Grace and I are in the guest bed. "Margaret lives in this big house by herself, huh?'

"Until Oscar marries her and moves in"I yawn.

"So he didn't pay for it?"

"No."

"How does a magazine writer with one book that is NOT a bestseller to her name afford this?"

"I don't know. Something was said about her well off parents helping her" I fib. 

Prince had shared the real info with me. She'd saved as much money as possible from being a Bunny and invested in this house. Before the purchase she'd lived with at least one roommate in apartments to cut back on expenses. As much as he disapproved of her second job, he was proud of how she handled the healthy income it gave her. I pretend to sleep.

"Something seems weird about her." Grace muses.

"What's the event Prince mentioned you taking us to today?" I ask over breakfast.

Margaret's eyes light up,"A Joan Jett concert! I've even made arrangements to meet her afterwards!"

"Are you a fan?" Grace asks.

"Yes!."

"I listen to her music when I workout . I can't wait to go!" I pause "Wait...Prince said I might get a high profile assignment out of this if I play my cards right...He didn't mean talk to Joan Jett about photographing her, did he?"

"Why not? If she says no, big deal. Nothing bad has happened. "

"But...but I couldn't do that! I get so nervous around actual famous people because to the world, I'm just the NIkon spokesmodel Prince dates."

"Didn't your work end up on the covers of muscle car and bodybuilding magazines?"

"Yeah, but I doubt she's familiar with that.Those were publications are mainly distributed in the Midwest. How do you know about my covers?"

"Prince bragged about you." Margaret giggles.

"He does that? I thought he was too stuck on himself to be into anyone else's accomplishments." Grace admits.

Margaret is shocked. "What kind of man isn't excited about his girlfriend's success? He is not some kind of jerk."

"Maybe I'm just a little concerned about Penelope because she hadn't had many boyfriends then she took up with Prince."

"It's understandable that you're wary of her lovers but you've got to let her learn on her own. My father was way too protective. After high school I left the house with much drama from him, he disapproved of things I did out here- including working at Interview and it took about three years to fully restore our relationship. You shouldn't let something similar happen to you and Penelope." Margaret advises.

"Grace, she's right. Prince has been so good for me." I say.

"Nah, it's all you. You're a self made woman. Don't discount all your hard work" Grace replies.

"You started my bodybuilder client list! Back when you heard some musclehead say he wanted photos you walked right up to him and told him I was a photography student!"

"That's so cool!" Squeals Margaret.

"Not sure if I have a pimp or a best friend" I laugh.

"Best friend. Now you two should get going. See you tonight"

Prince narrates:I'm getting dressed for church. Sabrina is away at the real estate convention so she won't be there. Sophie doesn't have to work today like she did last time so I'll be seeing her today. She's a great person and I love her as though she were my own aunt. Penelope doesn't know that yet because i feel it might be weird to love the relatives of someone you're not married to.

Brad is in the lobby of the church, looking really tired and holding Sammy who is sleeping soundly. "He missed Sabrina and bawled all night" Brad sighs.

"Aw... poor little guy." I reply.

Sophie comes over and hugs me. "So Penelope actually came here last week?" she asks

"Yes, sounds like everyone was glad she did."

"Well, she thought her photography would mean she wasn't welcome. That's what she told me when her business was propped up by boudoir photos"

"She really loved doing those though. Used to talk about how they helped the confidence of her clients."

"Then she needs to do more of that."

I join the Smiths in the pew. Mr. Smith looks kind of pleased. I pray that Penelope going to New York will result in some amazing opportunity. But selfishly, at the same time I don't want the opportunities to be so good they ruin our relationship. Thankfully, the Nikon deal didn't hurt us. Penelope one of those girls I could see being swept off her feet by the wrong people telling her how fabulous she is only to end up hurting her and her career. Unfortunately stern, old fashioned Mr. Smith won't be around forever to keep an eye on his baby, so I will take care of her and see to it that she is only around the right people. She needs me more than she realizes. I'm someone who's dealt with people who are only looking out for themselves and I know more about spotting those types than Penelope.

The pastor talks about overlooking the minor things that really don't matter. This makes me think about the little things that I let annoy me about Penelope. Do I like her friends? Just Vickie and Krista. Is it any of my damn business about the others if they aren't treating her poorly? No. But if someone is out of line, they'll hear from me.

Penelope narrates:

Margaret waves at us in the lobby of the concert venue. "These are amazing seats, Margaret. Thanks for inviting us " says Grace.

"You're welcome. A friend at Rolling Stone got the tickets for me." Margaret admits.

"You ever write for them?"I ask.

"A few brief articles."

https://youtu.be/bpNw7jYkbVc

While I'm in awe of Joan's guitar prowess, I can't help but think I'd love to be the photographer who takes the photos in Joan's tour program. Iconic shots of her playing that guitar! Capture the moment of a gifted female musician in concert! How does a photographer get a job like that?

The show ends and it was unbelievable! What stage presence! I can't go meet her! She's in a league of her own. "Margaret we have to leave."I say.

"No. She's expecting us." Margret says.

"We have to. Don't be nervous, you're the chick on the Nikon billboard." Grace teases.

"Anyway, do you want to tell Prince you were a coward?"

"No, he wants me to work on getting bigger jobs." I sigh.

Backstage Margaret holds out her hand to Joan Jett as though she's anyone and says,"Hi, I'm Margret Charles and these are my friends Penelope Smith and Grace Nichols."

Joan shakes her hand and smiles," Are you on a billboard?" she asks as she looks at me.

"Uh...yeah... for Nikon" I answer as my voice shakes. She must think I'm a idiot.

"Penelope wasn't hired just for her good looks -she's an amazing photographer"Grace informs Joan. Grace winks at me.

"I read in the paper the you were at the Warhol tribute. The article made a point of mentioning Prince wasn't there." Joan replies as she shakes her head.

"Like Penelope can't leave him at home once in while?' Grace laughs.We all giggle.

"Your show was awesome! Of course, I loved the program." I say as my throat dries up. When Joan offers to sign it, I accept.

"You should get Penelope to do your next program."Grace suggests.

"There's an idea." Joan replies. I'm sure she's being polite.

"I have a uh...business card...if you want it." I stammer

"Yeah."She actually takes it!

"Got any of those little photo albums of your work?" Grace asks

"I think so."

"You're in for a treat." Margaret says to Joan.

Once Joan starts flipping through it, her eyes get wider and wider. "If you're taking pictures like this, why are magazines only interested in publishing photos of you and Prince? They should print your work and forget about your love life for a minute!" She exclaims.

"Well...I think I'm too new so far," I admit,"But I'm really popular in the Midwest." I quickly add so she doesn't think I'm complete loser.

A security guard gently tells us it's time to go and he addresses Margaret by name-guess Margaret knows quite a few people out here. She's really poised and talks easily to all of them. If only I could be like that, maybe I wouldn't compare myself to others so much.

"Grace did I sound dumb?" I ask as we're getting ready for bed.

"Nah, just a little intimidated. But you did great!"Grace says.

Even though I rubbed elbows with many awesome people this weekend, I want to go home to my man. I have needs, after all.