He looked at her and burst out laughing thoroughly enjoying her Ivy League humor. He then gently shoved her. “That was good. Thanks, Kit, I needed that.”
The light-hearted moment then faded as his stark reality overshadowed his thoughts. He sighed and met her kind green eyes. “It’s nothing like that. I actually kind of wish it was that simple. That would be easier to handle. I’m getting a divorce. I moved into my own place off of Sunset—Sierra Towers.”
He shook his head. “Now Beth wants to sue me for everything and take my kids away from me. She’s saying I’m an unfit father because I work and travel too much. It’s totally bogus. I’m fucking screwed.”
Kit let out a long sigh and thought about her own situation. It didn’t surprise her that Jonathan was in a similar position. They always seemed to run parallel to each other since they first met. She wanted to share her experience, but something in her wouldn’t budge. She remained tight-lipped and focused on him instead. “I’m so sorry to hear that Jon.”
He chuckled and shook his head again. “Never doing that again. Shit. Next time I’ll have an iron clad prenup. If there is even a next time. Not so sure about that right now.”
She grinned. “There will be, Jon. You’re a good guy and you’re on your way to being a film industry mogul. Find yourself some young, hottie starlet. Sweep her off her feet and then slap her with an iron-clad prenup.”
He laughed loudly. “The quintessential Hollywood story.” He smiled. “You’re the best, Kit. You’re like the sister I always wanted and never got.”
She giggled. “And you’re like the extra big brother I wish I would have had growing up who does a great job of keeping me in check. What can you say, we’re family. Two peas in a pod.”
He nodded. “Agreed.” His face then grew serious. “Kitty, I know you’re dealing with a lot right now, but when you get back from Philly, make some time to go see my dad. Personally. Face to face.”
She frowned. “Why the seriousness, Jon? I thought you said because he’s stepping down his health is improving.”
He shook his head. “I dunno. Maybe I’m just paranoid. That’s what happens when you decide to take over a big motion picture studio, Kit. You start to lose it. Diamond Records was the warm up, Diamond Pictures is real deal and I’m feeling the crunch of the stress in this transition. It’s the crown jewel. It almost did my dad in. That’s why he stepped down.”
She nodded. “Ok. I get it. You’re up for the job, Jon. It may be stressful, but I’m sure you’ll keep it running like a well-oiled machine.”
He grinned. “Thanks for your vote of confidence. So tell me, Kit, how can we support you better in the organization? Before answering that question, I want you to take time and think about it carefully… from a different mindset… from that of a CEO.”
She smiled. “I gotcha. I’ll contemplate it over the next week? Fair?”
After a half hour, Jonathan set down his glass on the table and stood up. “Let’s give it two weeks and we’ll recap on what will work best for you in the CEO spot.”
He glanced at the glass and then at Kit. “Thanks for the hospitality and letting me vent.”
She nodded and got up to give him a quick embrace. “Anytime, bro.”
He nodded. “I’ll see myself out. Take a load off and keep resting. Consider yourself briefed. No need for trolling the trades.” He wagged his finger. “No more work. Focus on recovering from your surgery and…” He paused and met her eyes. “Your broken heart. And don’t say you don’t have one ‘cuz that’s bullshit.”
Tears welled up in her eyes. “I hear you. You’re right. Thanks, Jon. We’ll talk soon.”
He nodded. “We will. Take good care, Kit.”
Once he left, Kit burrowed into the large sectional sofa and stared off into space. She wondered how her life had reached this point. Somehow when she saw herself leaving the east coast to move to L.A. she never envisioned this.
Lila entered the room. “Kit, Chris Diamond on line one. He’s requesting a meeting with you later today. Are you feeling up to it?”
Kit popped up from the couch. “Does he know I’m on medical leave?”
She nodded. “That’s why he told me to ask you if you were up to it. Are you? Or would you prefer to schedule after you return from your trip?”
Kit rolled her eyes. “Let’s do it. Set it for later this afternoon if you can. It would be great if he could come here. He’s not usually that accommodating though.”
She nodded. “I’ll see what we can do.”
* * *
The housekeeper led Kit through the large Bel Air mansion to Lew’s vast, wood-paneled study. Jonathan had called his father and set off a chain reaction that led to Lew calling Kit and requesting a meeting the following day. Now, less than 24 hours after her disastrous meeting with Chris, she was meeting with Lew.
He sat behind the desk looking haggard, his glasses balancing on the bridge of his nose as he examined a document. The notes of the classic 60’s song ‘Time of the Season,’ by The Zombies lilted through the air in the background. Upon seeing her in the doorway, his face lit up and he waved her in.
He got up from behind the desk, grabbing a manila folder as he headed toward the other side of the room and motioned her to follow him. “C’mon in, kid, and have a seat.
