Page 50 of The Summer of Christmas

“She doesn’t mention the script.”

“You mean,” Carol suggested, “she doesn’t mention you.”

“Don’t take it personally, Ivy,” Griffin said. “A lot of stars are like that. It’s always me, me, me.”

Caroltsk-tsked. “You see—acquired situational narcissism.”

Ivy rolled her eyes. But Carol pressed on. She turned to Griffin. “Do you feel that everything revolves around you?” she asked with great seriousness.

“When I’m starring in a movie—yes.”

“What about when you’re not acting?”

“Then I’m just a movie star.”

“So, no matter what, you’re always a star.”

“My parents always told me I was special.”

“Yup. Acquired situational narcissism,” Carol repeated.

“What is this situational narcissism?” Mitch asked, confused.

Carol looked at her dad. “Acquired situational narcissists are people who at one time behaved reasonably and diplomatically but developed an egocentric complex as the result of gaining a measure of accomplishment, fame, wealth, or other forms of external success.”

Griffin just smiled. Mitch and Linda nodded.

“I’m off. Don’t want to be late for my internship where they’re not even paying me,” Carol said bitterly. She grabbed a travel mug of coffee and ran out the door.

“Sorry about that, Griffin,” Ivy said to him apologetically. She felt as if she was always having to apologize for her sister.

“No worries. It’s not the first time I’ve heard it. I’m just happy that I’m not needed on set today. It’s my day off. Nothing can get me down today.”

“Do you want us to show you around town?” Mitch asked hopefully.

Griffin shuddered. “And get noticed? No. I’d rather just stay here.”

“Great! I could use some help icing the Christmas cookies and hanging the Christmas stockings,” Linda said.

“They’re going to be filming at our house soon,” Mitch said proudly.

Griffin’s eyes lit up. “I’d love to help.”

Later, the house was transformed into a little Santa’s workshop. Griffin helped Linda to create the icing in different colors. Then he painstakingly decorated Christmas tree cookies and gingerbread cookies and made them look like works of art. Linda was impressed.

After a short nap, Griffin helped Linda to make stockings for “Ilsa” and “Rick.” Griffin proudly hung up his “Rick” stocking, and Linda stuffed it with newspapers to fill it out. Linda and Griffin wrapped empty boxes to make them look like gifts.

“Mom, you know the art department can do all this,” Ivy said as she looked up from her laptop.

“That’s okay. I told Wyck I’d be happy to help out. I do own a Christmas shop.”

After they finished, Griffin slumped in a chair, exhausted. But Linda was still like an Energizer bunny. “Can I do your laundry? I’m throwing in a load now,” she asked Griffin.

“Really? That would be great.”

Meanwhile, Ivy had been rewriting a few scenes for Vera. She closed her laptop.

It was 5:00 p.m., and Ivy was ready for a drink. So was Griffin. She opened up a bottle of rosé and poured two generous glasses. She handed one to him.