she had leaked the story to the press about my accident, but she claimed it was for my own good. The reputable people of this area had managed to keep my secret for months. Speculation about where I had disappeared to swirled during that time, but no one had told the story. Within minutes of one of my so-called friends from Hollywood showing up in town, all hell had broken loose.
As I watched Eva’s likeness tear up on the tiny flat screen television as she revealed to the reporter how awful it was to see me in a wheelchair, but that she was here for me every step of the way, I decided that she was the one that deserved an Oscar for her acting skills.
During one of her breaks from bossing people around on the phone, I said to her, “I want to see my son.”
“I’ll arrange a visit,” she promised.
My spirits soared at that news. I really did want to see Scout, but I ached to see his caretaker, too. She wouldn’t be able to avoid seeing me, even if she intended to just drop Scout off for a visit and leave. I would be ready to explain away the stupid kiss she saw the moment she arrived.
A movement outside my window caught my attention. The paparazzi were getting creative now. The man in the window washer’s uniform was holding a black camera with an enormous lens.
“Eva!” I half shouted, since this ridiculous circus was her fault.
Once I had her attention, I pointed to the bold man. She scurried over to shut the blinds, but not before pausing to preen for his camera.
I shook my head at her ridiculous vanity. I’d never before realized how much I truly hated Hollywood and all of the silly games that surrounded being in the inner circle.
When the door to my room finally opened. I used my arms, which were growing stronger every day, to help shift my body more upright. I was practically vibrating with the excitement of getting to see Molly and Scout.
When the woman entered carrying my son, I blinked blankly at them, not quite able to believe my own eyes. It was marvelous to see Scout, but he was not with the right person.
“Where is Molly?” I asked the stranger, feeling desperate.
The bright-eyed young lady ignored my question. I could tell by the giddy smile she was giving me that she was enamored by the aura of stardom that emanated from us, even in these dank surroundings.
“Hi! I’m Jemma… Scout’s new nanny. It’s such an honor to meet you both.”
The woman’s voice was too upbeat and hopeful. I missed Molly’s no-nonsense banter.
Quickly growing impatient with this situation, I raised my voice and asked again, “Where is Molly?”
Jemma’s eyes grew wide at my outburst, so Eva jumped in to quickly smooth things over.
“That local yokel babysitter you had found a new job as a manager at a local honky-tonk bar, so I took care of hiring a more suitable nanny. Don’t worry… I thoroughly checked Jemma’s references.”
Leaning in as if she was revealing a great secret, Eva added, “Jemma used to work for the Clooneys.”
I didn’t care about Jemma or her high-profile previous employment. I wanted Molly.
Eva rushed on as if she couldn’t see the distress drawing down my features. “Besides, Jemma is available to travel with us, so she’ll be coming with us to watch the baby when we head home tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?” I asked, feeling both panicked and heartbroken.
How could Molly have taken another job and not even told me about it in person?
Of course, I wouldn’t have stopped her from the new position, if that’s what she wanted, but I couldn’t believe that she could so easily give up spending time with Scout… or me.
Perhaps she didn’t care about us nearly as much as I had believed.
“Yes, darling. We need to get you out of here and to a real facility on the west coast where they can properly take care of you and get you back in tip-top shape.”
I hated how hoity-toity Eva sounded as she insinuated that the medical professionals here weren’t capable. Was that how I had sounded to Molly when I raged about my care here?
I also couldn’t help but wonder if by saying ‘tip-top shape,’ Eva truly meant walking again. As much as I would love to be able to do that, it didn’t appear like a real possibility––even though Eva refused to accept that hard fact.
The last time we’d discussed it,