“It’s like I’ve been saying: she wasn’t cutting it in the comedy
scene so she became a rodeo clown. If you weren’t in New York
or Chicago at that stage of her career, you were through. You had nothing to offer them.”

Derek drew his pointer finger across his neck for emphasis.
In his peripherals, he saw what might have been a mustard stain
on his wrist. He stared at the dried spot for a moment, then licked it off.

Sophia decided to believe Derek, but not completely.

“So now she’s a rodeo clown? That’s a real thing these days?” she asked him.

“Sure. Well, this was a trial run. It actually was her first rodeo. Not her typical scene. Everyone there is very…patriotic. They’ve got circles embossed on their jeans pockets from dip cans.”

Sophia always ran into people she knew wherever she went, even though she didn’t know that many people, and it was always terrifying.

So of course she stumbled upon Derek of all people in the doctor’s
office waiting room. “I’m not worried about her. She can do…things.”

That was as specific as Derek got on the subject of his daughter and her capabilities.

Sophia could handle Derek. I would know. I might as well tell you
this and get it out of the way. Because I can trust you’ll be discreet.

I’m a stalker.

Big deal. It’s okay. I have a certificate.