Page 70 of Not that Impressed
It’s another two days before Janelle and I feel good about going home to our apartment, but before we leave, we have a meeting with Mom and Dad. Libby is up in her room with one of her friends, and Mom has popped out of her chair a handful of times to hurry a few steps up the stairs to listen for them. Janelle and I share looks with Dad every time. Everyone has been so tender with Libby, exactly what she needs, but I’m sure Mom and Dad will have a gentle talk with her soon about new rules and expectations.
After Mom passes out plates of cheesecake, I broach the topic I’ve been meaning to bring up with them.
“The network asked me and Janelle to do a spin-off next season,” I tell them. Mom and Dad look at each other, neither surprised. “They told you?”
Mom and Dad share another look. “We suggested it,” Dad says. “We felt that, with the contracts expiring this season, it was a good time for us to say goodbye to the show.”
Mom nods. “And with everything that happened with Libby, and … that solidified our decision.”
Dad puts his elbows on the table. “You two have used the show for some good things, and I’m very proud of you for that.”His tone is careful. They might have suggested a spin-off show at one point, but I wonder if Dad regrets that now. Everything with Libby has put so much in perspective for all of us.
“We’re telling them no,” Janelle says. Mom sits back, relief visible in her expression. Dad smiles.
“There’s other work we want to focus on,” I add. The support of my followers when everything happened with Libby helped me understand I didn’t need the show to keep the community I’ve built. They’re loyal and they’re going to follow and back me whatever I do next. The ones that don’t … I don’t need them.
Dad reaches toward me for my hand, and I take it. “You’re going to do great things. You’ve already done great things, girls. We’ll always be here to support you in whatever you need.”
I squeeze his hand. “What about Libby? I’m worried that the network will be after her to do something—especially after what happened.” The executives will see it as proof that Libby can always bring the drama.
Mom pinches her lips together. “Well, for the next six months, that decision won’t be up to her. They’ll have to wait.”
“And hopefully,” Dad adds, “By that time we can convince her that it’s not healthy. At least not for a while.”
A small weight lifts from my heart. It wasn’t hard to guess where my parents’ thoughts lay on the subject the last week. Cameras have still been banned from the house, and Dad’s lawyers used a clause in the contracts that was put in years ago to shield us in this exact kind of situation—our family emergencies, health crises, and a bunch of other legal jargon wouldn’t be broadcasted to the entire world unless my parents signed off. And they’re not signing off right now. We’re still contracted to two more episodes. We’ve discussed with the network about what that will include. Some carefully selected family scenes to sendBeing the Bennetsoff in style, and Mom, Dad, and I will do private interviews that we control about what happened with Libby.
I’ll protect her from all scrutiny possible in this. Grayson Hollis is fair game.
And I intend to do exactly what I promised I would in Mexico.
Janelle and I tell Libby goodnight and promise to come see her in the morning. Dad walks us to the car, giving us tight hugs before we go. A new habit of his whenever anyone leaves the house. He’s expressed a handful of times how much he worried that the last words Libby would have from him were a lecture. The sting of fear will soften with time, but I imagine the worry won’t ever fully fade.
“Come by practice tomorrow morning,” Dad says as he hugs me.
I arch an eyebrow. “Me? Why?”
“We’ve got a surprise.” Dad’s eyes sparkle.
“We?” I have a feeling I know exactly who his partner in crime is. He just grins.
I text Will when I get home, but he’s no help either.
Ellie
What do you and my dad have up your sleeve?
Will
I don’t know what you’re talking about.
Ellie
You coming over soon?
Surely I can wiggle information out of him if I see him in person.
Will
Sorry, got meetings late. Going into one now.
