Of course, Dustin won, and the screenplay forTenuredalso won, but it had not been Goldie’s year. She lost to Kim Basinger.
When the parties and press died down after the Oscars, Goldie curled up on her couch and opened the thick package that had arrived that day.
She poured through the pictures of baby Siena.
It had made the Oscar loss insignificant.
But it also fired a kernel of bitterness in her gut. For the first time, a sacrifice she made for her career was too much. She’d given up the day-to-day life with her daughter, for her career, and for Dustin’s reputation.
He won the Oscar, had his wife, new baby, the love of the entire world, and a quiet and compliant former mistress and costar.
She could have unhinged his entire life. Instead, she’d quietly unhinged her own.
She was proud of herself, in one way, at least. Siena wasn’t going to be a part of someone else’s scandal. She was a beautiful light in the world, and Goldie was going to be sure that was always what she was, not some footnote to the story of Dustin Toms or even Goldie Hayes.
She would call tomorrow, at a better hour, and catch up.
She would bring clothes and toys and treats as many times as she could manage throughout the year.
She would be the best aunt she could be.
Despite losing the Oscar that year, Goldie had gained a lot, more than most.
Even if she didn’t get the daily joy of seeing Siena, she’d figure out how to have the best of both worlds… or a little part of the best.
Chapter Fourteen
Goldie, Present Day
Joe drove, and Goldie got on her phone on the way to town. In less than ten minutes, she had the funds transferred where she needed them.
Aunt Emma and Libby would get a decent windfall, and Goldie would get a hotel! More than that, she had a valid reason to stay away from Hollywood while the scandal blew over.
“That’s some wheeling and dealing,” Joe whistled. He was amazed at Goldie, and maybe now he’d stop thinking she was an airhead actress. She had earned a fortune and could spend it whenever she wanted.
“Not really. I sort of know real estate. That’s one of the things I invested my earnings in.”
“Smart.”
Goldie focused on the task at hand. She found it helped her stop obsessing about her career.
“Raccoon trap, what else do we need at the hardware store?”
“You’re going to need a new hose for thatwasher. My fix was temporary at best. I’ll install it, but we need to get it if you want to keep washing clothes.”
“Yeah, I will need that.” Goldie thought about her luggage, what she had, and what she needed. How long did she need to hide out? A couple weeks? A few months?
She didn’t really think long term. Surely, she could farm out the management of the hotel whenever she needed to. But for now, she was happy to have the distraction and the project. She had rescued the place from tacky, that was the truth, and she’d helped sweet Aunt Emma. Libby, too, she hoped.
Joe handed her a washer hose, and she followed as he grabbed a metal contraption, the raccoon trap.
They made their way to the counter, where a good-looking man in a Peck’s Hardware polo shirt helped check them out. Goldie knew right away who this man was!
“Little Pudding, you’re a hunk!”
A bright red blush rolled from Jared Pawlak’s neck to his cheeks.
“I didn’t think you’d recognize me.”
