by Cynthia Swan
“No, mom.” The woman had come undone.
Christy shook her head and went outside to sit on the porch. The sound of the waves, people laughing on the beach, and the ever-present gulls calming her.
“You never asked me if I wanted to be a model.”
She’d dressed in cut-off denim shorts she’d found at the thrift shop, along with an old Psychedelic Furs concert t-shirt. Christy stretched out on the chaise, letting the sun hit her legs and arms.
“Don’t be ridiculous. Why would I? Of course you wanted this life. Who wouldn’t? Thanks to me, you’re rich and famous.” Her mother was indignant.
“I didn’t want this life. But it’s mine, so I’ve made the best of it. I didn’t have any other skills.”
Her mother’s tone turned placating, the way it did when she wanted something.
“You’ve made lots of money, invested wisely. When you retire in five years, you’ll marry, have kids, and then you can do what you want with your hair.”
Christy sipped the sweet tea she’d brought outside with her. The ocean view was spectacular, she’d miss it if she decided on a house with a garden.
She spoke so softly her mom asked her to repeat herself.
“I said, I want to make a difference.”
The girl in the yellow dress had convinced her to do whatever she could to help others see themselves as worthy. Beautiful and strong for who they were on the inside and outside.
“Right. You want to make a difference in the world? Like the beauty queens who want world peace. You’re beautiful but you’re dumb, sweetie.” Her mom sniffed.
“Your reckless actions have affected my bottom line. I still get a percentage of your early contracts.”
It was a good thing most of them were expiring this month. No more checks for her.
Normally, her mom would have her in tears, her self-esteem trampled under her mom’s stiletto heels, but today?
Christy was done.
She’d had enough of feeling like she was less. Of crying. Today she got mad. And it felt good.
A small bird landed on the railing next to her, the breeze ruffling its feathers.
“I’m not dumb, mom. I work hard and while I’m not a doctor or a scientist or a teacher, I try to lead by example and show girls they can be whatever they want, even models, if that’s what they choose.”
She took a deep breath, drawing strength from deep within.
“I love you, but I won’t let you tear me down anymore. If you can’t be civil and supportive of my choices, then I don’t want to talk to you.”
The clapping made her turn. Jo stood in the doorway.
Her mom sputtered. “This is Alice’s doing.”
“No, mom. This is my decision. Alice and dad had nothing to do with it.”
There was a sharp inhalation of breath on the other end of the phone.
“You saw your dad?”
Christy motioned for Jo to grab a chair. Her manager sat, tablet and phone on the table in front of her.
“He told me everything.” Christy waited.
Her mom sniffed.
“I only wanted the best for you. You’ll be sorry in a year when you’re a big fat nobody.”
The clink of ice cubes in a glass and the sound of liquid let her know her mom was drinking. She must have started early today.
“No, I won’t. You only wanted what you wanted. What I wanted never mattered.”
She hung up and this time, Christy let the tears come. Her mom would come around or she wouldn’t, but it was no longer Christy’s fault. Her mom was responsible for her actions, and actions had consequences.
20
The press and social media influencers descended on Magnolia Beach. Jo was on her phone and tablet, handling damage control. Apparently the hair issue was bigger than Christy thought it would be.
There was also the issue that she’d gained five pounds in the two months she’d been here. She felt great and didn’t care, but it was a big deal to the agencies. All the more reason to move forward with her plans.
Everyone closed ranks. Protected her. With it being a weekend, tourists had already booked several places, but the rest? Suddenly, Mabel didn’t have a vacancy or a free table at her restaurant.
When asked where to find Christy, Hazel said she didn’t know who they were talking about. Then she charged the press double for whatever they purchased at the Sip and Shop.
Earl said he knew motors but didn’t have a clue about models.
Two social media guys chartered a half day fishing trip with Chasing the Big One but Chase said he’d never heard of Christy Evans which was true, he knew her as Christy Jones.
Her aunt told a rude woman who shoved her phone in Alice’s face that unless she left, she’d see to it the police ticketed her for being a public nuisance.
Amanda and Rose sent two photographers on a wild goose chase over in Myrtle Beach while Alex told another guy he had never seen a model wandering around Magnolia Beach. Then Smoky and Bandit peed on the guy’s pants.
Miss Trudy smacked a rude photographer with her broom and the sisters threatened to throw a cast iron pan at the next photographer who took pictures without their permission.
Her dad told the last group of tenacious photographers they were no longer welcome here.
Even Dalton defended her.
If she’d been on the fence about deciding, the town coming together to stand by her swayed the decision.
She’d tell Jo tonight.
“You are no longer my favorite brother.”
Dalton looked up from stacking liquor behind the bar. His brother looked even more annoyed than usual.
“I’m your only brother.”
Colton snorted.
“Says you. I could pick little Tim to be my brother. I heard he’s been letting the air out of the paparazzi’s tires.”
Dalton slid a beer across the bar.
“Why is everyone defending her? She lied about who she was.”
He leaned on the bar, his head in his hands.
“You defended her to that terrible girl with the green hair. Christy didn’t lie to you on purpose. Alice told me the entire story. She wanted to be free to wander around without people watching her every move. She wanted to be normal, just for a few months.”
When Dalton didn’t answer, his brother let out a sigh.
“She is not Mackenzie. Think about it. She was going to tell you.”
Dalton snorted.
“Sure she was.”
With a sigh, Colton took out his phone.
“A boy who pulled the prank sent me this before he deleted it.”
Colton slid his phone across the bar.
Dalton hit play. In the video Christy was on her phone, seemingly alone in the school hallway. He heard her saying how the night had been perfect. How she hadn’t wanted to ruin it by telling him beforehand.
“It doesn’t change the fact she deceived me.”
For the first time, Colton slid money across the bar. Dalton never let him pay. What was he doing?
“You don’t deserve her. You’ve already convinced yourself she’s like your ex. It’s time to move on. People are individuals. We all have baggage, some more than others. Yours is so full it’s about to fall over and crush you and you can’t even see it.”
Colton strode out of the pub, but before he pushed the door open, he turned.
“You should have given her the chance to explain. I’m disappointed in you, Dalton.”
“Are you sure?” Jo put her phone away and turned in the passenger seat to face Christy.
Knuckles white on the wheel, Christy nodded.
“No more secrets.”
They pulled into the driveway in silence. As they walked to the door, Jo pulled her in for a hug.
“I’m so proud of you. I know how hard this is for you.”
Her throat closed up, so Christy nodded, hoping she could get through this without bawling.
Her aunt opene
d the door.
“It’s so good to see you.”
She led the way into the cozy living room. It was warm today, so her aunt had thrown open all the windows. The scent of flowers and salt mixed, the scent easing Christy’s nerves.
She took a deep breath as she sat on the sofa next to Jo, facing her aunt and her dad.
“I have something to tell you.”
She ran her hands over her shorts, willing herself not to lose courage.
“I can’t read.”
There was stunned silence.
Her dad broke the hush.
“I wondered.”
She blinked at him. “What?”
“When we met, you were reading a book and when you went into the kitchen to help Alice, I picked it up to see what you were reading. The dust jacket was on upside down.”
Her dad leaned forward, a kind smile on his face.
“When you came back and picked it up like you were reading, I knew.”
He smiled at her with love, not pity.
“I said nothing because I figured if you wanted me to know, you’d tell me.”
“How?” She was shocked.
“The words on the pages were upside down, I could see you looking at them pretending to read when I walked behind the chair.”
Christy’s world tilted for a moment, then righted. She nodded.
“I’ve been so ashamed for so many years.”
Her aunt looked stunned.
“How have you managed all this time? It must have been incredibly difficult.”
Jo patted her hand.
“She had tutors. With such a busy schedule they gave her oral exams and she never learned how to read.”
Christy cleared her throat.
Her aunt stood. “Let me get you some tea. Who else wants some?”
Jo stood. “I’ll help.”
Her dad was content to wait until everyone settled, glasses of tea in front of them.
“I memorized so many things. Between Jo and everyone else doing so much for me, it was easier to let it go. When I was a kid, I didn’t know how to ask for help. Mom had been telling me for years I was nothing more than a dumb model, and I didn’t want everyone to think I’m worthless because I’m illiterate.”
She blew her nose.
“Jo worked with motor vehicles to give me an oral test to get my license. Time passed, and it was harder and harder to say anything. I’ve been so ashamed for so many years.”
Her aunt wiped a tear from her eye as Christy told them how she’d coped over the years.
“To learn products by the packaging, to memorize so much, I can’t imagine how alone you must have felt.”
Christy blinked the tears away.
“I thought I was less because I couldn’t read. I let mom make me believe all I had was my looks.” She met their eyes.
“She was wrong. Women are vibrant at all ages. Who cares if I get wrinkles or grow old? I want to live. To enjoy life.”
She let out a choked laugh.
“I’ve gained five pounds. You’d think it was a hundred the way mom reacted. I’m tired of worrying about people finding out I’m illiterate, tired of the secret.”
“We can help you. Whatever you need.”
Her dad blew his nose. “You are a wonderful woman. You’re kind and you work so hard. Don’t let anyone make you believe you don’t matter. You’re the world to me.”
“We love you and we’d do anything for you.”
Her aunt tapped her lip.
“I know someone who can teach you to read.”
Christy let the tears flow. An enormous burden lifted off her shoulders. No more hiding. No more worrying who might find out.
On the way back to the beach house, Christy turned off the radio.
“I don’t want other people like me, people who can’t read, I don’t want them to be ashamed to ask for help. I let it hold me back for so many years. Do you think I could do PSAs or something? I want to make a difference. To help people.”
Jo’s smile said it all.
“I’ll make some calls. It’s a great idea. I’m so proud of you. Telling them took courage.”
After they parked, they both went inside and changed into swimsuits. While they were relaxing by the heated pool, Christy made her final decision.
“If no one wants to work with me because of what I did to my hair, or the weight I’ve gained, or because I can’t read, I’ll retire. I’ve saved plenty of money thanks to you nagging me all those years.”
Jo shook her head.
“Let me work my magic. Will you be okay here? I want to get back to New York and meet with everyone you’ve worked with, go over the jobs you have booked for the rest of the year. Let me see what we can do.”
“Go. I’ve got all the time in the world now.”
21
Christy wiped a flour covered hand across her forehead, leaving a streak of flour in her hair.
In the middle of wallowing yesterday, Miss Trudy stopped by. She’d made Christy an apron and brought a bag filled with various sprinkles and new cookie cutters. The entire alphabet.
Miss Trudy said she thought it might help her while she was learning to read. The woman cackled and said she could eat her words. That pulled a smile from Christy.
There was also a diamond and a set of barbells. When Christy asked about them, Miss Trudy patted her hand and told her she was stronger than she knew. Yep, she wiped a couple of tears away after that.
The phone rang, announcing it was Jo calling. It would be nice when she wouldn’t need her phone to read to her any longer. When she could type and read her own texts.
Her efficient manager got straight to the point.
“I have news.”
Christy wiped her hands on a towel and went to sit outside while the cookie dough chilled in the refrigerator.
“Good news or bad?”
She put her feet in the water, enjoying the sun on her skin. It was going to be hot today. A swim after lunch and lazing in the sun were all she had planned, other than finishing a batch of cookies. Making the iced sugar cookies kept her mind off what had happened with Dalton. And the uneasy feelings of her family knowing she couldn’t read. After keeping a secret her entire life, it was hard letting it out into the world. Hard, but necessary.
“I’m going with good news.”
The sound of traffic cut off as Jo must have gone inside.
“How’s the city?” Christy splashed her feet in the water.
“Noisy and dirty. I love it.”
Christy laughed. “It’s funny, I don’t miss it the way I thought I would.”
“That’s because you’ve found a home at the beach.” There was a sound of rustling papers in the background. Jo cleared her throat.
“You lost four jobs because of hairgate, as it’s being called on social media. Three others canceled with lame excuses but they were the ones with weight clauses so we know why, they were just too chicken to say it to my face.”
Christy wasn’t surprised, she knew how things worked in the industry.
“And the good news?”
“It’s good those idiots canceled because now you can accept two new contracts.”
She paused dramatically, making Christy smile.
“First. That makeup company you’ve been crazy about for so long… they offered you a three-year contract to be the face of their company.”
Christy jumped up and paced along the edge of the pool.
“No way. Did they say why?”
Jo snorted.
“Hold that question for a moment. The other job is for a hair color company, the biggest one, you know who I mean. Same deal. You’ll be the face for three years. Extremely lucrative contracts for both.”
She paused again. The sound of liquid pouring over ice came through the phone.
“Here’s the icing on those cookies of yours. You can live wherever you want. Fly in to do the print and commercials for a week at a time, and both compa
nies will even try to schedule the weeks back to back. You’ll make a few appearances a year. It’s huge, mega money. Millions. No more runway, unless you want to.”
Christy danced around the pool, oblivious to a certain brooding neighbor.
“No. I’m done with runway. I can stay here in Magnolia Beach? Full-time?” She sighed.
“Thank you, Jo. You are amazing. I love you.”
“I am. I know. And I love you, too.”
Jo laughed. “You could buy the house you’ve been renting. The guy said he’s willing to sell.”
Christy turned and looked up at the house looming over her.
“No, it’s way too big. Could I rent for another month? I’m close to deciding on a place.”
“I’ll talk to him. I’m sure it will be fine.” Jo paused.
“Have you talked to him yet? It’s been three days.”
When she looked over at the house next door, she swore the door was partway open. Probably so Sam could come and go.
“No. After what he said to me, he has to make the first move and it better be an apology.”
She sat in a chair and closed her eyes.
Jo sniffed. “He’ll come around. And if he doesn’t, it’s his loss.”
“It is, but it doesn’t make it hurt any less. I’ve made friends here. Aunt Alice is here and dad isn’t far. For the first time in my life, I can put down roots.”
She looked at the dunes and the sparkling water.
“You know, you love the beach. You could move here. There’s office space next to the law office in town. The world is going virtual, you could work anywhere.”
Jo let out a breath. “It’s tempting. I’ve made plenty of contacts in the business. I’ll think about it.”
When Christy hung up, she felt lighter. She went inside to finish the cookies. Once they came out of the oven, she’d go for a walk on the beach and then a swim.
Maybe she’d go crazy and take a nap afterwards.
22
Like a coward, Dalton jumped back, hiding in the house when Christy looked over in his direction. He was taking the trash out when he heard her voice. She was out by the pool, talking on the phone.