“Do you have a room for my mother?” Gennie asked. “She’ll be here this afternoon.”
“I have one room left, thank goodness,” Linus said.
“Raquel Birdwell’s flying in tomorrow,” Gennie said. “To interview me. I had Blair book her at the lodge. She’s a suite kind of a girl.”
“Raquel Birdwell?” Linus put his hand on his forehead like he might faint. “She’s fabulous. Love her. I’ll call my buddy who runs the lodge and make sure they pull out all the stops.” He continued without taking a breath, his eyes alight with excitement, “Where will you conduct the interview? We could do it in my lobby, but it’s not private. The room here seems too small.” He snapped his fingers. “I know. You should use Annie and Drake’s house. It’s perfect for an interview.”
“Would they mind?” Stefan asked. “Because you’re right. It’s the perfect location.”
“They’ll be happy to help,” Linus said. “I’ll call them right away. Leave everything to me. Now, I should run and leave you two alone.” `
“Linus, before you go,” Gennie said.
He halted at the door. “Yes?”
“I didn’t abandon the baby. I put her up for a very legal adoption. I thought she was with good people all this time.”
“Sweetie, you’ve been part of our community for months now. We consider you a friend, not a movie star. We know you here. And anyone who knows you, knows you would never do such a thing.”
She smiled, fighting tears. “Thank you for the treats and for your support. Will you tell the others thank you for the card?”
“Absolutely. You get some rest before your mother arrives. If she’s anything like mine, you’ll need it.”
Chapter 5
Gennie’s mom arrived around three, having been fetched from the airport by a brave Tommy who said a few snowy roads didn’t scare him. When they appeared at her door, Gennie almost wept with joy to see them. Her mom wore a white ski jacket with a faux fur collar. Tommy, dressed in a bomber jacket and ski cap, held her small suitcase. It always amazed Gennie how economically her mother could pack for a trip. She ushered them both into the room, thanking Tommy for driving in this dreadful weather.
“It was my pleasure,” Tommy said, giving her mom a wink. “We had a good talk. Plus, I go crazy if I’m indoors for too long.” Tommy plucked his knit hat from his head and brushed his fingers through his hair.
“The streets are slick, but Tommy drove without any trouble.” Cheeks flushed and eyes bright, her mom looked well, despite the reasons for being here. Her hair, cut into flattering layers that flipped out at her jawline, made her appear youthful and sassy. All traces of gray were hidden with a perfect color job. Five years ago, she’d surprised Gennie by asking for a facelift. Gennie had found a doctor in Beverly Hills with an impeccable reputation, and he’d done a marvelous job, taking years away without stretching the skin to give her that “stuck in a wind tunnel” look.
“Did you know Tommy wrote the number one country song on the charts this week?” her mother asked. “We heard it on the radio just now.”
“Joan, you’re going to give me a big head, which my wife will not appreciate,” Tommy said with a self-deprecating grin.
“Phooey. I bet she’s enormously proud of you.” Her mom set her purse on the desk next to the basket of goodies. “It’s so exciting. You’d think I’d get used to all these famous people around me all time, Tommy, but with Gennie, I still think of her as just my little girl, not some big movie star.”
“We were all star-struck when she and Stefan first arrived, but now we just think of them as part of our gang,” Tommy said.
“She’s told me over the phone how much fun she’s had, and it’s gorgeous here.” Her mom smiled as she walked over to the window and peered out at the scenery. “I should’ve come up sooner.”
“I told you, Mom.”
“Yes, you did. I should’ve listened.”
It would be dark soon, but for now, the sun fought hard against its impending retirement. Hanging just above the mountains, its orange light cast shadows across the snow.
“What a sight.” Her mother turned to look back at Gennie. “Truth be told, Tommy, I love the weather in Malibu and hardly ever want to leave. The beach is my special place. I love walking and smelling that beachy smell.”
“I understand perfectly. The first time I came here to River Valley and jumped into the river on a hot August day, I never wanted to leave,” Tommy said.
While they chatted for a few more moments about their love of water, Gennie pondered Tommy’s choice to live in River Valley over someplace like Nashville or Los Angeles. Although he had the talent to be a star like Moody, he was happier in River Valley with his wife and daughter, writing songs for other people to sing rather than pursuing that life for himself. If he had any regrets, it wasn’t obvious. He appeared to be undeniably comfortable in his own skin and at peace with his decisions. If only I felt the same.
Tommy scrunched his knit hat back on his head, arranging it over his ears. “I’ll be on my way and let you two talk. Lee wanted me to tell you to keep your chin up. She says everything will work itself out.”
Gennie knew from Bella that Lee’s first husband had committed suicide over a failed business decision. Lee was left to sort out his debt to a dangerous loan shark. She’d found a second chance for happiness in River Valley. Bella said there was magic in the river, believing the water restored and healed. Given Lee’s and Bella’s happy endings, perhaps there was something to the theory.
“Before I go, Lee and Annie wondered if you would like to come for Thanksgiving tomorrow? The whole gang will be there. And it sounds like Stefan’s sticking around as well. We’re hoping all three of you will join us.”
Gennie glanced at her mom. “It sounds nice. We’ll talk about it and let you know. Thanks for the invite.”
“Yes, so thoughtful of you,” her Mom said.
“I’m out of here. Bye, ladies,” Tommy said.
They said goodbye and she thanked him again for the ride. After he was gone, Gennie hugged her mom. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
Her mom held the sides of Gennie’s face, peering into her eyes. “My Gennie girl. Are you all right?”
“It’s brought up so much.”
“For me too.” She gestured toward the small sitting area in front of the fire. “Come, let’s sit. We’ll talk it all out and come up with a plan.”
The unopened basket of goodies caught her attention. I want a glass of wine for this conversation. No, too early. Tea. Have tea instead. “Mom, I’m going to make tea. Would you like some?”
“No thank you, sweetie.” She had settled into a chair and was untying her snow boots. “They gave us coffee on the plane.”
Gennie made a cup of tea with the Keurig, then moved to the chair next to her mom. “Did you see the news stories?”
“I did. I saw her. Sarah. I’d always wondered what they’d chosen to name her. She looks so much like you and your father.”
“Yes, it’s undeniable whose she is.”
“When I saw her photograph on television, I felt a connection to her right way. Perhaps because she looks like you.”
“Sarah called Trix. She wants to meet me,” Gennie said.
Her mother raised an eyebrow. “I figured as much. How do you feel about it? Do you want to meet her, or will it be too painful?”
“I want to, but I’m worried.”
“Are you afraid she’ll ask about her father?”
“Yes. I don’t want to hurt her with the truth.” Speaking of the truth, I have to break your heart now. She took a deep breath. “Mom, there’s something I have to tell you. Something I haven’t been truthful about.” Get control of yourself. You can do this. She cleared her throat and stalled further by taking a sip of tea.
“Honey, what is it? You’re scaring me.”
“I lied to you about the rape. It wasn’t a stranger. It was Senator Murphy. He attacked me at hi
s home the afternoon I went there for the interview.” She told her the rest of the story, stopping at points to blow her nose.
All color had drained from her mom’s face. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“He said if I told anyone he would kill you.”
Her mom wiped her eyes. “And he’s powerful enough to do it and get away with it.”
“Yes,” Gennie said. She told her of the annual delivery of roses. “He made sure I didn’t forget.”
“My poor baby.”
Unable to bear the look of pain on her mother’s face, she sipped her tea. “I’m sorry I lied, Mom, but I was so afraid. I didn’t want to jeopardize your safety, and I thought if you knew you would try to go after him. I couldn’t lose you. I can’t lose you.”
“Why are you telling me now?”
“Because I realized I don’t want to have any secrets from you. I need you to help me figure out what to do.”
“Rick Murphy. I can’t believe it. That bastard.” She spoke his name like she tasted something bitter. She stood.
Her hands are shaking. They shook the day I told her I was pregnant. She was always so calm, so level-headed, but this was too much. I shouldn’t have told her.
“I think I will have a cup of tea after all,” her mom said.
“I’ll get it. You sit.” At the Keurig, Gennie chose a peppermint pod. Peppermint always makes her feel better.
Gennie placed the mug on the side table between the chairs. “Here you are.”
“Peppermint. Thank you, honey.” She took a large sip, then coughed. Her hands continued to shake as she took another drink. “This is a lot to take in.”
“Now you know why I’m hesitant to meet Sarah.” Genie remained standing, letting the heat from the fire warm the back of her legs.
Her eyes, glassy with unshed tears, widened. “But you want to?”
“I do. What about you?” Gennie asked. “Do you want to meet her?”
“I would, but like you, I’m worried about her well-being. This is a complex situation we’re bringing her into.”
“She’s already in it,” Gennie said. “It’s cruel to deny her a meeting. I can imagine how curious she must be. I’ve thought about it a lot over the years, wondering if she felt rejected because her mother gave her up. It’s only natural to want answers.”
“Yes, there’s no doubt you have to meet her. I’d like to meet her too.”
“Did you ever think about her, Mom?”
“All the time.”
“Me too. How come we never talked about her?” Gennie asked.
“I never wanted to bring her up in case it hurt you to remember. I was there when you had to send her away. I saw what it did to you.” Her mom’s voice broke. She waved her hand in front of her eyes. “I’m sorry, sweetie. It was hard for me too. When they took her away, it took everything in me not to run down the hall and grab her back. I knew it wasn’t right for you or for her, but damn if it didn’t almost kill me.”
Gennie reached over and took her mother’s hand. “You’re strong, Mom. You’ve always been so strong.”
“I haven’t felt that way, sweetie.”
They sipped their tea in silence for a moment, both staring at the fire. Talk to her about what to do.
“Stefan thinks I should tell the truth about Murphy. He thinks there are probably others.”
“I agree. We’re not as vulnerable as we were twenty years ago. We have wealth now. You can hire the best attorney. You can hire people to protect us. We can’t just stay silent and let him hurt more girls. Think of Bill Cosby. Once one woman had the courage to come forward, the others did too. Like with him, you can’t be an isolated case. Murphy could become president.” She shuddered. “It makes me sick.”
“That’s what Stefan said. But if I go public, there’s no choice but to tell Sarah the whole truth.”
Her mom didn’t speak for a few seconds. She’s thinking it through. Trying to figure out what we should do. After a moment, she looked over at Gennie. “I understand why you did it, but it feels terrible that you kept a secret that big from me for such a long time. I can’t help but think this is all happening for a reason. That leads me to one conclusion: you should start with telling her the truth and go from there. It affects her life as much as it does yours. Once this goes public, she will be forever known as Rick Murphy’s child from a rape. And, Gennie, let’s face it, your fame will make things that much worse. The scrutiny will be difficult for her. But the truth is always the better choice.”
“It’s not just the public scrutiny. What if he goes after her? If I go public, he will do whatever it takes to destroy all of us.”
“We’ll hire bodyguards for all of us if it comes to that. Or something. We have the resources.”
“I suppose we do. I’m sorry I lied to you all these years, Mom. Are you angry?”
“Sweetheart, of course not. Your decisions were made from love, and that bastard scared you. You were a little girl. And, the truth is, he’s a dangerous person. We know money can buy a lot of things, including protection from the law. We’ve seen it over and over again. Look at the Kennedy’s for heaven’s sake. But honey, you have to do what’s right. Stefan’s correct. There are probably others. We can’t stay silent and let others get hurt.”
“He will come after me.” She couldn’t stop the quiver in her voice. “I’m scared.”
Her mother sipped her tea, looking over her cup at Gennie. “Your father was the greatest man I ever knew.”
She smiled. “I know, Mom. You’ve only told me that four thousand times.” What does this have to do with anything?
“That’s because it’s true. He was a great man in an ordinary life. He always believed we should be the hero in our own stories.”
“He was my hero,” Gennie said. He still is.
“I know, sweetie. He was mine too. We had such a happy marriage. Even though it was cut short, I believe we loved one another so well that we had more joy in our fifteen years together than those lucky enough to have forty.”
“I can remember you laughing together in the kitchen,” Gennie said. “I associate the smell of dinner cooking with laughter.” After he died, she would wake in the middle of the night hearing his laugh…until she remembered he was gone. And my heart broke all over again.
“He made me laugh like no one else ever could.” Her mother took another sip of her tea, shaking her head, perhaps remembering a specific moment. What moment did she think of most?
“We were a wonderful team because we had different strengths. I was the practical one, but he was brave and compassionate and emotionally intelligent. He used his intuition to make decisions, while I used my reasoning skills. You know, always the accountant. We knew one another so well, and we made decisions together about everything. About you. About money. You name it, we discussed it and came up with a plan. When he died, I was lost. Without his intuition, I had no idea what to do, especially when it came to you. The two of you were so alike. He used to tell me sometimes he could actually hear your thoughts just by observing the expressions on your face. How he loved you. You were simply devastated when we lost him, and I had no earthly idea how to help you. My own grief was so consuming.”
“Mom, you were perfect. The perfect mother.”
“I can think of so many moments I could’ve been better. Anyway, I suppose you wonder where I’m going with all this.”
“The thought had occurred to me,” Gennie said, chuckling.
“Your father was a great man in an ordinary life. What would he tell you to do?”
Fight. Stand up to him. Take him down. “He would tell me to fight Murphy.” But I’m not a hero. I’m still a scared little girl.
“I believe that’s true.”
“I don’t know if I can, though. I don’t know if I have it in me,” Gennie said.
“You do. And, your life is not ordinary. You’re rich and famous. You have power. You have the chance to do something extraordinary. Your c
ompassion for others must outweigh your fear. Do you understand?”
“I think so.” But I don’t know if I can do it.
“Do you remember when we first moved out to L.A. and you asked if you could take acting classes?”
“Sure. The studio off Melrose.” It had smelled of cabbage. She had never been able to figure out why.
“I was terrified for you, but I let you go. I thought you were too raw still, too fragile, but you marched into that class with your head held high. When I picked you up, your cheeks were pink—for the first time since it had all happened. I knew then you would survive. You’re a survivor, my Gennie girl. You’re my hero. I want you to know that. Your enormous talent and work ethic have given me so much to be proud of, but it’s your courage that’s always amazed me. Your decision to have the baby and then make a life for yourself, even with all the pain and loss, was extraordinary. For heaven’s sake, you conquered Hollywood to become the highest paid actress on the planet. You did that. With your grit. So you look fear in the face and spit on it. We’re taking Rick Murphy down.”
“Mom, you think too much of me.”
“A mother knows her child, sometimes better than they know themselves.”
Was she brave? Could she do this? The elk. She remembered his breath in the cold air, the proud lift of his head. Daddy, I wish you were here. “I need a good lawyer.”
Her mom patted her leg. “That’s a good first step.”
“Stefan’s best friend is an attorney in Hollywood. He’s represented rape victims before.”
“I’m surprised you shared everything with him, Gennie girl. I take it you’ve grown close during filming?” The casual tone of her mother’s question didn’t match the intense questioning in her eyes. She wants to know how I feel about him. Could she admit the truth?
“Yes. Very close,” Gennie said.
“Close friends?”
Can I say it out loud? Mommy, I’m in love with him. “He understands me the way no one ever has. He accepts me the way I am, even though I’ve nearly driven him crazy. I’ve fallen for him.” She paused, gathering courage. Just say it. “I’m in love with him.”
The River Valley Series Page 88