Page 44 of Child of Mine

“Totally cool!”

I explain that we’re going to do a “yes session” to help us come up with a name for the computer. “Meaning every idea is a good one. No saying no—to yourself or anyone else. In fact, while I write the idea, everyone’s going to yell, ‘Yes!’”

This comes from an improv class I took long ago in New York. Before I spent all my time drinking and drugging, I actually took acting classes in the evening.

“Let’s throw out words that seem computer-y,” Keeley suggests.

When no one says anything, I prompt, “Yes!” and pump a fist in the air. “That idea can help us because a lot of computer names are acronyms. Who knows what that means?”

Tara raises her hand.

“You know what? I say we just yell things out. Hand raising is for school.”

Tara grins and yells, “An acronym is a word that is made up of the first letters of other words.”

“Yes!” I give another fist pump. “Let’s hear some words that sound like computer stuff.”

“Computer?” suggests Amy, who has already taken on a leadership role in the group.

Only the other APs and I yell “Yes” at this, but the ball’s rolling. Soon, I can’t keep up, so I toss another marker to Laura, who jumps up to join me. When the suggestions start to slow, I say, “Let’s add some other words that describe the show and what we’re doing. Like ‘Boom.’”

Once we’ve covered the paper, I step back. “Okay, can we spell a name from these words?”

Before long, they’ve come up with J.A.I.N. (Junior Artificial Intelligence Network), D.I.N.A. (Data Input Network Analysis), C.A.M. (Computer Activated Microphone), E.R.I.C. (Expert Robot Information Calculator) and B.E.T.T.I. (Boom Experimental Technological Thinking Intelligence).

“Should it be a boy name or a girl name?” Mike asks. I’ve secretly named him Motor Mike in my head because he’s always moving.

“Female,” a deep voice answers. Henry steps into the room, and all heads turn in his direction. “Carol thought that would be less threatening.”

Thankfully, the kids findhimless threatening after the week at camp, so after I welcome him to the yes session, they ignore him. I’m not quite as successful as they are, but I do manage to wrap things up and facilitate a vote.

After BETTI wins by a landslide, everyone cheers. Then the kids are off to learn choreography. I’m headed to deliver the name to the set designer so it can be added to the plans, but Henry stops me on the way out. “You’re really great with them. I bet you’re an amazing mom, too.”

Man,Quinn shudders.How does he make even a lame compliment like that sexy?

Lame?Izzy protests.That’s the best thing he could say.

Me? I just smile like an idiot, nod, and run away.

Chapter 9

“Last week onThe Daring & the Divine: Cathy tries to make some headway (or should it bebedway?) with Tim. Being the liberated woman that she is, she openly suggests to Tim that she’d like to sleep with him. Later, Tim makes a mistake.”Soap Opera Land, July 1989

BELLA

Getting through the days leading up to and including opening night ofComedy of Errorshas been almost as hard as getting through Lilah’s colicky first couple of months on this earth. Awesome moments and truly awful moments, with the whole thing leaving me completely wrung out.

Two things keep me going. One, I sleep like the dead whenever I get a chance. Two, I truly love everything I’m doing. Playing Adriana is a blast, especially since the director encouraged me to let her ride an emotional roller coaster. Ripping into her sister and servants one moment, drooling over the man she thinks is her husband the next, she’s a great emotional outlet for everything I’m feeling in real life. And at the station, my creative juices are flowing. I’m excited about the editing we’ve done, and I can’t wait to shoot my segments.

Last, but not least, Lilah’s handling all the changes like a trouper.

Except for the one she doesn’t know about, of course.

Every morning I wake to the same conversation in my head:

Izzy demands that I tell him.Today.

Quinn counters with a reason why I shouldn’t, which I use to justify putting off the discussion.

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