Page 88 (1/2)

“Can I have our deposit back, please?” she asked, trying not to sound too desperate

“Sorry, but that deposit gets forfeited if you renege on the deal” He winked at her “Read your contract” Then he took out his cell phone andher

Mi to throw up Right here in the parking lot It would serve Keith right if she did She took a few deep breaths of air to steady her stoet inside the car and turn her key Her radio blasted with Billy Brenton’s Snow Angel Smiles

It was like the fates wereher!

She viciously twisted the dial to snap off the music

Hoas she going to fix this? How could she fix this? What band would be available on such short notice to play for next to nothing? Correction: Make that nothing Not only was the festival broke, she’d lost the deposit money Two thousand and five hundred dollars Money they probably wouldn’tto pay to see a band that didn’t show up

Oh God

The toould probably call for her resignation How could she have been so careless? So gullible? Bruce and Doug were probably at happy hour right at this very race

~~

“Maybe you can still get Harry Tuba and his polka band,” Shea suggested that night at Bunco “I’m pretty sure they’re always available”

The rest of the Babes moaned in response

“We’re supposed to make Mimi feel better,” Kitty said “Not worse”

They’d gathered for their weekly Bunco game but no one wanted to play Not after Mimi told them what happened this afternoon

“So this Keith guy actually winked at you?” Pilar said “What a jerk! He was probably ecstatic you couldn’t coave hiet to keep their deposit and they don’t have to waste their precious packing ti on the road with Billy Brenton”

“I’ll never buy another Billy Brenton CD again,” Frida grumbled