Something in the Water

Golden

"Jenna, things are looking good," Norah said with a hint of excitement, "the single hit the charts and is soaring." The music video and single were released simultaneously and already has 100,000 views. "Also, for the month of March, you are going to be one of Apple Music's featured artists - this is amazing." She turned the phone toward me and I saw my single was sitting at number 5 just after eight hours of being released.

"It looks like all of that radio, twitter and Instagram paid off," I said, stirring my milk into my coffee, "I feel so good about this. I'm over the moon." The phone was buzzing for most of the morning while Norah was busy handling press engagements, radio requests and magazine interviews requests. I texted Hunter in the hype of it all.

J: Phone has been ringing off the hook all day.

H: your single is #5 congrats babe. You worked so hard. I love you.

J: and I love you. Thank you.

"Hey Jenna," Courtney, my publicist walked through the front door, "congrats on the single! Big things are happening." She opened her arms for a hug and we got down to business scheduling radio, tv and the magazine pieces that were flying from all directions.

"Don't get me wrong but I am not sure how this is all going to work." I looked over the requests... GMA, Ellen, Jimmy Kimmel,Trevor Noah. Requests were coming in from coast to coast. "What's got more? California or New York?" After some discussion it was decided that over March break, shortly after the album drops, I would take the kids to New York on their spring break. "If it's just Ellen in California I can fly out for a day or whatever and do that quick." I sat back in my chair as Courtney and Norah organized the calendars to line it all up. "Let's confirm everything tomorrow after I talk to Hunter." Just as the words left my lips my phone began to ring and it was the school. "Hello, yes this she. No, he was fine when he left the house. Okay, umm, yeah I'm on my way." I hung up the phone and grabbed my bag, "Sorry ladies, I gotta go get Beckett, apparently he's sick. I'll be back in less that twenty minutes."

I drove to the school and went inside to find Beckett in the nurses office, looking pale, sweaty and tired. "Hey buddy, you okay?"

"No mommy," he whimpered, "I don't feel good at all." I brought him home, tucked him into bed and drew the curtains.

"I took your temperature, I'll come back up shortly." I kissed his clammy cheek and tip toed out of his room.

J: Beckett's home sick. Looks like a flu

H: I'll get out of here at 3 to get Sutton and Easton. We are almost wrapped up.

J: Amazing thank you

The evening wore down with dinner, homework, and the night was long with several interruptions of Beckett crying and getting sick.

"Thank you so much for taking them," I handed Hunter his coffee in a travel mug as he and Easton and Sutton got their jackets on, "have a good day loves." I kissed them and they headed out while I had pyjama day with Beckett. Part way through the morning I heard a knock at the door. "Hey Steph," I opened the door, "come in. How are you?"

"I'm good, I was actually in the area and saw your car." She grabbed a seat at the kitchen table.

"Yeah, Becks is sick and I'm running on less than four hours of sleep," I yawned, "coffee?" She nodded and I whipped up two coffees and we chatted. "Why were you all the way out here?"

"I was doing a transition consultation for a student at a school. Would you believe the school was expecting the parents to provide a lift so their child can use the bathroom?" We discussed the situation and as I parent I was frustrated that the school was so unhelpful.

"That's got to be so hard." I shook my head. Stephanie turned the conversation on to me.

"How are you? I know it's been busy lately, but I haven't seen you since the holidays...."

"I'm good. Believe it or not, as rough as things were before my mom died, I feel good. The album comes out in like, three weeks, the single is doing amazing and there's a tour coming up...."

"You're like, all in."

"I didn't want to bring any of last years baggage into this year. I poured some really dark parts of my heart and soul into that album. I'm really proud of it."

"I've watched the video like five times, it's amazing. It's so perfect."

"I saw this morning it's like almost two hundred thousand views on YouTube." I smiled and shook my head, "I know my mom was proud of me. That's all the validation I needed after all this time." Steph smiled. "Any chance you want to come to New York next month?"

"Maybe, why?" I briefed Steph on the encroaching chaos and how Hunter had another commitment during spring break. "Let me check my calendar when I go to work tomorrow and I will definitely let you know."