A Taste of Fame Read Online Free

once.”
    I flopped back on the floor and stared up at Vonnie’s ceiling. “No, no, no, this isn’t happening.”
    Vonnie leaned down from her recliner and patted my shoulder. “It could have been worse, dear,” she said, as if that were any consolation.
    Just then the camera focused briefly on Becky dressed in a flowing white gown as she clutched a bouquet of silk wildflowers and headed down the aisle to meet her groom, who was dressed in a black tux. The next shot was of Vonnie, who was grinning from ear to ear as she straightened the gold table runner down the buffet table. She was a cute, plump grandma, her round cheeks pink beneath her white hair, which fluffed in curls around her face. Nelson said, “Meet Vonnie Sunshine—she’s the happy pill of Team Potluck.”
    Vonnie put her hand to her mouth. “Oh, dear!”
    The next few shots of Vonnie showed her in a hugging frenzy— hugging Donna, then David, then Lisa Leann, then Evie, Wade, the bride, the groom, Lizzie, and even Nelson, who crossed his eyes then winked.
    Nelson’s face came back on the screen. “It’s said they didn’t have to use sugar in the wedding cake.” The wedding cake, perched on a linen-covered table with the gorgeous Colorado Rockies in the background, appeared on the screen. “Vonnie only had to put her finger in the batter to sweeten it.” The last frame was of Vonnie’s face in full grin, with the special effect of sparkles bouncing off her pearly whites as chimes played.
    Vonnie closed her eyes to block out the image as the camera panned to Lisa Leann. Nelson said, “This is the little lady known as Lisa Leann, and I can only say nice things about her because she’s my mom and, well, she’s the brains of this outfit.“ The camera showed Lisa Leann hugging Nelson, and he leaned down and kissed the top of her red hair.
    “So moving on, let’s talk about Dizzy Lizzy.” One shot after the other showed Lizzy turning and pointing as she helped direct traffic. Nelson said, “The only reason this ol’ gal’s dizzy is because the other team members rely on her so much.”
    Nelson continued, “Next up, meet our golden girl, Goldie the Goalie.” One clip after the other showed Goldie tossing items to team members: a rolled-up pink apron, a roll of paper towels, a fat candle still packaged in cellophane, even a camera.
    Goldie shrieked. “Do I really do that?”
    We all turned to her and replied as one, “Yes.”
    “That’s what I get for marrying a high school coach,” she muttered.
    Then the camera focused on Evie, whom I noticed was beginning to glow from a light perspiration. “Next, meet the woman some folks call Evil Evie,” Nelson said. The camera zoomed in to show Evie frowning, then panned back to show her hands on her hips. “But I say she’s really not all that bad, just occasionally grumpy. So judges, be warned.”
    Evie squealed. “How could Nelson say such a thing? Everyone knows I’m as sweet as pie.”
    I shot her a look and nodded. I kept quiet so I wouldn’t sound insincere. Vonnie Sunshine patted her leg. “Of course you are.”
    Now the camera panned to show all our wonderful dishes displayed in their full glory while we, the smiling ladies of the club, minus Lizzie, stood by ready to serve. There was a succulent roast beef royally displayed, baby carrots in a light yellow sauce, fresh homemade rolls, gravy, fruit salad, and so much more.
    Lisa Leann narrated the menu while a smiling Nelson helped by lifting lids, then tasting each dish on a china plate.
    His face filled the screen. “Really, this is delicious.” The camera zoomed even closer, and he whispered, “Mom paid me to say that.”
    The screen faded to black, and I was surprised that our three-and-a-half minutes of fame was already over. It was amazing the producers were able to show so much in such short, zippy clips. Gianne appeared with Teresa Juliette, who held her glittering spatula as if it were a scepter. Gianne asked, “What