Flawbulous

“You know, there are some things that are more important
than notoriety and money, like being able to look at
yourself in the mirror and not hate the person you see
reflected back.”

“This is brilliant!” declared Terrilyn after finishing the last of Desdemona’s manuscript. “This is absolutely brilliant! I smell a bestseller. Heck, I smell a Pulitzer Prize! Excellent work, Kina.”

“You can’t be serious,” cried Kina.

“I think The Devil and Her Advocates is Des’s best work to date. It’s dark. It draws you in right from the beginning. It’s juicy. It’s everything you want in a book.”

“But she ripped everything right from our real lives,” argued Kina. “She even goes into detail about how she played all of us.”

“I know! Isn’t it delicious?” gushed Terrilyn. “It’s got it all—the slutty first lady who’s a closet alcoholic, the self-righteous baby-killing choir director, the pill-popping nurse whose man can’t keep it in his pants, the stripping whore-turned-housewife, and the reality starlet who’s bedding her husband’s father. Honestly, how much drama can exist in one group of friends? And it’s all under the guise of Christianity! Honey, if the Christians are acting this way, I shudder to think what the rest of the world is doing!”

“Terrilyn, you can’t print this book. My friends would kill me!” Kina flipped through the manuscript. “Look at the characters’ names. Sally, Laura, Angela, Regina, and Tina. Any idiot could figure out that’s Sully, Lawson, Angel, Reginell, and me.”

“That’s what makes it all the more salacious! Don’t forget that we’re marketing it as a work of fiction,” explained Terrilyn. “Once we slap the sticker on it that says, ‘This is a work of fiction. Any similarity in names, characters, places, and incidents is entirely coincidental,’ we’re good to go.”

“Please don’t do this,” pleaded Kina. “These are real people with real lives. They didn’t sign on for this. Everything they said to me or Desdemona was done in confidence. They thought the book was supposed to be about me. They had no idea she was going to be writing about them.”

Terrilyn frowned. “That’s their problem. Des never told them anything that was off the record.”

“Desdemona also caused so much havoc in their lives. This would be adding insult to injury. They’d never forgive me for that.”

“They may be true, but think of how good it’ll feel to wipe those tears away with hundred-dollar bills!”

“What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?” asked Kina.

“Will you cut out the dramatics? We need to get down to business. I can’t wait to get you out there on a media tour. We’ve got to start booking you on talk shows and blogs ASAP. You love attention, so I don’t anticipate you having a problem with that. I want there to be a lot of buzz about this novel so people will be salivating for it by the time it comes out,” Terrilyn said, plotting.

Kina vigorously shook her head. “I’m not comfortable with this at all. I don’t want my name associated with this book.”

“There’s nothing to be ashamed of, Kina. It’s a great book.”

“Great for business maybe, but not for my friends. Sullivan’s baby died and Lawson hurt her sister and Angel’s boyfriend was falsely accused of rape, and that’s all in there. I can’t profit off the things that caused them the most hurt.”

Terrilyn sighed and swung around in her chair. “Kina, we talked about this. You accepted the advance. You’re under contract. The book will be published with or without you. The difference is you can either make thousands off of it or pay the thousands back that we advanced you. The choice is yours.”

Kina thought it over. She didn’t have anywhere near the five figures they’d advanced her, and she could definitely use the money and the exposure. Besides, she and her friends weren’t even close anymore. What would it matter to her if they got upset? If she turned down the book, they wouldn’t even know how great a sacrifice she made for them.

Kina opened her mouth to tell Terrilyn to move forward with the book, then remembered a televised interview Sullivan had done two years prior. It was the perfect opportunity for Sullivan to get revenge for Kina trying to seduce Charles and telling him about the question of Charity’s paternity. Instead, she’d publicly praised Kina for being a true friend with principles and having the love of God in her heart.

“I can’t do it. I’m sorry. I’ll write another book if I have to or spend the rest of my life paying back that advance, but I can’t let that book go out with my name on it.”

“You’re a fool, Kina. Only an idiot would pass up the kind of opportunity that’s being presented to you. Do you have any idea what this book could do for your career? You could get that reality show you want out of the deal! Endorsements, book sequels,” said Terrilyn. “You’ll get to travel and be relevant again. You’re willing to walk away from all that for what? To keep some busybody women from being mad at you? That’s ludicrous!”

“It’s not just about that. I can’t betray them this way. The Bible says anything you know in your heart to be wrong is a sin. What’s the point of having all the money and success you mentioned if I’m not at peace with myself or my Father?”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Terrilyn said and faced her computer. “However, it’s your decision and, essentially, your loss. Expect to hear from our legal team if the advance is not repaid within the next thirty days. You may go.”

“Yeah, well, it feels good to know that I have a few scruples left.” Kina stood up to leave. “There is just no way I can sell my soul to the devil in order to sell out the people I love. You know, there are some things that are more important than notoriety and money, like being able to look at yourself in the mirror and not hate the person you see reflected back.”

“Well, Kina, I hope that mirror hangs up nice and pretty in the homeless shelter you’ll probably find yourself in. Consider yourself dismissed.”

Kina walked out with her pride and principles intact. They might not pay the bills, but they made for an excellent night’s sleep. She would do what she could and trust God for the rest.