"I'm not sure. It gets released tomorrow, andthen the signing is on Thursday. Theresa said Nancy is on top ofthe world about it but doesn't want to appear too full of herself.You know, it's not every day the main character of a book is basedupon you."
Elizabeth shook her head. "No, it's not. Hasshe read it yet?"
Julia shook her head. "It doesn't sound likeit, from the way people are talking. I guess Nancy's pretty on edgebut is pretending not to be."
"I wonder if she's worried it might beunflattering? Like, say, the main character is the world's biggestbitch?"
"I would think that's why she's worried. Forher glossy veneer, I think Nancy could have a meanstreak."
"Yeah, I could see that. Peter says she scareshim and that no one can be that perfect."
Before Elizabeth could think it over more, theinstructor had started class, and Elizabeth had to concentrate moreon not falling over than how a fictionalized Nancy could beportrayed.
After class, as Elizabeth wiped the sweat fromher face, she asked Julia, "So are you going to get the book andread it ahead of time or wait until Thursday?"
Julia shrugged. "I'm not sure. I hadn't thoughtabout it that much. What about you?"
"Well, I probably don't have time to get to abookstore tomorrow. It's my night with the kids. I could downloadit on my e-reader, which is how I usually read anyway."
"Yeah, I'm not sure I even remember how to turnreal paper pages anymore."
Elizabeth laughed. "But then are we expected tobuy another copy at the event? Or is it enough to tell him that weare reading electronically? I hate spending a whole lot of money onbooks, let alone to have to buy one twice."
"Yeah, I can imagine that Peter would not lookkindly on that one."
Elizabeth let out a terse chuckle. Thepenny-pinching and obsessive control was better, but still not tothe point where she could laugh about it. She knew Julia was tryingto be funny, but it still grated on Elizabeth. The fights she andPeter had had about money were monumental. Even after Sydney'shospital stay, his need to approve or veto every penny she spentnearly did them in. He finally agreed that she had a monthlyexpenditure budget (she really wanted to hit him in the head with afrying pan when he tried to call it allowance). He was not allowedto look at or criticize how the money was spent, as long as shekept within those confines. If something came up, Peter was tryingto be more open about how the household money was spent. One of thethings that Elizabeth had made Peter agree to was a monthlyhousekeeping service, just to help her keep on top ofthings.
Anyway, Elizabeth's curiosity about the bookwas piqued. She knew she would spend some of her "budget" topurchase it, one way or another, just to see for herself what itwas about. She supposed she should wait and purchase a physicalcopy of the book on Thursday. But as the next day wore on,Elizabeth could not help thinking about it. She searched on here-reader for "J. P. Devaney" and read the summary of the book,"Hold Her Down."
She had been the girl of hisfantasies since high school. Now a small-town housewife, she showsup on his doorstep at just the right time. He is frustrated, andshe is vulnerable. And for the weekend, she is his to use as hepleases.
Elizabeth wasn't sure how she felt about thesummary. This guy was supposed to be a tween fantasy writer. Thisseemed to cross the line into a whole other type of fantasy. On theone hand, Elizabeth was not above reading smutty books, not thatshe ever admitted that to anyone. They had met her own needs forquite some time. On the other hand, she was not sure she could walkinto a store, buy the book in front of the whole town (or at leastthose who had made the exclusive guest list), and gush to thepervert who wrote it. She was much more comfortable purchasing iton her e-reader, in the privacy of her own home.
She did know that, if it weren't for Nancy, sheprobably would not be shelling out the dough for the book, eitherelectronically or in physical form. She guessed that was why Nancyhad invited her and Julia to the book release in the first place.She obviously had something to gain from her ex doing well with hisbook sales. Part of Elizabeth felt like she was being manipulatedor used, but she supposed this was how the game was played. Stillfiguring out the social scene after all these years, at times shestill felt lost. She turned off the e-reader, not ready to make acommitment one way or the other.
Elizabeth could not figure out why this was soimportant to her. It was a simple book signing. Maybe it wasbecause Elizabeth had never been invited to such an event before.She knew that being in Nancy's inner circle was the acceptance shehad sought for so long. It was the golden ring. It would open upavenues for socialization and opportunities for Teddy and Sydneyalong the way. Living in a small upstate community, being connectedwas the only way to go. Nancy could be friends with anyone shechose, but it seemed like she wanted to get to know Elizabethbetter. So why did the thought of buying a simple book bother herso much? It was a small token of faith in what would hopefully be along-time friendship.
On Wednesday, Elizabeth accompanied Teddy'sthird grade class on its field trip to the zoo about an hour away.She sat near the back of the bus, cocooned between the tall leatherseats. Teddy sat on the outside, hanging into the aisle and talkingwith his friends. Elizabeth wished she had brought her iPod orsomething to read. She looked out the window, but it made hercarsick. She closed her eyes and tried to doze, but the largecoffee she had
