Firefly Lane (Firefly Lane 1)

Ignoring his concern, she went to the Public Market and stocked up on croissants, beignets, and cinnamon rolls. Cloud needed to pack on a few pounds. Then she went to La Dolce, where she bought her mother jeans, tops, shoes, underwear and bras, as well as the thickest jacket she could find. She was back at the hotel by nine.

"Im home," she called out, kicking the door shut behind her. "And wait till you see what Ive got. " She draped the garment bags over the sofa and set the bags on the floor.

At the small table in the sitting room, she began setting out the rolls and beignets.

Fat Bob was in the corner, shooting her entrance.

She gave him her best smile. "My mother needs to put on a few pounds. This should do it. I got practically every coffee Starbucks sells. I dont know what she likes. "

Johnny sat on the sofa, looking tired.

"Its like a morgue in here. " Tully went to her mothers door and knocked. "Cloud?"

There was no answer.

She knocked again. "Cloud? Are you in the shower? Im coming in. "

She opened the door.

The first thing she noticed was the smell of cigarettes and the open window. The bed was empty.

"Cloud?" She went to the bathroom, which was still damp and cloudy with steam. Thick Egyptian cotton towels lay in a heap on the floor. The washrag and hand towel were stained with dirt and lying in the sink.

Tully backed slowly out of the steamy bathroom and faced Johnny and the camera. "She left?"

"A half an hour ago," he said. "I tried to stop her. "

Tully was stunned by how betrayed she felt, like that ten-year-old girl again, abandoned on the Seattle street. Worthless and unwanted.

Johnny came over to her, took her in his arms, and held her. She wanted to ask him why, ask what was wrong with her that no one ever stayed, but the question caught in her throat. She clung to him for too long, taking the comfort he offered. He stroked her head, whispered, Shhh, in her ear as if she were a child.

In time, though, she remembered where she was and pulled back, forcing a smile for the camera. "Well, there it is. The end of the documentary. Im done, Bob. " Sidestepping Johnny, she went back into her room, where she heard Marah singing in the shower. Tears stung her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. Her mother wouldnt break her again. Shed been a fool to even think there could be a different ending than this one.

Then she noticed the empty nightstand beside her. "The bitch stole my jewelry. "

She closed her eyes and sat on the end of the bed. Pulling a cell phone out of her pocket, she hit Kates number and listened to the ringing. When her friend answered, Tully didnt even bother with hello. "Theres something wrong with me, Katie," she said quietly, her voice trembling.

"She ditched you?"

"Like a thief in the night. "

"Tallulah Rose Hart, you listen to me right now. You are going to hang up the phone and get down to the ferry right now. Ill take care of you. Got it? And bring my family with you. "

"You dont have to yell. Im coming. We all are. But you better have alcohol ready for me when I get there. And Im not mixing it with that gross juice your kids drink. "

Kate laughed. "Its the morning, Tully. Ill make you breakfast. "

"Thanks, Kate," Tully said quietly. "I owe you one. "

When she looked up she saw Fat Bob. He was filming all of this from the doorway, with Johnny standing beside him.

But it wasnt the red light on the camera or the knowledge of her public humiliation or the all-seeing lens that broke her.

It was Johnny and the sad, knowing way he looked at her that finally made her cry.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

The documentary aired two weeks later, and even Kate, who was used to Tullys amazing successes, was caught off guard by the publics reaction. It caused a media frenzy. For years Tully had been seen on camera as the cool, witty professional, following stories and reporting on them with her journalists detachment.