She sighed. “And then he was struggling. He didn’t know how to handle the rejection. The stakes were much bigger here. So, he started partying and using again. He had met you at this point. I remember him mentioning you. It was in the very beginning when you were first managing him and you two were friends. He said he was living too fast and needed to get serious but wasn’t sure how. He called me crying and asking for help. I told him he knew what he had to do. He went to a high class rehab in Palm Springs on his girlfriend Dahlia’s dime while she was away shooting a movie.”
Kit nodded. “I remember Dahlia. She was ten years older than him. Rich actress that lived in Malibu. She took care of him constantly. When did this happen? Was this when he said he went to be on set with her?”
Moira shrugged her shoulders. “I dunno. I’m not sure what story he told you, but this was in ’84. It was before Joe died. Joe’s death scared the crap out of him too. Kept him grounded and sober for a time.”
She nodded. “Yeah. That was it. He came back from his so called trip very focused. That’s when things started to take off for the band. He was on track for a while and then in ’87 he went off the deep end. He got out of control with cocaine as they skyrocketed to fame.”
Moira nodded sadly. “Yes. And you two broke up. During that time you were apart, he went to rehab in Palm Springs again to dry out. I’m sure you didn’t know that. He swore me to secrecy. He told me it would never happen again. And like a fool, I believed him. Here we are back at square one.”
Her eyes met Kit’s. “I guess what I’m trying to say here is I’m sorry. I’m sorry I never told you this. You didn’t know what you were getting into. I kept on hoping that you would rub off on him and he’d change his ways for good. He did in many ways, but ultimately he’s not able to shake this without some very serious help.”
Kit shook her head, infuriated. Her eyes narrowed as she spoke coolly, “You’ve know this all these years and never told me? He’s been to rehab three times and neither you nor he thought to tell me? I don’t even know how to respond to this. This is absolutely ridiculous, Moira!” She closed her eyes for a moment and shook her head again.
Moira sighed. “I had thought about it.” She placed her hand on Kit’s knee and waited until she blinked open her green eyes, staring deeply into them. “Truthfully, I didn’t want you to leave. You were the best thing that ever happened to him. You brought out the best in him. I really did think he was done with his old ways and that he was settling down for good and ready to take on some real responsibility. I’m sorry, Kit. Deeply sorry.”
The phone rang and Kit ignored it knowing that Lila or Ariana would answer. She remained silent, staring at Moira, doing her best to process what she had just learned and not explode with violent rage despite it bubbling inside of her.
Lila entered the room and felt the tremendous tension between the two women. It wasn’t the first time she felt uncomfortable witnessing highly personal interactions in Kit’s life. By now, she had learned to handle it. She didn’t want to encroach, but it was her job.
She stood confidently and spoke up. “Sorry to interrupt. Two things, Kit. Number one, Lizbeth is on the line and she says it’s urgent. Number two, Spencer has arrived. Would you like me to show him in?”
Kit stood up and refused to engage further with Moira. Enough had been said for now and she wanted time to process it before continuing.
She glanced at Moira and spoke coolly. “We’ll continue this discussion at another time.” She shifted her attention to Lila. “It’s perfect timing actually, Lila.”
She glanced back down at Moira. “There are some new developments that Spencer will be discussing with you related to your son’s behavior. I’ll be back shortly.”
After being waved in by Lila, Spencer entered the room and exchanged a silent look of knowing with Kit as she exited. She ran upstairs to her bedroom and picked up the line as she watched Lila exit the room and close the door behind her.
“Lizbeth, hello. What’s up?”
“We’ve discovered some information regarding the Malibu property.”
Kit’s ear perked up, curiosity taking over. “Ok. What did you find?”
Lizbeth paused. “The house is occupied by his girlfriend. I suspect it was the one you told me he met on tour. Her name is Kendalle Scott. She was a prominent principal dancer with the American Ballet Theater. Had been dancing with the company since she was 17, then moved onto Broadway and stared in a handful of musicals. She’s also a backup singer as we understand and has worked with several prominent bands and artists. There seems to be an event three years ago that cut her ballet career short. I assume from an injury, but we’re not sure on that. She started focusing more on acting, directing, choreographing and singing… not so much dancing. She’s 31. Born in Minneapolis. Has another address to a loft on the Upper West Side in New York. She definitely has her own money and is well off, so this isn’t a gold digger situation. Currently drives a white 1993 Lotus Esprit that’s registered in your husband’s name.”
Kit sighed, feeling a myriad of emotions ranging from complete rage to deep betrayal and heart-wrenching sorrow.
She took a deep breath and let it out evenly to calm herself. “Ok.
