“So what’s the solution? What do you do when your life seems to be under the power of some sinister unnamed force? I’ve got Parnell from San Diego on the line. Hello.”
“Hi, um, yeah. Thanks for taking my call. I wanted to ask you about this documentary I saw awhile back, about how the British royal family are all werewolves?”
I regarded the microphone. “Yeah. I saw that one. You know it wasn’t a documentary, right? It was a horror movie. Fiction. Not real.”
“Oh. Are you sure? It looked just like one of those dramatic reenactment things, you know like they do?” The guy sounded genuinely confused, which kind of confused me. I didn’t think it was this hard.
“I’m pretty sure it was a movie.” If only I could be this sure about everything.
“You don’t think it’s based a little bit on a true story? You were just in London and all, I thought maybe you’d be able to tell.”
“If the British royal family are werewolves? I never got anywhere near them. The queen doesn’t live at the airport shaking the hands of everyone who flies into the country.”
“Oh. Well, okay. I guess.”
“Right,” I said, sighing. “Next call, please. You’re on the air.”
“Hi, Kitty, I’m such a big fan, it’s so good to talk to you.” She was a woman, her voice clear and straightforward. She sounded sensible, at least. One could hope.
“What’s on your mind?”
“Well, I know you’ve been getting a lot of crap lately about some of the things you’ve been saying, that people say you’re stirring up trouble and all. And, well … I live in Denver and I’ve been listening to you from the beginning. Whatever happens, I hope you don’t stop doing what you’ve always done.”
I leaned on the desk, feeling suddenly tired. “I’ve been a little distracted,” I said. “Just what is it I’ve always done? What do you think I’ve always done?”
“You help people. That’s why you started, right? To help people. Please don’t forget about that.”
I felt like I’d been punched. I wanted to cry—and I wanted to give her a hug. I
didn’t know what was going to happen. Not with Roman, the show, a new house, a new book, any of it. But the only way to find out was to keep moving forward.
“I’ll do my best,” I said finally.
“Thank you,” she said, sincerely, emotionally.
“No,” I said softly. “Thank you.”