“Bye, Mom.”

Alma waved as her daughter took off running.

13

Cady stared at her reflection in the mirror. She practiced smiling, grimacing, rolling her eyes, then laughing out loud. Atlas barked, not understanding what she was doing. She dropped to her knees to fondle the dog’s ears. “I was just staring at myself wondering how I lived in that cocoon for so long. It was a gray life, with no color. That’s all different now. Just look at us. You aren’t in a cage anymore, wondering if you’re going to eat today. I’m not in a cage of my own making anymore either. Lola said it was a big world out there, and we’re in it now. I feel…elegant. I think I look nice. I never thought I could look or feel this good. I’m happy. Isn’t that amazing? But, best of all, I’m not fearful like I was before we came here. Well, maybe just a little fearful, but certainly nothing like I was.”

Atlas rolled over, a sign that Cady was to rub his belly. If he had been a cat, he would have purred in delight.

“If this was a perfect world, I’d go to bed tonight and wake up with my memory intact tomorrow morning. Since it isn’t a perfect world, I have to keep trying to remember. Maybe Pete will say something tonight that will trigger a memory. I feel like I’m on the edge of remembering, but it just won’t surface. Tonight I’m going to ask Pete point-blank about that day, and tomorrow I’m going to ask Boomer point-blank, too.” She wondered what her friends back in Brentwood would say if they knew she talked to a dog. “Who cares!” She laughed.

Cady stood up, peered into the vanity mirror again. Satisfied with her appearance, she headed for the first floor to wait for Pete. Atlas whimpered at her feet. “I can’t take you with me tonight, boy. I want you to stay with Lola. Go ahead, she’s waiting for you.” The dog obediently trotted off, as Cady made her way down the long staircase.

Anthony appeared from the living room just as the doorbell rang. He eyed her from tip to toe before he nodded his approval. “In that dress, you sashay. You know how to do that, don’t you?” Cady looked blank. He demonstrated. “It’s all in the hips. Quick, show me you can do it.”

“I feel silly doing this,” Cady said as she imitated Anthony.

“That will do for now, but you need to work on it. Think of it as art. Lola can show you tomorrow. It was one of her trademarks. There wasn’t anyone in all of Hollywood who could strut like Lola. We’ll work on that, too.”

“What’s that going to get me?” Cady hissed.

“A husband,” Anthony hissed back a second before he opened the door.

Cady could feel a warm flush work its way up her neck. “Oh,” was all she could think of to say.