Free Bad Girls Finish First by Shelia Dansby Harvey

wanted three weekends in a row? He couldn’t take it. He wouldn’t do it.
    Grace forced herself to sound cheerful. “I understand, Chris. You and Genie have a good time in Houston. I’ll see you next weekend.”
    Next weekend? Shit. “Okay, Mom. Next weekend.”
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    â€œHere,” Genie said as she handed Christopher a small plate of pasta and chicken. “I noticed you didn’t eat much at dinner. Thought you’d like this.” She took a seat beside him on the backyard deck of their friends’ home.
    â€œThanks,” he said. Christopher took the plate but didn’t touch the food.
    â€œI looked around for you inside.” She gave a little laugh. “People are all over the place, even in Kent and Jaime’s bedroom. I thought maybe you were taking a tour.”
    â€œNah,” Christopher looked up toward the second-story window. He could see the other guests milling around in the game room. “I’m sure it’s a nice place but, nah.”
    Genie picked up his fork and speared a piece of chicken. “They’re getting ready to play charades,” Genie said between bites. “I don’t think the men are too into it, though. Charlie and Mitch already sneaked into the other room and turned on ESPN.”
    â€œOh, yeah,” Christopher commented in a distant voice.
    Genie slapped a mosquito that landed on her thigh. A minute later she used Christopher’s napkin to wipe the perspiration from her neck.
    â€œIt’s hot out here, Genie. You should go back inside.”
    â€œI’m okay.” Genie said. She hesitated, then asked, “Thinking about your mother?”
    Genie had never seen Christopher look so sad. “I’m supposed to be able to have my own life, Genie. I’m not her husband, I’m not responsible for making her happy all the time.”
    â€œI hear you.”
    â€œMy fucking dumb-ass dad. How could he just leave her like that? To treat a woman who’s been nothing but good to you the way my dad treated my mom, I’ll never understand it.” He motioned toward his chest with both hands. “Then when I get ready to have some fun, I can’t even enjoy myself for feeling guilty. It’s not fair!”
    â€œI know,” Genie said. “And I know that despite their shortcomings, you love both your parents with all your heart.”
    Christopher nodded and wiped his eyes with the back of his hand.
    â€œChris?”
    â€œHuh?” He didn’t look at her.
    â€œIf we leave here right after breakfast tomorrow, we can get to Dallas in time to take your mom to lunch and we’ll still make it back to Austin in time for the rally.”
    â€œReally?” Sometimes Christopher couldn’t believe his luck, landing a girl as good as Genie. “But what about the shower tomorrow? Jamie’s going to be hurt if we leave.”
    â€œJamie’s my girl. She’ll understand.” Genie reached out her hand to Chris. “Come on, let’s go inside.”

7
    W hen Michael walked into the room, Raven could tell from the look on his face that the meeting with the Austin American-Stateman ’s editorial board hadn’t gone as planned. Acceptance rejuvenated Michael. He was at his best, attractive in every way, when he won a key endorsement, or when he pressed his way through a crowd that loved him. But rejection beat Michael up three times as much as acceptance restored him. His meeting with the editorial board must have been brutal, because Michael’s normally youthful face looked haggard. Raven knew politics aged a man, would turn his hair white at warp speed, but she thought that happened after the man got into office. If Michael kept having bad days, Raven would have to start calling him “grandpa” behind closed doors, instead of “naughty boy.”
    She asked anyway. “How was it?”
    Michael stopped in the middle of the