After removing shampoo, conditioner, and a towel from the bag she’d left on the island, she scrubbed the woman’s hair, thinking about what she would say to her afterward. Felicia’s hair, despite being black, still looked gorgeous after all these years, and for a brief moment, Isla felt thrilled to be working on a bona fide celebrity, although one whose stardom had long ago dimmed.
She guided the woman’s head out of the sink and wrapped a towel around it. A particular episode of Lost ‘n’ You came to mind: the one where the college professor placed his hand on her bare thigh while they were sitting in his office. Isla remembered the shocking scene vividly because it had happened to her in almost the same fashion, and it had eventually caused her to drop out of school and return home to Shepherd’s Bay.
After Isla towel dried her hair, Felicia sat down in the dining-room chair. Isla turned up the lights so she could see better. It took a few seconds for Felicia’s eyes to adjust to the brightness. After removing the hair dryer and a brush from her bag, Isla plugged in the hair dryer and waited a second before turning it on.
“I hope you don’t think I’m out of line, Felicia, considering the circumstances and all, but I loved that show you starred in.”
Felicia turned and gazed at her as if she was angry. “How do you know about that?”
“I put two and two together. Besides, I was a big fan of Lost ‘n’ You.”
“That was nearly twenty years ago.”
“It’s too bad about your costar. I was hoping there’d be a second season.”
“So was I. Then Dean had to go and screw everything up by killing himself,” she said, her voice cold and callous.
“Why wouldn’t they continue the show without him?”
“Those empty suits decided it wasn’t worth it. It’s all about demographics and ratings with these networks. They believed women wouldn’t watch the show without the main heartthrob.”
“Speaking for myself, I watched because of the situation your character got herself into with that sleazy professor. I think most of the college girls I knew at the time could relate to that kind of inappropriate relationship,” Isla said.
“Did a professor abuse you?”
“Yes, but I was too young and impressionable at the time to resist, although I eventually dropped out.”
“You slept with him?”
“I didn’t want to. I know it’s no excuse, but I felt helpless to stop him once he started grooming me. In my mind, I convinced myself that I was a willing partner, when the truth was quite the opposite. I didn’t realize that he’d victimized me until later.”
“Goddamned men. They’re such dogs.”
“It affected me for a long time. It caused me to question myself and my future relationships.”
“What happened?”
“I had a breakdown. I didn’t label it that at the time, but that’s what I believe happened.”
Felicia laughed haughtily. “That’s how Hollywood operates, despite all this Me Too bullshit. You take your turn on the casting couch and then screw your way to the top. Anyone who says otherwise either doesn’t know the truth about show business or is a fool. Don’t let all those holier-than-thou actresses convince you that they didn’t sleep their way to stardom.”
Did she dare ask Felicia if that was how she’d landed her role on the show? No, best not to.
“Is that why you left the business?” Isla turned on the dryer and began to brush out Felicia’s hair.
“Who said I left?”
“I read that you and Dean were in a relationship.”
“Wow. It’s like you’ve been keeping tabs on me.”
“I scoured all the tabloids at the time, and I remember the rumors circulating about the two of you.”
“I was a whole lot prettier than than I am now.” She crossed her arms. “Dean became infatuated with me. Yes, we dated for a little while, but he was too crazy and immature for any long-term relationship. People thought I liked to party, but Dean put most people to shame.”
“They said he died of an overdose.”
“Either an overdose or a broken heart. Pick your poison,” Felicia said. “I don’t want to be rude, Isla, but my thoughts are elsewhere today.”
“Totally understood,” Isla said, aiming the hot air at the bristles brushing through her hair. “What do you know about Julian?”
“My husband despises that boy. He’s so rude and disrespectful. Must be bad parenting.”
“I heard he got kicked out of his previous school in Manhattan for dealing drugs and fighting.”