“Hmm, does it look like I’m suffering here, missing something?” Goldie put out her hands expansively to the million-dollar view in her million-dollar mansion. She felt hollow when she did it. Libby was someone who wasn’t impressed with this kind of artifice. Goldie knew it. She always knew it.
“No, it’s beautiful. In my case, and in Hope’s, Irish Hills was a refuge, financial, emotional, and spiritual, in a lot of ways. I can see you don’t need that. But maybe it would be good to get back with a group of people who knew you way back when. People that don’t care about your recent dust-up with the Victor Superhero Universe.”
“Yeah, you heard about that,” Goldie said.
Everyone had heard about it. What no one knew yet, was that after thirty years in Hollywood, Goldie, movie star, and Oscar winner, was agentless.
“Well, TMZ does get to Michigan.”
“Ah, yes, well, look. I appreciate the offer. But I’ve got a career crisis going on. And I need to deal with it. I have to be here to strategize and find a new agent. Talk to an attorney on some things. I just can’t do a film festival all the way in Michigan. In fact, I actually have to get going. I’m set to appear at Dream Factory Comic Con in like less than two hours.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry. I did barge in on you.”
“No, no, I’m glad to see you. I want to catch up. But I am already getting a reputation for being a diva. This autograph and photo session at the Comic Con is important. If I don’t show, well, it will prove them all right.”
“I’ll get out of your way. I totally understand.”
Goldie did want to catch up, and despite the development of her thick skin, and tough Hollywood outer shell, part of her wanted to open up. In her heart, she was starting to see what her life was missing. It was friends like she had growing up on Lake Manitou.
She’d never let anyone in like she did then. But it was likely way too late now. Even so, she had an idea.
“I don’t know if you have other plans or anything, but would you like to go with me to this comic con event? It’s kind of fun to see the frenzy at these things.”
“I’d love it.”
“I must warn you; it can also give you a major headache. Loud, big, crowded, and filled with just, well, stuff. It’s not relaxing, but it is a show.”
“I’m in.”
“Great, TALLY! Tell the team I’m on the way.”
“Team?”
“Hair and makeup are standing by at the Anaheim Convention Center, they’ll spruce me up, and we’re all set.”
“Got it.”
Goldie was disproportionately happy about Libby agreeing tohang out for a bit at the Comic Con. She should be worried about Scott, the VSU, and her career.
But instead, she was going to get to find out what happened to her old Sandbar Sisters.
It would be a great way to distract her from the crap Scott and Trevor were slinging in her direction.
Chapter Four
Libby
Libby marveled at how ageless Goldie was. They were all around fifty, the Sandbar Sisters, but Goldie, she was timeless. And tiny, Goldie was always petite, but she looked more birdlike now, like her skin barely held her bones together. And even that was tenuous.
She portrayed a tough exterior, but Libby knew the girl. She knew the bright penny that was Liz Gould, now Goldie Hayes.
Despite that, Goldie talked tough and fast. Libby couldn’t even imagine how savvy her old friend had to be to rise to the top like she had.
Goldie’s driver, Hollis, got them to the Anaheim Convention Center.
It looked like a spaceship, landed in the middle of a row of hotels, Libby thought.
Hollis left to park the vehicle. Tally, carrying whatever gear Goldie required, led the way as they went up a back elevator to an attached suite above the massive convention center.
