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"Katie, wait--"

"Not tonight, Tul I'm exhausted"

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

Tully orried about Kate and Marah For ure out how to fix things between the had co over her script notes for today

Her phone rang It was her assistant "Tully The McAdamses are here From the rehab show"

"Send theh her door on that icy Nove bore only the most surface resemblance to the people who'd been on her first live show Mr McAdaer walked hunched over, with his head pulled down into his shoulders Mrs McAda "Wow," Tully said, "you two look great Please, sit down"

Mr McAdaether they sat down on the expensive black leather sofa that faced the s "We're sorry to bother you We kno busy you are"

"I' the over the end of her desk, she looked down at them

"We just wanted to say thank you," Mrs McAda or alcohol problem"

Tully's smile faded "I do, actually"

"We can be e Lord knows, I wanted to quit every day, but I didn't Until you put the spotlight on ine how you've helped us," Mr McAdams said "We just wanted to say thank you"

Tully was so moved by their words it took her a moment to respond "That's what I wanted to do with the live show: change someone's life It

"Excuse me" She answered it "What is it?"

"John is on line one, Tully"

"Thanks Put hih" When he came on the line, she said, "Too lazy to walk fifty feet toold, Johnny"

"I need to talk to you, and not over the phone Can I buy you a beer?"

"Where and when?"

"Virginia Inn?"

She laughed "God, I haven't been there in years"

"Liar Co up the phone and turned her attention back to the McAda now

"Well," Mr McAdams said, "we've said e came to I hope you can help other folks like you've done for us"

She went to them, shook their hands "Thank you If you don't mind, can I schedule a follow-up show for next year? To show Aress"

"Sure"

She walked theoodbye, and went back to her desk For the next few hours, while she

She'd done soed the McAdamses' lives

At three-thirty, she closed up the folder, grabbed her coat, and went to Johnny's office Together, talking about ideas for the upco shows, they walked up the block toward the Public Market and turned into the dank, smoky bar on the corner

He led her to the back wall, took a seat at one of the small wooden tables by theBefore she even sat down, he flagged doaitress, ordered a Corona for himself and a dirty martini for her She waited until the drinks were delivered before she said, "Okay, what's wrong?"

"Have you talked to Kate lately?"

"No I think she's pissed atWhy?"

He ran a hand through his unruly hair "I can't believe I' a first-rate bitch Sla her curfew, refusing to do her chores She and Kate battle all day, every day It's wearing Kate out She's lost weight Isn't sleeping"

"Have you thought about boarding school?"

"Kate would never go" He smiled tiredly at his own joke "Honest to God, Tully I'm worried about her Will you talk to her?"

"Of course, but it sounds like she needs more than a friendly talk Should she see someone?"

"Like a shrink? I don't know"

"Depression is common in at-home moms Remember that shoe did on it?"

"That's orriesI should worry about or not You know her so well"

Tully reached for her drink "You can count on me"

He smiled, but it looked tired "I know that"

On Saturday, Tully called Johnny first thing in the ot it," she said when he answered