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"Biologically speaking. A reptile is a better parent, and they bury their eggs and leave. "
"I know youre only trying to protect me, Kate, but its easy for you to discount her. You have a family. "
"She hurts you every time you see her. "
"But she kept coming back. Maybe that meant something. "
"She kept leaving, too," Kate said gently. "And each time it broke your heart. "
"Im stronger now. "
"What are you two actually saying? Its like youre speaking in code," Johnny said.
"I want to go find her. Ive got her last known address—I send money every month. I thought maybe if I could get her into a treatment program wed have a chance. "
"Shes been in treatment a lot," Kate pointed out.
"I know, but never with support. Maybe thats all she needed. "
"Im hearing a lot of maybes," Kate said.
Tully looked from Kate to Johnny and finally back to Kate. "I know its crazy and it probably wont work and no doubt Ill end up sobbing or drinking or both, but Im tired of being so damned alone and I dont have a lover or kids to count on. What I do have is a mother, as flawed as she is. And Katie, I want you to come help me find her. It shouldnt take more than a few days. "
Kate looked completely taken aback by that. "What?"
"I want to find her. I cant do it alone. "
"But . . . I cant just leave for a few days. The elementary school carnival is tomorrow. Im the games chairman. I have to be there to run the games and distribute the prizes. "
Tullys breath came out in a rush of disappointment. "Oh. Well. What about this weekend?"
"Im sorry, Tul. Really. Mom and I are running the church food drive on Saturday and Sunday. If I didnt show up it would be a real mess. On Monday and Tuesday Im volunteering at the Parks and Rec Department, but maybe I could go with you for a few days at the end of next week. "
"If I wait I wont go," Tully said, trying to gather the courage to do it alone. "I guess I can go by myself. I was just worried—"
"You should go with a crew," Johnny said.
Tully looked at him. "What do you mean?"
"You know, film it. Youre a big star with a poor-little-rich-girl story. I dont mean to sound insensitive, but your viewers would love to go on this journey with you. My boss would skip on tacks to air it. "
Tully turned the unexpected idea around in her head. It was dangerous for her, certainly; she could be humiliated by her mother. Then again, she could be triumphant, too. A mother-daughter reunion would be TV gold. It surprised her, frankly, that she hadnt thought of it herself. An intimate portrait like this could make her Q rating—her recognition factor—skyrocket. Was it worth the risk?
What she needed was a producer who cared about her.
She looked at Johnny. "Come with me," she said, angling toward him. "Be my producer. "
Kate sat up straighter. "What?"
"Please, Johnny," Tully pleaded. "I need you if this is going to happen. I wouldnt trust anyone else. Itll give you national exposure. Ill call your boss. Fred and I are friends from way back. And like you said, hed kill for an exclusive on it. "
Johnny looked at his wife. "Katie?"
Tully held her breath, waiting for her friends answer.
"Its up to you, Johnny," Kate said at last, though she didnt look happy about it.
Johnny sat back. "Ill talk to Fred. Assuming hes on board, well get started tomorrow. Ill call Bob Davies to run the camera. " He grinned. "Itll be nice to get out of the station for a few days, anyway. "
