Possibility Days E-Book

Mary Ramsey

• Herausgeber: Next Chapter
• Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2022

Beschreibung

Life can be sweet when you're a supermodel icon.

Sean Foster's life is like a fairytale. Leaving his North Dakota home, he travels the world with his wife and young daughter, on an adventure funded by his reality star mentor.

It's almost enough to make a guy forget about the chronic lung condition he has lived with since childhood. Cystic fibrosis has hung over his head like a dark cloud, and now, other dark omens have joined the party.

There's a light at the end of the tunnel, but it will take love, compassion and faith in family to find it.

Leseprobe

POSSIBILITY DAYS

MARY RAMSEY

CONTENTS

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

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About the Author

Copyright (C) 2020 Mary Ramsey

Layout design and Copyright (C) 2021 by Next Chapter

Published 2021 by Next Chapter

Edited by Tyler Colins

Cover art by CoverMint

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the author’s permission.

For my husband, and all true survivors of life.

ONE

I gazed out at the Pacific Ocean from the Los Angeles boardwalk set of Electric Eagle Swimwear’s runway show. Rocking both long blond surfer hair and a PICC line, I am Sean Foster, cystic fibrosis warrior.

Me, a model. On a catwalk. I still hadn’t gotten used to that.

As I did my walk in a metallic silver thong, body paint highlighting the beauty of my scars, I felt truly blessed. I did three walks and at the end of the runway I stuck out my tongue. I had a small cheering section since the show was open to the public. Grinning, I rushed off stage for my costume change. London was waiting for me, dressed like a leather-clad punk ballerina. As ever, my best friend and mentor was the vision of cool. She wasn’t above squealing, though.

“You were amazing!”

Still on a high, I couldn’t help laughing as she threw her arms around me. My heart pounded against hers.

She looked up frowning. “You okay?”

“No matter how many times I do runway, it always feels like it’s going to burst out of my chest.”

Her serious glance got more serious.

“I said heart, not lungs. My mucus-filled lungs are on their best behavior.”

She chuckled. “Good to know. C’mon, get changed. I won’t be allowed to hang around the big star for moral support any more if I slow you up.”

For the final walk, when the designer came out followed by all the models, I decided to do something different. I paused longer then I should have, making a heart shape with my hands while looking directly at my fans. I tried to look west-coast sexy, all sleepy eyes and a stoic mouth, but the roar of applause made me crack a smile. As I made my way back to London, my smile turned to laughter.

“That was fucking awesome.”

“Do you want to feel like even more of a superstar?” London shook a box of Sharpies. “I always love signing autographs. Every fan makes it seem like it’s the greatest moment of their life.”

I had to agree. It was humbling.

After I got dressed, London walked with me into the crowd. She gave me a sly grin. “You still enough of a sweet country boy for me to announce you as Dakota?”

I chuckled. “Not sure. Up to you.”

“Other way around, Sean. You don’t have to attach yourself to where you came from if you don’t want to. You’re international. New start, and all that jazz.”

I had a fondness for the name she’d given me. “It’s a brand now. Let’s go with it.”

“Attention,” London shouted, “Dakota and I will be signing anything and everything for free. Don’t give your money to those online pirates, people.”

Security had to intervene to get the dozens of people to form an orderly line. Over the next hour, I signed a good many things, from photos to signs to body parts. Girls and even some of the boys wanted hugs, kisses, or just to touch me. I took extra care to make eye contact with my fellow cystic fibrosis sufferers waiting in line, all shuffling nervously, all wearing their surgical masks, worn to make sure that none of us cross-contaminated with our own less-than-beloved infections and germs. The place looked like the scene of a huge flu epidemic. Since they seemed like they’d be grateful to get the damn masks off as soon as possible, I tried to keep the line moving without rushing people.

At around six, I was still riding the high of the excitement from meeting my fans. London drove me back to the condo on the back of her motorcycle and pulled up the same time as Sara’s truck.

My sister met me with a hug. “How did it go?”

“Amazing as usual,” I said as we walked to the door of the luxury home owned by London’s sister. “Is everybody inside?”

“Yeah, Johnny took the day off. He and Jen have been cooking all day while Mom watches the baby.”

“Baby?” I laughed. My daughter had turned three, so she wasn’t exactly a baby. “So, Johnny got the day off for your birthday?”

“Our birthday,” Sara said, eyebrow raised.

“There goes my denial.”

“Deny being forty, not twenty.” She rolled her eyes. “Anyway, why so shocked? Johnny’s been Lita’s apprentice for nearly two years. He can ask for the day off for his girlfriend’s birthday.”

I chose not to tease her about once asking his boss if he could have the day off when he’d only been working for her for a week or so. There had been a time she’d been all over her boyfriend – to the point it just got embarrassing. For everyone. Especially Johnny.

London stepped ahead of us and used her key. “Sara, did you stop by the hospital on your lunch break?”

“Not today. Actually, I haven’t seen Diego in weeks. He’s out of the wards and into rehab now. His physical therapy’s going so well, he might even be out of his wheelchair soon.”

I grinned. “You’ll be pleased to get your mentor back, looking like his old Benjamin Bratt self.”

“You would have to remind me about the crush, wouldn’t you?” Sara rolled her eyes. “Anyway, he’s now shrapnel-free, and his medical team wasn’t expecting him to be out of the hospital for another three months. I’ve never met anyone so determined.”

“So, our favorite veteran’s turning back into a hard-ass. I’m not sure that’s what London had in mind when she funded his surgery, but if you get a kick out of it …”

I laughed as Sara flipped me the bird. She loved my father-in-law for his brains too, as she never failed to remind me.

Sara and I followed London into the apartment, and to a rather unique sight. Displayed on a projector screen was a single image: toddler Sara trying to kidnap my tiny self from our mother’s bed. I cringed; though the same age, Sara had inherited Mom’s robust build and personality, whereas I was the puny, sickly, blue-eyed adoptee. Sara had always been so good to me, though. It hadn’t been so bad being treated like her pet until I was about five.

Mom was at the far wall of the den, wiping down the glass covering of a poster-size photo of me taken at my very first shoot. As always, she had her blonde hair tied up in a bun and was dressed like she was about to go to a deposition instead of a party. She looked around as we approached the projection screen and dumped the cleaning stuff on a nearby table.

“Happy birthday, my babies!” she called, hurrying over on her heels. “I can’t believe my little angels are twenty years old!”

“Hey Mom, thanks for coming. Where’s Shauna?” I’d kind of expected to see my daughter by the door ready to greet me, like a hyper puppy.

“She’s in the bedroom with Diego and Remy. I think they’re trying to teach her Spanish.”

“That sounds like fun. I’ll go check it out.”

Remy was Diego’s boyfriend. Because when your controlling wife tries to poison you, it’s time to play for the other team.

Okay, maybe that’s oversimplifying things.

But Jen had way more time for Remy than she did for her own mom. He’d made her father happy for the first time in … well. Forever.

I found Diego and Remy on the bed on either side of my daughter, helping to prop up the huge book on her lap. Remy sat patiently while Diego turned pages, reading the words out loud and listening to Shauna repeat them. Remy, with his long wavy black hair and his gentle eyes, still reminded me of a renegade prince from a Disney movie: the rogue who steals the damsel’s heart. He looked almost young enough to be Jen’s brother—probably thanks in part to his holistic background and vegan diet—but was actually less than ten years younger than my father-in-law. I had to admit the image of them as a nuclear family was kind of adorable. Maybe one day they would raise a child of their own together.

Diego turned another page over. “El gato está comiendo el desayuno.”

Shauna touched the image of the cat. “Kitty is eating pancakes.”

“Cats eat pancakes?” I asked.

Remy looked up. “Welcome home, Sean.”

Despite the bleaching influence of California’s unforgiving sun, Shauna’s dark hair seemed to be darkening by the month, getting closer to her mom’s shade of dark chocolate. Even when squinting with determination as she crawled across Remy to reach me, her pale blue eyes—definitely my eyes—caught the light in a way that made them look huge.

I scooped her up in my arms. “I miss you.” She wriggled in my arms while I watched Remy help Diego back into his wheelchair. “Sara said you went to physical therapy today?”

Remy grinned. “He’s doing really well. Pretty soon he won’t even need me.”

Diego looked up at him. “There will never come a day when I am without the need of the love and comfort of your beautiful soul.”

Remy blushed. “Sean, have you had a chance to check in with Jen?”

I could tell they wanted me out of the room. “Not yet. After being around hot girls in swimwear all day, I was afraid I’d be unable to control myself around my wife.”

Diego chuckled. “I gave her your present to give to you during the party. It’s an old family heirloom. You’ll find her in the kitchen.”

“I’ll be sure to check in.” With Shauna in my arms, I left for the kitchen, but jumped as I saw Cam’s faint outline in the doorway of the guestroom. Jen’s brother had been haunting me for nearly four damn years, but still hadn’t lost the power to scare the crap out of me.

“Uncle Cam!” Shauna shouted.

“Shh …” the ghost reminded her. “Come into the room first … good girl.” He reached to ruffle her hair as I put her down on the floor. It was hard enough taking her weight already, let alone when she was bouncing round with excitement. Cam grinned. “You’re so adorable. I hope I cross over before you get too old to see me.”

“I’ll always see you!” Shauna gave a little pout like he’d insulted her, but then ran out back into the hallway, distracted by the smell of chocolate.

I waited for her to run over to Johnny before pulling the door of the guest bedroom shut. “Hello, Cam. Are you here to wish me a happy birthday?”

“You need to talk to my father about getting a divorce,” Cam said firmly. “You cannot let him go back to North Dakota. Even with Remy by his side, my mother will find a way to get to him.”

“I’ve tried! Whenever I bring up the subject, he shuts down. The last time I brought it up he had a seizure and I looked like an asshole.” I knew Cam was right, though. Suzanne was dangerous. Manipulative. If my wife tried to kill me, I’d have no problem divorcing her, but that was not the case for Jen’s father.

“He still loves her,” Cam added, sighing.

“I know. You don’t think that’s killing me? Killing Jen? But there are limits to what I can say to him.” Because I wasn’t Diego’s daughter, or his lover, or even his student, when I pushed too hard, all three of those people tended to gang up on me. ‘Give him time,’ said one. ‘It’s too soon after his surgery,’ said another. ‘Don’t pressure my father.’ ‘Don’t talk about his wife—it could cause a PTSD episode.’

What was I supposed to do?

“From what I’ve seen, you’re not exactly knocking yourself out.”

I glared at Cam. “And you’ve been around to see that, have you?”

“As much as possible.”

I honed in on his defensiveness. “Not all the time then, right? Likewise, I can’t be on his case twenty-four-seven.” I hauled the door open. “Now, I’m going to see my wife. You can piss off.”

Cam disappeared in a puff of white smoke.

I went to the kitchen and crept up behind Jen, kissing her neck. “What smells so good?”

Jen smiled. “Spaghetti with meatballs made from scratch, and garlic bread.”

I could smell the garlic bread, alright. “Can I have a taste?”

“You have to wait for the party,” she said sweetly. “And make sure you fill up on my dishes so I can show tattoo-boy who’s the better cook.”

Johnny had vacated the kitchen, for now, having made cornbread muffins stuffed with chicken sausage, beef pot roast (with carrots, potatoes and plenty of garlic and chilies), and a flourless chocolate cake for dessert.

At the party, all the food was presented on a buffet table. Johnny’s meal took up most of the space, but Jen’s turned out to be more popular among the small number of guests. With her ego boosted, I felt braver about trying Johnny’s chocolate cake. I always had a weakness for chocolate. As a sick child, it was a food that forever brought me comfort.

“Not bad,” I said, taking the majority of it.

Shauna scowled as I tried to feed her a bite. “Yucky.”

“Shauna, it’s chocolate. You love chocolate and it was made with love by your Uncle Johnny.”

“Johnny!” she squealed with delight, finally accepting the bite.

He made the mistake of trying to relax on the sofa next to Mom, a plate of food on his lap.

“Do you plan on making a living as a tattoo artist?” she asked, just as he had a mouth full of his stew.

“That is so rude, Mom,” Sara snapped before Johnny could reply.

“He has a multitude of talents is all I meant,” Mom sniffed. “Amazing chef, artist, once a paramedic—”

“Well you were using your disapproval voice, like, ‘is that all you plan to do with your life, Mr. Desilva?’”

“I did no such thing.”

As Mom got up, Sara took Johnny’s plate of food and put it on the table next to her plate, freeing his lap to use as a footrest as she slumped down where Mom had been. He looked at his barely-touched plate like he was pining for it.

I couldn’t help but chuckle.

The main reason Johnny was able to follow Sara out to California from North Dakota was his artistic talent, which landed him an apprenticeship at Sky Flower, Los Angeles’ most exclusive tattoo shop. Sara was setting whole new student standards at med school at UCLA. Close as they were, Sara and Johnny were living their lives on separate but parallel tracks. I hoped one day they would cross; they deserved to be as happy as I was.

I turned to Jen. “So, what exactly is my gift?” She handed me a Bible, written in Spanish. I hefted its bulky weight. The spine was like two inches deep. “Your dad gave me a paperweight.”

“Be polite, that book belonged to my grandfather.”

“Diego’s dad?”

“My father passed just after my son,” Diego explained as he helped himself to a plate of food. “I hoped my childhood Bible would inspire discussion with my granddaughter.”

“What did you give Sara?” I asked, putting the Bible on my lap.

Sara glared. “Are you for real?”

“I gave your sister a watch.”

“Not that it’s any of your business.” Sara raised her wrist, showing it off.

“Seriously—I have to learn Spanish, but Sara gets a gold watch?” I was of course joking, but my sister was a little slow on the uptake sometimes.

She tossed a small box at my head. “Open my present.”

“Ow, was that necessary?”

“It’s just a gift card, you baby.”

“Thanks. Maybe I’ll buy some Band-Aids with it.” I put the little box to one side and held the Bible in my hands. Suddenly it began to feel warm. I opened the book to a center page and watched as the ink morphed into a single sentence: there can be no light without darkness. I quickly closed the book. No light without darkness? Kind of morbid. ’’Wasn’t that supposed to be ‘no darkness without light’?

Cam’s voice whispered in my ear. “Look around at all the happy faces. It’s the calm before the storm.”

It took me a moment to gather my ability to speak to him, mind-to-mind. It was easy in a quiet place. In front of others, I kept nearly talking out loud. “You’re wrong,” I insisted.

“Am I? My sister is happy. My father is in love. Johnny and Sara are on their own paths to success. And let’s not forget—you’re a star, right?”

I could feel the cold of his breath against my neck.

“Well, twinkle-twinkle, little star … while you still can.”

TWO

I was landing job after job, all thanks to London. She believed in me. So, for her, I would push myself to try harder. Whatever local shows she walked, she’d try to get me a spot, or at least an audition. She passed my portfolio along to her fashion designer friends. I was the real deal: London swore on her fame.

She took me with her to various award shows, where all she did was walk the red carpet. Any reporter who tried to shout, “Can we get a shot of just you?” would get her now-signature reply, “Nope, we’re like Barbie and Ken.”

Only London spoke, even if it was just to tell reporters that we were both wearing early-access pieces from Gale Jordania’s fall collection. She knew she needed to protect me; the tabloids were full of images of her coming in and out of my home. They captured every hug, every smile, and of course each time I rode on the back of her motorcycle.

At home, things were fine. Jen snorted at the more ridiculous rumors emerging about our affair, particularly re one article where she was in the window waving London off after she’d apparently stayed over in my bed like a shameless bad girl. They’d spent most of the evening binge-watching Netflix while I’d been sleeping. At work, though, the atmosphere was getting a little bitchy on set.

At one music awards show, we had the unfortunate luck of running into Sofia Bryce. The tall redhead model-turned-country-singer had green eyes, like a snake. She made my skin crawl, the way she looked me up and down. I was shirtless under my purple suit jacket, a Mayan sun pendant drawing attention to my chest. I tried to ignore her as she approached with two friends, whispering in a way to make sure I knew they were talking about me. She moved fast, even in her high heels and tight black dress with those elaborate cutouts.

“Keep walking Sofia,” London said to her rival.

“I just wanted to check out your little puppy. Is he housebroken or do you have to take him outside?” She grinned. “I bet he’d look good with a dog collar, chained up in my basement.”

What? Though I knew she had to be joking, her words sent a shiver down my spine.

London put her arm around my waist, beneath the jacket. “Just keep walking.”

Once inside the venue’s entrance, she cupped my face in her hands, looking deep into my eyes. Her face was inches from mine. “Are you okay?”

I nodded though, clearly, I wasn’t okay. At least five paparazzi guys got their payday shot.

London shook her head in disgust. “Let’s get out of here. It’s still early, maybe Shauna’s still awake.”

“Yeah, I’m about done here.”

I followed her lead, cutting through the building to go find our car, but waiting for us was Sofia. My heart sank. I was way too tired for drama.

She smiled at London. “I had a feeling you were going to cut and run. I just wanted to apologize to your puppy. What did you name him? Dakota?”

I groaned. “Oh, go fuck—”

London got between me and Sofia.

Sofia moved in closer. “No hard feelings, Dakota? Unless you’re experiencing some other ‘hard feelings’, of course.” She flicked her glance to London’s low-cut dress.

London flung out the heel of her hand, punching Sofia hard in the chest and damn near knocking the wind out of her. The girl toppled backwards against a guy aiming a cell-phone camera.

“You got that shot, right?” she shouted as she struggled upright. “London Sharp, I’m going to sue you for assault!”

London grabbed my hand and we headed straight for the valet, who had our keys ready. When we got home, I set up my laptop so she could get on top of damage limitation on social media. As soon as she’d logged in, I gave Shauna and Jen a cuddle and then went to crash out.

The next day I awoke to a bunch of notifications on my cell. I swung my legs out of bed and scrolled through the comment threads on London’s Facebook page, where she was giving the haters as good as she got. I stumbled into the kitchen where Jen was reading her phone, chuckling.

“Plague monster?” Jen laughed as she scrolled down. “Is London trying to make enemies, or what?” She squinted. “What’s this about Sofia sexually harassing you?”

I sank into a kitchen chair. “You really don’t want to know.”

“Did that Bryce bitch actually touch you?”

I reached for the coffee. “Nope. Didn’t get that far.”

“Good to see that all that karate finally came in handy for her.”

“Huh?” I didn’t remember Sofia doing any karate.

“I’m talking about London’s black belt, you goof.” Jen giggled and reached over to squeeze my hand. “I think it’s cute she can be such good friends with the one guy who’s never seen a minute of her reality show.”

“Right.” I coughed, putting the cup back down.

“You okay? You seem a little pissed about something.”

“No, not pissed. It’s just … one of these days, London’s going to have to let me do the talking.”

London walked in, wearing just a towel. “Can you lend me something to wear?”

I looked at her, confused as to who she was asking.

“Dakota, hello? Not enough caffeine yet? Give me something of yours to wear so I can go freak out the paparazzi.” She motioned to the nearest window.

I waved toward my room. “Help yourself. You bought most of it.”

London came back out wearing one of my tank tops over her black bra and blue thong underwear, holding her gown over her arm. As she opened the door, the ocean of camera flashes was blinding. “See you soon!” she called on her way out.

I’m pretty sure I didn’t imagine Jen rolling her eyes as the door shut.

Our next shoot together had us in bed on a studio set in North Hollywood. The set featured a big red-and-gold bed in a somewhat medieval chamber. I was on the bed in the nude with London kneeling over me in a lavish gown covered in gold lace.

Perfume ads could be weird. I’d learned that early.

As I lay down, she was supposed to pour glitter-infused champagne all over my face and body. That was the concept London talked the director down to; originally, I was supposed to be tied to the bed with London stepping on my groin while pouring the champagne.

“I told them the idea was disgusting,” London said as the makeup artist finished with her eyes. “In the concept art, it looked like my character was about to eat you.”

“That wouldn’t be so bad.”

London rolled her eyes. “Funny. Anyway, my mom was like, ‘are you just not comfortable doing the shoot with Dakota? We can always hire a different model.’ But I stood my ground.”

“I’m proud of you.”

She gave me a nervous smile. “I just hope it’s not going to cost me. I mean, it’s one thing facing down other models, but I don’t want a reputation as being difficult, you know?”

“I guess.”

For the first take, the director asked London to simply open the bottle at a high angle as if she were ejaculating. The cork flew off with such force it broke a light.

“Let’s try it at a lower angle,” the director suggested.

“I’m not shooting my friend in the face.”

I’d positioned myself so I was sitting up enough so she could lean in to kiss me for the final shot. Also, so that I could breathe.

“Sean, I’m going to need you to lie down,” the director said, combing her hair back out of her face with her fingers.

“No, Sean is seated according to my instructions.”

The director walked around the bed, checking out the angles, then shrugged. “Fine. It can work.”

There was no audio, so London was free to laugh, talk and adlib lines.

She looked into my eyes while straddling me in a kneeling position. “My prince,” she whispered as she touched my face, tracing a finger along my jawline.

I blinked slowly, as if waking from sleep.

“You lay here before me, injured as you return from battle with the evil red queen, your heroic heart always defending my honor.”

I struggled keeping a straight face, trying to remain serene while she fired the cork over my head.

“Close your eyes, my love.” She kissed my forehead, then whispered, “Seriously, close your eyes or this crap is going to sting.”

She poured the warm glittery champagne over my forehead, as if to bless me, then down to my shoulders and chest. With a little less than half the bottle remaining, she poured some over herself, letting the sparkles drip down her shoulders. As we both sparkled under the stage lights, she finally fake-kissed me.

“And cut! That was kind of amazing.” The director stood from her chair as the studio erupted in applause.

Since no one was bringing me a robe or even a towel, London pulled the blanket off the bed to cover my nakedness. “I feel like I just urinated on you.”

“No worries. By the way, you’d make an awesome princess.”

London smiled. “Before I met you, I would never have had the courage to stand up for myself.”

I couldn’t exactly get my head around that. Not after the Sofia-flattening display a few weeks back. “I don’t believe that.”

London hopped off the bed. “No, the old London would have been a good girl and stepped on a male model’s groin to make her mother happy.”

“Explains your mom’s popularity.”

She giggled. “Seriously though, Dakota, you’re special. You inspire me.”

My luck ran dry for a little while after that. Though London pulled in a hefty paycheck and was soon off to Paris Fashion Week, I took a fraction of her earnings and had no new prospects on the horizon. Certainly not via my actual agent, Angelina Ferria, whose agency had been in business for less than a year when she signed me. I shouldn’t have been surprised that we had pretty similar levels of influence in the fashion industry—virtually none. But she wasn’t exactly working her butt off on my behalf.

“I don’t know what to tell you,” she sighed over the phone, maybe a week later. “No one wants to use someone with your look.”

I knew she was full of shit. “I can walk down the street and see dozens of ads with guys who look like me.”

“I’m assuming you mean other long-haired models with high cheekbones?”

Her tone always got under my skin. “It’s not exactly a niche market. I’d be happy with catalogue, for God’s sake—”

“Yeah, but they’ve got the Greco-Roman ripped look to go with the face. No scars. Way easier to book.” She sighed. “You could build yourself up more and chop a few inches off your hair. Between shoots, you look like a sexually-deviant crack whore.”

I hung up before I could lose my temper.

My look, my story: they were the reason I had fans, the reason people called me an inspiration. I didn’t want to cry. Angelina had no right to make me cry. London could land me work, so I clearly wasn’t a freak. I stomped into the kitchen and managed to tip the sugar bowl onto the floor while reaching for the coffee.

Could this day get any worse? I suddenly felt a rush of wind.

Cam stood before me with rage in his eyes. “My father’s moving back to North Dakota.”

“I know,” I groaned, replying out loud in the empty apartment. The decision had already been taken, and I couldn’t spend my life trying to save Diego from himself. “Cam, this is what your father and Remy want. Remy’s got a clinic to run, and your dad can continue his treatment in North Dakota.”

“If my father sets foot back there, it’s only a matter of time before my mother will get to him.”

I knew what he meant. His mother was too evil and his father too kind. “Remy loves Diego. He’ll protect him.”

Cam shook his head as he faded into the wall. “You’d better hope you’re correct.”

Two days later, Diego was loaded onto a private flight back to North Dakota. We were allowed onto the tarmac to say goodbye. I rocked Shauna in my arms. She was crying so hard, her little body trembling.

Remy had been helping the medical staff make sure Diego was comfortable. He trotted down the four steps from the plane. “Would it be alright if I brought her aboard to say goodbye?”

“I guess.” I handed Shauna to Remy, following behind.

“I want to go with Grandpa!”

Remy stroked her cheek. “Your home’s here, sweetheart. And anyway, this isn’t goodbye. You and your grandpa have a connection. Whenever you think about how much you miss him, how much you love him, he’ll feel it in his heart, and it will make him strong. When your Grandpa thinks of you, you’ll feel warmth in your heart, because that’s how much he loves you. Do you understand?”

Shauna nodded.

“Now give your Grandpa a kiss.”

Shauna kissed Diego’s cheek. “Goodbye Grandpa, I’ll miss you.”

There were tears in Diego’s eyes. “I’ll miss you too, my little angel.”

I shook Remy’s hand. “Take care of him.”

I took Shauna back and headed inside the terminal, where Jen and Sara were waiting. “You guys ready to go?”

“Yeah,” Sara sighed. “I wish Johnny could have been here.”

“We’re all afraid,” Jen said, putting her arm around Sara. “But all we can do is hope for the best.”

THREE

The day before she left for Paris, London visited me. “You need to make a clean break from Angelina Ferria; I’m already a much better agent.”

Shauna ran out to the living room. “London’s here!” It was around noon, but ever since Diego left, she took to running around the house like a rat in a maze.

London pulled Shauna onto her lap. “Aren’t you just a little ball of energy?” London looked back to me and Jen. “I’m going to cut to the chase—I want you to come to Japan with me.”

“Aren’t you going to Paris?” I asked, scratching my chest as I lay on the couch with my head in my sleeping wife’s lap. I couldn’t feel less like a model that morning. I was still wearing sweatpants with no shirt since I hadn’t any reason to put clothes on until London showed up.

“Paris isn’t for long. After that, I have a six-month gig in Japan. I cannot fathom not seeing you or this little cutie for six whole months.”

Jen was starting to open her eyes. “Huh?”

“You’re invited as well, Jen. I’m not trying to kidnap your family.”

“Invited where?” Jen asked.

“Japan! In three weeks!”

“One, it’s too early for shouting,” Jen groaned. “And two, we need to talk to Sara and Johnny. Can you come later?”

“Sure. My flight doesn’t leave until tomorrow morning,” London said as she put Shauna back on the floor.

She returned at eleven, wearing a black cocktail dress as if she’d just come from somewhere important. She made coffee as she watched Shauna run around the house with a roll of toilet paper streaming behind her like a giant ribbon. “How long’s she been doing that?”

Jen grumbled into her palms. “Four hours.”

Johnny burst through the door. “I found a guitar!”

Sara rolled her eyes as she followed him in. “Johnny found it in a dumpster near the tattoo shop.”

He grabbed a chair. “It’s perfectly good. Waste not, want not. I had to leave my guitar behind to come to Los Angeles.” He strummed a few chords and played some nursery rhyme from memory. It was a nice gesture, but not enough to hold Shauna’s attention.

“Will Daddy sing?” Shauna asked.

“Daddy can’t sing,” I quickly replied.

“Have you ever tried?” London asked, reaching her hands out for Johnny’s guitar. Once settled, she strummed with just her fingers, ignoring the plectrum Johnny was holding out. “Won’t you sing me a sad song …” Her voice was hauntingly beautiful. “Baby, make it good a long, make me cry, make me cry, make me cry.”

Shauna sat with a pouty face. “Grandpa sang happy songs.”

“Okay, let’s try something else. Sing with me, Dakota.” She started to play a slow ballad version of “Amazing Grace”. “… how sweet the sound, that saved a wraith like me …”

“… I once was lost, but now I’m found,” I sang, only to Shauna, “was blind but now I see.”

Shauna clapped her hands. “Daddy sings better than Grandpa.”

London put down the guitar and checked the kitchen wall clock. “Now, let me get straight to the point. I want to take Sean, Jen, and this little cutie to Japan.”

“What about me and Johnny?” Sara asked.

Johnny glared across at her. “We’re not following Sean and Jen to Japan.”

Sara went quiet.

“We can visit,” he went on, more calmly, “but the sooner you finish your degree, the sooner you can land a residency.”

“It’s fine,” Sara growled at him. She turned to London, pouting. “I just want Sean to be safe. Will he be able to get his medications? What about his medical equipment?”

“They’ll live with me,” London answered. “As for medical care, there are American hospitals throughout the world, even military bases. We’ll be covered. Don’t worry. Sean just needs to get copies of his medical records to travel with.”

Sara bit her lip, glancing from London to me. “Sean, I’ll miss you.

“You and Johnny can stay on in the condo,” London assured. “You’re blasting through school—you’ll have UCLA in your rearview in no time.”

“Yeah, I guess,” Sara replied.

It was official. I was going to Japan.

The next day, my family and I got passport photos. I looked up how to print the application online and paid for expedited processing. Then I took a taxi to Angelina Ferria’s office. I could have gotten a ride from Jen, but I needed to be alone for this conversation. I stopped to buy a bottle of water and a cheap bouquet of yellow roses. When I finally arrived, I knocked on her door.

“Come in,” she called. I walked in to find her on the phone. She waved to the seat opposite her desk. “I have to call you back, a stray animal just snuck in my office.”

“Really?” I chuckled as she hung up the phone.

“I tell it like it is.”

“So, we’re back to the issue of my hair?”

Angelina gave me a tight smile. “A little bird told me you’re going to Japan.”

“Was that little bird London herself? I told her what you called me.”

“That was unnecessary. And what she called me was quite rude and unprofessional.”

Yeah, about as professional as you’ve been for the past couple years. “I can imagine.’”

“Why are you even here?”

I placed the flowers on her desk as if on a grave. “Only to thank you. You suck at being an agent, but you gave me the courage to try.”

Angelina plucked my contract from the top of a pile of papers and tore it in half. She handed me the pieces. “No hard feelings.”

“I love you too.”

Breaking up with Angelina Ferria turned out to be simple. But taking a temporary break from my primary care doctor would not be as easy.

When I called the appointment line for the next available appointment with Dr. Elise Chan, there was a pause.

“Is this regarding a life-threatening situation?” the receptionist asked.

I was getting nervous. What if I couldn’t get through to Dr. Chan herself? “No, or I would be in the emergency room.”

“What is this regarding, then?”

“I need access to my medical records because I’m moving to Japan for six months.”

“Please hold,” she replied. The classical hold music sounded like it had been played on a child’s keyboard. Luckily it didn’t last long.

“Hello, Sean,” said Dr. Chan. “What’s this I hear about Japan?”

I took a deep breath. The last thing I needed was a coughing attack. “I’m moving to Japan for six months. All I need is access to my notes and my medications.”

Dr. Chan sighed. “Your medications have been adjusted ten times since I’ve started working with you.”

“And I’ve been fine.”

“You’ve been lucky. Do you even have a primary health care provider arranged in Japan?”

“I don’t need a primary health care provider, all I need is access to my medications—I can take care of myself.” By that I of course meant that I’d rely on London to get me access to a doctor in the event I needed one, but I’d lived with my condition for twenty years. I knew what it took to keep my body healthy.

“It’s a big risk, Sean.”

“I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been.”

“What are your mother’s thoughts? After all, she’s the one paying for your care.”

I was livid. “I’m twenty years old!”

“I’m uncomfortable not having her written permission to support your travels.”

“You don’t need her permission. I’m just asking for the files, and for on-hand meds to take with me.”

“Oh, I’m happy to send your files. Most of them have been digitized already. But I want to speak to your mom before I authorize a bulk prescription.”

Damn it, no! Mom will blockade me at the frickin’ airport if she finds out. I struggled to keep my voice level. “I’m leaving in a few days. I can’t wait for you to get clearance before giving me what I need to get out of the country.”

“Like I say, I should really speak to your—”

“If you say anything to her, I’ll sue you.” The second I hung up the phone, I knew I’d probably shot myself in the foot. I stomped around the bedroom, wanting to kick things. Threatening Dr. Chan was a dumb move, but she and my mom were worse than a secret cabal when it came to stopping me from trying anything new.

This could be my only chance to travel with my wife and daughter, and I wasn’t about to let anything get in the way of me having a shot at Japan.

I shot London a text, hoping she would be hooked into the local wireless. “L, I have a huge problem. Dr. C will not release meds or prescription refills until she’s spoken to my mom.”

“OMG annoying!” She replied almost straightaway. “Don’t stress though.”

“How do I not stress?” I replied, having to correct myself every third letter. I was too mad to type straight.

“You just need insurance, and someone to sign their name on a piece of paper if you get sick. Trust me. I can find someone to do that.”

I breathed a sigh of relief. “Thanks, L.”

“No problem. I can’t wait to see little Shauna’s passport photo,” she replied, along with a with a smiley face.

Everything was in place; we would be off to Japan.

The day we left, we had to battle through reporters at LAX. Apparently, every entertainment news media outlet wanted to know why London was taking my family to Japan with her. I would have loved the publicity, but we couldn’t risk missing the flight. Unlike her sisters, London did not own a private plane. The flight was long but comfortable in first class. I had an outlet for my BiPAP, and with the seat divider up, I slept with Shauna in my arms. London and Jen took the row across.

London’s condo was on the thirtieth floor of a massive high-rise. Not quite at the top, not the largest unit in the building, but still impressive.

Jen was looking out the massive windows with a childlike sense of wonder. Seattle was not Tokyo, Los Angeles was not Tokyo, and Indigo North Dakota was sure as hell not Tokyo. What Jen saw in the unlit morning was beyond her wildest dreams. She kept catching my eye, giggling.

London smiled happily. “I’ll let you unpack and then I can give you all the grand tour.”

We unpacked after London’s house tour and Jen finally found sleep. I tucked her in, then took out my phone. “Do you have Wi-Fi?”

“Sure, router’s in the closet. But you can just use my computer.”

I checked my email. Sure enough, there was a message from Sara. “Mom found out. Very pissed! Don’t worry, I got your back. Love always, Sara.”

I sent a reply to let her know I’d arrived safely and that I’d give Mom a call. I was already on the other side of the globe; what was the worst that could happen?

“London, can I make a call to the States?”

“Sure, use any landline.”

I paid no mind to the time difference. If my mother was asleep or at work, I’d just leave a message. In fact, I would have preferred it that way, but angry moms never rest.

She picked up on the first ring. “Sean?”