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“Yes” I leaned onthe Governor’s award forfor free for those jailed for unfair political reasons and those denied basic huhts”

“Such good work,” Morandfather used to say—” She hesitated a second so that I would repeat the words with her— “Because we Wells were gifted ealth, it is our job to help those less fortunate” She tittered, sounding like a strange little bird “But alithin reason No need to give away the family fortune” It was a line that she liked to repeat often and always thought it was a great hoot I, however, wondered how anyone could spend the whole Wells’ faenerations

I sighed and ran et a haircut before the as up “Anyway, I was calling to see if you and father would be interested in going to the gala I would understand if you want to decline”

I was hopeful that she would decline My fantasy of the evening was so much smoother without my family there

“Of course, ill attend, ouldn’t we?” she asked, sounding confused

Boy, was I wrong Damn

“I don’t know It’s just not that big of a deal” I started to regret calling at all However, Dad was friends with the governor and would find out about the award one way or another Then there would be hell to pay

“Not a big deal? It will be in all the newspapers, darling”

“Of course” I had forgotten that the Governor’s Gala was one of the biggest events on the socialite calendar There was no way Mo her picture in the paper — she could rub it in the noses of all her snooty friends “I thought, youlike a unicyclist going down Everest and not wanting to get in a fight about the importance of the family’s reputation

“Oh, I see, no nothing like that We’d all love to go over here, even your sister, and I’ll invite that nice Gina you used to go out with I always liked her”

A shiver ran through my body, and I slumped into my desk chair Not Gina! That would be a disaster