Quixotic (2)

29

He made a promise, and he intended to keep it. Eliza sat in the audience between his parents. She was wearing a pair of heels and the same dress she wore to the soiree. From the side of the stage, he looked through a break in the curtain that his them to see her. She looked like Olivia.

"Are you ready?" He heard Joe ask, but was silent in response, "You can do it, man."

"I know," He said, taking a breath as he listened for the cue.

"Remember, we are only here to clear the air," Murray told him as they stood crowded in the small area, "You don't have to say everything, but you have to tell the truth."

Sal placed his hand over Brian's shoulder, flashing him a small smile, "We're all in this together," He told him, trying to stay positive as they were summoned to the stage.

They entered to find an empty couch positioned across from the red-haired woman and her brunette side kick. They both seemed overly excited to have them on the stage. Standing, they jogged forward to hug each individual before they had the chance to get comfortable.

They were filming the live show in front of a crowd of over a hundred people, and he could feel each pair of eyes resting on him. They started easy, asking about the next season and what was planned. They then moved to talking about sponsors and advertising. Murray, Sal, and Joe held the conversation. Brian sat furthest away from the interviewer. He tried to add to the conversation, but found himself sitting quietly for most of the interview.

"Now, I'm sure you know what everyone is waiting to hear," The red headed woman teased, and Brian forced himself to look up, "Let's talk about the rumors flying around the media."

"Rumors?" Joe asked as a joke, and the woman seemed eager to laugh at the small humor.

She reached forward, petting his arm, "Tell me, you've heard?"

"We have," Sal answered, his smile falling.

"Then, tell us!" The brunette woman urged eagerly, "Brian?"

He looked up, and shifted in the seat. Pulling his hand through his hair, he positioned the microphone to his lips and took a breath, "Who is that young girl from the pictures?"

He pulled his shoulder's back, sitting up straighter, "A few months ago, if you would have asked me that question, I would have answered no," He told the woman clearly, looking to the ground to avoid their wide eyes, "Today, I'm answering honestly. Yes, she is my daughter. Her name is Eliza, and she is almost eleven years old."

The two women gasped, and the crowd mimicked their reaction. His heart dropped in fear, but he looked to the crowd to see the smile on Eliza's face. His father's arm was draped around her shoulders, holding his mother's shoulder. They were looking to the stage with pride in their eyes.

"Tell us more."

He nodded once, and faced the two women. Looking over his friends for a moment, he began, "I think the best way to explain is by telling a story." The woman waited eagerly for him to continue. He quickly brushed his hair back, facing his daughter for encouragement, "Once upon a time," He began, watching her smile grow.

Something in his mind clicked when he said those four words, and his heart dropped in his chest. His smile fell, and he turned to look at the ground, "Joe," He said into the microphone, trying to understand the sudden guilt that overcame his being.

"Once upon a time," Joe repeated into the microphone, saying, "A girl moved into the house next door to mine." He could see that the ladies were interested, but he wasn't talking to them. He was talking to the crowd, so he faced them, "Her name was," He paused, looking to Brian for permission. He looked up, and Joe understood, announcing, "Olivia Bae Parker. Brian called her Bae."