Preview: Millbrook Crossing

        “Look, I was shocked you were here, I wasn’t actually calling you a—” Newark tries to add volume to her defense, but Lei’s voice trounces on her.
        “I’m done, Newark. I have apologized and apologized for something that wasn’t even my fault. You won’t listen to me, you won’t talk to me, you act as though I’ve done nothing with my life but plot your downfall. It’s not all about you, goddammit. I have my life, I have worked hard for my life, and I’m not sorry for anything anymore except to have a sister who’s so pathetic she needs to blame everyone else for her screw-ups.”
       Newark slaps Lei across the face and Lei turns her head, partially from the impact, but more as instinctual retreat...

.....

       “Lei, you’re human,” Medina says. “And you can tell me anything, you know that. I’m not going to judge you.”
       “I don’t know, Mom. This one’s pretty big.” Lei closes her eyes, and breathes in. “I had an affair with Clay Rochester and he wants it to keep going even though I told him it was a mistake and it’s over now but he won’t let up and I’m starting to get a little freaked out because I don’t know if he’ll go off the deep end and do something to mess up my career or my name or me.” She opens her eyes and waits.
       “Oh, Lei.” Medina’s voice is hushed.
       “I knew it. I’d be disappointed in me, too.”
       “No, it’s not that I’m … You’re a woman, dear. My days of telling you who you should and shouldn’t … see … are behind us. I’m just concerned about you getting hurt.” She thinks for a moment. “Did you … Oh, God, not while he was married?”...

.....

       Newark lets her gaze wander around the playground, to the sandbox, the swings, and beyond to the lights of the town square, flickering with familiarity. “When I left here this felt old. Like a shirt I’d outgrown or something. I couldn’t wait to go. Now I think about leaving again, and I feel kind of sick. Kind of like stage fright, you know? Maybe I’m just being childish. I’m twenty-seven years old. I shouldn’t have to cling to my childhood anymore. I should force myself to grow up, face my demons.”
       “But so many of your demons are right here. What better way to face them than to make yourself stay?”
       She faces Cliff again. “You should’ve been a lawyer.”
       He wrinkles his nose. “Nah. Then I might have to use my creativity for evil. Possible job requirement.”
       An amused breath not quite a laugh escapes her lips. “Promise me I won’t have to do this alone.”
       He hugs her, and rests his chin on top of her head. “Just try and get rid of me.”...

.....

       “What the hell you think you’re doing?” Byron, Tom, and Seth approach Eric and Geneva by Eric’s car on the street outside Ollie’s.
       “Byron,” Eric says, “I’m taking my food, and going home.”
       “With my girlfriend?”...

.....

       “Myra, I particularly would like you to consider pursuing a career move.” Junius rises from his seat and strolls about the room, his hands loosely clasped behind his back.
       “What kind of career move?”
       “We’ll be redistributing many of the senior management responsibilities. Including my own. I’m going to be investigating a possible acquisition, which will take up a good deal of my time. That’s where you come in, Myra. I need someone I can trust to help run the day-to-day of Ponds Enterprises while I’m involved with this acquisition. Are you up for that?”
       Myra keeps her smile in check, but her eyes are excited. “Absolutely, Junius. Thank you for the opportunity."...

.....

       Geneva’s eyes are now focused on him, her breath is quicker, her smile has evaporated. “Uncle Junius isn’t feeding me lies. He also doesn’t use my dead parents as bargaining chips. Rather conniving and cut-throat strategy there, Clyde.”
       “Your parents were great people, and like family to my parents. I’m not using them. I’m just trying to get through to you. I don’t know how Junius has sunk his claws so deep into your conscience already. I thought being raised by George’s family would have given you more sense than to run to Junius’ side the second you turned eighteen. Susan knew how rotten her brother was. How could you do this to them?”
       Her eyes are narrowed. “What temerity. You have no idea—”
       “I have no idea? You’re not the only one who spent their childhood being raised away from home.”
       “Your parents are still alive,” she hisses. “You have no idea.” She closes her mouth abruptly, and stares beyond Clyde for a moment before standing and smoothing herself. “I wanted to meet with you today to discuss the potential for your future at Ponds Enterprises. Consider the offer revoked, and consider yourself warned. You see, I am taking my right as a Lyons.”...

.....

Seneca nibbles at her bottom lip for a moment, then takes a deep breath. “I don’t want to give you an ultimatum, Cliff.” He drops his head, shaking it slowly as she continues. “I don’t want to be that type of girlfriend, but I feel trapped here. I mean, how many times have we had some version of this argument? ‘Newark needs me, Newark’s upset, I need to be there for Newark.’ And that was when she wasn’t even in Millbrook. Now she’s here. And the first night she’s here you run off to be with her.”...