Free The Wishing Coin: A Modern Fairy Tale by Antara Mann Page B

from LA,” Ashley explained.
    “And who are you?” Wayne asked. Although he had seen her already, no one had introduced her to him.
    “Peggy Brazwick, a friend of Ashley.”
    “The friends of my friends are my friends.” Wayne shook her hand.
    The meeting of The Jackal’s members wasn’t any different from their previous meetings. Everyone was talking about their everyday lives. Craig said that he was responsible for Cisco’s investment business, which was worth millions of dollars, and that he was under great pressure. However, he boasted about becoming a father for a second time very soon. Wayne, for his part, told the others about the most extreme stunts he’d performed that year, about the famous actors he knew personally, as well as about some popular actresses he’d flirted with. Chad complained about how boring it was to photograph models all day long, but also proudly announced that photographs of his had been published in National Geographic. He and Martin had been to Barcelona, where Chad had taken the photographs he’d later sent to the magazine. Ashley was the only one who wasn’t involved in the conversation and who was saying nothing. Wayne, who found her behavior odd, asked her: “Ash, how about you? How’s the little girl?”
    “She’s very well; already rides a bike and draws… I… can’t complain; I’m alive and kicking.”
    “Is your daughter four years old?” Craig asked her. “Mine is turning three next October. Let’s get together some day with the kids!”
    “It’s a great idea, but I work a 2/2 job. I guess the weekends are the only time when you don’t work?”
    “Sometimes I work Saturdays, too,” Craig laughed.
    “Okay, we’ll figure it out…”
    “All right, but why do I find you more serious than usual?” Wayne interrupted her. “Has anything happened?”
    “No, nothing. It’s just…” Ashley continued with bitterness in her voice. “Today I remembered it’s been ten years since our live showcase at The Viper Room and…” She sighed. “I realized that my life is so different from the dreams I once had for myself.”
    “You know, I was thinking the same earlier today. I found an old photo of ours and we all look so young, happy and smiling in it,” Craig added. “Life has changed us so much!”
    “I, too, often ask myself what would have been today if the producer had liked us…” Chad began, but was angrily interrupted by Wayne.
    “Please, just don’t bring up that subject, not today!”
    “It’s exactly because today marks ten years since our live showcase that we need to talk about it! What else could we talk about, our various affairs?”
    “Now, now, boys, let’s not ruin the evening! There are ladies present,” Craig interfered.
    “What producer are you talking about?” Peggy asked whispering. Ashley only waved her hand, meaning it was a long story. She didn’t feel like giving explanations now.
    “Chad,” Ashley began, “you know, I’m asking myself the same.”
    “Back then the audience just didn’t like our song. That’s all,” Wayne replied curtly.
    Ashley ignored him and went on: “Fate is generous to those who are stubborn and persistent in their efforts. If we had swallowed our egos and kept looking for our road to fame, perhaps we wouldn’t be having this conversation now.”
    An awkward silence settled in, though it was apparent that the rest of the band shared her opinion. Wayne was the only one sitting sulky and displeased – his ego was hurt.
    “As a matter of fact,” Ashley resumed, “have you noticed that the song “Burn” by The Dragon’s Circle that’s been all over the charts now is quite similar to our “Where is Your Lover?””
    “Okay, but what does this have to do with our case?” Wayne persisted.
    “Well, what would it have been like if we could have sung “Where is Your Lover,” changing it a little so that it resembled “Burn?” Do you think that the producer and the audience would