Point Of View 2 [*Do not read until you've read the same chapter of ATW]

Chapter 22-23 We're Not Together/ Into The Stars

Trisha is an excellent caretaker just like Julia. She could sense when I was having trouble with some things and helped me, as well as poured me a cup of coffee and made sure I was ok to hold it.

"What are we gonna do with that girl?" She shakes her head after hearing about Julia.

"She can't help it. But yeah, I feel so bad when she gets like that. I don't know what to do."

"No one does, James. Well...maybe Nate because of his sister's mental health issues, but besides him... we are all still trying to figure it out." Trisha looks at me with sympathy. "And hey, you know whenever things get out of control with Julia, I can help you with whatever you need. I'll alway be there for ya, ok? I don't want you to ever worry about that."

"Thanks Trish. I appreciate that." I nod. And I do. Because I don't know what I would do without this village of people here to not only help with Julia...

 But to help with me as well.

*****

*Trisha*

"You know I'm gonna ask you..." I glance over at Nate as we drive across town to his interview. Paul turns around to look at him from the front seat while Sammy, Nate's hired driver takes us to the studio.

"No.... I don't know what you're gonna ask me until you ask me, dollface." He answers while looking out the window.

"We know today is a hard day for you." I know Paul is aware of the date and from working with Nate for all these years, he knows today is difficult. "Are you ready for this interview? I have no idea what questions will pop up today. It could be about your dad... or Julia.... or your heart thanks to this morning's internet crashing news. I need to make sure you are prepared."

"I'm prepared." He sighs. "Who is the reporter today?" 

"Her name is Hailey Cameron. She is a good reporter and well known but can ask some dicey questions to get info out of celebrities. not as bad as Susan Hardy but still.... reporters are reporters. I just want to make sure your head is in the game." I state.

"Noted. Yeah, I'll be fine, Trish." Nate softens a little and turns to look at me. "I've got my A-game on. You don't have to worry."

We pull up to the building and Paul escorts us in.

"Leslie and Holly are already in the dressing room waiting for you. When you're done, Paul and I will be waiting for you across the hall in the studio." I say as we pick up the pace a little to get down the hall faster before people notice Nate Hollan is in the building. Nate pulls his baseball hat down a little more while we walk by a series of open doors to rooms.

"Why is Leslie waiting for me?"

"She wants to make sure you're on your A-Game too. I told you she notices everything, Nate. She knew some kind of drama was going on lately with you and Julia. She put just as much effort into this tour as I did. She wants the outcome to be perfect." Nate knows exactly what I'm saying, and he nods. The pressure is always on Nate to show up, be perfect, and do the right thing.  It's never ending. One of these days all of this is gonna be too much.  Between his job...Julia drama... everything... I hate even thinking about it.

Once Nate is in his dressing room, Paul and I head across the hall to the studio. That's where the interview will be taken place. We sit down at a small table in the corner to wait for Nate and Hailey to come in. 

"How is he? For real?" Paul asks under his breath while we watch the production team set up.

"He's a mess. I can just tell. Every other year he would drink the day away until he couldn't remember his own name. Today he's feeling it." I frown.