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fund-raising effort work, we need to get some big names attached to it.”
    “Which is a great idea, yes,” I agree. “But getting someone—”
    “Let me finish.”
    I mime pulling a zipper closed across my lips.
    “Well, Morgan talked to Rugged—you know, that hot new rap artist from Atlanta—about the idea of possibly participating, given that this is his home town, and—”
    “And he said yes?” Excitement washes over me.
    Claudia nods. “He wants to do it.”
    “Yes!” I pump a fist in the air. “This is exactly what we needed. Some celebrity to headline the event.”
    Across the table Annelise is grinning, too. “It gets better,” she practically sings.
    “Really?” My eyes flit from Annelise to Claudia. Then I notice Apple in my peripheral vision.
    “Here are your drinks.” Her face looks flushed as she deposits three mimosas and three mugs of coffee onto the table. “I’m sorry, I got busy with other tables. I didn’t mean to bring them out this late.”
    She’s looking directly at me as she offers this explanation, as though she expects me to bite her head off.
    “That’s fine,” I tell her.
    Nodding nervously, she tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. “You haven’t gotten food yet.”
    “We’ve been gabbing,” Annelise explains. “We’ll get to it.”
    When Apple walks off, I say to Claudia, “Okay, what’s this even-better news?”
    “Right.” She grins. “Well, Rugged likes the idea so much that he said he’d ask other rap artists, like 50 Cent, Ludacris and some others, if they’d like to get involved as well. Maybe do a ‘rap artists support the cause’ type of event.”
    “You know what, I will never feel sorry for myself again,” I proclaim, smacking the edge of the table as I do. “I came in here feeling so shitty, but life is still good. There are still good people in the world.”
    “Exactly,” Annelise agrees. “I told you things have a way of working out.”
    “Can you believe it?” Claudia’s eyes are beaming with happiness. “We’re gonna make this happen. And we’ll raise a ton of money for the foundation.”
    “Lord, I hope so.” I reach for my second mimosa. “I’m so passionate about this now, ya know?”
    “We know,” Annelise agrees. “And we’ll do right by the children who need this money so desperately.”
    “Oh, and Rugged is getting into town tonight and would like to set up a meeting,” Claudia goes on. “Talk to you at least, Lishelle, as your network will be hosting this. Or we can all meet him. Whatever you’d prefer.”
    “It’d be great if he could come to the station. Meet with me and my station manager.” My mind races as I think of how this is exactly the boost we needed. “And you’re welcome to come, too, of course. Or I could handle the preliminary meeting. Whatever you think is best.”
    “We’ll figure it out by tomorrow,” Claudia assures me. “In the meantime, my stomach is growling.”
    “Yeah, mine’s pretty angry too.” Annelise chortles. “And if I keep drinking on an empty stomach…”
    “Say no more.” I rise. “Let’s head to the buffet.”
     
    I know the moment that Rugged enters the studio. I hear the excitement in the air. Even a couple of squeals.
    I’m in my office, but I don’t move. I sit casually at my desk, a current tabloid open on my lap. It’s trash, I know, but I read it to escape the reality of the heartbreaking stories I often report on the news.
    My door is ajar, but someone raps on it nonetheless. “Lishelle?”
    “Come in.”
    It’s Carmen, one of the production assistants, and she’s grinning from ear to ear. “Rugged is here.”
    “Oh?”
    “Yes. I took him to the green room. Is that where you want to meet him? Linda says she’ll be at least ten minutes. I didn’t want to leave him waiting.”
    I glance around. My office looks presentable. “Why don’t you bring him here?”
    Carmen disappears, but less than five seconds later, she pops her head back