Sophie handed me the final page again.
My private life is private.
“Five words,” she said.
“I remember.”
“Use them.”
I folded the page and slipped it into my back pocket.
Rachel stood and adjusted the collar of my jacket.
“You don’t have to answer anything you don’t want to answer.”
“Sophie says silence looks defensive.”
“Sophie is paid to worry about appearances.”
“What are you paid to worry about?”
“You.”
The answer came without humor.
I looked at her.
Rachel smoothed the front of my jacket.
“Do not confuse being honest with giving everyone access.”
“I won’t.”
“And don’t call Richard an emotional parasite on live television.”
“I have never called him that.”
“You wrote it in a song draft.”
“It didn’t rhyme.”
“That is the only reason we’re safe.”
The stage manager called my name.
Music began.
The audience applauded as I walked through the curtain.
Nina stood to greet me in a green suit and silver earrings. She wore the expression of a woman who already knew how the next twelve minutes would go.
I hugged her.
“You look rested,” she said.
“That is the nicest inaccurate thing anyone has said to me today.”
The audience laughed.
