Page 35 of Bridge to Home

Harlow tightened her fist, her nails digging into the palm of her hand. This. This was what it was all about. Robert’s reputation. How her injury and accident might tarnish his image. “Did you happen to notice I was in a wheelchair?”

“Of course.” His voice grew muffled, as if he was on the move. Harlow pictured him pacing like a caged animal. Angry. Furious even. “To be blunt, it doesn’t look good.”

“Doesn’t look good for who? For you?” Harlow could feel her anger build. “Because anyone with any sort of common decency or ounce of caring probably wondered where you were.”

“That’s a low blow, Harlow.”

“Is it?” she asked. “I would think a loving, concerned husband would be by their wife’s side after a serious car accident.”

“And whose fault was it? It’s not like I was the one who caused the crash.”

Harlow felt as if someone had sucked the oxygen from her lungs. She began to feel lightheaded. Robert blamedherfor the accident. In his mind, it was all her fault. “Do you think I crashed my car on purpose?” she asked in disbelief.

Silence. Dead silence on the other end of the line.

“You think I wrecked my Ferrari on purpose?”

“Let’s not forget about your father and the fire.”

Harlow cut him off. “What does the fire and my dad have to do with my car accident? Are you saying he started the fire, and it gave me the idea to crash my car for attention? Your insinuation is seriously sick.”

“You yourself have mentioned multiple times you weren’t sure if he was behind the fire and your mother’s death,” Robert pointed out.

“I’ve changed my mind. My father didn’t start the fire, and I didn’t crash my car on purpose.”

“Really? So, you have proof now he wasn’t behind it?”

Harlow ignored the question and posed one of her own. “Why didn’t you let Orlane and the others know there’s a chance I might not be able to fulfill my obligation for the movie deal instead of asking for an extension?”

Again…silence.

“You’re not listening to me. I don’t know if I’ll be able to work those long hours, day in and day out.The sooner you let them know, the better. Or better yet, I’ll do it.”

“No, you won’t!” Robert exploded. “Unless you never want to work in Hollywood again. There’s no reason to jump the gun. We still have time.”

“I’m in a wheelchair.”

“But you will walk sooner rather than later.”

“Walk? I hope so, but to be on my feet for hours at a time? Highly unlikely.”

“The set can work around you,” he argued.

“I was in a serious accident and am covered in bruises. My thumb is broken. My car is totaled. I’m on pain medication.”

“Look, clearly you’re having a bad day.”

“Having a bad day? How about a bad week?” Harlow changed the subject. “Did you let the real estate agent in the UK know we’re not moving forward with the purchase?”

“Yes. For the record, and as you already know, we lost out on a great deal.”

“Oh, well.”

“Man, you’re in a crappy mood. Tell you what…I’m going to give you a day or so to chill out and we’ll talk again. I gotta go.” Robert hesitated. “Hang on. One more thing. Please do me a favor and try not to go out in public too much.”

“If you do the same,” Harlow shot back.

“Very funny.”

---