One Small Island

Chapter 6 The Cavalry Arrives

It took her a couple of days for Edina to get around to replacing her phone and when she did she instantly regretted it. The damn thing wouldn't stop ringing. It had started right there in the phone store. The very second that kid activated the phone a notification came on that said 142 messages and then the ringing began. The kid had looked up at her and said should I answer that? . "Give me that." edina said as she wrenched the phone from his hands and left the store for her car.

It was her agent Stanley. "Hi Eddie" he began "Long time no speak. So... what have you been up to?" he said. "Shut up Stanley." She said.

"Jesus Edina. At which point did you think it was a good idea to destroy your boss's office? You can't possibly be surprised they've pulled the show." He said.

"This whole mess wasn't my fault. Save your venom for Sam." Edina said "On second thought, don't ever talk to the bastard again."

"OK well get into my office asap. We've got to start working on spinning this debacle. I think I could call in some favors and get you on with Kathy Lee and Hoda and maybe we could grab a spot on one of the late night shows. We need to get your side of the story out there and maybe the sympathy factor will convince the network to start shooting the show again." He said

Edina thought for a minute. "Absolutely not. My life is literally going down the drain Stanley. I defiantly don't want to share every torrid detail with Conan. Besides I've left the city." She said

"What? Don't tell me you're going to do some Eat, Pray, Love thing. You're not on a mountaintop somewhere are you?" he asked.

"No. I came up to the Cape to hide out for a bit. I want to lay low and avoid the tabloids." She said

"Jesus Edina. You've got to think of your career. People are dying to find out details and I want them to hear it from you. A little space in the tabloids wouldn't be the worst thing." He said.

"Maybe not for you Stanley, but I'm not interested. And you're the only one who knows I'm up here so if any photographers show up I'm going to know who to blame." She growled

"OK, OK don't get violent." Stanley said. "But do check yourself in the mirror before you go out, just in case."

Edina disconnected the call and immediately the damn thing rang again. This time it was her Assistant/Stylist Tyler.

"Oh my God Eddie!" his frantic voice exploded through the phone. "What the hell happened? Scratch that, how are you? I heard that the show has been put on hiatus? How long are you going to take off? Are things really that bad? Are you a mess? God I hope you haven't been eating everything in sight."

Once Tyler seem to have it all out of his system she said "Tyler, I'm OK. It was bad but it wasn't my choice to put the show on hiatus. Has the Network said anything to you about your position?" She asked.

Tyler had gone from frantic to subdued. "Oh Eddie you're not going to believe it but they've sent me to work with Bailey Bay!" he whined.

"No!" Edina said astonished. "Honey you're talented but not even you can help that nut job out."

"I know!" he whined. "That supermarket sample slinging halfwit can't hold a candle to you Eddie. I can't believe they're giving her your time slot."

Edina saw red. "They're WHAT?" she yelled.

"Oh God Eddie, you hadn't heard?" Tyler said. "Well never mind I'm more worried about you. Are you OK Eddie? And where the hell are you?"

"I'm up at the Scallop Bays house." She said quietly. The network had given away her time slot. It really was over.

"In February?" Tyler said. "Doesn't it like freeze over up there or something?"

Edina laughed and looked around the parking lot of the strip mall. "It's pretty desolate but that's sort of what I need right now. Plus there's no chance any paparazzi can get past the gate so I think I'm pretty safe from the TMC poachers."

"Good." Tyler said and then a moment later he continued "But if you're up there all by yourself and you're not answering any calls, then who are you talking to? You need to talk this through Eddie."

"What makes you think I don't have friends up here?" Edina shot back.

"Oh Eddie" Tyler laughed "Honey I'm your only friend. Didn't you ever notice that?"

Edina went quiet. She actually had not noticed that but now that he mentioned it...

Instantly defensive, she shot back "I have friends up here. Lot's of people you don't even know."

"Oh really" Tyler said "Who?"

"There's my friend Gloria." Edina began.

"Isn't that the housekeeper?" Tyler asked. Damn him and his ridiculous memory. She hadn't even remembered about the girl.

"And when did you become such an elitist? All of a sudden I can't be friends with the housekeeper?" Edina said irritated.

"OK then" he said "Is there anyone up there to talk to that you don't happen to be paying?" That comment stung and Edina fired back "Now that you mention it, you work for me so I'm hanging up."

"Eddie" he said soothingly "Don't go. I was just kidding. I really just wanted to check on you."

"I'm fine" Edina said with false bravado. "I've got Gloria and we've been having a great time. Real girlfriend sleepover kind of stuff" She lied. "The thing is, Gloria doesn't drink. Like not at all. Not one drop. And if we're being honest here I sort of feel like I need to get riproaring drunk and I need someone to do it with me." Edina paused. She had always been so independent that she hated to ask anything of anyone. "Can you come visit?" she said tentatively.

"In February? I mean if it was July I'd be right there but isn't it quiet in the off season?" Tyler asked.

"Come on it's not that bad!" Edina said. "I'm asking you nicely... please."

"Oh God Eddie I'm not sure. I've got all this Bailey stuff to take care of. She's really a nightmare and"

Edina cut him off. It was time to go for the jugular. "All right then." She said with exaggerated sadness. "Gotta go. I'm just running out to buy a whole new wardrobe with elastic waistbands so I can be comfortable when I start ordering in pizza three times a day."

Tyler let out a gasp and Edina knew she had him. "Oh my God Edina! Don't do that". He shrieked "I have enough time of a time getting you into the clothes you have now. If you gain one more ounce..."

Hurt, Edina snapped back to reality. "Honestly Tyler how can you say that? My God it's not like I said I'm going to take up smoking!"

"Well smoking might actually make things easier on me." He said

Infuriated now, Edina shot back "Thanks Tyler. Good to know you wish I were dead."

He laughed "There you go jump into extremes. OK, send me a ticket and I'll cancel my plans for the weekend."

"You will?" She said suddenly excited. "See you soon!" and Edina rang off.

That Friday afternoon Edina sat waiting outside the small airport terminal in Hyannis. Her heart leapt when she saw her whippet thin friend. As always, he was immaculate. From his perfectly pressed dark wash jeans which were slightly rolled at the cuff, to his black penny loafers without socks and his fashionable leather bomber jacket. He was sporting a fashionable dusting of stubble he looked like George Clooney had 10 years ago. Tyler did a quick scan of the waiting cars and his eyes brightened when he saw Edina.