The Musician & The Movie Star - The Prequel

Chapter 3 - Confession and Argument

August 25, 2016

Burbank, California

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POV: Ali

Mac, Jazzy, Drew, and I were backstage at the Ellen show. This would be fun. Ellen's producer had given us a rundown of what the interview would be, basic questions and the like. We would be touching on the basis of our new album and the inspiration behind it.

It took 20 minutes for one of the assistants to come get for our turn.

"Welcome Platinum Fire - Mac Anderson, Jazzy Patch, Drew Schotten and Ali Peridiam!" Ellen said as we appeared on stage. We each got settled, with me closest to Ellen, Jazzy to my right, Drew and Mac sitting directly behind us.

"So, your new album - Primal - is coming out tomorrow, are you excited?" Ellen asked, looking at the four of us.

"Absolutely, this is our second full album and I think we are all really proud of this one." I answered glancing at my bandmates.

"Oh yeah, it's our original sound, with a rather new twist. I think everyone will love it." Jazzy spoke up. The boys agreed.

The interview went on for a few more minutes before Ellen decided it was time for us to play a game.

"This is gonna be fun. None of you are parents right?"

The rest of the band instantly said no, but I hesitated for a moment before answering.

"Nope."

Ellen looked at me for a moment, catching the hesitation. "Ali, do you have something to admit? Took you a second to answer."

"I mean. I don't know of any children I may have helped create..." I quickly covered, biting the inside of my cheek. Sorry, Rosie-bear.

"That you know of?"

"I mean... let's be honest, I had a bit of a player phase in college. Being intersex, it is possible - unlikely as all hell, but possible - that I might have a biological child out there somewhere. No one has told me about such a child..." I rambled, raking my fingers through my hair.

"ANYWAYS!" Mac cut in, looking at me weirdly.

"Right... so the game." Ellen quickly explained the game. We would be changing a dummy's diaper, while answering trivia questions about children. This was supposed to be funny, but I had been reading up on everything I could have because of my daughter.

"Ali, Jazzy, you two first."

Both of us stepped up to the dummy's bench. Both tiny dolls were swaddled, one blue and one pink. Mine was the pink one. Ellen started the timer and I got to work.

"Question 1: When does a baby typically take their first steps, unaided?"

"10 to 12 months." I spoke up instantly, my practiced hands changing the diaper without thought.

"Correct. What does SIDS stand for?"

"Sudden Infant Death Syndrome." Again without thought I spoke up, as I finished changing the diaper and swaddling the doll. Jazzy wasn't even done with the diaper. "Done." I looked up, it had been just over two minutes.

"How are you so good at that?" Ellen asked, with Jazzy looking at me like I was insane.

"Oh..." I smirked. "Just cause I don't have a kid... doesn't mean I don't KNOW kids. My best friend has a nearly 2 year old girl. I was there from birth."

"You Cheated!" Jazzy complained. "You said you had no experience with kids."

"No, I said I didn't HAVE kids." I argued, my heart breaking at the denial of my own daughter. I knew it was for the best. She was Scarlett and Romain's... until Scarlett chose to say otherwise.