CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED and NINETY-FOUR (part three) “I know people say that,” Sandy said. “And it’s true that it takes a while get the connection but… I can’t imagine getting more from anyone than Rachel gives me right now.” “But…” Valerie looked at Sandy and then at Jill. “You have to open your heart,” Jill…

CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED and NINETY-FOUR (part one) Thursday early morning — 2:15 A.M. When Jackie cried, Valerie lifted her from the bed and slipped out of their bedroom. She was about to sit down on their couch when she remembered that Sandy was usually up at this time too. She held Jackie close and crept…

CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED and NINETY-THREE (part five) “You’re saying I’m broke,” Jeraine said. Schmidty nodded. “You have just enough to cover your child support contracts through the end of the year. You still own the rights to most of your songs. You’ll get royalties off that work,” Schmidty said. “Royalties are nothing,” Jeraine said. “The…

CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED and NINETY-THREE (part three) “And we’re never going to spend another night apart, right?” “What?” Tanesha laughed. “It’s just something I thought of,” Jeraine said. “You know, Paul McCartney only spent one night apart from Linda. That was the night he was in jail for possession of pot in Japan. I think…

CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED and NINETY-THREE (part one) Wednesday afternoon  — 2:15 P.M. “And?” Jeraine opened the sliding door and Tanesha followed him out to the patio of the Penthouse. “And whoosh Jackie was born,” Tanesha said. “It was unbelievable.” He set their iced tea on the table and pulled a seat out for her at…