33. Melanie #2
Ross was welcome to her. Melanie worried that she would struggle to connect with Xina.
She reminded her a bit of the twins. Melanie had trouble ‘getting’ young people.
She didn’t understand their need for constant affirmation and likes, instant gratification and needing to know where all of their friends were all of the time.
She didn’t understand watching a film while scrolling on your phone.
She didn’t get why they had to record every single thing they did.
That was why she got on so well with Sloane because, although she was young, she was an old soul.
‘Yes, I agree. I think Ross would be a better fit for you.’ Melanie was happy to hand over this one.
Xina’s perfectly shaped brows knitted. ‘No, I want Melanie and it’s not just because she’s a woman. It’s also because she represents Sloane Foyle. I absolutely loved her book. I’ve read it, like, ten times.’
‘Really?’ Melanie tried not to sound as surprised as she felt.
Xina wagged a finger at Melanie. ‘Yes, I read a lot. You of all people should know that you should never judge a book by its cover!’
‘ Touché. ’ Jamie grinned.
‘And that’s why I want you to be my agent. I want someone who is more serious and older so that my book isn’t just fluff. I want it to say something and to mean something and I know you can help me do that.’
Melanie was impressed and warming to Xina by the second. ‘I did judge you and I apologize for that. I’d be happy to represent you. I think it could be fun, and we could raise your book to a higher level, if that’s what you want.’
‘Great. Let’s talk more about that. I’d love to hear your ideas and we can discuss contracts and fees. We can order room service.’
Melanie caught sight of the time on Jamie’s smartwatch. No! It was eight p.m. Thanks to Xina being forty-five minutes late, she’d missed the first half of the play. Oh, God, the twins would go nuts.
She stood up. ‘Xina, I’m really sorry, but I have to go.’
‘What?’ Ross frowned.
‘Seriously?’ Xina seemed shocked that someone was leaving her at, to be fair, a key moment of negotiation.
‘I really don’t want to, believe me, but I have fifteen-year-old twin daughters who are in a school play. I’ve missed a lot of school events because of work and they are permanently angry with me. If I miss this, I honestly don’t think they’ll ever forgive me. I’m already an hour late.’
‘And you know better than anyone, Xina, how sensitive teenage girls can be,’ Jamie added. Melanie could have kissed him.
Xina straightened up. ‘Of course I do. They’re my followers. You should go, I get it. We can Zoom tomorrow.’
Melanie paused. ‘Any chance you’d come with me so they’d hate me less?’
‘Oh, my God, no . A crowded school hall, my anxiety would be off the charts.’
‘How about a video message?’ Ross suggested.
Yes, that was perfect. Melanie smiled her thanks at Ross.
‘Would you?’ Melanie asked.
‘Sure thing.’ This was Xina’s comfort zone.
Looking into Melanie’s phone camera, she said, ‘Hey, girls, your mum is late because she is with me, helping me with my new book. She is rushing over to see you guys now. She rocks. Don’t be mad at her. Stay real.’
‘Thank you!’ Melanie grabbed her coat and raced out of the door.
She snuck into the hall just as the musical was ending. She watched the girls taking a bow and listened to the cheers, which were especially loud for Joni – she must have nailed her part. Melanie saw Frank up the front, videoing. Thank God, she’d be able to watch it later.
The lights went on and Frank came over to her. ‘I saw you coming in. You missed the whole play.’
‘Xina was late and –’
‘It was a really, really important night.’ He cut across her excuse. ‘The girls were absolute stars, especially Joni. She was incredible.’
‘I heard the cheers. I’ll watch it later.’
Frank tilted his head. ‘Watching a video is nothing like watching it live, Melanie. You missed out on seeing your kids shine. It was exhilarating. Not to mention that you swore to them you’d be here tonight.’
‘I was stuck with Ross and Jamie waiting for Xina. It’s not my fault.’
Frank sighed sadly. ‘It’s never your fault.’
The twins bounded over to their father, buzzing with adrenaline. ‘Well?’
‘Unbelievable, I’m bursting with pride.’ Frank hugged them in turn.
‘Fantastic,’ Melanie lied.
The twins glared at her. ‘Doreen saw you coming in at the very end. We knew you wouldn’t make it. You never do.’ Joni’s voice shook with emotion. ‘I was really good tonight and you missed it.’
‘I’m sorry, but I’ll watch the video the minute we get home.’
Janis put her arm protectively around her sister. ‘We always come second.’
Melanie had to try to salvage this. Their hurt and anger were raw. ‘I was only late because I was with Xina. Maybe you’ve heard of her.’
The twins stared at her. ‘Xina, like, Xina from TikTok?’ Joni asked.
‘Xina the social-media icon?’ Janis looked shocked.
‘Yes, that Xina, and she made a video – look.’ Melanie shoved her phone in front of their faces and played Xina’s video message.
‘OH, MY ACTUAL GOD!’ Janis screeched.
‘Xina sent us a video, like, to us, personally.’
Grabbing her phone, they raced off to show the video to their friends. Ross might be overbearing, but he had done her a good turn tonight by coming up with that idea.
Melanie smiled at Frank. ‘It looks like I’ve been forgiven.’
He looked at her sadly. ‘Oh, Melanie, don’t you get it? A video is not going to make up for being an absent mother.’
He turned and walked away, leaving her standing there in shock.
How could he be so cruel? She wasn’t absent now.
The girls were thrilled with their Xina message – more thrilled than they would have been with their mother sitting in the hall, watching the play.
It felt like they all wanted too much from her – to be the breadwinner, the high-achiever, but also to be at home and a hands-on mother.
It wasn’t possible to be an ambitious career woman, a perfect mother and a great wife.
She couldn’t have it all and neither could they.
More and more, Melanie was realizing this, and she resented the constant pull on her in all directions.
It was exhausting … and something was going to have to give.