Instead of an anecdote about Daria on the back, there’s only a one-line note, similar to the one Mr. Townsend gave us that led to the BMA, and an address.
In California.
Chapter Eleven
Dani
“Sometimes rediscovering yourself is easier in someone else’s mirror.” —Tanya
WHAT DOES THAT EVEN MEAN? THE WORDS WRITTENon the back of Daria’s photo were the only thing on my mind during the entire flight to California. Daria sounded a little too excited to hear from me when I called. We haven’t spoken in at least a year, but she seemed like she had been expecting me to reach out.
I met Daria at London Fashion Week years ago. Her luxury brand, Magnolia, was quickly gaining notoriety in the fashion industry, and I had surpassed the level of success I dreamt of as a model, but we were both still eager to cement our place in history. She selected me as an ambassador for her brand and together we took the world of high fashion to new heights.
Micah and I have only just begun this journey Tanya has sent us on and already my heart aches for her. She lived a full life before I became a part of it—I knew that—but I wasn’t expecting the very first clue to lead us to a discovery of something so significant it altered her very existence.
“It’s beautiful here,” Micah says, pulling my thoughts away from whatever it is we’re headed toward.
When I turn to look at him, he’s looking out the window of the car Daria sent for us with such childlike whimsy it makes the stress wreaking havoc on my body feel silly.
“Have you been to California before?”
He turns to me, pinning me under his easygoing stare. “Can’t say I’ve ever been to Calabasas, but I’ve been to a few different counties. Actually, the last time I was in California was when Rome lived here. Me, Christian, Jalen, Kam, and his mom came out to surprise him for his birthday. Then we made him take us to Disneyland.”
“You made him take you to Disneyland for his birthday?”
“Hell yeah. It was his own fault because he said he was just gonna work. His mom wasn’t having that. Next thing we know, we’re all on a plane headed to the West Coast. Disneyland was Kam’s idea, and what Kam wants, he gets.”
Kam is an only child with rich uncles and an even richer dad. He has no choice but to be spoiled.
“Naturally,” I agree.
“Exactly. Which is how we ended up performing ‘I2I’ in the middle of the park.” His lips tilt into a faint smile as he starts humming Powerline’s classic tune.
A ridiculous image of four hulking men singing and dancing their hearts out to a Disney song floods my mind. “Please tell me there’s video evidence of this.”
He whistles, rubbing his palm over his beard. “Don’t tell Christian I told you this, but Ms. Rochelle definitely has that video and sent it to all her girlfriends.”
“I’m gonna have to get her number from Nelle,” I say, rubbing my hands together. “You just reignited my childhood crush. Powerline could definitely get it.”
He whips his body in my direction. “When you say Powerline, you mean Tevin Campbell?”
I shake my head. “No. I mean, I wouldn’t say no to Tevin. But, no. I mean Powerline.”
“The cartoon?”
“Are you really gonna sit there and act like you’ve never had a crush on a cartoon?” I stare at him, waiting for him to unleash an inevitable lie.
“Don’t think so.” And there it is.
“Velma?”
“No.”
“Lola Bunny?”
“No.”
“Storm?”
