Page 70 of Child of Mine

“That’simportant. But the chasing after work, the schmoozing? That isn’t. When I’m actually acting, then I put my whole self on the line. But the rest of it—that’s when I’m pretending.”

What he’s saying makes sense intellectually, but… “I’m not sure I know how to do that. Maybe it’s because I missed adolescence.”

“Lucky you. How’d you manage that?”

“I didn’t go to high school or college. I didn’t have that time to figure out all this stuff you’re talking about. All my screwups were potentially in the public eye, so I had to hide them. And since nobody was making sure I came home by a curfew or passed classes, I had plenty of opportunities to screw up.”

He nods. “I knew people at school who messed up so badly they got kicked out.”

“Exactly. But nobody was kicking me out of anything. There were absolutely no boundaries. I acted like an adult, so everyone treated me like one. As long as I maintained a thin veneer of professionalism, there were no consequences for anything I did. When I went out partying, that just created great PR ops.”

When you showed up for work high, no one even noticed,Izzy says, her voice even sadder than usual.

Or they gave you another drug to counteract whatever thing you were on,Quinn adds, her tone somber as well.

“Anyway, I know we won’t be able to hide this story for long, but while we’re still figuring it out, I’d appreciate your discretion.”

“Of course.” Hand over his heart, he says, “Your secret’s safe with me.”

“Thank you. And thanks for listening.” I point to the clock on his dashboard. “We should head in.”

As we walk toward the theater, I bump shoulders with him. “I’m happy for you and I’m envious that you’ve figured it out, but it’s just not for me. Acting is something I do for fun once or twice a year.”

He grins. “And you’ll spend the rest of the year working as a big-time producer, telling other people what to do?”

“Well, I am pretty darn good at that.”

“I’ve noticed,” he says, and then squeals like Lilah as I chase him all the way to the ticket booth.

Chapter 14

“MORE CHANGES?ALL HIS CHILDRENSHEDS FELICIA AND CHARLES! This pair’s exit means that the love triangle including Delia, played by Sharon Roundtree, falls apart. Who will Delia set her sights on next?!”Soap Chat, July 1989

BELLA

The following week, on a night that Henry has Lilah and I don’t have a show, my mother corners me in the kitchen. “Sweetheart, I’m sorry things are so complicated all of a sudden. I wish…” She trails off, eyes tracking to the windows above the sink. “This probably isn’t the best time to tell you, but I’m running out of time.”

My butt hits the nearest chair. “Now what?”

“I’m selling the shop.”

“What? To whom?”

“A woman who asked about buying it almost a year ago. She’s got money, has always wanted to open a yarn shop and loves the location. I called her Friday, she called me back this morning and we’re going to talk to a lawyer tomorrow.”

“But… where will we live?”

“We’ll have to figure that out. And I know this will be a big change for Lilah. But she’s willing to pay enough that I’ll be able to pay back the mortgage and walk away with a decent sum. I figured we could rent a place while we figure out what’s next.”

Resting my cheek on my hand, I let my gaze rove over our tiny kitchen. The wallpaper’s fading, the linoleum is peeling in the corners, but it’s the only one Lilah’s ever known. In this room, she took her first bites of baby food and dumped bowls of mashed peas on the floor. Her artwork covers the surface of our ancient fridge, so you can barely see that the color’s a no-longer-fashionable avocado.

“I’m sorry if this adds to your problems, but I didn’t want to keep it from you either.”

My focus snaps from memories to the present. “Like I did, you mean?”

“Well, yes.” She sits with a groan. “I guess we both have a lot to learn about sharing burdens before we dig ourselves into trouble.” Reaching across the table, she takes my hand. “Again, I’m sorry. I just don’t know a better way forward. The shop is not going to magically save itself.”

Nodding, staring at our hands, I mutter, “Yeah. Okay. I’m sure you’re right.”

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