Domenico - Mind the Line

JENNIFER DOMENICO

2019 Jennifer Domenico

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the authors imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Chapter 1 Avery

Fired! I read the headline on the front page of Variety magazine for about the thousandth time while downing my fifth scotch. My fate is blasted on every industry publication available. Im ruined. Un-hirable, said one article. Not one person wants to hear my side of the story. No ones interested in the verbal abuse I endured for the last eighteen months, or how impossible a task I was given. No one cares that I took the most difficult diva in Hollywood and made people like her. The three solid years of good work I did before her doesnt matter either. Nope. Atlanta Page says Im incompetent, so Im incompetent.

I empty my glass and sigh at the sound of clinking ice cubes. Getting drunk wont solve anything, but it doesnt suck either. Ill deal with my problems tomorrow. Or maybe next week. Leaning back on the couch, I cross my arms over my chest. I wonder how long I can get by with my savings until I can convince another client to take me on. Grabbing my phone off the coffee table, I quickly check my bank balance, groaning when I see the number. Id say two months at best. Fuck. Mother fucking fuck.

Reaching for the remote, I flip the TV on and check whats on the entertainment channel, then scrunch my nose when I see Atlantas Botoxed, face-lifted, tight-skinned smile. The public thinks shes so great, now that I fixed her image, but I know the truth. I know shes mean to her inner circle, demeaning, rude. I know she drinks too much, smokes too much, and gives new meaning to the term cougar. I know that her last boy toy wasnt even twenty-one yet. I know this because Im the one who had to field the questions. Im the one who explained he was a platonic friend, who just happened to be smoking hot and thirty years younger than her, and not her pathetic attempt to think shes still young and desirable. I know how she despises every important person in Hollywood, and I cant say shit because of my stupid NDA. I know the truth. Shes nothing but a hateful bitch.

The next headline is of course about me. Any time her name is said for the next few months, mine will come close behind it. Avery Michelle Kennedy, stand out publicist to the stars, falls from grace . I didnt fall from grace, I was kicked. How fickle Hollywood is. How conveniently everyone forgets how valuable I am. Where are the people rushing to my defense after I saved their careers? Wheres Jon Louis? After being caught talking to underage girls online, it only took me three months to erase the pedophile image. Or Danny Kacey, married to supermodel Lacy, but banging male prostitutes on Hollywood Boulevard every Saturday night. Nearly took his film career down with him, but with some swift thinking on my end, a stint in rehab, and a public groveling, hes back on top, and still married to Lacy, I might add. Where the fuck is he right now? Not taking my calls, thats where. Or Destiny Cane, popstar de jour with a penchant for too much booze, illicit drugs, oh and that nasty little habit of cheating on every famous celebrity she dates. Branded a whore, her record sales plummeted. Dumped by her record company, and desperate for a comeback, she begged me, literally fucking begged me to help her. Within a year, she had a new label, a cleaned up image, and a chart topping album. But has she stepped up and defended my honor? Nope. Shes touring in Europe and cant seem to figure out how to return a call from there. Now that Im on the wrong end of the scandal theres not a soul willing to help me. What this publicist needs, is a publicist.

Flipping the TV off, I stand, stumble to the kitchen, and pour another drink I dont need, but at this point, I dont have anything else to focus on.

After making my way back to the living room, I stare outside as rain falls in Los Angeles. Its fucking cold, dreary, and miserable, basically the same adjectives I could use to describe my current status. How am I gonna reboot my career? Whos gonna take me on with all the shit Atlanta said about me? How am I gonna fix this?

The sound of my ringing phone shocks me, causing me to jump, since it hasnt made a peep in the two weeks since I was canned, but I smile when I see my sisters number.

Top of the morning to ya, Annabelle, I answer, then laugh when I notice my words are slurred.

Are you drunk?

Yep. You arent?

No, Im not, but why are you? Its what, ten AM there?

Ish. What difference does it make? I dont have anywhere to go.

For gods sake, Avery. Is this your plan for getting your life back together?

So far, yes. Its going great.

Is it? What leads do you have so far?

I lift my hand and count my fingers, then twist my lips. Exactly none. I start to laugh knowing my extremely conservative twin wont approve of my behavior.

Listen to me, Avery, you cant go on like this and you know it. I wont let you go down that path.

What are you gonna do about it all the way in England?

Why dont you come for a visit? We can hang out and do sisterly things.

My eyes shift to the only picture I still have of us sitting on top of my rented credenza. We looked so happy standing in front of that Disneyland sign, reflecting perfectly matched smiles. Sisterly things?

Yes. Id really like to spend some time with you. Itll be good for both of us.

I consider her suggestion for a moment. Its been ages since Ive seen her. Once she met David and moved to England, in-person visits are few and far between. I do miss her, but I hate how she always lectures me on my life. I was finally doing well for myself, and then this happened, leaving me right at the bottom again.

Ill come if you promise not to make me feel bad.

I promise.

And if you promise not to act like youre mom.

Ill do my best.

And if you try not to remind me how youre the better twin.

I dont even think that.

Promise.

She sighs. I promise, Avery.

Okay then. Ill come.

Good. I already bought you a ticket to fly out on Tuesday.

I smile in spite of myself. Annabelle is beyond frugal, so its a big deal she would shell out a lot of money for me.

Thanks, sis.

Youre welcome. David and I will pick you up at the airport, and youll have a nice guest room here to stay as long as you like. All you have to do is get on the plane. Can you manage that?

I nod to myself. I can.

I know you can. See you in a few days.

Bye.

After hanging up with her, I lay back on the couch and brush my hair from my forehead. Ive never been to London. Maybe itll be fun and just the change I need to get my head back in the game. One things for sure. It cant be any worse than drinking away my sorrows on my couch in L.A. I cant afford this fancy furnished apartment anymore anyway.

Smiling, I close my eyes. I finally have something to look forward to.

Several days later, after the longest flight of my life, Im standing in Terminal Five at Londons Heathrow Airport, almost in shock that Im actually in England. After getting through customs, I head to baggage claim to find Annabelle. Looking around me, I just let all the activity and people sink in, then twist around when I hear my sisters voice calling my name.

I wave, and as we meet each other, we hug tightly. Welcome to London!

Its amazing to see you. I look past her as David catches up with us. Hi, David.

Avery. He hugs me and I make a funny face to my sis. She knows how British accents do me in, and her husband has the best one Ive ever heard. Plus, hes tall, hunky, with a beard and tattoos. I remember being so surprised when she came back from her British Museum Tour and said she met a man while out one night. It was love at first sight for both of them. When she showed me his picture, my eyes opened wide that my conservative proper sister hooked up with a total hotty. Hes basically divine, and I get a good laugh thinking about the interactions between my uptight sister and super laid back David. Welcome.