Page 121 of Undone By The Mountain Daddies

“You said drug relapse, Holden,” points out the interviewer. “Please tell us more about that. Are you saying Sienna has had a problem with drugs in the past?”

Holden looks all serious and nods.

“Yes,” he answers. “A few years ago, she had the same problem.”

There are muffled voices all around him now.

“I’m surprised to hear that,” says another interviewer. “Sienna was doing so well a few years ago. She starred in the Jane Eyre remake, and her performance was nominated for an award.”

“Interesting,” says the first interviewer, speaking out into the crowd to provide some context. “Would someone with a substance abuse problem be able to achieve a performance award?”

Holden sort of half shrugs and tries to look upset about the whole situation

The woman returns the microphone to Holden. “I think we’re all a little… taken aback to hear this isn’t the first time Sienna has been using.”

Holden sighs, rubbing the back of his neck. A slight loss of composure—all part of the act, I’m sure.

“I can give some context if that’s what you’re looking for.”

“Yes,” says the interviewer. “That would certainly help.”

Holden winces. “I just don’t know if this is appropriate to share.”

I’m so invested in what Holden has to say that I’ve forgotten I’m watching this entire interview through a phone screen.

I glance up briefly and see that the world has come to a halt.

And I wish I were being overdramatic.

The crowds have tripled since I last looked up. More teams of press and paparazzi have shown up. It’s cameras galore in every direction I look. They hang over me like street lights.

Yesterday, I was surrounded by trees. I looked up and saw a canopy of green. Now I look up and see my reflection staring back at me in dozens of camera lenses.

“We all love Sienna very much,” continues the interviewer. “We want what’s best for her, isn’t that right, everyone?”

“Yes!” the crowd cheers through the phone.

I look up from the screen again, comparing crowds. The one around me is even bigger.

I’m angry and my blood feels like it’s about to boil. But, other than that, I’m strangely okay.

It’s because I finally see light at the end of the tunnel.

“Okay,” says Holden.

I return to the phone, wondering what bullshit Holden is going to pull out of his ass next.

He takes out his phone and scrolls for a few moments. I feel the tension build in the audience as I watch the interview on the phone.

“Here,” he says after another beat of scrolling, and he flips his phone around.

I lift the phone I’m holding up to my face, trying to see what he’s showing everyone.

“Let’s bring the cameras closer so we can get a better look at the screen,” suggests the interviewer.

There’s some feedback from the microphone, some static rustling and camera shaking as the people filming move around, bringing Holden’s phone into focus.

He holds a picture up of me at my worst.