“I’m trying for you, not him.” Will ruined my life more times than I could remember. As far as I was concerned, I wished to God I had been an only child.
“Fair enough.” He nodded and smiled above my head when Mom came out. “Speaking of beautiful.”
“Oh, Philip.” She blushed. “Let’s go before the snow starts.”
I went for my purse on the counter, and a flash of color that didn’t belong in the woods caught my attention.
“Dad, are Kim and Shannan coming by?”
“Not that I’m aware of, but they did mention a hike and taking Bentley with them.”
Huh, okay. I stared a moment longer, curious if I’d see them, but I saw nothing but the darkening forest.
“Spencer,” Cal drew me back to the present, “we’re here.”
“Oh.” I glanced around at a sea of cars and a plethora of people dressed to impress.
He tipped his hat at me as he opened the door and helped me out onto the black carpet that was quickly turning white with snowflakes.
My stomach twisted as I took in all the faces staring at me. The press snapped continuous photos, and some yelled my pen name.
Christ, I hated the spotlight.
A greeter offered me an arm and escorted me inside, safe from the gawking faces. I spotted G but stopped short when I saw who was with him.
“Wow, Spence.” Benny’s eyes bulged as his gaze and dropped to my chest.
“I thought I told you I didn’t need a date,” I muttered at my uncle.
“He wasn’t who I meant.”
I leaned over and kissed Lisa on the cheek. “You look lovely.”
“Thanks, sweetheart, so do you.” Her eyes glistened. “Philip would have loved the red.”
I nodded but caught G’s eye and glared about Benny being here. He shrugged but grinned. He was such a meddler when it came to the men in my life.
“Champagne?” A waiter bent down so I could take one.
“Please.” I plucked the flute off the tray but held up a finger when he turned to leave. I downed the tiny glass and replaced it with another. “Thanks.”
“So classy,” G huffed and jabbed an elbow in my side.
“Excuse me.” A lady tapped the microphone, and I thought I might bottom out. Here we go.
“I would like to introduce someone very important to this organization.” Sweat broke out across my palms, and I felt my purse slip a few inches and tightened my grip. “Let’s all take a moment to welcome the stunning Miss Spencer Peters and remember all the wonderful events and the sponsors she and her parents have brought to this organization.” Everyone started to clap. Benny did a little bow as the lady at the mic encouraged me to come up onstage.
“Get it over with.” G pushed me in her direction.
I quickly set my purse on the table and plastered on a smile as I took the stairs carefully.
Please don’t trip!
“Thank you, everyone.” I turned to the hundreds of faces that were waiting to hear what I had to say. “Wow,” I chuckled, “I have to be honest, I really had a hard time coming here today.” A few murmurs were heard. “My past is no secret, but it didn’t just start five years ago. No, it started when I was nine and my brother was twelve. I walked in and saw him on the floor, high as a kite, staring at his Pink Floyd poster. Ironic?” I smiled darkly. I cleared my throat. “Um, it snowballed from there. The stress and toll it took on my family are nearly indescribable. My parents soon lost their child, and I lost my big brother. Just because someone is there physically doesn’t mean they’re there mentally.” I fought the urge to avoid the subject, but I really thought it was time the public knew why I had run from the spotlight.
“When my book series was released and it took off, I thought my life was perfect. I had the title of Wall Street Journal number one best seller.” I paused as that happy feeling rushed back to me then disappeared as quickly as it came. I had so many mixed emotions that I had trouble sorting them. “Authors dream of that moment, but for me, my fame ended quickly when my brother, who had been off the radar, returned with what I thought was a clear head. We grew closer, and I loved that he seemed interested in what was happening to me. I invited him along. I wanted to share my moment with my family, but it was all a lie.” Images of their faces hit me hard. “He started to burn bridges with my contacts, stole from my friends, spread lies about others, and honestly, just ruined everything I had worked so hard for. Again, my brother spiraled down his rabbit hole and disappeared, leaving me with a broken career, angry and hurt friends, and a horrible spotlight that forced me into the shadows. Everything I worked so hard to achieve was gone.”
My eyes were glued to the podium as I fought to breathe through my tight chest.
“Not long after that, I had dinner plans with my family, and I arrived to find a shocking scene. My family had been shot, and I was then knocked unconscious and later awoke to the terrible news that I had lost both my mother and father.” My throat contracted, and tears bubbled to the surface. “Sometimes happiness simply isn’t in the stars. Some of us float through life looking for their next hit, while others tread water in a choppy sea, just to stay afloat.”
I shook off my hate, loss, and pain and reminded myself I was doing the one thing my parents wanted to do. Raise awareness.
“So, today,” I forced a smile, “the tickets you have purchased, the silent auction items you bid on, and the donations you make will go to those families who need to get their loved ones into a program. A program that will hopefully save someone’s life.” I raised my glass to toast the room. “To new beginnings.” Everyone clapped, and a heavy, hot tear broke through my dam as I hurried off the stage.
“Great job, Spence,” G whispered as he hugged me.
“I’ve never been prouder,” Lisa sobbed. “That’s my girl,” she said to the group around me.
Only three hundred and sixty-four days until I have to repeat that moment.
“Thank you, Spencer.” Jacqueline wrapped me in a hug. “I didn’t expect all that, but thank you for sharing. It was perfect!”
Music started to flow, the place relaxed, and finally, so did I. Many guests came up to express their thanks for my speech.
“I’m very proud of you.” Lisa wrapped an arm around my waist once the last person moved off, and she kissed my cheek. “Lord knows I couldn’t have done that.”
“It only took about nine years off me, but hey, who needs those?” I laughed, feeling better already.
“Better late than never. You really did a good thing tonight.”
“Thanks.” I reached for her hand and squeezed. Lisa might not be my mother, but she loved me and was as close a substitute as I could hope for.
“So,” she sighed like she was over the party too, “how’s the writing going?”
“Good. Very good, actually.”
“Really? That’s fantastic.”
“When the story is there, I can’t stop. It just flows out of me. But the author provides a lot of direction, and when you put that in the equation, it happens very fast.”
“That’s amazing!” She gave me a happy squeeze. “You know I’m your biggest fan. I’m so proud of your work. If you ever need someone to go over it, I would gladly step in.”