I blinked a few times before re-dialing my girlfriend’s phone number. “Claire, I know that my mother is going to be on your talk show, but I won’t be needing tickets. I’m not going.” Thank God for voice mail.
Chapter 1: The First Reason
If your moter becomes a best-seller, you will be expected to attend every one of her interviews…
Picking my jacket off of the chair, I headed to the only place the press wouldn’t find me: a department store. I.e., my job.

“Noel Ritts? Is that you?” A woman ran behind the counter and hugged me.
“I suppose. That is what my nametag says.” I scowled. Who is this? The woman smiled thinly.
“Don’t you remember me? We dated in high school… I’m Vanessa Winns!”
“Sure, I remember you,” My memory was suddenly jogged. “When we broke up, you told me I was pathetic! Of course, how could I forget?” Vanessa played with her necklace awkwardly.
“Do you think you could get your mom’s autograph for me? I read her book, and I loved it.”