Page 28 of Fierce Love
“I heard something interesting the other day, and I wondered whether you were going to tell me,” she says, clearly fishing.
“What’s that?”
“Hollyn Davis is going to be the cohost? I’m surprised that’s been something you’d support.”
“Like any job,” I say, “you want the best person for it.”
“And she’s that person?”
“My coproducers believe so, yes.”
“Ah,” she says, relaxing back into her seat, “soyoudon’t agree with that assessment.”
“I saw the audition reel,” I say, not willing to admit that I’ve now watched the whole thing several times. “She’s deserving.”
“I don’t like that she’s involved,” she says.
“Yes, I’m aware you’ve never been a fan of hers,” I say, unable to keep the bitterness out of my tone. She never missed an opportunity to tell me that getting involved with a Davis-Thompson was a terrible idea. “We’ll have very little to do with one another.”
“That’s not been the case with your other producing projects.”
“Different productions require different roles,” I say.
She shifts, sinking deeper into the leather. “Good. The hold she had on you back then was unnatural, and it was a lucky escape the first time.”
There’s no point in me saying anything since we won’t agree. I didn’t escape; Hollyn did. “How many more treatments do you have?” I ask.
“Five,” she says. “Spread out over the next few months. But I’m feeling much more optimistic now that I know both you and Ava are a match for a transplant.”
“To be clear,” I say, “a transplant is a last resort and maybe months or years down the road, according to your doctor. There are still three or four other treatment options, correct?”
“Yes, yes,” she says, waving me off. “And in the meantime, I get to bond with my children through these moments. It’ll be nice, won’t it?”
I murmur something that I hope sounds like agreement.
“I really need my family right now,” she says, and the hint of vulnerability in her voice takes me by surprise.
When we’ve really, truly needed her—failed relationships, hospital visits, financial loss—she’s come through for us, but not always in the way we want. As selfish as she can be, she’s never been completely oblivious to our lives. She’s been the best parent she’s capable of, and maybe I’ve finally gotten to an age where I don’t need more than she’s able to give.
“We’re going to stand by you, Mom. Whatever you need, we’ll be there for you.” I squeeze her hand, and she squeezes mine back.
After dropping my mom off at home, I’m late to the production meeting. Stewart and Felipe are already deep in conversation when I enter, a storyboard on the oversized TV in front of them. The director, the person in charge of wardrobe, and our two writers are also seated at the table.
“I know she tested well and we’re all signed up, but I’m having second thoughts,” Stewart says, rocking back in his chair as I take my seat.
“Second thoughts about who and what?” I take out my computer and set it up on the table. My focus turns to the boards in question as Felipe clicks through them for our first episode.
“We’re having trouble locating clothing designers on the island willing to work with someone Hollyn’s size,” Twyla, the show’s costume designer, says.
“She’s tall, but—” I start.
“It’s not her height,” Stewart says, stepping in. “She’s not even close to a sample size. A pretty face, but she’s overweight. With the camera adding even more weight, Posey is going to look normal sized, and Hollyn will look supersized in comparison.”
“Stew, if that’s your perspective, then you’re not the right person to be doing the day-to-day work with Hollyn and Posey,” I say, and inside, my blood is boiling. The last thing I’m having is this prick making Hollyn feel insecure from inside the show when we don’t have a clear idea of how the public will react to her outside our bubble.
“I think Hollyn is great,” Tariq, our director says. “Part of the government funding is for highlighting Bellerivian talent throughout the whole production, but we can do that in lots of other ways. Doesn’t have to be clothing for Hollyn.”
“I’m not saying Hollyn isn’t great,” Stewart says, raising his hands. “I said she had a pretty face. What’s her size, like a quadruple-extra-large or something?”
