Winnie

I stare from Rick to Ben and back again. How did we get here? I thought my big brother was here to save me, not push me back home.

I lean back, studying Rick.

Rick yanks at his beard.

"Watch it, man," Ben says, "you're going to pull that thing right off."

I frown. Are you playing, Rick?

I ask him, "Another gala? In L.A.? How convenient."

"As the CEO of LaBelle," Rick rubs his beard, "I must make sure people understand we care about ...