Page 48 of Spit Screen

“That’s not true, Addy.”

“Oh yes, it is.”

“No, it’s not.”

“I suck. This bake sale is a big deal to Vicki. I can’t bake to save my life.”

“Also not true. Remember when you made banana bread a few weeks ago, and everyone loved it? And how many things were you juggling when you tried to do this?”

“A few,” I admit, feeling a little embarrassed.

Emma raises an eyebrow at me.

“Okay, fine. A lot,” I confess. “My cookies never come out right.”

“You haven’t even attempted to bake cookies in ten years,” Emma reminds me. “And you know how it goes. You expect them to burn, so they do.”

“I didn’t manifest the Cookie Massacre, Em,” I say, finally finding a hint of humor in my predicament.

“See? It’s not that bad.”

“I’m glad you’re home. I can’t believe you’re home. Don’t tell me you came just to save the bake sale?”

“No, but I’m happy to help,” Emma replies.

“I thought we planned to be together in Connecticut this weekend?”

“We will be together in Connecticut this weekend, and we’ll be making the trip as a family.” Emma smiles. “Addy, this isn’tonly Vicki’s last day of school for the year. It’s her last day of school in Kansas for the foreseeable future. I would never miss something so important to one of our kids unless it was an emergency. Never.”

“You’re up to something.”

“No,” Emma says. “I did hear from someone last night, though.”

“Oh?”

“You won’t believe me when I tell you.”

“Who?” I ask.

“Don Bellson.”

“Bellson called you?”

Emma nods and I can see a grin beginning to curl her lips.

“What about Don?” Don Bellson worked for the studio, which optedOff Screen.He was a serious pain in my ass at times, but I have to admit, he had great instincts, andmostof his ideas improved the show. He accepted a position last year at one of the largest streaming networks that produces original content. I can only think of two reasons he would call Emma.

“You know he’s a Senior VP at?—”

“I know. What did he want?”

“He wants to fundDomesticated.”

I sit shell-shocked.

“Addy?”

“Domesticatedisn’t really their market, is it?”

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