Kissing Brendan Callahan Read Online Free Page B

Brian?”
    â€œBut Peter found a replacement,” says Beth.
    â€œWe need someone who is used to dealing with serious literature, not fluff,” says my mother. “This is the first year of the contest and its reputation will depend on how this judge handles it.”
    â€œShe’s a very popular writer,” says Beth.
    â€œDon’t make me laugh. Brian, hi, it’s Helen. I need to ask a huge favor.…”
    â€œWho did he find as a replacement?” I whisper to Beth.
    â€œAntonia DeMarco!” she says.
    â€œAntonia DeMarco,” I repeat. “ The Antonia DeMarco!”
    Beth nods. “Your mom doesn’t think she’s qualified.”
    â€œMom,” I say, pulling on her arm. She shoos me away.
    â€œMom,” I say even louder. “Antonia is perfect for the contest.”
    She turns away from me. “Oh, I didn’t know you were moving, Brian. Of course, I understand. I’ll find someone else.” She clicks off the phone and goes back to her stack of papers.
    â€œMom, Antonia DeMarco is a great writer!”
    Mom pulls at her hair. She has more spikes than ever. “There are lots of good writers in New York City who would be very happy to work with young talent,” she mumbles. “I’ll be darned if I have to settle for a silly romance writer. I’ve heard she’s impulsive, irreverent, and irresponsible.”
    â€œPeople exaggerate when it comes to celebrities,” I say. “I’m sure she’s wonderful. She’s such a good writer.”
    â€œI have to find someone else.”
    â€œHelen,” says Beth. “Who else could we find at this late date? Why don’t you stop driving yourself crazy and just use DeMarco. She’s a big name. She’ll attract people to the fair. After all, it is a fund-raiser. That’s the bottom line.”
    â€œRight,” I say. “How did Dr. Boswin get Antonia DeMarco to agree?”
    Mom looks up. “She was a student of Peter’s. He was her mentor and they’ve kept in touch.”
    â€œDr. Boswin and Antonia are friends? A great writer and a boring historian! It doesn’t make sense.”
    â€œTotally illogical,” says my mother. “Only it’s a boring writer and a great historian.”
    We glare at each other.
    â€œI like them both,” says Beth. We glare at her. “She’ll draw a crowd. We could use that.”
    â€œBeth is right,” I say. “She’ll attract lots of people and that will raise a lot of money for the Preservation Society. Isn’t that what you want?”
    â€œIf only Peter had told me this a month ago,” says Mom, pacing.
    â€œGo with DeMarco,” says Beth.
    â€œI don’t have a choice.” Mom collapses in a chair.
    If I write a play, Antonia DeMarco will read it. If Antonia is anything like the women she writes about, then my play will be read by someone who isn’t afraid to fantasize or be frivolous. Someone who would understand the way I write. This is fate. How could I lose? I go to my room. I won’t budge until I have written a masterpiece.

SIX
    At five-thirty, Jason has us both up. Since sleep isn’t going to happen, I use the time wisely by practicing how I will introduce myself to Antonia. “Hi. I just love your books. They are filled with romance, passion, and intrigue. You’re my favorite writer.”
    I look in the mirror and pretend my reflection is Antonia. I smile sophisticatedly. Well, sort of. I will have to work on developing a more sophisticated look.
    I grab my big straw hat. From the book jackets, I can tell Antonia is a hat person—just like me. She wears big, floppy ones. I just know I’m going to like her. We’ll be kindred spirits. Maybe I’ll invite her in for tea. Many of her characters have tea parties. I’ll make cucumber sandwiches.
    The only problem will be my mother. I plop on the bed and toss