Hello, Privet! #1: Hello/Привет

Chapter 12

SOPHIE

I am sitting at the kitchen counter eating oatmeal raisin cookies, typing away in my iBook. Just then a group of people enter the house—my mother, James, my mother's assistant Sloan and O'Brien. They are carrying several shopping bags—Henri Bendel, Bergdorf Goodman, Nordstrom's. My mother must be stressed. But then, her big event is in a week.

James puts away her shopping bags, and then proceeds to make her drink without being asked. My mother says, "Sophie, why haven't you gone to see Viola?"

"Was I supposed to see her?" I ask without looking up from the laptop.

"Yes." She sighs. "You promised me that you would."

"Did I?"

"Sophie—"

"Okay, I'll try to go tomorrow." Viola Tharp is a partner at Candice Davis' image consulting firm. Peter's hired the entire firm to take care of the media training and image consulting for the family. But my mother had always made sure James and I wouldn't be trotted out in the media, at least not until we're old enough. But now I suppose my time has come.

"Did Sloan tell you that you're introducing me?"

"Introducing?"

She nods. "Yes, at the gala."

I glance at Sloan, who's staring at me with a trapped expression on her face, as she goes—no, slinks—away to my mother's study. As a matter of fact, she failed to tell me about this. But I don't want her to get into trouble. She's been with my mother for over two months after all.

"Yeah, I remember it vaguely." I make a face. That means she wants me to attend her charity gala. Since I now have a role in the event, she probably thinks I wouldn't be able to refuse.

"It's for a good cause, Sophie. And this is a good opportunity for you."

My mother and Aunt Grace always bring their children to these events, sort of like accessories. Personally, I can't imagine a worse way to spend an evening, having to sit at a table in a stiff, itchy gown, trying to make nice with my brilliant and successful step-siblings for four hours or more with no hope of escape. And this particular benefit is going to be really awkward because as everyone knows, where my mother goes, Senator Peter O'Reilly goes, and Aunt Grace happens to be friends with very liberal Democrats who will also be attending. They disagree with some of my stepfather's policies, especially on immigration and healthcare. Maybe something Page Six-worthy will happen.

"God willing, Peter will make it in time. Sophie, he needs our support now more than ever—"

"Where is he anyway?" I ask, to indicate that I'm listening and to make her think I'm committed to her event.

"Georgia," James says. "As in Tblisi."

Peter has been a member of the Anti-Terrorism Senate Committee and since he became a senator six years ago, he has been traveling to former Soviet-bloc countries, inspecting their nuclear facilities.

"Now, Sophie, everyone will be there, so you must be present," says my mother.

"Will Anne be there?"

"She's in Berkeley attending some conference or other."

"Why do I have to go if Anne was allowed not to attend?"

"Oh, Sophie. You know your stepfather needs us right now. We have to show solidarity in the family."

Solidarity in the family? I'm about to make fun of her, but decide against it. My mother is now somewhat annoyed at how difficult I'm being. "I have nothing to wear," I say in a deadpan.