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upstairs as Megan stares at Kitty, her face strange shade
of gray.
“I, um …” She falters. “I have to—Ben needs—”
Head bowed, she hurries from the room.
Kitty watches them go, then turns to me, my heart
beating wildly as try to take it all in.
“Rosie, sweetie.”
“I—I don’t understand …”
stare at her, still not
quite able to believe she’s here. “What are you doing
here?”
“Rosie—I
just wanted to see you— had to see
you, …” She glances quickly at her companion. “Why
don’t we sit down?”
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She pulls out chair, but don’t sit.
“Rosie, please
let me explain, apologize
You’re
my daughter my—” She clutches my hand, tears springing in her eyes. “My little girl …”
My chest tightens as my own eyes prickle painfully.
“But
but when came to see you, you said—”
“Oh, please, don’t!” she protests, her expression
pained. “Please don’t remind me of what said then—how
behaved.” She sinks miserably into
chair. “I behaved
abominably, Rosie. And I’m so, so sorry.” She sighs,
shaking her head. “I just—I have to be so careful. People
come up to me all the time with outlandish stories,
preposterous claims, blackmail …”
“I wasn’t trying to blackmail you!”
“I know!” she gushes, squeezing my hands. “Oh,
Rosie,
know,
just—I never expected
never
dreamed
after so many years …” She blinks quickly. “I
hadn’t seen my daughter in eighteen years never thought I’d see you again …” She trails off, her eyes lingering on
mine, filling with tears.
sit down, numbly. “Aren’t you meant to be in Las
Vegas?”
“Yes.” She nods. “Yes, am. I’m meant to be shooting
movie there. was there, but after you left—”
“After you kicked me out,” correct her.
Her perfect features crumple in pain as she nods,
tears streaking her face.
“Rosie, can’t eat, haven’t slept
just keep going
over and over it in my head. My daughter found me—after 301
eighteen years you found me!—and instead of welcoming
you with open arms, …” She shakes her head wretchedly.
“I will never forgive myself, Rosie. And won’t blame you if you tell me to leave—if you never want to see me again …”
She looks at me desperately. “But had to come, had to
find you
had to try—I wouldn’t have been able to live
with myself if didn’t at least try—you’re my daughter …”
My heart twists, her words echoing my own in New
York.
“That’s why I’m here. That’s why came all this way,
why I’m in trouble with my director on the first day of
shooting my first big movie—because there’s nowhere on
this earth need to be more than right here, right now—
with you. My beautiful daughter.” She gazes into my eyes
and my throat swells.
“And understand if you can’t forgive me, if you tell
me to go—I do …” Her lips tremble. “But more than
anything in the world
would really, really love the
chance—a second chance—to spend some time with you.
To get to know you …” She takes deep breath, bites her
lip. “If you’ll let me?”
stare at her, her green eyes mirroring mine,
memories of New York fading to nothing as recognize
the undisguised hope glistening there.
“I’d like that,” say quietly.
“Oh!” she gasps, tears spilling over as she grabs me
in tight hug. “Oh, Rosie! Thank you!”
hug her back, this stranger with my hair, my eyes.
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My mother …
think, my heart swelling as her
perfume washes over me, exotic and intoxicating. She
came back
Again
“You won’t regret it—I promise!” she gushes. “I’m
going to take you for the most fabulous lunch, know the
best little seafood restaurant—you do like seafood?” She looks up quickly.
“Yes.” smile.
“Wonderful! Something in common already!” Kitty
beams. “Oh, you’ll love it—it’s right on the edge of Boston
Harbor, the view’s incredible.”
“Boston?” look at her, surprised.
“Yes! It’s just gorgeous, and the crab cakes are to die
for—I hope you didn’t have too much breakfast!”
look at her. “You mean now? Today?
“Yes!” She grins. “The table’s booked for one
o’clock!”
“Oh …”
think of Andy suddenly, of our day
together. “Today’s bit
bit difficult …”
“Oh.” Her face falls. “Oh, right.” She bites her lip. “My
fault—I should’ve called, shouldn’t’ve just …” She runs
hand through her perfect hair, then smiles sadly. “Never
mind, next time—there’ll be next time, right?” She looks
up anxiously.
“Of course!” smile. “How about tomorrow? Next
week?”
“Oh, darling,
can’t.” She looks crestfallen. “The
movie’s only given me two days off—I have to fly back
tomorrow.”
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“Oh.” My heart sinks. “Oh, see. So when—”
“I’ve got
week off in March, before filming
resumes,” she suggests brightly. “Maybe you could come
down then?”
stare at her. March? That’s two months away.
“Oh, darling, it’s my fault. just thought, just hoped
that you’d be free for couple of hours. Total presumption
on my part.” She sighs.
“No,” hear myself saying. “No, it’s okay. can come
with you.”
“Really?” Her face brightens like the sun coming
out. “Oh, sweetie, you’re sure?” She grabs me in
hug.
“We’re go
shopping—just
spend some time together.” She smiles,
strokes my cheek. “I want to get to know you, Rosie.”
look at her, her eyes so full of hope, of expectation.
smile. “Me too.”
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Holly
slam the bathroom door and lunge for the toilet,
heaving my guts out through painful, shuddering sobs.
She’s here After all these years—all my life—she’s
here Now? And she’s
freaking superstar? She’s Kitty
Clare?!
collapse on the floor, trembling and cold, my
throat sore and sour.
After all these years without so much as birthday
card—a letter!—now Rosie’s her daughter, she suddenly
wants to be
mother? And where’s my mother? She’s
dead! Rosie already had her and now she’s got Kitty too—
and my dad!—And who’ve got? Who’s left?
As if on cue, my cell phone bleeps in my pocket and
grab for it desperately, so thankful, so relieved, that
finally just when need him most, Josh—
OMG! Is that
STRETCH LIMO@ur house? WTF?!
AWESOME!! SO JEALOUS!! Mxx
scream, hurling the phone, smashing it against the
wall, and bury my head in my hands as the tears gush
uncontrollably, burning my eyes, my throat, my cheeks.
She’s got everything. Rosie’s taken everything. There’s
nothing left
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“Holly?” Dad knocks gently on the door and try to
swallow my sobs. “Sweetheart, are you okay? Can come
in?”
No! scream inside. No! You’re
liar! You told me
my mother didn’t want me— you told me she was dead!
“I’m in the shower!” call, my voice horribly wobbly
as reach for the faucet and turn it on max, the water
thundering in the stall.
“Holly!” He knocks again. “Holly, please!”