For Real or For Publicity?

Chapter Fourty Five

Joanne Belle Kameron

"Hey, Abigail," I said, reaching over to give Abigail a brief hug.

  "Hey," she said, returning the friendly and warm embrace.

  "Anything wrong? You sound a little worried on the phone," I asked worriedly.

  "Afraid so," she said, sitting down on the couch.

  "I just found out that Mum and Dad are getting a divorce, " she burst up.

  "Yeah, about that. I sorta already know,"I said cautiously, not wanting to burst her bubble.

  "And the worst part is that they both suspect I've told the press because I'm the snoopy and nosy one!" She broke down into tears.

  "I'm so sorry," I said, placing a warm hand onto her bare shoulder.

  I really liked her outfit: a sleeveless silver dress and matching boots.

  The door opened and Brandon burst in, his hair messy. "Uh, is this a bad time?" he asked awkwardly.

  "No, no," I reassured him. I tugged on his hand and led him to the next room.

  "Look," I began to explain in a low whisper. I did not want to make Abigail as depressed as she already was. "Abigail just found out about your parents getting a divorce and she's upset because Ruby and Fred think that Abigail told the paparazzi because she always . . . pokes her nose into stuff."

  "Okay, look. I don't blame Mum and Dad for suspecting Abigail because she is a bit nosy. But, I know she didn't do it. We have to prove it and help Abigail," Brandon said.

  "But how? The only prove we have is our own instincts. It's not proper evidence," I argued.

  Brandon gave me a quizzical look. Probably because I barely talk all evidenc-y.

  "Too much CSI shows," I explained quickly.

  "Then how do we prove Abigail's innocent?" Brandon asked.

  "Just like I said - by gaining evidence," I said smirking.

"So, Abigail Rosemary Murphy, where were you when Ruby and Fred first told Brandon, Taylor and Jovan about their divorce plans?" I asked.

  Abigail shot me a dirty look. "Are you suspecting me too?"

  "Nope. I'm just collecting evidence to prove you're innocent," I explained. "Now back on topic. So, where were you?"

  "I was doing a benifit concert for the whales in Coastic Islands," Abigail said, a dreamy look in her eyes.

  "Do you have any prove?"

  "Yup. Dozens of photos with fans. Lucky fans, might I add," she said, combing through her Kate Spade handbag. She emerged with a few photos.

  I looked at them. There was a silver pole behind each picture. I remembered seeing an ad about Coastic Islands, where they would mark each small island with a different colored pole. The silver pole was only for Saturday, when Ruby and Fred told Taylor, Jovan and Brandon the news. Also, I could see a big stage with the words Abigail Rosemary : Live at Swenson Beach!

  So, Abigail told the truth.

  "Thanks. This is the evidence that we need!"I said, getting up. "Come on! Let's prove it to your parents!"

"So this is all true?" Ruby asked while leafing through the photos, her voice thick with emotion.

  "Yeah, Mum," Abigail said.

  "I'm so sorry I didn't believe you," Ruby said, pulling her daughter into a tight hug.

  I smiled, only hoping that Brandon was also here. But he wasn't.

  As Ruby and Fred were located in different parts of New York, we had to go home and photocopy two different samples of the photos. We left Brandon and Jovan to deal with Fred while Abigail, Taylor and I dealt with Ruby.

  "Guess we'll never know who leaked the story to the press," Ruby said.

  Taylor led out a nervous hum that might have slipped past Ruby and Abigail but not me.

  "Taylor? May I speak to you in private?"I said. Without waiting for Taylor's response,  I dragged her to a neighboring room and closed the door.

  "Okay what did you do?" I said without missing a beat.

  "What 'what did I do'?" she asked, shifting her eyes from left to right.

  "Was it you? You who leaked the divorce news to the press?" I asked patiently.

  "Maybe? No? Yes," Abigail said softly.

  "Why?"

  "I didn't tell the press. Well, not exactly. I only told my best friend, Isabella. I guess she told the press," Taylor said.

  "Don't 'I guess' me!" I snapped impatiently. "Just say it!"

  "Fine. Isabella and I did it, alright?" Taylor said forcefully.

  "You should tell Ruby!" I informed her.

  "No!" Taylor said, her nails digging into my flesh.

  "Why not?" I asked, rubbing the spot where half moon marks were forming once she let go.

"She's gonna be so mad at me! Can't you just not tell for once?"

  "Fine, " I gave in.