By myself.
“Give Elise my love,” I add.
“Will do.”
I wave as he shuffles off.
I try to focus on something happier. The kids.
It would be more comfortable calling from the ocean views of my rental, but the traffic on the 405 is always hell, and I’ve missed bedtime before. At this hour, it's gridlock anyway.
Besides, the kids like to FaceTime.
And I can’t FaceTime while I’m driving.
The time difference is just one more thing for me to hate.
Why couldn’t they be in California and me in New York? It would be simpler that way with the time difference.
Or we could all be in California.
Or we could all be in New York.
I make my way to my trailer, and my stomach drops.
Did I forget to lock it?
No, I never forget.
I glance around the lot. It’s Christmas Eve, and almost no one’s here.
Except me.
And wouldn’t it be nice if I weren’t here?
With a sigh, I step inside.
This trailer’s bigger than the last one. A small sitting area with a sofa that’s never quite broken in. A table cluttered with script changes I should be reviewing. A vanity I don’t need. And a bathroom that’s basically a very clean porta-potty with better lighting.
I pull the door shut behind me.
It clicks closed.
Then I hear it.
A sound from the bathroom.
Water, maybe.
My chest gives a sharp, traitorous flutter.
“Who’s there?” I call out.
And with the smallest, stupidest flicker of hope, I say, “Harrison?”
CHAPTER 51
Ava
