I know which of these scenarios is most likely, and I refuse to wallow. Not for a woman. Not for anyone.
All in all, it's a good thing Tabitha had to leave when she did. If this is how I'm feeling now, four more days together would've been the nail in my coffin.
No sir, I don't want that. I don't need that.
I'm lucky to have escaped when I did.
Yet, three days later, I'm acutely aware my luck, such as it is, has run out.
I awake to fourteen text messages from Gray. Most of them spewing profanities. Frankly I had no idea he could use such colorful language.
I don't even need to click on the link to put together what he's ranting about. Yet, I still do.
Is the Cat Out of the Bag?By Carson Reuben forBackstage Magazine
Gather 'round, you cool cats and kittens. Uncle Carson is here to scratch your ears with some of the hottest news. Last summer I had the pleasure of reviewingChicagoat The Edison Theater in Hicklam, NY. In the months that have passed, I've wondered how Grayson Keene was going to top himself this season. This news is as high as the hair on a cat's back.
When I dropped in on The Edison's auditions in Midtown, who should I find there but none other than Sassy Cat, Tabitha Stetson. Clearly dressed for performing, would it be hard not to guess that Tabby Cat will be parking her paws in Hicklam this summer? Grayson Keene was tight-lipped, and The Edison's managing director, Henderson Quade spirited Ms. Stetson away before I could get more details. The Edison is expected to announce their lineup, as well as cast, in a few weeks. One thing's for certain—you're going to want to get your tickets as soon as possible so you can catch Tabby Cat making her theatrical debut in Hicklam. Please visit their website for ticket information.
I dial Grayson. He doesn't waste time with a greeting. "Log in."
It only takes me a minute to see why Grayson is freaking out. There are over three hundred emails. On a normal day at this point in the season, we get two to three in our general email account. They're all asking for more information about Tabby Cat and what show she's going to be in.
"Oh shit."
"Right? How could Carson do this to us?"
A string of profanities runs through my mind. And maybe a few make their way out of my mouth.
"I mean, I think he was trying to help."
"Help? This is going to ruin us. We're going to be a laughingstock."
There's silence on the line. I can practically see Grayson running his hand through his hair, trying to figure this all out. I hear Gloria in the background. "It would be great if it were true."
"Yeah, but it's not. And it never will be. And we're going to lose our shirt on this. We barely made it through last year, and now we're going to tank."
Chapter 21: Tabitha
By the time Paisley was a year old, I'd turned off Google alerts. It was an unhealthy obsession for me. As I was making an effort to lie low, the lack of alerts depressed me. The lack of likes and comments and tags pulled me lower than I'd ever been. I deleted my Twitter, and my Instagram is private. I decided I'd rather not know that no one is talking about me.
The downside is now that I'm apparently in the news again, I have no idea. This is twice in the past month. I can't believe it.
This time, it's fake news, obviously, but I missed it nonetheless.
That reporter was really going out on a limb, thinking I'd be in a show at The Edison. I'm not actually an actress. Anyone who's seenSassy Catastropheknows that. Not to mention the fact that Henderson has a strict anti-fraternization policy at work.
And if I was going to be around Henderson again, there'd definitely be fraternization.
Lots of fraternization.
The last few days have been agony. They’ve been filled with worry and concern for Paisley. She’s handling the cast like a champ, despite my stressing. The plastic surgeon thinks the scarring will be minimal. I probably didn't need to fly back to California so quickly, but I wasn't taking any chances with her sweet face.
Anastasia calls me daily to check in on Paisley, which is nice of her. I think she's secretly relieved that I got Paisley away from the hospital. The media is still camped out, waiting for news or a picture. The rumor is that Jonathan Spencer Maxwell's paralyzed or brain damaged. Anastasia hasn't said so, but I haven't asked either.
I probably should.
So when my phone rings this morning, I expect it to be Anastasia. I'm surprised to see Mandy's name marching across my screen.
