Maggie prepared for the interviews, her mood dark. Karl and Maya had arrived before noon to brief her. Her hair stylist and make-up people arrived in time to ready her for The Tonight Show. Still her nervousness wore on the rest of her staff. She knew this was part of the fame, but she still didn’t like it.
“M.J., will you sit down?” Maya put the notes in front of Maggie for one last review. “Sometimes I can’t believe you were an English major.”
“Majoring in English doesn’t automatically assure you of being a competent public speaker. I majored in English because I liked to read and write, neither of which require communicating orally with another person.” Maggie picked up the notes, read them, and put them back down. “Where’s Susan? Did you know I hate public speaking?”
“She and her mom are shopping. I suggested it.”
“What for? Why didn’t you consult me?”
“You need to concentrate,” Karl added, “and she interferes. Besides, you need to cool it with her. You’re going to be under close scrutiny and you can’t afford a scandal.”
“No, you cool it, Karl. Susan is part of my life.”
“M.J., we’re doing our job and protecting you,” Karl said. “You don’t need this affair getting—”
“Stop! Susan is off-limits. To you, Maya, and anyone else. I will not give her up. Do you understand?”
Karl nodded and quickly changed the subject. “After these interviews are over, why don’t you take some time off? We can get that place up near Yosemite that you like so much.”
Maggie glared. “Don’t handle me, Karl. I’ll decide where and when I want to go if I decide to take time off.” Maggie was tired. She mentally promised to take time off in New York to shop with Susan.
*
In New York, Maggie had five interviews with print media, three with electronic media, two phone interviews, and a photo shoot. Susan was frustrated and wondered why she’d even bothered with this trip. She shopped alone. By the time they arrived in Orlando it was almost Saturday.
Susan felt guilty. She had promised to be home early enough to spend some time with her family. She tried to get into the house quietly. In the past, Susan had relaxed after a trip by spending a few moments with her mother before going to sleep, but Maggie wanted to play.
“Why don’t you go ahead and go to bed? I’ll be in shortly.”
“I can wait on you.” Maggie ran her hands across Susan’s breasts. “But I may not be able to wait long.”
Susan stopped Maggie’s roaming hands. “Please. I just need a few minutes. I don’t know how you keep going. I just need some time for me.”
“Fine!” Maggie stormed off without another word.
Susan wanted Maggie to go away so she could wake up her mom and just talk. She didn’t mean to make Maggie angry. She just wanted some quiet. Her life was again filled with conflict.
The next morning Susan and Maggie rode in silence out to the airport to meet Maggie’s kids and Maya. Maggie was still pouting because Susan refused to go to bed when she did.
At the airport, Maggie was recognized and stopped for autographs. A crowd formed, jostling and shoving to get closer. The noise and the pushing frightened Cady. Susan picked Cady up and walked away, calling out that she would wait in the car.
“Mom, are those people trying to hurt Miss Maggie?”
“No, sweetheart, they just want to talk to her and get her autograph.”
“What’s aulo gaff?”
“It’s autograph, sweetie. That is when people sign their names. When you write your name, that’s your autograph.”
“I don’t want to learn to write.” Cady’s face had a serious look.
“I write my name all the time, and no one asks for my autograph.” Susan wanted to reassure her, but she was not able to convince herself. “You’ll be a very good writer, and I promise you will always be safe.” Would they ever have any privacy again?
Confused by Susan’s sudden disappearance, Maggie gathered her children and the luggage. The media showing up infuriated her. She had no doubts Karl was behind it.
As the crowd closed in, Maggie spoke to Maya. “Hold on to the kids. Head to the door. Susan will probably be right outside.”
Susan circled the terminal while watching for Maggie. A large, noisy crowd burst from the doorway like water too long held behind an earthen dam. At the head of the frantic flow was Maggie, Maya, and two children. Susan quickly pulled up to the entrance and pushed the button to open the side doors of the minivan. The cresting crowd followed. Somehow, everyone managed to get into the van before the swarm reached them.
*
By the time they reached Winter Park, Maggie wanted to shake Susan and ask what the hell was wrong. When they were finally alone at bedtime, she asked, “What’s going on? You’ve hardly talked to me all day.”
“I’m tired, Mags. Can we just let it rest?”
“What happened between going to the airport and coming back from the airport?”
“You.” The answer stunned Maggie. She sat on the edge of the bed while Susan rummaged in a dresser for a pair of socks. “Your need for attention. All those people at the airport. I don’t like losing my life, or interrupting my daughter’s. And your damned need to hide.”
“Susan, do you understand now why I protect my privacy?”
“If you’re going to compare today’s episode with your hiding your sexual orientation, it won’t work.” Susan crossed the room, pacing like an animal stalking its prey.
“I’m talking about privacy,” Maggie spat out. “You’ve just gotten a small taste of what my life is like, and you don’t like it. Well, guess what? I don’t either. I didn’t arrange today. And when I find out who did, I’ll make sure it doesn’t happen again. I want to keep my kids safe and away from the public. I’m sorry about Cady. I don’t want her, or you, or your mother to have to go through this. Right now there isn’t a damn thing I can do to stop it except be discreet. And control the information people have.”
“I love you, Maggie, and I don’t want to hide. I also want more order in my life.”
“I do too, sweetheart,” Maggie sighed. “I do too.”