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“Darling, I know you were busy these past few years. But have you been living under a rock?” my mom said.
“Essentially, yes,” I admitted, thinking about how busy life had been. Reading tabloids and watching the news had never been on my to-do list. I hadn’t watched a single one of the dragon or zombie or even sweet Southern romance shows everyone raved about in the past decade.
“Maybe her head injury is worse than they thought,” my dad said, a furrowed brow accenting his words.
“You have to know who he is,” Dorothy said, patting my hand. I shook my head.
“Leo. Leo Turner? The hottest UK pop sensation since...well, since ever? You know, tons of number one hits since last year. That song about marshmallows? Ringing a bell?” Mom asked.
It was a sad situation, I supposed, when my mother was more up on pop culture than I was. But in fairness, I’d been living in a world of being a business owner, and pop music wasn’t my preference. I was more of a country music girl. I felt suddenly like the first explorers must have felt walking onto American soil for the first time—lost, confused, and in another world.
“I don’t know what any of you are talking about.”
My dad started humming a song that was vaguely familiar. Sure, the stranger had a look about him that seemed a little recognizable. And he was wearing a hat and sunglasses.
“He must just look like him. What would a UK superstar be doing here? And what would he be doing at Tino’s?”
I don’t know, but it’s him, all right. And I think he’s already smitten with you,” Dorothy said. She was usually my ally, but she wasn’t helping at the moment.
Footsteps echoed inside the room, and Grace’s face appeared from around the curtain. She was huffing as if she ran the entire way to the hospital from the boardwalk.
“Grace,” I said, happy to see a friendly face who wouldn’t antagonize me about popstars and love.
She leaned on the railing of my bed. “I’m so sorry. Tino practically held me hostage and threatened to fire me if I left when you got taken away. I did consider it for a long moment.”
“It’s okay, I’m fine. I wasn’t alone.”
“Oh, I know,” she said. “That’s what I was trying to tell you before your whole stairs snafu. Leo. Leo Turner. His whole average guy disguise wasn’t fooling me. I was rushing to tell you when you flew to the basement, so I didn’t have a chance.”
“I’m sorry, I am. I just had to get out of there.” I said.
“And run straight into Leo? Wow, your luck has turned around. What’s he like? What did he say? I need all the details.” Grace’s animated face was alight with happiness. I leaned my head back, sighing. So everyone had been bitten by the Leo Turner bug—everyone except me.
Still, Grace’s enthusiasm died down when the nurse came into the room.
“Visiting hours are officially over. This girl needs her rest.” She wore a straight line on her face, and despite the groans, no one argued with her thanks to her stone-faced stare. “You better all be out by the time I return.” She left the room, and everyone stood frozen as if they’d been caught doing something they shouldn’t.
“I’ll be fine,” I assured as everyone looked at me.
“I’m not. I was hoping Mr. Popstar would be here,” Grace said, shrugging.
“Oh, he was. He was swooning over Tillie,” Dorothy said, nudging me.
“We probably won’t even see him again, so let’s not get our hopes up,” I said.
“Too late,” Grace replied.
“Listen, let’s just all agree not to let it leave this room, all right? I don’t think Leo wants the press tipped off,” I said, shaking my head, which still hurt or perhaps hurt worse at the complication of it all.
“Look at her, protecting him already. I’m seeing a whole lot of fancy, fun awards shows and concerts in your future,” Grace added, grinning.
“Not with this situation,” I said pointing to my leg. I shook my head, realizing just how out of hand everything was getting. A broken ankle. My head hurt. And now a popstar that the whole family wanted to marry me off to. It would be a laughable comedy if it wasn’t my real life.
“Well, we better get going. That nurse seemed like she meant business,” Dad said.
“I’m not leaving,” Mom replied, rushing over.
“Mom, I’m fine,” I said. “I need some sleep.” She hesitated, looking at my father and seemingly contemplating if she could take the nurse in a fight. My dad shook his head, and she exhaled.
