The Unbalancing Act by Kristen Lynn Read Free Book Online Page B

play. The accommodations are very hotelesque. I’m able to get “luxury help” because I have really good private insurance and my mother received a settlement after her “accident.”
     
    A few years back, my mother was in a big department store when a wooden palette filled with paint cans landed on her leg. After being taken to the hospital where they found she’d suffered a broken femur and ankle, she got a nasty infection and they had to amputate her two little piggies; the one that didn’t have roast beef and the one that wee wee’d all the way home. She recovered after a few months and some physical therapy. Although she looks ridiculous in flip-flops, she turned out okay. She did get a huge settlement. The rest of the family calls it an accident; she calls it “taking one for the team.”  So she helps out financially whenever she can, like paying for the kids’ sports and things. Thank you, Mama. God rest her toes.
     
    We reach a bench on the trail and have a seat. Sabrina opens up a box that looks like it came from a bakery. There’s got to be a lot of calories in there.
     
    “Did you bring cupcakes?” I ask. “How did they let you in here with those?”
     
    “No, I brought brownies. And...I have my ways. Besides, I think the security guys want me.”
     
    “They probably do,” I say, taking a brownie. “You know I’m going to throw this up right?”
     
    “Shut up Vadie. Don’t even joke about that.”
     
    I take a bite of this brownie all covered in powdered sugar and I am immediately taken back to high school. Sabrina brought me pot brownies. Holy crap. Should I eat this?  Oh yes, I should. But what if I get caught? I guess they can treat me for that while I’m here. It’s kind of funny actually. They can just add it to the list.
     
    “I seriously can’t believe you did this!” I tell her.
     
    “That’s what friends are for. Besides, I thought you might need to relax a little bit.”
     
    She puts the lid back on the box leaving at least five more brownies uneaten. We sit and eat our delicious and illegal brownies and talk about my kids and about her job and she doesn’t ask too many questions. I do tell her about my roommate and for some reason she finds it quite funny. Sabrina doesn’t have any kids, but she and I are friends with people whose kids go to my kids’ school. She tells me she’s talked to some of the people in our social circle. She swears she hasn’t told a soul where I am. I believe her. I would die if anyone found out. You know how fast word gets around. What will the PTA say for crying out loud! I mean, people think I have it all together. From the outside looking in, I really do. It’s just on the inside that I’m totally fucked up. Things start to get a little blurry and I stop and try to maintain my composure. The high suddenly creeps up and after chatting for a bit, we are definitely baked. I purposely bite my lip and narrow my eyebrows. I grab a hold of her hand and squeeze. I have something I want to tell her, and now is the perfect time.
     
    “Sabrina, I have to tell you something, something serious.”
     
    “Okay girl, I’m here for you. What is it?”
     
    “Well, I’ve wanted to tell you something for a long time now and I don’t know how to say it.”
     
    “Vadie, what are you talking about? You can tell me anything right? So just shut up and  tell me or I’m going to kick your ass.”
     
    “Alright, but you can’t tell anyone okay? Especially Eric.”
     
    “Okay, now you’re scaring me. I promise it’s our secret.”
     
    “Alright then, you know how I’ve always had these big dreams about becoming famous someday?” 
     
    “No.”
     
    “Don’t you remember me always telling you I had talents that no one knew about?”
     
    Sabrina almost looks ashamed. She has no idea what I’m talking about. “No, I’m sorry, Vada, maybe you need to remind me because I seriously have no clue what you mean.”
     
    “Well, I