out.
“And now, it’s time to find out who America has chosen as the last family standing.”
Rick smiles at me, and I smile back. I never expected a reality show to change my life, but it has. It’s given me my daughter and my extended family. It’s given me adventures I never dreamed I’d have.
And it’s opened me up to love. From the hints Rick has dropped the last few days, I’m fairly certain there’s a proposal coming my way tonight. Some people might say it’s too soon, but we’ve spent almost every day of the last four months together. Besides, I’ve wasted enough time being afraid to share my heart. Now, I’m beyond ready.
So when Rick says, “And the winner is . . .” I close my ears to it. I take Jess’s hand in mine and look out at the audience, at Duncan, Robert, and Susan. The smile on Susan’s face says it all.
I don’t need to win the grand prize. I’ve got the best prize in the world: my family. And no one can take them away from me.
GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE
11. Monica has no desire to compete in a reality TV show, but she’ll do it to meet her daughter. Would you want to be part of a reality show? If not, what would motivate you to do so?
12. Jules helps Monica practice her survival skills before she heads off for the show. If you had to rough it on a tropical island, what would be your best skill? What would give you the most trouble?
13. Once on the island, the contestants have to decide whether to work together or tough it out on their own. How would you choose to play the game?
14. Some of the contestants believe it’s okay to lie, cheat, or steal in order to win the game. Do you think it’s all right to act in a way contrary to your moral beliefs in order to win a game that essentially has no rules?
15. When Jessica’s birth father arrives on the island, Monica admits she never told him about having a daughter. What do you think of her decision? Considering that she was giving the baby up for adoption, should she still have tried to find Duncan and tell him he had a child?
16. Jessica has grown up happy and loves her adoptive parents, yet she still has issues with Monica. What kind of feelings do you suppose Jess struggles with?
17. Jessica’s birth parents welcome Monica into their family. How would you feel if you were in their shoes?
18. Jess is helping her adoptive mother, Susan, work through a list of things she wants to do before her illness makes it impossible. If you had a list like that, what would be on it?
19. At the end of the story, Monica wonders, “Does everything happen for a reason, or does God take everything we do, even the mistakes, and give a reason to them?” What do you think?
10. We are never told who won the game. What do you think? Was it Bob and Tracy or Monica and Jess?
We hope you liked Last Family Standing, and we hope you’ll check out Jennifer Allee’s other books. Here’s a sample of The Mother Road for your enjoyment.
***
1
I cannot get divorced.
“I want a divorce.”
Tony repeats himself, speaking slower. Does he think I didn’t hear him the first time? That somehow I missed his startling proclamation? Oh no, I heard every one of those ugly words. I just can’t believe they came out of my husband. Not him. Not the man I’ve been so blissfully, ignorantly joined to for the last eighteen years.
“Natalie, say something.”
I try to swallow, try to push down the shock that clogs my windpipe. This day started out so normal. How did it go so wrong?
When Tony arrived home from work, late as usual, I didn’t complain. In fact, I had everything ready for a beautiful evening. Dinner warming in the oven, a special bottle of wine breathing on the table, and me, ready to celebrate. But when I greeted him at the door, my welcoming arms wrapped around a statue of a man, his arms hanging straight down at his sides, his torso cold and hard.
He’s anything but statuesque now. Pacing like an agitated animal, he rakes his hands through his hair as he looks back at me. “Come on, Natalie. Don’t give me the silent treatment.”
Is that what he thinks I’m doing? Punishing him with my silence? What I wouldn’t give for more silence. How I wish I could turn back time and press my hand against his mouth, forcing his lips closed so the words couldn’t spill out.
But there’s no going back. No undoing the news that all these nights I thought he was working late, he was actually getting cozy with his administrative assistant.
I stare back at him. What does he want me to say? What is there to say?
“When did it start?”
He stops pacing and sighs. I bet now he wishes he hadn’t encouraged me to speak. “In Omaha.”
Omaha? “I thought you went there a
lone.”
“I was going to. Bringing Erin along was a last-minute decision. I needed a hand.”
I’ll bet you did. Facts bounce around my brain, banging into one another as I try to grasp what my husband is telling me. That trip was only three months ago. How can he already be certain that our marriage is over?
“We can get through this. We can go to counseling.” The words squeeze out of me so thin and garbled it sounds like I’m talking through the speaker at a fast-food drive-through. Humiliation burns my cheeks, the back of my neck. Basically, I’ve chosen to ignore the fact that he’s been unfaithful and am begging him not to leave me. If I have to swallow my pride to work things out, I will.
Because I cannot get divorced.
Tony closes his eyes, jerks his head hard to the left. “It’s too late for that.”
“It’s never too late.” I grab his arm, my fingers digging into his shirt sleeve, twisting into the cotton. Now that I’m touching him, I’m desperate. Desperate to keep contact. If I can just hold on, I can fix this. “We can work it out. Remember our vows? We’re a threefold cord, you, me, and God. Together we—”
As soon as I say “God” his eyes cloud over and he yanks his arm away from me. “No. I can’t do this anymore.”
“But Tony, I—”
“She’s pregnant.”
Pregnant. That one word sweeps away anything else I might have said. Pregnant. And after only three months. I put my palm flat against my own stomach and sink onto the couch. Well, now we know.
There’s no fight left in me. I can’t look at his face, but I see his feet step closer.
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean for it to happen this way.”
This way? In other words, he did mean for it to happen, just in a nicer, more humane way. Finally, my mind clears and I know exactly what I want to say.
“You need to leave now.”
He doesn’t answer at first. But then his shoes back away and he says, “I’ll have my lawyer contact you.”
The absurdity hits me, jerking my head up, pulling me off the couch so I’m standing upright, hands balled into fists at my side. “You already have your own lawyer?”
Last Family Standing Page 25