Chapter 23
Kirsten
When I first contacted Kayleigh Jones, I didn’t have an ulterior motive.
I’d just heard good things about the online school she’d set up for child influencers and wanted to discuss the possibility of Maple joining.
But when I realized that she was the skateboarding sensation Dylan Dope’s mom, it didn’t take me long to come up with a side hustle.
And I’m so pleased I did, because him coming to stay is proving even more effective for our social media stats than Maple’s photoshoot.
The post I put on Maple’s socials when Dylan first arrived was only a collection of stills of the pair of them, but it has already generated thousands of likes, comments, reposts and shares across the different platforms. I just knew this collab would cause a stir.
And that’s from one post. I took lots of footage of Maple and Dylan skateboarding this afternoon, so I’ll be able to create a great film for YouTube, and then use the best bits to make TikToks and Instagram reels. Really keep the momentum flying.
The highlight will be Maple’s fall, of course, but there were other moments that might prove more valuable in the long term.
The way Dylan held Maple’s forearms when she first stepped onto the board.
And his energy as he demonstrated the basics to her, his expression so encouraging.
Two beautiful young people doing something cool and edgy, but also wholesome and supportive.
The kids will love it for sure – Dylan Dope and Maybe Maple hitting it off.
But I think the moms will like it too. The big sisters, the grandmas.
And yes, some weirdos, of course. The pedos and incels, and assholes.
But I know how to deal with them, which means they’re not a threat, despite what Garrett might think after listening to those left-wing podcasts.
Pious, jealous cat ladies blinded by self-importance.
Believing they know what’s best for my children. It might be funny if it wasn’t so rude.
I hear footsteps on the stairs and look up. Maple is still wearing her skateboarding outfit, but she’s accessorized it with a forlorn expression. I concentrate on not rolling my eyes. ‘Oh hey, honey. How are you feeling?’
Maple slides onto the kitchen barstool. ‘The Tylenol helped, I think, but I still feel a bit weird.’
I give her a sympathetic smile. ‘That’s probably the embarrassment of falling more than anything.
Not that you should feel bad – you were great out there, for a beginner.
Hey, why don’t you go in the pool?’ I suggest, sensing that a change of subject might be good.
‘The cool water will take the sting out of your grazes. And a swim will be nice and relaxing.’
‘Is Dylan out there?’
‘By the pool? Yes, I think so.’
‘Hardly relaxing then.’
Wow, teenagers can be annoying. Maple knows the single reason I invited Dylan to stay was to build her profile.
‘Maple, I can’t film collab content if you’re not together,’ I tell her, as calmly as I can manage.
‘And no content means no engagement. And all this discomfort you tell me you’re feeling …
’ I draw a circle in the air for emphasis ‘… will be for nothing. And anyway, the boy spent two hours teaching you to skateboard this afternoon. The least you can do is provide a little entertainment now.’
Her eyes widen. ‘Entertainment?’
‘Conversation,’ I clarify.
‘But we have nothing to talk about,’ she moans. ‘I don’t see why I couldn’t have had one of my own friends to stay instead, like Coco.’
‘Who?’
‘Coco. I told you about her.’
A vague memory fails to form properly. ‘Remind me again?’
Maple shakes her head, then turns away from me.
The proceeding silence seems to thicken the air, and I’m trying to work out how to loosen it when my phone vibrates against the kitchen counter.
I pick it up and accept the call without looking at the caller ID – grateful for the interruption, I suppose – so my heart sinks when I realize who it is.