“Why would you be in trouble for—oh, God, Poppy, did you read Ivy’s diary again?”
She cast her gaze to the floor and nodded.
Sienna let out a quiet growl. “Why would youdothat?”
She shrugged her shoulder. “I don’t know.” Poppy looked back up at her, her expression sheepish. “It’s just that … nothing I read is nearly as exciting as Ivy’s diary.”
“That doesn’t make it okay!”
“I know! I promise I won’t do it again. But, Ireally reallyneed to tell you what was in it!”
“Will Ivy get hurt or die?”
“No.”
Standing up, Sienna said, “Then I don’t want to hear it. Now, I need to pack, and so do you.”
“But Mommy! This is serious!”
“Ivy is almost a grown woman, and I’ve taught her to make good choices.”
“You won’t like this one.”
“She’s not going to do whatever it is anyway!” Sienna answered firmly, even though she had no way of knowing what ‘it’ was. “Diaries are a place to write about things you’ll never do! So, whatever it is, it won’t happen, and if I confront her about it right now, she’ll be furious with you and the whole trip will be ruined.”
“But—”
“But nothing, Poppy. Leave it alone. Or you’ll be in big trouble.” With that, Sienna stormed out of the room, hoping that her reaction would prevent future similar events. Once she was safely inside her own bedroom, she shut the door and groaned. “Damn you, Zane,” she muttered, picturing him with his feet up watching TV at that moment while she juggled the children alone. Maybe she should take him back, even if it’s only for evenings like these.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA
CLAUDIA
Claudia leaned against the headboard in her room at the Stardust Hotel. She should’ve been asleep hours ago, but she was too wired to bother trying, and now she was too upset.
Amélie had cheerfully bid her adieu before heading out to meet some friends on the Strip for a couple of drinks and some dancing. Claudia had been happy to let the young woman go. After all, she remembered being twenty-one, and longing for the endless possibilities a nightclub afforded a young woman. Besides, Amélie had been nothing if not reliable and responsible. She’d probably be back at a respectable hour so she could watch Elliott while Claudia prepared for the show.
After the nanny left, Claudia dug around in her suitcase for Angela’s book of poems. She crawled under the covers and opened it for the first time. A strange thing happened as she read each of the poems. It was the same phenomenon as when you read an Emily Dickinson poem, only instead of hearing the tune of ‘The Yellow Rose of Texas,’ she distinctly heard ‘Faded Denim.’
And now, as she closed the book, her body was heavy, and her heart felt as if it was shrinking. There was no doubting it anymore. Jay was right about Zane. He used his first wife the same way he used her. She felt betrayed and hurt and furious. He’d used her for her talent. Used her for her body. Then threw her away when things got messy.
THE DAY OF THE CONCERT
“The truth is you don't know what is going to happen tomorrow. Life is a crazy ride, and nothing is guaranteed.” ~ Eminem
2 P.M. — MARCH 22, 1997
CLAUDIA
Claudia sat in the back of the limousine, Elliott fast asleep in his car seat next to her. She leaned her head against the ivory leather seatback, her stomach in knots as the car sped down the highway toward the concert venue. They were alone again. When Claudia woke that morning, she was surprised her nanny was nowhere to be found in her suite at the Stardust. She walked into Amélie’s room, only to see all her things were gone and there was a note on the bed.
Claudia,
I am sorry to leave you like this, but it couldn’t be helped and you will be fine. I got you to your big day, and you will be among friends who can help you at the show.
I found a husband. He is not rich, but with my help, he will be. He’s a computer genius, who is working on some sort of game thatlets people have a second life on their computer, only better than their real one. (He wants to call it My Simulated Life, but I said he should shorten it to Sims. Who knows if it’ll take off, but even if it doesn’t, he’s the one. He’s such a nerd that he doesn’t realize how handsome he is. This is sexy, no?)
Anyway, we talked all night and got married at five o’clock this morning. We’re leaving immediately so he can get back to his house in San Francisco to work.
