“I drink a lot. I guess I drink too much.”

“And you drive when you are drunk.”

“What do you mean?”

“I know the TV production studio got you out of at least four stops for DUI without them hitting your record or the press. I know that any of the four times you could have killed someone or maimed them.”

“How?”

“I worked part time for that studio in wardrobe. I helped alter your clothes. One of my friends was in the accounting department.”

“So you hate me?”

“Actually I feel sorry for you. Look at what you did to yourself. Most of us would kill for the opportunity you threw away. Jan is making over eight mill this year, you could have done at least that, almost certainly a little better. You blew that away to suck on the bottle. What a waste for you, for your fans, for anyone.. And you squandered the money you already made on booze and parties. With what you made you could have gone wherever you wanted and lived the rest of your life without working.” Denise hung her head as Carol finished. “And you nearly blew away this opportunity which will probably be your last because you wanted to get drunk one night.”

“You don’t understand.”

“What don’t I understand?”

Denise started to cry. “I need it. I get tense when I go too long without a drink. I really need a drink now.” It was the first time she had really admitted this to anyone. Carol made a mental note, this was an important step.

“I can suggest a cold shower. That helps.”

“How do you know? You can’t possibly know what it is like.”

“I had a drinking problem in high school. I kicked it when I got married and decided to have kids. I know how hard it is.”

Denise lay back on the bed next to Carol. She was nearly emotionally spent but the night was not over yet.

Denise Chapter 01: Success in Hollywood

Denise Chapter 11: Denise on Tour As One of the Crew

Denise Chapter 13: Denise Gets Another View of the Future