The Bad Twin Read Online Free PDF Page B

about me and some even joke about it.”
    Carmen tried to sound reassuring when she said, “Don’t let it get to you. Look at it like this. Now more people know about you and will be curious to see if what they say is true. I told you, you need to work the publicity; whether it’s bad or good. This interview is the first step. Tell your side of the story and things will work out.”
    Cindy knocked on the door before walking in with Rose’s ice cream. Rose ate a spoonful. “Now this was well worth the wait. You sure you don’t want any.”
    “No and I’m really surprised you do. It looks like you’ve picked up a couple of extra pounds.”
    Rose stood up and pressed her hand against her belly and butt at the same time. “You think so. I knew this skirt fit a little tight. I thought it was the dry cleaners messing up my clothes again.”
    “Yes, but it looks becoming on you. You still look good.”
     “I guess I need to spend more time on the treadmill,” Rose said as she sat back down and ate the rest of her ice cream.
     
     

13
    VIOLET
     
    Violet was ecstatic when she received some good news from Deputy Mayor Burnham. Although, he did let her go through an entire hour’s presentation, she was still thrilled when she learned the community center would get the money needed to build a new recreational center.  When she got home, she felt a bout of loneliness and decided to tend to her garden of flowers. She inherited the love of flowers from her parents. She had one of the prettiest gardens in her neighborhood. People assumed Violet had it professionally taken care of, and was surprised when she mentioned she did most of the landscaping herself.
    She spent the last few day light hours in her garden. She got up and wiped the sweat from her brow with her right arm. She looked around and admired her work. It brought a smile to her face and a sense of comfort to her, a comfort she had not been able to find anywhere else, a comfort she longed for.
    Instead of treading the dirt throughout the house, she decided to take a long hot shower in her downstairs bathroom.   While she was showering, her mind wondered over the events of the past few months.  Although a part of her regretted giving the interview, because of the backlash she got from Pearle, another part of her felt rejuvenated. It felt like a load had been lifted off of her shoulders and she no longer had to play the role of the dutiful sister.
    When she got out of the shower, a wave of nausea swept over her. She had not eaten anything since the salad she’d eaten earlier.
     
    ***
    I wonder what’s going on with my body. I’ve been feeling funny all week long, it must be my nerves.  I have to get ready for this charity ball and I need all of my energy. I’m so thankful Janice is handling the entertainment part. At least I don’t have to worry about that. I just have to make sure the invitations go out to the right people. So many things to do and so little time to do it in.  Those kids better be glad I love them so much.
    ***
     
    A smile came across her face as she thought about some of the kids she’d mentored over the past few years. She noticed positive changes in the majority of the young men and women she’d come in contact with. Every now and then, she would run into one where it was far too late to reach, but it didn’t stop her from trying. She felt like kids only needed to have hope and with hope, everything else was possible.
    She wasn’t in a sorority, but she worked closely with all of the fraternity and sorority chapters in the area. They were always looking to contribute time or money to some worthy cause. She made sure they were kept informed of all of the center’s activities. One of the biggest fundraisers in the area was the Sickle Cell Anemia Drive.  She hoped the celebrity charity ball would also raise needed funds.
    After she ate dinner and relaxed on the sofa, she decided to go through her mail.  Most were bills, but she