Masters pulls the car to the side of the road. It’s a quiet dead-end, lined by massive hedges and security gates to maintain the privacy of the wealthy residents. My house is the last on the cul-de-sac, separated from my neighbors by a generous slice of greenery on either side. There’s no one around. No witnesses, if I decide to murder Cynthia right there on the beautifully manicured sidewalk.
Kidding.
Mostly.
She climbs out as I approach her monstrous Cadillac. She looks the same as she has since I was a little girl — blonde hair swept into a beehive, nails chiseled into acrylic talons, a crisp white blazer and tailored slacks that taper into stiletto-heeled boots. Either she’s found the best plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills, or time really doesn’t touch immortal monsters.
We stare at each other for a moment in silence. I don’t ask how she tracked down my new address; she doesn’t ask why I didn’t inform her I was moving.
“I’d have thought you had better sense than to buy a house so high up in the Palisades,” she says finally, crossing her arms over her chest and leveling me with a condescending look. “Waterfront is a much better investment. I could’ve gotten you a great deal in Manhattan Beach, if you’d bothered to consult me. You always were rather shortsighted, though.”
No water view is worth being your neighbor, mother.
“Hello, Cynthia,” I say tiredly. “Don’t worry, you won’t be invited to the housewarming — you won’t have tosufferthrough an evening at this altitude.”
Her eyes narrow. “I wasn’t expecting an invitation, given our last conversation. I had hoped you’d have regained some of your common sense and called me by now, though. Thankfully, I’m used to disappointments where you’re concerned.”
There was a time those words would’ve reduced me to tears.
That time is long gone.
“I’ve got sense in spades, mother dearest — that’s exactly why Ihaven’tcalled.”
A dark look contorts her features — she’s always been so quick to anger, the fury boiling just below her skin easily provoked to the surface with a few pointed words or a carefully-timed quip.
“Katharine, when will this little stint of independence end? It was cute, at first, but now it’s threatening your career.”
“And how is that, exactly?“
“You need me,” she snaps icily, striding closer. An acrylic nail points directly at my face. “You may’ve forgotten, but I’m the one who’s gotten things done for you since the time you were crapping your Cheerios into diapers. Without me to manage things, you’ll fall to pieces.”
“I’m doing just fine without you.”
“Oh, really? Who’s managing your public appearances? Who’s negotiating new deals for you? You won’t be able to ride on the success ofUnchartedforever. Have you thought about what you’ll do in six months, or a year, when you’ve blown through most of your money and the residuals slow down? Have you given a single thought to your future?”
I swallow hard and say nothing.
“I thought as much.” Her smile turns taunting. “You should already be making calls, auditioning for other roles, lining up new work before they forget who you are and you’re back to begging for two-bit parts on teenage vampire shows.”
I grit my teeth. “We’ve only just stopped filming.”
“You stopped filming over a month ago.”
“I have a press tour to get through!”
“You can juggle the promo and still hunt for new work.”
“Stop. Just stop.” My hands curl into fists. “I’m entitled to a break.”
“A break? Do you think Katharine Hepburn took breaks? Do you think Vivien Leigh became a star sitting home on her ass?” She scoffs coldly. “They worked and they pushed and they never, ever stopped, not even for a moment.”
“Cynthia—”
“You’re on the cusp of success, but you’re not done yet. Don’t you see? You could have everything! And you’re letting it slip away!”
“I’m not letting anything slip away,” I protest. “It’s Christmas in a few days — there are no auditions happening right now. People want to spend the holidays with their families.” I pause. “Unless they’re related to you, that is.”
“Well.” Her lip curls in contempt. “Perhaps Santa Claus will bring you another acting role. Apparently that’s the only way you’re going to land one.”