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choppily, as if the cameraman was running. The picture focused on Mom and Cat. For a moment they disappeared behind the limo as the cameraman ran around behind the car for an unobstructed shot. Then—Cat’s crimson face, his camera on the ground. Cat shouting, Mom shouting. Pounding feet approaching as other reporters crowded in. For a moment all I saw was jarring bodies.
    â€œShaley, no!” Mick’s shout sounded on the TV. Still I saw nothing but shirts and arms and heads as the cameraman fought for a clear shot.
    This is when Mick shoved me back into the limo.
    My right hand clenched. For once I wanted a cameraman to have found his target. “Come on, come on.”
    The camera jerked and aimed directly toward Cat. In that instant, rage twisted his face—and he rushed Mom.
    Brittany gasped.
    My limbs went cold. I wanted this on film, but I didn’t want to see it. Yet my eyes couldn’t tear away.
    Heart pounding, I watched my mom stumble … the car hit. Screams erupted from the crowd. My own figure tore out of the limo toward Mom—
    I wrenched my focus from the screen.
    For a moment, Brittany and I couldn’t speak.
    Vengeance sprouted in my chest and grew like some voracious weed. “It’s on camera,” I said through clenched teeth. “We have the proof on camera .”
    Cat was going to fry.
    Brittany sniffed. “How is she?”
    â€œIn a lot of pain. Three fractured ribs and a broken wrist.”
    â€œOh.” Empathy tightened Brittany’s voice. “What about Cat—where did he go? Did they catch him?”
    â€œHe ran. But they will. If they don’t, I’ll go out and hunt him down myself. And Ross said he’s going to sue Cashing In. ”
    â€œI thought you said it’s hard to sue those guys because you all are famous.”
    â€œThis is different. Their photographer caused an accident . Plus, because of this, we have to cancel the tour. Can you imagine how much money that’s going to cost the band?”
    Brittany breathed heavily over the line. “Where are you?”
    â€œIn the hospital with Mom. She’s sleeping.”
    â€œHow long does she have to stay?”
    I told her.
    â€œCan you come home then?”
    â€œI don’t know.” A sudden sob rolled up my throat. “I don’t know anything anymore. I just want to be home . I just want to be with you . And Mom to be well. What is this, Brittany? What’s happening to us? My life has gone totally insane .”
    Brittany’s voice cracked. “I wish I was there with you.”
    â€œI know. Me too.”
    We talked until our tears ran out, then talked some more. Weariness pulsed through me, but I couldn’t hang up. Not yet. I crept into the bathroom and fetched tissues to wipe my nose. Collapsed again on my bed.
    â€œThere’s more, Brittany.” I looked over toward Mom, making sure she still slept. “Something I haven’t told you.”
    â€œLike all this isn’t enough ?”
    â€œThis is … I don’t know. Almost worse.”
    I stretched out on my back, staring at the white ceiling. “I told you the cops shot Jerry. Just before he died, he told me something no one else heard.”
    My fingers clenching the bed covers, I told Brittany Jerry’s final words: Your father sent me .
    â€œ What ?” Brittany burst. “What does it mean?”
    â€œI don’t know.”
    â€œOh. Wow.” Brittany exhaled loudly. I could almost hear the wheels in her head turning. “Okay, just … Let’s think about this.”
    Like a detective, she started firing off questions. It was her logical side coming through, the steely mind that would one day make her a great lawyer. I tried to think straight enough to give her all the details she wanted. My brain was so tired.
    â€œDo you think it’s true?” Brittany finally asked.
    â€œI don’t know.”
    â€œBut