I stuff my phone down in my purse, not wanting to lie, but not sure what to say, so instead, I search for Cailin. “Where’s …”
“She’s in the car, talking to Adam. He asked that I check on you. He told me about the articles. He had expected something to get leaked, and he’s sorry you got dragged into it.”
I stand up a little straighter, trying to act cool even though I’m freaking out inside.What if people recognize me? What if word gets out about my past?I take a deep breath and put on my best acting role. “It’s no big deal. I’m just sorry his secret is out. How is he handling it?”
She cups her hands together in front of her body. “He knew putting her in school would eventually let the cat out of the bag. He figured if he was going to tell the world, then what better way than at a father-daughter dance? He was prepared, and his PR people have been waiting for this since the day she was born. The photo of the two of you was never in that plan though.”
“But we’re just standing, talking to one another.”
“Yeah, but when you’re someone like Adam, all gloves are off. He’s used to it. He even created his entire persona around it. People can be brutal, judgmental, and quick to state what they perceive as fact.”
She turns to check on Cailin and then back to me. “But I think this is the best thing that could have happened.”
My eyes widen in surprise. “You mean, um, the photos of—”
“Just as many people are wondering who you are as they are wondering who she is. You’ve helped take some of the focus off of her. There are millions of females who would die to be in your shoes. No one wants to be in hers; they can’t relate to the story that way. People can relate to you; they want to be the one everyone is talking about.”
“But I’m nobody.” I shrug, biting my inner lip, hoping that’s what people are thinking.
“Don’t doubt yourself. Right now, you’re everything to that little girl. What you did for her today, teaching her that song, is something she’ll never forget. She’s been surrounded by women who were hired to take care of her all her life. You taught her that song because you wanted to and for no other reason. Believe me, she knows the difference.”
I stay silent, and Linda nods, like she’s happy with our little talk.
“I should get her home before people start showing up at the church, looking for you. Thank you again for today. We’ll see you tomorrow.”
She heads back to the car, and when she opens it, I can hear Cailin singing at the top of her lungs the song I just taught her. I laugh out loud even though her voice lights the world around me.
Once I turn the corner, I pull up the photos again, seeing how visible my face is in them. I know I look different now, and the comments are saying my last name as Russo, but the thought of people finding out who I really am makes my heart pound and my hands sweat.
My father went to great lengths to keep my past a secret, saying no one would respect him if they knew his own daughter followed the path of the devil. I tried to help him see my side, showing him how different kinds of music could be just as healing as welcoming God into your life. I’ve felt them both and honestly believe it’s the truth.
Let’s just say, those words didn’t go over very well. Seeing his face and how ashamed he was of me is not something I want to relive—ever.
7
Adam
My face hurts from smiling so big. Hearing my little girl tell me about the song she just learned and then singing it for me is my absolute dream. The only downside is that she’s at a church and singing a religious song. With my upbringing, there’s no way I’d ever believe there was a God.
If there is, he has some explaining to do for the way I was raised.
I don’t fault anyone who’s religious, but believing in a higher power is something I absolutely don’t do.
Cailin spoke fondly of her teacher, but no one told me anything about what she looked like, except her resemblance to Cinderella. I rolled my eyes at the notion of someone being like the cartoon character, but when I saw her, it was the first thing I thought.
Then, I really looked at her and saw so much more.
I saw a true woman. Someone so pure and wholehearted that any person who walked by couldn’t help but smile in her presence.
I had been raised with the worst of the worst people around me. It wasn’t until Linda had come into my life that I even knew a human being could show love. One glance at Miss Russo, and I saw so much more than love in her eyes.
I saw hope.
I hadn’t expected other parents to take pictures the way they did, especially since they should have taken into consideration how they wouldn’t want their own kids blasted the way they blasted Cailin all over the internet.
I’d learned early on to not be surprised by anything people do, especially in the company of someone famous. I’d seen it all—from people who passed out at my feet when I said hello to women who tried to rip off my clothes and suck my dick at the first chance they got.
Miss Russo was different though. She smiled sweetly and shook my hand. It was the first time in a while that I didn’t feel like someone wanted something from me.
