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years now. I think it’s high time he paid his dues.”
    â€œIf you insist, but I doubt we’re going to find him in this crowd. Just look. It’s tripled since we’ve been here. The fans are out tonight,” Chris said.
    Abby looked at the throngs of excited people, all there hoping to catch a glimpse of a movie star. Suddenly, it all seemed silly and meaningless to her. Who really cared? This wasn’t reality; it was the land of make-believe. And she’d spent the better part of her adult life actively pursuing these people as though doing so truly mattered. Abby knew she’d just had a major epiphany. Tabloid reporting was her life. Now was not the time for such a revelation; she had to find Rodwell Archibald Godfrey first. Then, and only then, would she think about her future.
    â€œYes, and we’re just standing here wasting time. Come on, let’s get out of here.” Abby pulled Chris by the arm. Several flashes of light went off in her face. She didn’t bother trying to avoid them; she couldn’t. As her mother always said, “It is what it is.”
    Chris removed his cell phone from his pocket. He spoke; then a few minutes later the sleek limousine, which he had hired to drive them to one of the hottest tickets in Hollywood, pulled alongside the curb, where several other limos were parked.
    Neither spoke as they drove away from the fans hoping to catch a look at the stars and wondering who was driving away from the premiere even before it began.

Chapter 12
    T oots was no stranger to flying in a private aircraft. As the Learjet rolled into the FBO—fixed base operator—at Naples, KAPF Auxiliary Page Field, they were met by the usual red carpet, as the line crew had been alerted to their medical emergency.
    After they whisked Frankie quickly into the courtesy car provided by the airport, it was a quick drive down Radio Road to the Animal Specialty Hospital, where Dr. Carnes waited for their arrival.
    Pulling into A.S.H., they were met by Dr. Carnes and her assistant, Daphne.
    Dr. Becker hadn’t seen Michelle since she was a little girl with red hair and freckles. He’d read in a medical journal that she had earned the distinction of being one of only 160 animal neurologists in the United States.
    Dr. Carnes wore teal green scrubs and looked nothing like the little girl he remembered. “I can’t believe you’re a full-fledged doctor now. I hear you’re one of the best in the country. Your dad must be very proud of you,” Phil said.
    She gave him a huge smile and a hug. “Yes, he is. Now, let me look at this little guy here and see what we can do for him.” There would be time for pleasantries after Dr. Carnes performed her magic.
    Having made a quick assessment of Frankie’s condition, Dr. Carnes explained her treatment plan. “The herniated disk can cause something known as deep pain, causing permanent damage to the spinal cord. If it’s been more than twenty-four hours since he suffered the injury, he could be left permanently disabled. We’ll need to do an MRI, and if it’s as I suspect, we’ll need to immediately begin preparations for Frankie’s emergency surgery. Since we’re looking at several hours, give your contact information to Daphne while I take care of Frankie.”
    As soon as they gave Daphne Dr. Becker’s contact information, he called the airport and arranged to keep the courtesy car overnight. Once that was completed, he turned to Toots and asked, “Is it too late for that date I promised you?”
    Toots smiled as they got into the car. “I’m game if you are.” The evening was turning into something she had never experienced. The excitement of the unknown gave her the same giddy feelings she’d experienced in her teens when she’d prepared for a date.
    Who would’ve thought poor Frankie’s misfortune could be the start of yet another love