The County Fair Queen

Chapter Eleven

SIT IN MY LAP, FIRECRACKER

The next morning, Brenda/Carole told us she wanted to get footage showing the domestic side of our fake relationship. Beau was already at school when we arrived, and as I made my way toward the front porch, I drank in the sight of the Rivera family home. The last time I was there, it was cloaked in darkness. Under the sun's watchful eye, idyllic didn't even begin to describe it. A two-story colonial with a perfectly manicured front lawn. Walls so white they reflected the sun's rays. Perhaps, best of all, an endless assortment of wind chimes hanging from the porch. While they twinkled out their autumn song, I caught sight of Rivers kneeling over his flower bed.

"Morning, Firecracker," he said as I approached. The crew trailed behind me, capturing the moment.