It had taken us five days to reach the sparkling dream of Hollywood because Bobby made us stop at any landmarks we’d read about in the history books in school. I’d never been outside of our town, so I had to admit standing on the edge of the Grand Canyon was just about the best feeling of freedom I’d ever had. My belongings were shoved in a trash bag in the back seat of his car. I’d never been so happy to see a place in the rearview mirror than when we left my hometown and my so-called adoptive family behind.

Bobby thought it was romantic I traveled so light. How I’d mesmerized him so much he’d seemed to forget I was an orphan with nothing but what was in the trash bag and a business card for a Hollywood talent manager was another sign of my feminine prowess.

“This is just unbelievable. Who knew this was just down the road from Eureka Springs?” Bobby asked, holding my hand at the edge of the canyon.

Well, everybody, everywhere knew but he was simple, sweet. I turned toward him. “It is. I’ve never seen anything like this.”

“I’m talking about you, Delilah Jane. You, here, well... I’ll remember this moment forever.” He’d hugged me and then we’d screwed in the back seat of his car. I’m not sure how we did it, but it was steamy and sexy. I guess that’s young love.

Bobby’s parents freaked out when they discovered he was gone. He was all set to attend the University of Georgia in the fall, his momma and daddy’s alma mater. He had a ticket to a comfortable future, a future that would not include a hedonistic trip to Hollywood with an orphaned beauty pageant contestant.

They shouldn’t have worried so much. He was a means to an end, my ride to the coast. I sent him back to them, not a moment too soon. I couldn’t stand living in the tiny rank apartment with a country hick one day longer. Once I’d hooked David, I set Bobby free. Broke, heartbroken and determined to never mention my name. I even kept his car when he flew back home. He’d loved the car, but I needed it more than he did. Besides, his parents promised him a new truck to drive to college to lure him back home.

I know he still thinks of me, at least in his dreams. They all do. He married a girl from Atlanta, Mary Beth or something. They have four boys. She’s stuck, at least if you follow my mom’s logic: Don’t have more than two kids, Delilah Jane, or you can’t leave him.

I’m down to one child: a mirror of my own story.

But she’s not an orphan. She has her mom. That’s all she needs.