Although Judy was the first one to say she enjoyed a good gossip, she actually wasn’t interested if it came at the expense of a child. She put her arm around the child to comfort her. She never liked scenes, and she was so grateful that she and Albert seldom had them. On the other hand, Judy couldn’t help thinking that with access to this kind of story she could get anybody to one of her dinner parties now.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

·CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO·

Samantha

“I thought she knew I was coming.” Samantha took Barry’s hand during dinner at Da Silvano, a Greenwich Village restaurant where Barry seemed to be best friends with Silvano and everyone else.

“She knew you were coming. Yvonne told her.” Barry began waving to a young girl Samantha thought was either a famous model or a movie star.

“Is that Gwyneth Paltrow?”

“Jesus Christ, honey, Gwynnie is at least ten years older than that girl.”

“Sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry. I love that you’re not a celebrity whore.” Barry looked up for the owner. “Silvano, where’s our meal? I’m getting old sitting here.” He dialed his cell phone. “Tell them we’re going with Plan B. But let them think we’re going with Plan A until we get it the fuck away from them.” He put the cell phone on the table. “Sorry, baby. Have I told you how beautiful you are?” He pushed his leg against her as two plates of penne arrabbiata arrived.

“Barry, I know this may sound self-serving but I don’t want to hurt your children any more than I probably already have.”

Barry put down his fork. “What the hell are you talking about?”

“I just don’t want to get off on the wrong foot. I never had children and I’d like to try to have a decent relationship with yours.”

“Samantha, you’re talking like you’re on Oprah.” He swallowed two bites hurriedly and lifted his hand. “Silvano, we need water here!” He moved in closer. “Listen to me. Clarice knew you were coming today. This is all some betrayed-wife scenario that her lawyers cooked up. And as far as my kids are concerned, they’ll listen to me. Plus, what girl wouldn’t want to grow up to be you?”

“Barry, I haven’t done very much.” She kissed his hand.

“For Christ sake, stop with the I-haven’t-done-anything.” He swallowed a mound of penne. “I’ll tell you what we’re gonna do. You wanna be a household name, we’ll make you a household name. You can be an A-plus Martha Stewart. You wanna go on the Today show and talk about flowers and entertaining, we’ll do it. You wanna design plates and champagne glasses and sell them on QVC, we’ll do that. I’ll do whatever you want.” He kissed her on the mouth. Then his cell phone rang.