Chapter 26

Lily sat on the bed in the small hotel room. She was looking at the paper Sharon had given her. She picked up the phone and dialed the number. The phone trilled into her ear. She was nervous. She licked her lips and anxiously waited for someone to answer.

After the 4th ring, a voice came over the phone. "Praises of Hope. May I help you?" Lily stammered. "I...I'd like to speak with Owen Katz, please." "I can ring his room," the voice said

There was a series of clicks, then the phone was silent. She waited nervously, rocking back and forth.

"Hello?" Owen's voice came on the line. "Who the hell is this?" he barked.

Lily smiled. "Owen? Owen Katz?"

"Yes, it's me. Who the hell is this?"

Lily quickly hung up the phone.

Sharon walked into Sylvia's office and closed the door behind her. Sylvia was sitting on the large, overstuffed sofa. Sharon sat next to her, holding a file in her hand. She handed her the file.

Sylvia looked at her and said, "You found her?"

She nodded. "I met with her and spoke to her. I asked her if she wanted to meet you. I'm sorry, Sylvia, she doesn't."

Sylvia looked sadly at her. "What do you mean?"

"She doesn't want to meet you, Sylvia. From what I can tell, Lily's life hasn't been all that easy. She lost her career, her brother, her mother, and her mentor. She simply checked out. She's been living on the street for a while."

"Why doesn't she want to meet me?" Sylvia asked.

"I really don't know, Sylvia. I just don't think she's ready," Sharon said.

Sylvia frowned and put down the file, then sat back on the sofa.

"She knows about the missing money," said Sharon.

Sylvia had a look of worry on her face. Sharon continued.

"She knows the money is gone, but she doesn't know who took it."

Sylvia sighed. "I'm working on giving it back. I don't even know why I took it."

Sharon cleared her throat. "Sylvia, there's something I wanted to speak with you about. I found Lily through one of my freelance writers. She's doing a story on the shelter. In doing her story, she found Lily. She knows about her being your sister. She's running the story in a small local paper. I think we should run the story in You & Me."

Sylvia shot Sharon a cold look. Sharon held up her hands.

"Now, I know what you're thinking, Sylvia, but the story is coming out regardless. It's a small paper, but someone else could pick it up. Why not make it positive? Okay, she may not want to meet you, but you can reach out to her by doing a wonderful story. Maybe the coverage would help her reboot her career. Maybe this can be a way to give back what your mother took."

Sylvia's mouth was agape, but she didn't speak. Her face softened, and she closed her eyes and slumped back into the overstuffed couch.

She took several deep breaths, then finally said, "I've never let you have full control over editing, have I? I've always done things my way, even if it wasn't the best or right way. I feel like my life has been a cliché. Rich girl, white, spoiled, and mean; turns into rich white woman, privileged, and judgmental."

She slowly opened her eyes. Sharon was staring at her, not saying a word. She continued. "Oh, for fuck's sake, don't look at me like that. Do your story. Do your job and edit the magazine to your liking. I'm too tired to fight you, and frankly, I'd rather spend my time doing something else. I haven't started treatments, and I'm not going to. I'll lose my hair. I'll be goddamned if I die bald."

"But if it could save your life…" Sharon said.

Sylvia turned her head toward Sharon. "I'm surprised you care. It wouldn't save my life; only prolong it. I've got just enough to finish my business. I've been nothing short of awful to you, and yet here you are."

Sharon half-smiled. "Yes, here I am. Thank you for letting me run the story. I'd like to have a photographer take pictures of Lily. I'd like to speak with her producer, Owen Katz. He's still living. I'd also like to include you as well."

She thought Sylvia might react to her request, but she didn't. She merely shook her head yes and said, "Do whatever you need. I'll make myself available to you when you're ready."

"What about the money, Sylvia?"

"I plan on using my own money to give to the shelter, and I'm working on re-establishing the trust. If such a thing is possible. I'm going to donate the money in Lily's name. I've already put things in motion, Sharon," she replied.

"Thank you, Sylvia," she said. She stood up and walked toward the door.

"You're welcome, Sharon."

Sharon smiled. Sylvia had never thanked her for anything, really.

Maybe there's hope for her, she thought to herself and headed toward her office.

<gdiv></gdiv>