“What time is it?” she asked groggily.
“It’s nine thirty-five.”
Eliza groaned and slowly sat up, rubbing her head like it hurt.
“Now that you’re bright eyed and bushy tailed,” teased Taylor, “maybe you can tell us where Casey is.”
“She didn’t answer her phone?” asked DJ.
Taylor shook her head then turned back to Eliza. “Do you know?”
“Of course not.”
“You might be interested to know that Josh drove Kriti home last night. Apparently they didn’t enjoy your dinner party very much,” DJ told her. “Kriti’s mom just called my grandmother.”
“Does Mrs. Carter know about the party?”
Both Taylor and DJ nodded.
“Is she mad?” Eliza actually looked concerned as she pulled on a pair of velour warm-up pants.
“Of course she’s mad,” DJ said calmly. “Did you think she’d be happy?”
“And now Kriti has decided not to go to Palm Beach.”
“Just because of our party?” Eliza shoved her feet into her furry slippers.
“What do you think?” DJ asked her. “Did it seem like Kriti and Josh were enjoying themselves?”
Eliza pushed her blonde hair back and leaned over like she wasn’t feeling very well. “I don’t know…”
“Well, maybe you should think about it,” Taylor said quietly. “Maybe you should take some responsibility for your actions. Lying to everyone so that you could host a drinking party has consequences, Eliza. And, trust me, I’ve been there and done that so it’s not like I’m judging you. I’m just warning you…you’re on a bad trail. I’ve been there.”
Eliza just nodded. Then Rhiannon emerged from the bathroom, toweling her hair and looking slightly better than she’d looked last night. “What’s up?” she asked. And they filled her in on Kriti’s mother’s phone call.
“Poor Kriti.” Rhiannon shook her head. “I could tell she was fed up with the whole thing last night. If only we’d been at your party, Taylor.”
“Except Eliza messed that up,” DJ pointed out.
“Yeah.” Rhiannon frowned. “Thanks a lot, Eliza.”
“Fine,” said Eliza in a hurt tone. “You all hate me. I get it.” Then she trudged into the bathroom.
“There’s something else,” DJ told Rhiannon. “Casey is missing.”
Rhiannon’s eyes grew big. “Missing?”
“I just left her a message,” Taylor explained, “but she never came home last night.”
“Did you try Seth’s phone?” asked Rhiannon.
“Good idea.” Taylor opened her phone and punched in his number, and the next thing she was talking to Seth. At first he seemed to be playing with her but then Taylor got tough. “Look, Seth, this has nothing to do with you and me—so get over yourself, okay? I just want to know where Casey is and that she’s okay. And if you don’t get her back to the house by ten o’clock you will have the cops out looking for you and I am so not kidding. Capiche?” Then she hung up. “What a jerk!”
“Way to go!” DJ gave her a high five.
“Anyway, Mrs. Carter is having a meeting at ten,” Taylor told Rhiannon.
“Do you think she’s going to cancel the trip?”
Taylor shrugged. “I wouldn’t really blame her.”
“I’d be surprised,” DJ admitted. “She’ll probably just lecture us, read the house rules, and tell us to act like ladies.”
“That’s all?” Rhiannon looked slightly disappointed.
“You know how she is.” DJ sighed. “This Palm Beach trip isn’t just a vacation, it’s a modeling job. You seriously think my grandmother will pass up on that?”
“Yeah,” agreed Taylor. “Then she’d have to pay back the travel expenses and I’m sure that wouldn’t sit too well.”
“You got that right.”
“What will we do if Casey doesn’t make it back in time for the meeting?” asked Rhiannon.
DJ considered this. “I guess all we can do is tell my grandmother the truth.”
Rhiannon shook her fist at the closed bathroom door. “Thanks to Eliza!”
“You can’t blame Eliza for everything,” Taylor told them. “Casey made up her own mind.”
“That’s right!” Eliza pushed the door open as if she’d been listening the whole time. “It’s not my fault that all this is happening and it’s really mean to try to pin it all on me.” Now she was crying. Or pretending to cry. DJ wasn’t sure. “I try to be nice to you guys and all I get in return is grief.” She let out a loud sob.
“Lying to everyone to keep them from coming to my dinner party is being nice?” Taylor questioned her.
“And spiking my drink on purpose is nice?” Rhiannon added.
“Eliza spiked your drink?”
Rhiannon nodded. “That’s what Bradford told me. He said he saw you do it, Eliza.”
“If he saw me, why did he let you drink it?” Eliza shot back at her then blew her nose on a tissue. “Shouldn’t he take some blame too?”
“It’s time to put on your big girl pants, Eliza.” Taylor looked directly into her face. “Grow up and take some responsibility for your actions.” Then Taylor turned around and walked out. DJ followed her.
By ten o’clock all the girls (except Kriti) were seated in the living room. Some, like Casey—who showed up just before ten—looked a little worse for wear, but all were sitting up straight and paying attention as Grandmother did exactly as DJ had predicted. First she lectured them on the dangers of drinking and drugs. She even told a story about a model who’d had a bad vodka habit that eventually led to cocaine. “Oh, she was such a beauty too.” Grandmother sighed. “Selena had a very bright future—everyone loved her. Naturally, when her problems hindered her work, she was eventually let go from the agency. And then I heard a year or two later that she died poor and alone of a heroin overdose. So sad.” Then she told the girls how she didn’t want them to end up like poor Selena.
“And now as a reminder to you girls, I will once again read the Carter House Rules,” she announced. “I expect you to honor these rules for as long as you remain under my care.” DJ tried not to snooze as Grandmother laboriously read the rules.
“And finally,” she said as she folded the sheet of rules and slipped it into her blazer pocket, “I’ve thought long and hard about whether or not we should proceed with our trip to Palm Beach. Frankly, you girls have me a bit worried.” She paused to study the girls. “But I have decided to give you another chance. And I hope you will not disappoint me.”
Everyone seemed to relax a bit now and Grandmother asked if they had any questions.
“I don’t have a question, Grandmother,” DJ said suddenly. “But there’s something I think you should know.” The room got quiet again and both Eliza and Casey looked uneasy.
“Yes, DJ? Go ahead.”
“Some guys from school are planning to go to Palm Beach too.”
Grandmother just smiled. “Well, isn’t that a nice coincidence.”
“And they may want to come by and visit,” DJ continued.
“Well, that should be fun for you girls.” Grandmother nodded in a very obtuse sort of way.
“They’re staying at Lane’s grandparents’ house,” continued DJ. “Remember Lane Harris is the one who hosted last night’s party with Eliza.”
“Did you say Lane Harris?” Grandmother looked interested.
“Yes.” DJ was stumped now. What did she have to do to make Grandmother understand?
“Is that Norman Harris’s son?”
“That’s right,” Eliza said quickly. “Lane’s family goes way back in Crescent Cove history. They’ve owned the newspaper and several other businesses for ages. They lived in Manhattan for most of Lane’s life, but his mother finally got tired of the city life and they moved back here a few months ago. His dad commutes.”
Grandmother smiled at Eliza. “Yes, I do recall hearing that now. I’ll bet you didn’t know that Lane’
s grandfather used to be a sweetheart of mine.” She laughed. “Oh, it didn’t last long, but I must say the poor boy was smitten.”
“That’s so amazing.” Eliza smiled happily at Grandmother. “And it’s his grandparents’ house that Lane will be staying in!” She seemed to have renewed enthusiasm, like she knew she was suddenly back in Grandmother’s good graces again.
“Oh, perhaps we can all get together sometime,” gushed Grandmother.
Eliza nodded like this was a real possibility. “I’ll be sure to let Lane know so he can tell his grandfather.”
DJ wanted to point out that Lane’s grandparents were supposedly on some cruise, but decided not to bother. Maybe some people were just better off with their heads in the sand. Like that old saying went—perhaps ignorance really was bliss.
“Well, I know you all have much to do. I’ve arranged for a town car to pick us up at noon. Hopefully we can do curbside check-in and get through security without too much delay. Our flight leaves at three fifty and we’ll arrive in Fort Lauderdale around nine. From there it’s about an hour’s drive to Palm Beach. So it’s going to be a long day. Hopefully you’re all packed and just about ready to go.”
“I need to finish packing,” Eliza said suddenly.
“I need to start,” said Casey.
“You haven’t even started packing yet?” Grandmother looked disappointed. “What on earth are you—”
“I’ll help her,” offered Eliza. She smiled at Casey. “I’m an expert at packing. Just let me finish up and I’ll come to your room and we’ll have you ready in no time.”
“Thank you, Eliza,” said Grandmother. “I’m sure we’ll all appreciate that.”
DJ had to control herself in order not to roll her eyes at this show of gratitude. Seriously, her grandmother had the memory of a gnat.
10
“Looks like Casey is Eliza’s new best friend,” DJ whispered to Taylor after observing Eliza sweetly begging the flight attendant for a seat change so the two girls could sit together.
“Or protégé,” added Taylor. “Did you notice anything about Casey’s traveling outfit?”
DJ studied Casey’s pale blue velour jogging suit, which actually looked nothing like anything that Casey owned. “You mean that it belongs to Eliza?”
“Or that they look like twins.” Taylor chuckled.
Eliza was wearing a pale gray jogging suit that was similar. Not only that, but both girls had on very similar oversized sunglasses as well as rhinestone-encrusted flip-flops.
“What is up with Casey?” DJ wondered aloud. “This is so not like her.”
“She’s either trying to make Eliza happy or she’s lost her mind.” Taylor nodded toward the two girls as they perused through the magazines they’d gotten at the air terminal newsstand. “Can you believe that Eliza’s even got Casey reading Vogue? Casey hates Vogue.”
“The next thing you know, Casey will be buttering up my grandmother and begging to be America’s next top model.”
Taylor laughed loudly.
“But at least Casey is okay,” DJ said quietly. “I was actually pretty worried about her when she was missing this morning.”
“Let’s hope she’s okay.” Taylor frowned.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean she’s not exactly herself today.”
“Duh.” DJ chuckled. “She’s Eliza’s clone.”
DJ felt a tiny bit guilty when she looked up to where Rhiannon was sitting next to Grandmother. Rhiannon had gotten stuck being her companion. But to DJ’s surprise, Rhiannon seemed perfectly happy. And the two of them were talking. Really talking. Probably about fads or style or design school or some other element of fashion that didn’t particularly interest DJ. What interested DJ most at the moment was a nice long nap, and as soon as the jet took off she closed her eyes and leaned back.
When she woke up it was to the sound of a male voice. “So is Fort Lauderdale your final destination?” DJ opened her eyes to see a good-looking blond guy standing in the aisle and looking at Taylor with interest.
“Not exactly,” Taylor’s voice was coy, like she was playing her old cat-and-mouse game again. DJ sat up straighter and silently prayed this was not the case. Please, don’t go there, Taylor. Not again.
“So you’re not going down there for spring break?” he persisted with a hopeful smile.
“Yes, we’re on spring break. But not in Fort Lauderdale.”
“Too bad.” He looked genuinely disappointed. “There’s a lot going on down there.”
“So I’ve heard.” Her tone grew bored now, like she was losing interest. DJ felt relieved.
“So are you flying on to someplace else?” he asked. “Someplace more exciting and exotic? The Keys perhaps?”
“Not the Keys.” Taylor sighed. “But where we’re going is very nice.”
“Sweet.” He nodded eagerly then frowned. “But you’re not going to tell me where it is, are you?”
“Just that it’s supposed to be really beautiful.”
Now he smiled at DJ. “Your friend’s making this difficult,” he told her. “Being very evasive about your final destination.”
“And why shouldn’t she be?” DJ smiled back. “After all, you’re a stranger.”
He laughed. “Oh yeah, stranger-danger. Now I remember what they told me in kindergarten. So let me introduce myself.” He stuck out his hand to Taylor. “I’m Jeremy. And you?”
“Taylor.” She nodded to DJ. “And this is Desiree.”
“Desiree,” he repeated as DJ jabbed Taylor with her elbow. “So now that we’re not strangers, can I buy you girls a drink?” He glanced down the aisle to where the beverage cart was approaching them at the pace of an unmotivated slug.
Taylor grinned like she was enjoying this game again. “Thanks anyway, Jeremy, but the only kind of drinks we’re drinking are free.”
He looked seriously disappointed now. “That doesn’t sound like much fun. I thought you said you were on spring break.”
“We are.” Taylor glanced over at DJ and winked. Then she turned back to the guy. “And you might be interested to know that we’re taking a break from high school.”
He looked surprised. “No way! I thought you were in college for sure.”
“And you were wrong.”
“You’re pulling my leg, aren’t you?”
“No. If you don’t believe me, you can ask that woman with the silver hair sitting just a few rows ahead of us.” Taylor pointed to Grandmother. “She’s our chaperone.”
“And my grandmother,” DJ added. “And she’ll be with us for the whole week.”
He looked uncomfortable now. “Well, have fun in—whatever secret location you’re headed to.” He moved a few steps away from them, but paused next to where Eliza and Casey were sitting. And without even blinking an eye, he delivered the exact same line to them.
“Can you believe that guy?” DJ just shook her head.
“It’s like he’s trying to line up some action before he even gets off the plane,” Taylor added. “Doesn’t want to waste a minute.”
“Although Eliza and Casey seem to be enjoying the attention,” observed DJ.
“Hopefully they’ll have the good sense to refuse the soon-to-be-offered drink.”
DJ laughed. “After last night and with Grandmother just a few feet away, I should think so!”
The girls all seemed to wake up once they were in the limo and on their way to Palm Beach.
“I can’t believe how warm it is here,” said Rhiannon. “And it’s almost ten o’clock.”
“I can’t wait to hit the beach tomorrow,” said DJ. “I wonder if they rent surfboards anywhere near the general’s house.”
Grandmother laughed. “Yes, I’m sure all the retirees do a lot of surfing in Palm Beach.”
“Not everyone there is old,” Eliza informed them.
“How do you know?”
“Lane told me.”
“How will we get around once we’
re at the general’s house?” asked DJ. “Or is everything within walking distance?”
“The general keeps a car there,” Grandmother informed them. “As well as a couple of bikes. Other than that, you’ll have to use your legs or public transportation.”
“Or cabs,” suggested Eliza.
“And the rules will be similar to the ones in New York,” Grandmother reminded them. “No girls out by themselves. You must stick to the buddy system. And you must let others know where you’re going.”
“What if you’re not around?” asked Casey.
“We all have phones.” Grandmother’s voice grew stern. “And you can always leave notes in the house if necessary. But I will not have you girls running about willy-nilly with no one knowing where you are.”
“When’s the photo shoot?” asked Taylor.
“That’s a very good question and I was just about to tell you. Josie has it all set for Tuesday. She’ll send a car to pick us up at eight.”
“Eight in the morning?” Eliza asked. “I thought this was a vacation.”
“It’s a working vacation. And don’t forget you all agreed to this beforehand. No complaining if it turns out to be a long day, girls. And no staying up late the night before. You’ll be photographed in the sun and, trust me, the camera will pick up everything. And that reminds me, you girls all be sure to use your sunscreen. Josie doesn’t want to see anyone showing up looking like a lobster.” She turned and stared at DJ. “And you know who I mean.”
“But won’t we need to get a little sun so that we look good in the swimwear shots?” asked Casey.
“A little sun is fine, as long as you’re careful and use sunscreen. I just happen to know my granddaughter and she tends to forget. In fact, Taylor, I’d like to put you in charge of DJ’s sunscreen, if you wouldn’t mind.”
Casey laughed. “That seems a little ridiculous, don’t you think?”
“Why?” asked Taylor.
“Because…well…” Casey got uncomfortable. “You are, you know, naturally tan. Why should you be in charge of DJ’s sunscreen?”
“It might interest you to know that women of color are advised to use sunscreen too.”
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