By the week’s end, Eddie’s reluctance to live with Jenna hardened into an outright refusal. “She’s nuts, she’s cruel to you, and she’s stoned out of her mind.”

“She’s had an unhappy life. She swore to me she’s clean. Give her time. Please. She needs a home and our understanding.”

Nola was about to leave for a week in Texas, taking Jenna along, when Eddie called her into the kitchen. He held a garbage bag and pointed to needles sticking out at the sides. He opened the bag and, rummaging with a wooden spoon, found empty vials.

“Jenna belongs in a rehabilitation center, not be loose in New York City with drugs available on every street corner,” he said quietly as he tied the flaps of the plastic bag.

“You were looking for it! You wanted to find proof so you could get rid of her!”

“I can’t empty my pocket change without it disappearing to feed her drug habit,” he said. “She must be checked into a facility—”

Nola could hardly believe they were fighting. “I can’t lock her up.” She broke into a sob. “I won’t put her with strangers ever again.”

Eddie took her in his arms. “Sweetheart, this is not how I’ve envisioned my life—our life. We can’t live with a junkie. We’ll take care of her. I’ll help you. But not here.”

Wade agreed with Eddie. Jenna needed rehab. To solve the crisis, he parked Jenna for a week in his apartment, and for the first time, sent Nola and her entourage on tour without him while he kept an eye on Jenna. He was the only person she would listen to.

The week of touring without Wade was fraught with difficulties. His assistants handled the administrative details, going through the motions like soldiers lost without their general. The worst was Leslie with his intransigent opinions. With his theatrical flair, he had already managed to become Nola's fashion advisor, but he continued to push the buttons of the set designer, makeup artist and hair stylist. He was even critical of the chef regarding Nola's nutrition. Everyone around Nola was fighting while she worried about Jenna. Her sister was disturbed, she told herself, but it was the lack of nurturing that had pushed her to drugs. If she could only give Jenna more moments of caring, like that time in the bath, her sister would heal.

And if only Eddie would be patient.

Upon her return home the following week, the choice between him and Jenna was difficult, but clear.

Wade attempted to talk her out of her decision, which he considered an open-and-shut case. “Jenna’s too far gone for us to help her. Choose a normal life. You’re going places few people ever venture. Eddie is a wonderful asset on this trip.”