Genre: Young Adult/New Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Synopsis:
Lark Singer’s relationship with her mother is prickly to say the least. As she enters a musical competition that could launch her career, Lark also searches for answers her mother would rather keep hidden. Throw into the mix the fact her best friend Bean has been acting strangely, and Lark finds herself launched into uncharted territory. Will her quest for answers sabotage her musical aspirations?
Gideon Lee
by Lisa Orchard
Francine went all out
for Bill. Resentment rises in my throat and leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
“Sit down, Birdie,”
Francine says as she carries the steaming bowl of sauce to the table. She sets
it in the middle and then moves toward her chair.
Bill pulls it out and
says, “There you go, Franny.”
He called her Franny
again. The bile rises in my throat, but I force it back. If I’m throwing up,
there’s no way I can put my plan into motion. Resisting the urge to wade right
in, I plop down in my chair. This has to appear natural, spontaneous. So I let
my irritation fester, hoping I can relieve the itch soon enough.
I sit down across from
Francine and Bill sits on my right. It’s awkward. I can tell already that I
want to get away from here as fast as I can. I start with the salad and avoid
Bill’s gaze. He starts with the spaghetti noodles. He keeps looking at me,
sizing me up, I’m sure. Am I going to be his ally in this mess, or an enemy? A
problem child he has to contend with? The questions dance in his unwavering
stare. There’s a calculating look in them too and I don’t like it. I keep my
face neutral, as if the only thing happening is an evening meal. I need the
element of surprise to pull this off.
“So, Franny,” Bill
starts. “Did you know that Betty has given her two-week notice?”
Francine’s eyes brighten
when she looks at him. “No. I didn’t. Why is she leaving?”
“She wants to retire a
little early,” Bill says as he ladles some sauce over his pile of noodles.
Don’t fall for it,
Francine. He dangles this carrot in front of my mother and it pisses me off.
What a total creep. I can’t believe he would come here, eat our food, and mess
with my mother like this.
My anger starts in the
pit of my stomach, a raging fire that spreads throughout my body. I’m livid by
the time Bill finishes covering his noodles with sauce.
He
sure eats a lot. Pig.
My eyes narrow as I wait
for him to put the ladle back into the bowl. “Pass the noodles, please.” I keep
my voice calm. There’s no tremor indicating the fire burning inside. Bill hands
me the noodles and our eyes meet over the bowl for a brief second. His have
that calculating look and they narrow as he tries to read my expression.
“When will you be
posting the availability of the position?” Francine asks, unaware battle lines
are being drawn, and the opponents are sizing each other up.
Bill turns away from me,
but not before, I see a flash of wariness creep into his eyes. He must have
seen something in my expression. I must have given something away and I
silently curse myself. I was counting on the element of surprise. Scooping
noodles on my plate, I listen to the conversation, pretending I couldn’t care
less, but I think Bill knows better.
“Probably in about a
week. I want to make sure we have the date of Betty’s last day firmed up before
I post it.” Bill twirls a pile of noodles around his fork and shoves them into
his mouth.
Total
pig.
He chews with his mouth
open and it totally grosses me out especially when I hear the sound of his lips
smacking as he chews. Maybe Francine will notice and will be as disgusted as I
am. Maybe I won’t have to put Operation Sabotage into play. Glancing at her, I
inwardly groan. She’s oblivious. She’s always like this when someone new comes
into her life. Blind.
“I’d be interested in
that position,” Francine says. She puts her fork down, and a faraway look fills
her eyes. “Francine Singer. Head Teller. I like the sound of that.” She picks
up her fork and gives Bill a secret smile. His eyes twinkle when he meets her
gaze and I know it’s time to put my plan into motion. Squash this train wreck
before it even leaves the station.
I glance at Bill, and
give him my most innocent smile. “Does this mean you’re going to be my new
dad?”
He starts coughing and
quickly grabs his glass of water. His face turns red, and I can tell he doesn’t
know what to do or where to look. Finally, he picks his fork up again and
twirls another pile of spaghetti noodles onto it; he shoves the forkful into
his mouth, while keeping his eyes on his plate.
That’s right. I think to
myself. Eat. Fill your face.
Then I look at Francine.
I can feel her body growing rigid with rage. If her eyes could shoot lasers,
I’m sure Francine would shoot them at me right now. But they can’t, so I’m safe
for the moment. I move forward with Operation Sabotage.
“I’ve never had a dad,”
I say with fake girlish excitement. I gaze adoringly at Bill, while inside I
just want to hurl. Bill clears his throat and squirms in his seat. He glances
at me, and his lips flutter as if he’s trying to smile, but just can’t do it.
I’ve got the advantage and move forward like an army overtaking a bunker.
“Yeah, Francine had me when she was sixteen and she won’t tell me who my dad
is. So you can be my new dad.” I give her a measured look across the table. I
know I’ve lobbed a grenade at her and declared open war. But I’m prepared and
wait for her to fire back. I don’t have to wait long.
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I am the oldest of four children and grew up in a small town in Western Michigan. I grew up reading mysteries, starting with "The Bobbsey Twins" and "The Nancy Drew" series.
By fifth grade I was writing my own mysteries and illustrating them as well. I've always known that I wanted to be a writer and I tucked that little piece of information into the back of my brain; determined to take it out and use it when it was time.
After graduating from Central Michigan University with a Marketing Degree, I landed a sales job. I was on my way! After spending 13 years in the Insurance industry, I met my husband. We soon married and had two beautiful boys. I decided to stay home with my kids. A tough decision, but one I don't regret.
I did, however, miss the hustle and bustle of work - and working toward a goal. That is when the little voice inside my brain said, "It's time to write."
So I did, and "The Super Spies and the Cat Lady Killer" was born, followed by my new book, "The Super Spies and the High School Bomber."
I am very excited as I begin this new "chapter" in my life.
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