Blythe smiled. “How long have you been battling those idiots? The Heartland Hoo Ha Has.”
Abby cracked a smile, which was Blythe’s intention. “The Heartland Family Alliance.”
“That’s it,” Blythe said, snapping her fingers. “You’re taking on a bunch of bigoted censors, so a dickhead like that shouldn’t bother you. It’s the life of a creator, just like your censors are the life of a librarian. Not much difference.”
Abby gave her a full smile. “I suppose you’re right. I just feel bad interrupting their anniversary.”
Blythe snorted. “As if. He was just looking for a reason to swing his dick around. We weren’t bothering them.”
“Earlier, you said you needed to talk to me about Ricki.” Abby took a bite of her fritter.
Though Blythe knew Abby was changing the subject, she’d let it drop. Later, she’d convince Abby to let her post video of the altercation. People loved seeing stuff like that.
“I’m worried about her.”
Abby’s expression softened. “I know. But you need to give her space. She’ll look for another job when she’s ready.”
“That’s not what I’m worried about.”
“Oh.” Abby’s eyes narrowed. “Then what is it?”
Blythe took a deep breath. She didn’t like breaking Ricki’s confidence.
“This must be big.” Abby leaned forward. “You look like you’re in pain.”
“It’s just, well, Ricki’s more private than I am. I’m an open book.” Blythe laughed. “Funny. The one that’s not a book lover is an open book. Anyway, I’m not sure how she’d feel about me telling you this.”
Abby set her fork down and sat back. “Maybe you shouldn’t then.”
“Trust me. I’ve agonized over this all week. But I need your help. And you already saved her butt.”
“I did? How?”
“The tickets toBlithe Spirit. Ricki was about to make bad choices. At least, I think she was. She wasn’t planning on hanging out with us last night, but the play changed her mind.”
“Changed her mind about what?”
“Please keep this to yourself. Don’t tell Ricki I told you anything.”
“Of course.”
“Two years ago, Ricki was dating Missy, who’s a piece of work. Manipulative. Controlling. And I suspect narcissistic, or at least, narcissistic tendencies. The relationship almost destroyed Ricki. Missy had her so turned in circles. Nothing Ricki did was ever good enough.”
Blythe paused and blew out a long breath, remembering how awful it was. Blythe hadn’t confided in anyone about it, but she trusted Abby not to say anything. Besides, she was doing it for Ricki’s own good.
“Missy played with her mind. Made her doubt everything about herself. Hell, Missy almost turned Ricki against me. It was psychological warfare. The more Missy made Ricki feel like shit, the more Missy controlled her. She was a nervous wreck. Lost twenty pounds.”
“Ricki?” Abby’s eyes widened. “She doesn’t have twenty pounds to lose. Was she heavier back then?”
Blythe shook her head. “Nope. About the same size as she is now. She looked like a skeleton.” Blythe turned up her nose at the memory. “And she lost her sense of humor. Her personality.”
“That’s terrible. But you said it was two years ago, so I’m not following.”
“Sheraninto her last week. At least that’s what she claimed, but she went to the bar where Missy works.”
“That isn’t good. Why would she do that?”
“Great question. She clams up whenever I ask her, but I’m sure it’s that stupid job. In a way, it’s affecting her much like Missy did. She’s just not herself.”
