His pale cheeks turn red, right before he bursts into tears. He’s the most adorable thing ever but I hear the clicking of the cameras as I help him up.
“Johnny!” His mom cries out. “I told you to watch where you’re going.”
“I’m so sorry,” I tell her. “I didn’t see him, they,” I motioned to the paps taking pictures, “were blocking my view.”
His mother, a woman who appears to be in her mid-twenties laughs with a shake of her head.
“Are you kidding, he bounced off famous hips.”
My surprised chuckle has me covering my mouth. “I was not expecting that. I was totally prepared to be mauled by a mama bear. He is so cute.”
The little buddy perks up at the compliment as he wipes his face.
“And rambunctious,” his mom adds. “It’s fine. I saw the entire thing. I know it was an accident.”
I turn the glare at the paparazzi but they’re already walking away. “I’m relieved. I’d never purposely hurt a little buddy,” I admit. “I love kids.” I turn my attention to her son, “I’m sorry for bumping into you, Johnny. Are you okay?”
Johnny, who has already moved on, cheeses up at me as he moves some of his hair out of his face. “I’m okay but Spider-Man isn’t.” He holds up his broken toy. “But he’s a fast healer.”
“He is,” I agree. “But I would like to get you a new one if that’s okay.” I suggest as I look between the mom and son.
Excited, Johnny jumps into my arms and I’m happy that my reflexes are fast enough to catch him. I accept his hug, loving the feel of the small child’s warmth.
Oh, my ovaries!
∞∞∞
I’m done. The newscycle and the vicious fans try to turn me into an asshole no matter what I do. No one is pointing out that I went to the toy store and had lunch with the mother and son. I didn’t do any of that out of guilt, it was just nice to talk to people who weren’t obsessed with this so-called love triangle.
It also helped me see that I may not be in the right place. I found myself preferring to talk to a six-year-old about his toy collection than the majority of the adults I’d recently seen. My social media blowing up with another lie is the last straw. The city was starting to feel too small. Suffocating. I’m thoroughly regretting my decision to move to New York after our break up. It just doesn’t feel right anymore. Filming always kept me away from the city anyway.
How and why do they keep creating this lie that I care about Adam’s relationship? His name and now Shira’s are the last names I want to hear. It’s a shame that being on the opposite side of the United States from Adán, isn’t helping with this situation. The paparazzi are too comfortable in New York and LA wouldn’t be any better. I need to be in a place where cameras aren’t always in my face.
The desire to escape is clawing at my skin and taking my anxiety to an all time high. I do not feel safe here.
My phone pings, taking me out of my thoughts.
Kyle-Manager: I know you want to take a break but I want to run an offer by you.
Me: I can’t deal with people right now.
Kyle-Manager: Which is why you might like this.
Sighing, I hit the call button. Kyle answers after one ring.
“I’m listening.”
“There has been a botanical alcohol company reaching out to me because they want you to be a spokesperson since you are health-conscious and all. But,” he rushes on before I can cut him off. “I was holding out since you had a lot on your plate. This morning, they doubled down their offer with something I knew would interest you.”
“Bottomline me.”
“The owner is so sure you’re the right person for their brand that he also extended the offer for you to be the spokesperson for his brand new wellness resort.” Kyle starts speaking faster because he loves the reveal. “It’s in Dallas. Just a few hours away from your hometown.” He sings the city name the way he does when he thinks something is perfect. “No appearances necessary. It’ll be just you and the staff for one week as you test drive all of the amenities of the resort for free before the grand opening. You will taste the botanical drinks while I deep dive to make sure all the ingredients are something you can stand behind. If everything lines up and is to your liking, then you can sign their contract. If not, you at least got a luxurious week to yourself to unplug and decompress. What do you say?”
A fresh set of tears attack as I remember the vitriol waiting for me online.
“They want me even with the bullshit online?”
“The assistant insisted on adding you to the resort brand deal BECAUSE of the bullshit online. She said and I quote. ‘We are huge fans of Jessamine and the show. She doesn’t deserve this. She needs a break.’”
