Secrets of My Hollywood Life: Family Affairs by Jen Calonita Read Free Book Online Page A

DENNIS, KRYTAL, LEO, SAMANTHA and SARA cling to each other as DOCTOR BRADEN discusses Paige’s weakening condition.
    DR. BRADEN
    I’m not going to lie to you, I thought we lost her. But she’s stable now and we have high hopes that she’ll pull through this.
    DENNIS
    My wife has to make it, Dr. Braden. How can we help her?
    DR. BRADEN
    Talk to her. We’ve found that sometimes people in comas can hear their loved ones. Unfortunately, in Paige’s case, the coma isn’t her greatest obstacle.
    KRYSTAL
    I know the surgery was rocky, but I thought you said it was a success.
    DR. BRADEN
    It was, but Paige also lost a lot of blood and needs a transfusion. Paige’s blood type is quite rare and no one in your family is a match.
    SAMANTHA
    Our mother is a fighter, Dr. Braden. She beat breast cancer, a drive-by shooting, and survived the Buchanan Manor fire. I know she’ll hold on till we find someone.
    Dr. Braden pulls Dennis, Krystal, and Leo aside to continue talking. Through her tears, Sara sees COLBY, the tall, beautiful new girl at Samantha and Sara’s school. Colby’s wearing torn jeans and a beat-up hooded sweatshirt. She’s standing at the vending machine, but can’t stop staring at the Buchanans.
    SARA
    Hey, Sam, isn’t that Colby? (Sam looks over.) What’s she doing here? She’s been trying to decide on a candy bar forever.
    SAMANTHA
    Maybe she’s got family in the hospital too.
    SARA
    I don’t think she has family. (whispering) Lila told me she had to get to school at 6 AM on Tuesday to get ready for the pep rally and she found Colby sleeping in a storage closet! Colby begged her not to tell anyone.
    SAM
    You think Colby’s homeless? (Sara nods.) That’s awful!
    The girls look at Colby. Colby sees them staring and turns to walk away, but hesitates. Finally she walks over to the twins.
    COLBY
    Hi, Sam. Hi, Sara. I’m sorry if I’m freaking you guys out by staring at you.
    SAMANTHA
    (quickly) Not at all! How are you? Do you know someone in the hospital too?
    COLBY
    (shakes her head) Um, no. I . . .
    SARA
    (sounding suspicious) Then what are you doing here?
    COLBY
    I . . . I . . . I saw the story about your mom in today’s paper. I thought I could . . . help.
    SAMANTHA
    That’s sweet, Colby, but I don’t think anyone can help us right now.
    COLBY
    I think I can.
    DENNIS
    (appearing at the girls’ side) Girls, Dr. Braden said we can go in and see your mom now.
    SARA
    (voice quivering) Dad, how long does he think she has if we don’t find a match?
    DENNIS
    Sweetie, we’ll find someone. I promise. (looking at Colby) Who’s your friend?
    SARA
    This is Colby. We know her from school. (to Colby) I don’t mean to be rude, but we’re in the middle of a life and death struggle with our mother. You need to leave.
    COLBY
    But I . . . I overheard the doctor. My blood type is rare too. Maybe I’m a match.
    DENNIS
    That’s very kind, Colby, but it’s not that simple. I appreciate you being here for the girls, but I think you should go now. (Dennis motions for Dr. Braden.) Colby fights back tears as she looks at the Buchanans’ distraught faces. Dr. Braden moves to take Colby away.
    DR. BRADEN
    Miss, I’m going to have to ask you to leave. This is a family matter.
    COLBY
    (starting to cry) I didn’t want it to happen this way. I wanted more time, but now . . . (she pulls Dr. Braden away from the others.) You don’t understand. I am family. I’m Paige’s . . . Paige’s . . . (whispers) daughter.
    One:
The New Girl in Town
    “EIGHT more lines than me! EIGHT!” My costar, Sky Mackenzie, charges into my dressing room, screaming like a banshee.
    I look down at my script for “The Truth Is Always the Hardest to Hear,” which is the fourth episode of
Family Affair
’s fifteenth season. Then I look over at my assistant, Nadine, who is ironing my Stitch jeans for my date with Austin. She rolls her eyes.
    “What are you talking about?” I ask calmly. You see, as much as I loathe my troublemaking costar, I