Chapter 38
Kirsten
‘See, isn’t this more fun than worrying about camera angles or catching the right light?’ Garrett asks. ‘Actually being present with the kids?’
I feel a vague urge to slap his face, but I give him my best Mormon smile instead. ‘It was a great idea of yours,’ I say. ‘Some family time, having a break from filming.’
The skip ball lands on the water in front of him, and he picks it up, but doesn’t throw it back to Maple.
Just squeezes it hard. ‘It’s not a break, remember,’ he says.
‘This ban is permanent. The twins are not going to be influencers like Maple. And you know, after seeing how much Maple enjoyed her day off yesterday, I even wonder if this lifestyle choice is right for her.’
Despite my best efforts, rage bubbles. I know what he’s doing. By bringing Maple into the argument, raising the stakes, he’s giving himself a negotiating position, hoping I’ll settle with just the twins missing out.
‘I don’t see why you get to make that decision,’ I say cooly. ‘When our entire income comes from the kids’ social media earnings.’
‘Because I’m their father,’ he answers. ‘And the head of this household.’
‘So you’re spouting some priesthood bullshit at me now?’
‘Kirsten!’ he admonishes.
A loud splash distracts us, and I turn toward it. The twins have jumped off the float and are swimming toward the steps, fast.
‘I’m gonna get out now too!’ Maple calls out. ‘Thanks for the game, Dad!’
I watch our three children vacate the pool like it’s a fire drill, desperate not to hear us argue, and it makes me sad.
Our family life was supposed to be perfect; that’s how I planned it, right from the moment I found out I was pregnant with Maple.
There were obstacles along the way, for sure, and Garrett knows the sacrifices I’ve made, yet he’s still prepared to pull patriarchal rank.
‘YouTube paid for this pool,’ I remind him softly. ‘Our mortgage payments are significant, and social media pays generously. The twins will earn two thousand bucks for that unboxing video, which will cover all our groceries for a month, with change.’
‘It’s their money,’ Garrett mutters. ‘We shouldn’t be spending it.’
‘You want to pick up the Smith’s tab next time I go for groceries?’
He glares at me. ‘Actually, I might have a job interview soon,’ he finally says.
‘What?’ I scoff. ‘You’ve been out of work for nearly a year, and you magic up an interview on the first day of the twins’ ban?’
‘At Zion National Park,’ he continues, not rising to my bait.
‘My old manager moved there and said he’d make sure there’d be a job for me if I wanted it.
I didn’t follow him up on it at the time because I thought the move wouldn’t be good for the kids.
But you’ve enrolled Maple in online school anyway.
And I think a big change is just what the twins need right now. ’
I clench my fists to cope with the rising panic in my chest. ‘You can’t make me leave this house. I love this house.’
‘And its significant mortgage payments?’ he throws back. Then he sighs. ‘Look, I think this will be good for all of us, our marriage included.’
‘Not Maple,’ I counter. ‘She’ll hate you for making her leave her friends.’
‘But that’s what you want, isn’t it? For Maple to drop her school friends and build connections with other influencers online – which she can do from anywhere. Dylan lives close to Zion, and they seemed to be getting on pretty well yesterday.’
I’m not leaving this house. And Garrett is not making these big life decisions for me. Only right now, I can’t figure out how to make that clear. ‘I’m getting out,’ I declare. Then I wade to the edge of the pool and climb the steps.
I grab a towel, pick my phone off the garden table, and drop onto a sun lounger, taking care to look at my screen, and not my husband. There’s a new message on Telegram and I click straight into it.
Hi Kirsten,
We’re still very keen to meet Maple. We’re based in New York, but I’m flying to Vegas next week, which I think is closer for you.
I don’t have much time between meetings, but I do have two front-row tickets to Cirque du Soleil at the MGM Grand next Tuesday evening and I was hoping Maple could join me.
It’s always helpful to get to know our clients before we sign. I hope she can make it.
Blake
I lurch forward onto my sit bones. Excitement explodes in my belly.
It looks like fame and fortune are heading Maple’s way despite her father’s meddling.
And front-row seats at Cirque du Soleil?
Blake must really want to sign her. Except there are only two tickets, which means it will just be Blake and Maple. I frown. Is that safe?
But it’s a theater, I remind myself. Not a private office or hotel room. I can deliver Maple to the door, then collect her when it finishes. And in between, she’ll be surrounded by all the other theater-goers. Of course it’s safe.
I send a quick message accepting, then stand up. I want to tell Maple we’re heading back to Vegas. But my head is pounding again; I need a nap first.