by Karen Quinn
To Katherine, she whispered, “Don’t let the door hit you in the ass on the way out.” She walked through the small crowd, shaking hands and hugging those she knew well. They all wanted a moment with her. Then they broke into applause for the woman who would always be Baby G to them.
Leaving the office for the last time, Christy felt tremendous sadness—until she got as far as the exit. Then she bounded down the stairs, all twelve stories to the lobby, toward that other future she held so clearly in her mind’s eye.
Katherine’s Karma
Michael, can you pass the eggs?” Christy asked, looking up from the paper.
“Here. Do you want hot sauce?” he offered.
“I got it,” Renata said, pushing the bottle Christy’s way.
Little-Maria spilled her chocolate milk. Ali rolled her eyes.
“Ali, could you get some paper towels?” Michael asked.
Ali sighed at the imposition, but did what her father said.
“Who wants coffee?” Old-Maria asked.
“I’ll take some,” Christy said.
“I think she needs to go back to a sippy cup,” Michael said.
“Who?” Renata asked.
“Little-Maria. She keeps spilling her drinks,” Michael said.
“No, she’s too old for a sippy cup,” Nectar said. “‘Happy in this, she is not yet so old, but she may learn.’”
“Let me guess. Shakespeare?” Michael said.
“Why sir,” Nectar replied, “how did you know?”
Whoa! A headline on the front page of the Journal caught Christy’s eye: JOURNAL REPORTER ACCUSED OF EXTORTION. “Oh my gosh, you guys, the Galit story hit the paper,” she said. “Listen.” She read it aloud to a rapt audience: It has been learned that a staff reporter for the Journal demanded payment to keep potentially damaging stories out of the news. In at least seven separate incidents that have been uncovered to date, Galit Portal extorted millions of dollars from companies anxious to hide bad news from the public. The actions of this reporter represent a betrayal of the trust that was granted to her by this paper. For that, we are profoundly sorry.
In a unique theory, Attorney General Graham Edwards alleges that by fraudulently withholding damaging information, Ms. Portal caused stock prices to be held at artificially high levels. Should stock prices for the companies involved in the scandal drop when the information Ms. Portal attempted to hide comes to light, Attorney General Edwards will hold Ms. Portal criminally liable for any losses suffered by the public as a result of her intentional failure to disclose.
Companies that paid Ms. Portal up to two million dollars to hide damaging stories include Verber Industries, Mutual Resources, Baby G Sports, American National Radio, Time Out Technologies, Worldwide Press, and Preston Oceanics. Ms. Portal’s alleged crimes were brought to light when Christy Hayes, wife of media mogul Michael Drummond and former CEO of Baby G Sports, told authorities that Ms. Portal was attempting to extort money and jewels from her husband in exchange for keeping certain information out of the paper. In a sting operation that took place in Drummond’s home, Ms. Hayes taped Galit Portal making her demands using the family’s nanny-cam.
Attorney General Edwards announced plans to bring the CEOs of every involved company to justice for paying off a reporter with the intent of lying to and deceiving the American public. “We intend to prosecute these executives to the full extent of the law,” he says.
“Whoa. Katherine’s in enough trouble as it is. She’s getting fired. And you know the shareholders will sue. Now Graham Edwards wants her in jail, too,” Michael said, shaking his head.
“Wait, there’s more,” Christy said.
Ms. Portal offered this comment: ‘I am innocent of all charges and I look forward to having my day in court when I can fight to clear my name. I simply held off on filing stories I was investigating until my assistant could fact-check everything. I can’t understand why Mr. Edwards is attempting to criminalize my efforts to comply with the high standards of journalistic integrity set by the Ethics in Media Association. I am certain that I will soon be exonerated of these ridiculous charges.
“I guess you feel terrible for Galit and Katherine, don’t you?” Michael said.
“Truthfully?”
“No, I want you to lie.”
“Daddy, my adviser wants to see you and Christy today after school,” Ali said.
“What did you do?” Michael asked.
“Why do you always assume I did something wrong?” Ali said indignantly. “I feel like I’m living in a police state.”
“She took pictures of boys changing their clothes in the locker room with her camera phone,” Renata said.
“You snitch,” Ali said, pulling out her chair.
Renata jumped up and ran upstairs with Ali close behind.
“It’s nice to see them act like real siblings,” Christy said. “Don’t you think?”
Michael smiled. “Oh yeah, warms my heart. C’mon, let’s get to the bottom of this.”
Everyone forgot about Galit and Katherine.
It’s a Family Affair
One year later…
“Fre-e-e-eckles! Ma-riiiia! Ma-riiiia! Ma-riiiia! Jorge! Aa-lee! Come upstairs. Dinner’s ready.” Michael yelled down the grand staircase that had just been constructed to combine Christy’s apartment with Renata’s. Tonight, Old-Maria had cooked goat cheese lasagna for the family. It was one of Renata’s favorite dishes, even though it was healthy.
Christy was on the phone with Jerome, recalling the latest family drama—one of the girls was suspended for showing up at school yesterday smelling of alcohol. They said they would kick her out next time.
“So which one was it?” Jerome asked.
“I’m not saying. Anyway, it doesn’t matter.”
“It’s that little infidel whose name rhymes with ‘valley,’ isn’t it?”
Christy sighed. “What do you think? Anyway, the thing is, I need to resign from the Olympic board. I’ll keep doing the mentoring program, but it’s obvious I need to pay more attention at home.”
“But Christy, the board is the visible position. If you drop out, in six months no one’ll remember who you are. My advice is to give up the mentoring. No one cares about that.”
Christy scrolled through the plan she had developed for supporting new Olympians. “I care. And anyway, I don’t need to be in the limelight anymore.” She hoped this was true, feeling a slight twinge of her old ambition. “I have to make my family work, Jerome. Please don’t tempt me…” Christy rubbed her pregnant belly absentmindedly, sadly letting go of the last thread of glamour that represented her old life.
Jerome hesitated before speaking. “Kiddo, if I had the chance to have something real like you and Michael do, I’d probably do the same.”
“Jerome Fudderman? Putting love before money? Am I hearing things?” Christy said in jest.
“You’re right. I’m a heartless fuck. Always have been, always will be. Heh-heh-heh.”
Christy laughed before saying good-bye, but she was touched. Maybe all the hard-bitten New Yorkers she knew really did want what she had been lucky enough to find. You would certainly never know it by watching them operate. She closed her PowerBook and set it next to the pillow. Mr. Koodles sidled over and curled up like a ball on top of the warm computer. Can I do this? she thought. Be a real mom, from the beginning? I’m already white-knuckling it through Ali’s teenage years…Renata’s manageable, at least so far…but a baby, too?
Christy’s thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps bounding up the stairs, except for six-year-old Maria, who took each step backward while sitting on her butt, thoroughly mussing up her brand-new Colby uniform.
“Lord have mercy, child,” Nectar said. “You’re going to ruin your pretty dress. Stand and come upstairs properly, like a lady.”
When everyone was situated, Ali said grace. This was Old-Maria’s idea. She felt they needed to instill moral values in the children. Christy could
n’t agree more.
“Mmm, yummy, this smells so good,” Renata said. “Is this the recipe you’re selling at Eli’s?”
“Yes, except I added extra garlic and shiitake mushrooms,” Old-Maria said.
“Next time add even more vegetables, Maria,” Michael said. “Christy’s eating for two.”
Christy looked down in time to see a little elbow or knee gliding across the inside of her stomach. “The baby’s having a party in there tonight,” she said.
Michael immediately put his hand on Christy’s belly and felt, as did Renata. She squealed with delight each time the baby moved.
“Be careful with your drink,” Christy said to Renata. Everyone was sitting around her bed and eating from dinner trays. They’d been dining that way for the last month, ever since the doctor ordered Christy off her feet. “Are your rooms clean?” she asked the girls.
“Mine is,” Renata said.
“Mine is, too,” Ali added.
“No, it’s not,” Renata tattled.
“Climb out of my butt, Big Mouth,” Ali said to her sister.
“Ali,” Michael said, “what did we say you were grounded for? Four weeks? Well make that five. We’ve all had it up to here with your language.”
Ali gasped in outrage. “Christy, why did you marry him? Why?”
Christy ignored the remark. “Michael’s going downstairs to inspect after dinner. No one gets allowance unless her room is clean.”
Ali stood up and excused herself. “I need to go check on something in my room.”
Christy smiled. That kid is something else, she thought. But she’s better than she used to be…if you didn’t count yesterday’s incident. Maybe when the baby comes, it’ll hit her that she’s not the center of the universe. “Can you pass the salt?”
“No salt for you, Christy. Remember what the doctor said,” Michael said.
“Right.”
“Did you hear about Stephanie Rich?” Renata said. “She ran away with that rapper guy.”
“Yeah, I heard. Brownie must be beside herself,” Christy said, clucking her tongue. She wasn’t fond of Brownie, but no mother should have to endure her twelve-year-old running away with a fifteen-year-old rapper, even one with five gold records and four gold teeth.
“Don’t even think about going on a date,” Michael said to Renata.
“Boys gross me out,” she assured him.
“Good,” he said.
“Too bad Brownie’s Golden Latchkey Foundation couldn’t have saved Stephanie. They tried, you know.” Christy said.
“That is so sad,” Jorge said.
“Say, Jorge, when’ll the crib be ready? We don’t have much time,” Michael asked, patting Christy’s tummy.
“Soon, Mr. Drummond, I promise. I just hired two men to help me with all the projects I’m getting. ¡Caramba! I can hardly keep up with those Colby parents and their cabinets.”
“Jorge, you do great work. What can I tell you? Word gets around. Say, is everyone finished?” Christy asked.
“I’ll do it,” Young-Mother-Maria said. She started picking up the dishes.
“I think I may need to incorporate soon,” Jorge said to no one in particular.
“Did you see the Journal yesterday?” Michael asked.
“No, why?”
“There was a follow-up on Galit and the companies that were involved in her blackmailing scheme.”
“Did you save it for me? I have to read it,” Christy said.
“It’s at the office. I’ll bring it home tomorrow. It said that even though Galit has to serve ten years, she signed a book deal with Random House, and Miramax bought the movie rights to her life story,” he said.
“Doesn’t that figure?” Christy said. “She practically brought down seven companies and comes out smelling like a rose. Oh, oh, quick, someone grab a towel.”
Little-Maria had spilled her milk all over the bed. Old-Maria ran to the bathroom to grab a towel to wipe it up. “Sorry, sorry,” the child said, with tears in her eyes.
“That’s okay, sweetheart,” Christy said, touching her cheek. “Happens to everyone.”
“The attorney general says Galit can’t keep the money. He considers it the spoils of her crime. She’ll have to fight him for it.”
“Good! Did they say anything about the securities case against Katherine?”
“Trial starts after the new year.”
“That’s rough. Alex must be crushed,” Christy said.
“No, Alex is doing good,” Renata said. “She was just elected president of the student council. Her dad’s marrying Emily Osgood’s mom.”
“That’s news. It must be hot off the press,” Christy said.
Renata shrugged. “Who wants ice cream?”
“We don’t have any, honey,” Christy said.
“Don’t worry. We do. I’ll run down and get it.” She raced out the door.
Michael took Christy’s hand and squeezed it. “So, will you be okay while I go out?” he asked, putting on his jacket.
“Sure. Where are you going?” Christy asked.
“Beegee, how can you forget? Tuesday’s my night to walk the goat.”
He kissed her good-bye.
TOUCHSTONE
READING GROUP GUIDE
* * *
Wife in the Fast Lane
INTRODUCTION
Former Olympic track star Christy Hayes has created a successful sneaker company from the ground up. Apart from being athletic, she’s smart, beautiful, and married to a dashing entrepreneur. But when her beloved housekeeper dies and leaves behind her eleven-year-old granddaughter to raise, Christy soon learns the price to be paid for having it all. Though she’s far from the mothering type, she tries her best to help the shy young girl acclimate to her new home by becoming like those fabulous city moms she runs into in Barney’s or Bergdorf’s. She begins by throwing herself headfirst into the treacherous waters of New York City private schools. All the while, trouble is looming on the horizon for her company. Can this two-time Olympic gold-medal winner strike a balance between her hectic career and chaotic home life? Will she create a life for herself that is true (or truer) to the person she really is?
QUESTIONS & TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION
Former Olympian Christy Hayes has turned her athletic expertise into corporate success. In what ways is she a good role model? In what ways could she improve?
At their cabin in Aspen, Michael tells Christy “There’s no way we can take a child, not with our responsibilities and lifestyle. You promised me, Christy. This is the only thing I really asked you for.” Is this the real reason Michael keeps his distance from Renata?
Although Christy had decided not to have children of her own, she is Renata’s godmother, and she decides to adopt her. Why do you think Christy changed her mind? Did she make the right decision? What are the biggest challenges these two face? How did the fact that Christy lost her mother at such a young age affect her ability to mother Renata?
If you were in Christy’s position, would you have done the same thing? What would you have done differently?
Do you think attending a private school like Colby will affect Renata in a positive or negative way?
Loving nanny Nectar Freedom tells Christy about the rule of two: “Love, career, children, pick two.” Do you agree with her? Is it possible for today’s women to have all three? What impediments stand in the way?
What do you think of Michael and Christy’s relationship? Did you believe him when he denied the alleged affair with Galit?
Why do you think Katherine, after years of friendship with Christy, decides to covertly work against her and have her removed as the head of Baby G.?
Why is it important to Christy to impress Brownie Rich? Does everyone have a Brownie in his/her life? Do you think Katherine, Galit, and Brownie got their just deserts?
What was your first reaction when Renata’s relatives arrived from Mexico? Why do you think Renata bonds with Mrs. De Mille?
&
nbsp; What do Christy and Renata have in common? How does Renata’s reading Harriet the Spy ultimately help Christy?
Did Christy make the right decision by not returning to Baby G.? Why or why not?
Were you surprised to discover that Christy is pregnant at the end of the book? How do you think this newly merged family will fare?
What factors make someone a “wife in the fast lane”? Do you consider yourself to be one? If yes, do you find this role rewarding?
In the past, the “conversation” was about whether or not women could do it all. Could they find balance? Is it time to reframe the question and ask ourselves how can we create lives that are true (or truer) to ourselves? We’re so busy living complex lives, but are we fulfilling to do lists or are we doing things that are deeply meaningful to us, things we’re passionate about? Is there something you are passionate about that is getting short shrift in your busy life? What would you change if you could? What is stopping you?
A CONVERSATION WITH KAREN QUINN
What inspired you to write Wife in the Fast Lane?
I heard an expert on one of the morning shows say that women today can have it all, just not at the same time. You hear that a lot. In my own case, I have a husband, two kids, a career, a home, two cats, and myself to pay attention to. There is nothing I would give up. So I’m doing my best to have it all, and I’m doing it at the same time, and so are my friends. I wanted to write a story about a very accomplished woman struggling with these issues.
So many of your characters have interesting names—Nectar Freedom, Brownie Rich, Galit Portal. Any symbolism behind them?
The names are symbolic, but I didn’t realize that when I made them up.