Page 48 of Beyond the Spotlight Discreet Version
“I get it. But you could see it as an opportunity to show the world that big bodies deserve to be romanced, even by celebrities. Fatphobes hate it when we’re happy, so flaunt your fatness. They’re hiding behind some computer, spewing off hateful comments while you’re living your best life. Ignore the haters, don’t read the comments, and enjoy the man who can’t stop smiling at his phone while texting you.”
“You make it sound easy.”
“It’s not. It never will be. But you’d have me to talk to about it. And I can introduce you to Jensen. He grew up dealing with body shamers. But most of all, you’d have Rey and Adeline, and I’m pretty sure they’re the only ones who matter.”
“You and Mylan matter. And Eloise and Kelly, too. All his friends.”
Lana smiles as bright as the sun today. “Can’t forget Rebecca, Ginger, and Bruno.”
“Oh my God, how is Ginger? Isn’t she about to pop?”
“She’s got at least one more month, possibly less. She’s having a little girl. They’re naming her Gracey after her mother. That’s why I can’t stay long. I’m going back just before she gives birth.”
We fawn over that for a few minutes and as we exit the subway and walk towards Addy’s school to pick her up, Lana says, “Look. I know you two just met. You say you want to take it slow, so tell him that. Get to know each other first and see where it goes.”
“Going slow is the problem. I’m struggling to keep my hands off the man as it is.”
Lana giggles. “I get that. It only took me four days after meeting Mylan to give in.” We stop at the school’s gate, waiting for the kids to get out. “Talk to Rey. Lay out some ground rules. Tell him your concerns. Most importantly, have fun.”
She wags her eyebrows at me, and I blush, thinking about all the fun things I want to do with Reynold.
I scan the waiting area and wave at a few parents or nannies that I’ve chatted with over the past few weeks. A man I don’t recognize stands off to the side. He’s wearing a baseball cap that’s pulled down over his face.
He must be someone famous because that’s exactly what Reynold did when I first met him. He was trying to hide in plain sight.
“Savvy!” a tiny voice calls out my name.
Addy leads the pack of tiny humans as they exit the building. She runs towards me, carrying a piece of paper in her hand. Her orangish red curls bounce with every step.
“Here!” she holds out the painting. “It’s you and Dad.”
I choke on my words as I scan the art. I knew it. She’s such a little matchmaker! The painting is of me and Rey in stick figure form, holding hands. We’re standing next to the kitchen island, which has stacks of pancakes on top. We’re both smiling and have hearts for eyes.
“This is so good, Addy. I’m putting this up right next to the other one.”
Adeline spots Lana next to me. She gives her a shy wave, then grabs my hand and clings to my arm.
“Addy, you met Lana. You went to her wedding in Arkansas.”
She peers around me, giving Lana a cautious scan.
“The wedding lady had red hair.”
Lana leans over and cups her hand over her mouth to whisper. “I’m the same person.” She lifts the blonde wig to show her. “See, red hair underneath. I’m just playing a game of hide and seek with the paparazzi.”
Addy’s small shoulders loosen.
“I hate the papa-rat-sees.” That shyness just seconds before starts to fade. “My dad tries to hide from them too.”
“Do you want to play hide and seek from them now? We can go explore the city,” Lana says, still whispering. “And don’t worry, we have four bodyguards to keep those rats away.”
Addy nods enthusiastically and jumps up and down. Lana winks, then stands.
We hop back on the subway to the Lower East Side and enter the Brooklyn Bridge from Manhattan. It takes forty-five minutes to walk across between the crowds, stopping to take photos, and casually strolling, in no hurry to get to the other side.
My feet ache by the time we reach Brooklyn Bridge Park. I’ve never walked so much in my life. It’s worth it, though. The New York City skyline from this vantage point is breathtaking. The day is clear, except for a streak or two of white clouds across the bright blue sky.
It’s peaceful. No honking cars. Only the waves crashing against the stone barrier. A warm breeze washes over me and I close my eyes, inhaling deeply.
