“I’m so glad you enjoyed the program. That makes me really happy. And thank you.”
“Wow, Libby Malcolm, I never know who I’m going to meet in this job. Last week I ran into Suzanne Somers when I was picking up Goldie’s green matcha powder.”
“Tally, could you?” Goldie put the dog in Tally’s arms and ended the girl’s rambling grocery shopping with the stars tour.
“Oh, yes, sorry. Again, honored to meet you, Libby.”
“Well, so you’re famous,” Goldie said. “I had no idea.”
Goldie knew that sounded mean, dismissive. It was another trick one picked up in her status-obsessed business.Oh, you’re an actress. Would I have seen you in anything?
“Not really, maybe in Southland Neighborhood board meetings in Chicagoland. Though I did meet Bono once.”
“He’s so little, right? I mean, a giant in the world, but so little?”
“I did feel rather monstrous sized next to him.”
They laughed. There was an ease, a familiarity, that Goldie was surprised to feel. Surprised to be warmed by.
“So, Chicago, community organizer, hanging out with Bono—what’s next, a bid for president? Are you here for my celebrity endorsement?”
“Ha, no, you missed that second part. My husband, ex-husband, nearly got me sent to prison when he embezzled from my non-profit. So, yeah, not interested in high office. But I am going to admit that I am still a community organizer. Just a different community.”
Here it was, here was the ask. Goldie liked to support charity. She’d walked the red carpet at tons of fundraisers.
“How much do you need? I’m happy to donate. Though you may not want my endorsement for whatever. My name isn’t great right now.”
“What I want is to honor you at the First Annual Goldie Hayes Film Festival, to be held in Irish Hills.”
“Shut up, that’s hilarious. And Irish Hills, that place was wiped off the map, right? After the tornado.”
Her parents had moved to Florida after the tornado. There had never been a reason to go back. And honestly, once she started making it big, everyone just wanted to visit her here. Why wouldn’t they?
“Well, almost. So let me put all my cards on the table. I’ve moved back to Irish Hills, well, maybe ran away to Irish Hills after my husband dragged my name through the mud. And the place turned into my mission. I’m working to save it, and well, it’s a cliché for sure, but it’s saving me, too.”
“Oh, brother, that’s Hallmark Movie dialogue right there,” Goldie said. It was probably too harsh. She was used to harshness. She was used to rudeness. That was show business.
“I know, but it doesn’t mean it isn’t true.”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to be, well, me.”
“It’s cool, really, and what I have in mind is nutty. I made a similar offer to Hope just a few weeks ago.”
Hope Benton. Strong, self-assured, and tall. Those were thethings that flashed in her mind about those long ago summers with Hope, J.J., Viv, and Libby.
“Hope, wow. I’m sure she’s a fantastic chef by now?”
“Yes, yes, she is. But it was a recent development. She just opened the most amazing place in downtown Irish Hills.”
“Cute!”
“So, this is the deal. Irish Hills needs you. Straight up. The town is fighting extinction, and it needs you. Irish Hills needs a dose of your glamour, your celebrity, and the sparkle you bring. And I’m not going to lie. It’s crass, but Irish Hills needs to hitch its wagon to your star.”
Goldie was used to people asking her to lend her name to things. It was part of her worth in the world, she figured.
“My fading star, tarnished star.”
“Please, you’re a household name. And look, yeah, we need your star power in Irish Hills. But more importantly, we need you back with our little Sandbar Sisters girl squad. And I think you need us, too.”
