Spotlight
Page 18
“My doctor seemed to think it’s a possibility. A lot of people continue with their jobs during treatment. There are some new anti-nausea meds that are supposed to work. I just have to take it easy, get lots of rest, drink water, eat the right foods.”
“Oh …” I’m trying to absorb this. But it just doesn’t make sense. I always assumed if a person had cancer, they needed time off… to get treatment and recover.
“I have to work, Erin.” Her eyes look desperate now. “Not just financially, because I know insurance will help. But work is my life. And without it, I wouldn’t have a chance of surviving this. Can you understand that?”
“I guess so.” Although I silently question how or why work should be anyone’s life. “But, as your friend, I want you to do whatever it takes to get well. That’s the important thing. Can you understand that?”
Fran smiles. “You’re such a good kid, Erin.”
I kind of shrug. “Yeah, well …”
“Not that you’re such a kid. You’re mature for your age, and you have a really good head on your shoulders. And I know I can trust you with this.”
“Of course.”
“And I want to go to the Bahamas with you girls on the upcoming shoot. I’ve really been looking forward to it. And I don’t know what I’d do if I missed out on that …” She looks close to tears again. “It would feel like … like the cancer had won.”
I take in a slow breath. “Then you have to do everything you can to get well.” I think about the timeline. “But that gives you less than four weeks. Can you be healthy enough to travel by then?”
“That’s my goal.”
“And you wouldn’t go if your doctor recommended against it?”
She pauses as if considering. “No, of course not. That would be foolish.”
“If there’s anything I can do to help,” I offer, “please, feel free to ask. And I mean that, Fran. I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t mean it.”
“Thanks, Erin. I believe you. And I’ll keep that in mind.” She turns to me with a funny grin. “So, how are you at holding a girlfriend’s hair back while she worships at the porcelain throne?”
“Huh?”
She chuckles. “You never were a party girl, were you?”
“Not so much.”
Now she pats my shoulder. “One of the things I admire about you. You are so you.” She slowly stands. “I think I need to get home now … I need to get some rest.”
We walk out to the parking lot together and, although Fran is quiet, my brain is buzzing like a mosquito on caffeine. And whether it makes sense or not, I am suddenly feeling very responsible. Not only for Fran’s wellbeing and medical treatment, but for how it might impact our show if she’s trying to direct us when she really should be home in bed. It’s got me very worried and I really think Helen should be informed. And yet I know I have to keep my promise to Fran.
“You take care now,” I say as I wait for her to get into her car. “Promise you’ll call me if you need anything.”
She gives me a weak smile as she puts her window down. “Yeah. And you promise not to worry about me. Okay?”
I nod, knowing that’s a promise I might not be able to keep.
“Leah will call you with the details on the interview with Brogan. And I’ll see you on Wednesday.”
“Get some rest,” I say as her window goes up. She makes another weak smile, then drives away. And suddenly I feel like crying. Poor Fran! Why is this happening to her? But instead of breaking down right here in the parking lot, I slowly walk over to Paige’s car, and as I walk, I pray. I ask God to do a miracle in Fran’s life. I’m not exactly sure what kind of a miracle I have in mind; I’m trusting that God knows what’s best. But that’s what I’m expecting—a real true honest-to-goodness miracle.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SPOTLIGHT
In this story, Erin is thrust further into the world of fashion and the drama that surrounds it. How would you handle the pressures of navigating this unfamiliar world and dealing with a high-maintenance sister?
Erin goes from being behind the camera to taking a more prominent role on the show. If you were Erin, would you have gladly accepted this role? Or would you have tried harder to stay behind the scenes? Why?
If you were Erin, how would you treat Paige in this book? Do you think Erin sacrifices too much for her sister? What do you think of their relationship?
Mollie goes through a tough time accepting the prospect of being a single mother and has parents who don’t always support her. If you were her friend, what would you have done or said?
Paige and Erin make a pact to swear off boys at this point in their careers, yet Paige publicly breaks the pact several times. If you’d made this pact with Paige, what would be your reaction to her behavior?
Erin is promised a segment on On the Runway that will deal with body image and eating disorders. If you had a chance, would you do a segment on this topic? If not, what topic would you choose for your segment?
Mollie follows the tabloids and Internet gossip while Erin does not. Which person do you most relate to? Why?
In the quiz Erin and Paige take on the flight to London, which animal do you think you would be? Why? Do you have any “peacocks” in your life? How do you tend to treat them?
When Erin is on the Shakespeare tour in London, a woman named Mildred claims she would “rather spend money on those nice clothes than the horrid rags” her granddaughter used to wear, even though the “nice clothes” cost a lot. Do you agree with Mildred? Is good fashion worth the high price?
Paige craves publicity throughout most of the book, until she realizes there is such a thing as bad publicity, and then panics. If you were Paige, how would you have reacted to all the negative comments?
Much of the book focuses on body image and the thinness of models, and at one point both Paige and Erin agree the fashion industry promotes thinness as the best way to look good in clothes. Do you ever feel the pressure to look a certain way? How have you dealt with this pressure?
Erin gives a very detailed description of how Barbie would look if she were real. Describe your reaction after reading that segment. Do the facts make you look at Barbie—and our culture—differently?
Has this book affected the way you look at the fashion industry? If so, how?
What was your reaction to Paige and Dylan’s sudden engagement? Do you think Paige is ready to get married? Why do you think Paige is in love with Dylan?
Erin discovers she really likes British style. What are your favorite styles or designers? Does anyone influence your own style? If so, why do you think that is?
Have your feelings toward Benjamin changed since the first book? How?
On the Runway from Melody Carlson
When Paige and Erin Forrester are offered their own TV show, sisterly bonds are tested as the girls learn that it takes two to keep their once-in-a-lifetime project afloat.
Pick up a copy today at your favorite bookstore!
Visit www.zondervan.com/teen
Carter House Girls Series from Melody Carlson
Mix six teenage girls and one ’60s fashion icon (retired, of course) in an old Victorian-era boarding home. Add boys and dating, a little high-school angst, and throw in a Kate Spade bag or two … and you’ve got the Carter House Girls, Melody Carlson’s chick lit series for young adults!
Pick up a copy today at your favorite bookstore!
Visit www.zondervan.com/teen
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Other books by Melody
Carlson
ON THE RUNWAY SERIES
Premiere (Book One)
Catwalk (Book Two)
Rendezvous (Book Three)
CARTER HOUSE GIRLS SERIES
Mixed Bags (Book One)
Stealing Bradford (Book Two)
Homecoming Queen (Book Three)
Viva Vermont! (Book Four)
Lost in Las Vegas (Book Five)
New York Debut (Book Six)
Spring Breakdown (Book Seven)
Last Dance (Book Eight)
BOOKS FOR TEENS
The Secret Life of Samantha McGregor series
Diary of a Teenage Girl series
TrueColors series
Notes from a Spinning Planet series
Degrees series
Piercing Proverbs
By Design series
WOMEN’S FICTION
These Boots Weren’t Made for Walking
On This Day
An Irish Christmas
The Christmas Bus
Crystal Lies
Finding Alice
Three Days
Copyright
ZONDERVAN
Spotlight
Copyright © 2010 by Melody Carlson
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