large pendant fell out. It was dark brass and clearly old. A five-point star, it was ornately designed, but delicate at the same time. In the center of twisty scrolling shapes there was a tiny flower, open as if in the mid-day Sun.
“It’s beautiful,” I said softly, holding it up by the attached chain, watching how the light shined behind it the pendant. “You said it’s been in the family? Why have I never heard about it?”
Laura sighed. “I don’t know. I guess I almost forgot it. But your grandmother gave it to me when I graduated from high school. She thought I’d be the star in the family, you know. ‘A world renowned actress of stage and screen’ she used to screech at me all the time.” Her voice was wistful. “Obviously that never happened. I met your father and got pregnant instead. Still, I kept the pendant. Hid it away because it reminded me of everything I’d failed to accomplish. But here you are. A star, at last. More talented than I could have ever been, or she could have ever hoped. So it’s yours now.”
Tears stung my eyes and I closed my fingers around the star. “Thank you. This means a lot.”
She smiled and patted me on the shoulder. “Well, you’re welcome.”
We stood there staring at each other for a long moment, neither sure what to do. Normal mothers and daughters would have hugged and cried or gone out for ice cream or manicures. But we were not normal, and in this emotional moment that fact was more obvious than ever.
I cleared my throat and smiled. “So, um…do you want to ride back to the hotel with me?”
“I can’t,” she said, pulling her phone out of her pocket, the spell broken. “I’ve got a late meeting with the publicity team. But I’ll see you tomorrow. Bright and early for the photo shoot, remember.”
“Yup. Got it.” The points of the star pendant dug into my skin as I clutched it tightly. When the door shut behind my mother I opened my fingers and looked down at it. Pretty. The flower in the center of the pendant drew my eye again and again. Like the star’s open heart. I wondered if mine was opening too.
*
The next day was a flurry of activity. Yet another photo shoot, three radio interviews, and meeting, meetings, meetings, all before even going to the arena for the dress rehearsal. I was pretty sure rock and roll shouldn’t include so many damned meetings, but no one asked my opinion on the matter.
Finally I was alone for a few minutes in my dressing room. I put on my outfit for the show to make sure all the alterations worked and went over to look at myself in the mirror.
“Hot stuff,” I told my reflection. Catching sight of the star pendant hanging low between my breasts, I ran a finger over it and smiled.
I checked the clock and realized I had plenty of time and nothing to do. Which sounded like a perfect time to find Rick. Everyone else was busy. Becca had been running ragged; she only hung up the phone earlier long enough to assure me that she and Dex had made up. All the members of Dream Defiled had been absent for most of the day, too. I assumed running around being assaulted by inane questions like I had. And, to be honest, I just wanted to see him. I’d gotten used to spending time with him in and out of bed and was starting to be willing to admit I enjoyed both, at least to myself.
So, I left my room and made my way down across the hall to the row of small rooms designated for Dream Defiled. Rick’s name was written on the last in the row. I knocked and pushed open the door.
He and Matthew were inside playing a videogame. As usual.
“Hey, Julia!” Matthew called out. “Want to join us?”
“No thanks. I’m shit at games. I was just bored and looking for some people to hang out with.”
Rick barely glanced at me. Playing it cool, I figured. “Sit down if you want.”
“Okay.”
Matthew put down the controller in his hand and smiled at me. “Nervous energy?”
“Yup. I’d have a drink but I heard we’re