When Amanda moved to LA five years ago she was determined to make it as a screenwriter, but that’s the thing about dreams. They rarely work out the way you want them to. She tried to work her way into a writers’ room, but something was always off. A job promised suddenly taken away, a project canceled. She’d gotten work as a production assistant and after a particularly bad day on set had her reconsidering her whole West Coast adventure, she’d met Kaidence Kener. She’d remembered her vaguely from her own brief run on the nineties beach drama Bay Guards. Her acting days were long behind her, but her daughter Dru was just getting started and Dru needed an assistant.

Amanda had told herself the job would just be temporary, a paycheck to keep a roof over her head and food in her stomach. She made a promise to herself that she wouldn’t give up on her writing. And she hadn’t. She stole whatever moments she could, jotting down bits and pieces on her phone and on her tablet. She’d finished two more screenplays in that time, but this gig, it had turned out to be anything but temporary. Somehow, she’d become Dru’s Girl Monday thru Saturday and definitely on Sundays if they were traveling. Kaidence put her to work whenever she felt Amanda was idle, organizing her closet or researching new avenues for Dru to explore on social media.

The money was good and it covered her health insurance, but it wasn’t her dream. One day she’d move on. She just wasn’t sure when or how.

Her phone vibrated as she set Dru’s breakfast out on her favorite bamboo serving tray. She pulled it out of her pocket and looked at the text from Helene.

I know you’re working but text me as soon as you can. Ignacio said you he thinks you left with someone. I need deets!

Helene added an eggplant, a water-squirting, and a peach emoji, in that order. Amanda covered her snort, then slipped her phone back into her pocket. She grabbed the tray, then carried it into Dru’s darkened room.

“Nnhgggg,” Dru groaned as she covered her head with her pillow.

“Good morning.”

Dru sat up and tossed her pillow across the room. There were still a dozen more on the bed to keep her comfortable. “What’s so good about it?” she snapped.

“Oh, you sound so much better.”

“And you’re too fucking cheery. Dial it back like five notches, will you.” Dru rubbed her eyes, then grabbed the remote for her curtains. Sunlight flooded the room.