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“I guess you heard what happened with Posey Wofford?”
“I did.”
“Well, then, I’m glad I’m here to explain it to you in person. Posey doesn’t have mental-health issues. She was using that as an excuse.”
Caroline doesn’t want to do that Gen Z thing of explaining to Gen X why some of their comments are no longer acceptable, but what choice does she have? “You shouldn’t have commented on Posey’s mental health. Only Posey can do that.”
Dru-Ann sighs. “There are two sides to this.”
“I’m sure there are, but the internet sees only one side: You make money off Posey’s money, so ofcourseyou wanted her to stay in the tournament.”
“It wasn’t about money, Caroline,” Dru-Ann says. “I have plenty of money without Posey Wofford.”
“Have you considered ‘breaking your silence’?” Caroline uses air quotes, and she can’t help but smile. “And issuing an apology?” An apology alone might not cut it, Caroline thinks. Dru-Ann should probably make a generous donation to the Jed Foundation as well.
“I need to write a statement explaining what happened,” Dru-Ann says. “Posey was using mental health as an excuse—”
Caroline says, “You’re her representation. It’s your job to create a safe space for her.”
There’s no term Dru-Ann loathes more thansafe space. First of all, it’s a complete fantasy; no space in life is safe unless you live in bubble wrap. People will disagree with you; people will attack you; people will lie right to your face! In Dru-Ann’s line of work, every single day is a competition—someone wins, a lot of people lose. There is no safety.
“I wanted her to honor her commitment,” Dru-Ann says. “Show some good old-fashioned grit. Do you know why she dropped out of the tournament?”
“She didn’t feel up to it,” Caroline says.
“She felt fine!” Dru-Ann says. “Her boyfriend, Phineas Pine—”
“I’m not sure Twitter cares about the details,” Caroline says. “You should probably just issue an apology.”
“That’s not happening.”
There’s a tense moment as Dru-Ann and Caroline stare at each other.
Dru-Ann thinks,Your generation is both fragile and entitled, and no one is allowed to call you on it because you have been given the power to ruin a person’s career by pushing a few buttons.
She also thinks,I used to change your diapers, and now you’re my fixer?
Caroline thinks,If you don’t issue an apology, you will be sunk. The longer you wait, the worse it will be.
Caroline changes the subject. “What’s up between you and Tatum?”
“You’ll have to ask Tatum that,” Dru-Ann says. She blows Caroline a kiss and closes the door. Caroline hears theclickety-clickof her heels heading back down the hallway.
It’s only seven o’clock on the first night, but one thing has become apparent: This weekend will be about more than just the landscape.
Brooke has been left to clean the kitchen like Cinderella. Hollis and Tatum are outside on the deck; Brooke can see them through the glass doors smoking cigarettes. Since when, Brooke wonders, does Hollissmoke?Brooke wipes off the oak serving board with increasingly aggressive strokes. Of course she’s the one who’s left out. She has no idea where Dru-Ann went, and she can’t interrupt Hollis and Tatum when they’re clearlyhaving a moment.
Brooke reminds herself that Hollis is entitled to have a moment with whoever she wants to. She’s endured a tragedy. But who was there for her when Matthew died? Who made all the calls, who organized the meal drop-offs, who checked in night after night for over a month? Not Tatum. Not Dru-Ann. (Neither of them had even come to the service!) The person who hadbeenthere was Brooke.
Brooke is pouring herself another glass of rosé, thinking she might as well finish off the bottle, when the front door opens and a woman pokes her head in.
“Hi,” she says. “This is Hollis Shaw’s house, right? I’m Gigi Ling.”
Gigi Ling!Brooke thinks. Here’s the fifth star, the one no one has met, not even Hollis herself.Make a good impression,Brooke thinks.But act natural!
“Yes, hello, welcome.” Brooke hurries to the front door. “I’m Brooke Kirtley, Hollis’s friend from Wellesley, we raised our kids together, I have boy-girl twins who are the same age as Hollis’s daughter, Caroline—” Brooke takes a breath because she feels herself gushing. She extends a hand. Gigi Ling shakes it and gives Brooke a warm smile.
“It’s lovely to meet you, Brooke.” Gigi Ling has a British accent, which is a surprise, right? BrookelovesBritish accents! Gigi wheels in her luggage—there’s a soft pink leather roller bag (so chic!) and, secured to the top, a fawn-colored suede tote that looks like it was purchased from a charming shop on a side street in Florence. “I’m sorry I’m so late.” She waves a hand. “I won’t bore you with the dreary details. I made it, that’s all that matters.”
