Page 4 of I See Red

Antonio rolls down the window that separates us. “Four minutes out, I can already see the lights in the sky.” Ugh, if my stomach was not in my throat already, it certainly is now.

“Thanks so much, Antonio.”

“Is your speech solid?” Not sure why I am asking this. Red could honestly write one while accepting our award on a whim at gunpoint. I’ve always said she sold herself short sticking with me in the realty world, not that we aren’t successful, because we are, but Red was definitely designed for a glamorous life in politics. Her gift of gab is unmatched. I guess she’s why we own Boston’s Top Broker Firm and are ranked top three in the United States.

Red pulls out her pocket mirror from her red sequined clutch, brushing her hair back from her face as she re-applies her lipstick completely unbothered.

“It’s as ready as it’s going to be. Areyouready is the real question?”

Here we go with the jokes again.

“Not sure I have a choice now, do I?”

“No, you don’t, but I am proud of you, and if I haven’t told you that lately, now I have.”

“Thanks Red, you too.”

“Now, let’s go get this party started. We have an entrance everyone has been waiting for.”

And they have been waiting for an hour and a half.

“You lead, I’ll follow,”I reply.

I hear Antonio’s door close, which means he’s only a few seconds from opening ours. The lights are so bright, and I can feel the panic running through my body like a river flowing through its banks on a crisp fall day. I had hoped, with being an hour late at this point, that the non-attenders standing outside would have thinned out and the paparazzi would have subsided a little, but as I look out waiting for Antonio, I find that it was just wishful thinking. A knock at the window frightens me.

God, I hate it every time he does it, but do appreciate him always checking to confirm we are ready before he opens the door. In our line of work, he has learned that as soon as the door is opened, the flashes from the cameras will start coming a mile a minute, and contrary to what people believe, bad press isn’t always good press.

“Just a moment, please,” I shout.

“What do you need a minute for? We are already late; pull it together.”

“I just need a moment Red, damn. Can’t a girl have a moment to get her thoughts straight—fuck.”

Sometimes, I just wish she would realize that just because she is the way she is doesn’t mean I have to be like that, too. I have issues, more than I’d like to admit at times. Obviously, I wish I had her confidence, but I don’t. After all, I took the silent partnership. Not everyone can love the spotlight, not everyone can command a room, and not everyone enjoys having hundreds of people staring at them. I want to be her at times, but I’m not; God help us if she is what I ever become. It works for her, not so much for me.

“Okay, okay, I’m ready,” trails off my lips as I shake my hands vigorously, trying to shake the jitters.

Red knocks on the window, signaling to Antonio that he can open the door.

“Red,” Antonio says with a smile as she exits from the back, reaching out his hand to assist her down the red carpet laid out in front of us. Antonio doesn’t acknowledge me. Honestly, I’m not offended. I am used to going unnoticed, and I am quite sure he has a thing for Red, as most men do. I am aware she is the beauty, and I am the brains. It is 2022, and beauty is the world’s most captivating human interest. Don’t believe me? Well, you must have never scrolled through TikTok or any social media platform, for that matter. Sex sells, and Red, well, she gives that shit out like Mardi Gras beads in New Orleans.

I can barely see in front of me to walk straight. Flashes are clicking from ever direction, a mile a minute. My eyes squirm, trying to escape them. It is like walking through a Nor’easter on a frigid New England day. Visibility zero. Luckily, I have her to follow. We stop taking some photos for the important ones, you know, People, Life N’ Style, and Forbes, to name a few. Red shakes a few hands while making sure to take a generous amount of selfies with young girls and women who look up to her and aspire to achieve the greatness she has. Pose and smile, pose and smile. I am genuinely impressed with how well I am handling this, considering how five minutes ago, I felt like my lungs were full of ice and my extremities were being boiled.

Thank you, Xanax.

The event is going smoothly, which I expected between Red and I. Her speech was impeccable, and her ability to move through the room was flawless. We raised more than our original goal, coming in at roughly one hundred twenty-three thousand, toput into the various charities we work with. In the end doubling our total once we cut a check ourselves to match the donations raised here tonight, as we do every year.

All of the speeches and honors are over, and by the look of the intoxicated crowd, our open bar has served well, and we are entering the part of the event where food may be a necessity. Thank God the servers are coming around with trays of sobriety because I am certain everyone in the room is about three drinks past their limits on empty stomachs. I know I certainly am. Reaching out to Red as I prepare a fresh Maine lobster piece on my fork.

“Red, you killed your speech.”

“Now you can breathe better, I take it?” she utters while shoving the most beautiful lobster bite into her mouth before bringing her napkin up blotting her mouth, sure not to smear her perfectly painted lips.I mean, it’s New England. What else would we be serving?

“Yes, I absolutely can, thanks for asking,” I sarcastically respond.

Taking a moment, I look around the room at all we have accomplished together. My mind drifts off, remembering all the years it took us to get to this point from where we came from. Pride written all over my face, I take in all the room has to offer. We certainly can conquer the world as long as we continue to work together and not against one another. We fail at it from time to time; however, for the most part, our partnership and friendship have had fewer waves and more sailing, thank God, cause the riptides can be disastrous. The room truly is stunning. Red did such an amazing job; although I did have some influence, she deserves all the credit. I catch a glimpse of the children from various homes around the city all on the dance floor, living their best life, even if it is just for the night. Their smiles are my entire world, and I can’t help but think back tomy most special day as a kid, rubbing my finger.I’m aware most people come for the socialite atmosphere, open bar, and lobster meal over the true reason for the event. However, whatever opens their wallets is my philosophy, and seeing these kids in their moment makes me believe it’s worth it with every fiber of my being tenfold. Hell, it would all be worth it if it was just one child, safe, smiling, happy, and dancing for the night. We are blessed to have created this night for the hundreds who attend and the thousands we help outside of the event every year.

Looking down, I place a piece of lobster on my fork, dipping it in the most perfectly melted and seasoned butter. Laughter fills our table as fishing stories unfold per the men. O’Connor begins telling his tale.

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