Natalie took one and blew her nose.
Now he had the woman alone, he wasn't sure how to begin. Eventually he said, "Will you tell me what happened?"
She wiped the tears from her eyes. "Do you have any children, Kent?"
He was torn between protecting Kate and telling the truth. Finally he said, "I have a niece who is ten."
"Do you see her much?"
"As much as I can."
Natalie seemed satisfied. "Then you know what they're like at that age. So full of enthusiasm. You are his hero." She plucked another tissue. "My sister found him unconscious on his bed last week. Her little boy. He'd cut his wrist and was rushed to hospital. Your song was on repeat on his stereo." She sniffed. "No one knew anything was wrong."
He saw why she'd make the connection. But surely there had to be something else to cause the boy to harm himself. Not even when Adrian had been beaten and locked in the cellar had he considered suicide. He couldn't say that, though. "For me the song is about hurting emotionally, not physically." He paused. Maybe the boy had bigger issues and no one would listen to him. Adrian knew what that was like. "Could I talk to your nephew?"
Natalie regarded him with suspicion. "Why would you want to?"
"To explain what the song means and to find out why he interpreted it that way." Maybe the boy would tell him things he wouldn't tell his parents.
"I won't let him be part of a media circus."
Adrian swallowed his sigh. "I'd prefer to see him without anyone knowing. They'll sensationalize it." He paused. "I could see him today after sound check."
"Let me check with my sister," Natalie said.
Adrian handed her a card. "If she's happy with it, call my manager and he'll arrange the time."
There was a knock on the door and George stuck his head in. "We've got another interview to get to." He glared at Natalie.
Adrian stood. He wanted to soothe her but he didn't know how. There really wasn't anything else he could say. He could deal with the backlash her comments would create, but she had to live with the fact her nephew had tried to kill himself. "Take care," he said.
Natalie nodded and blew her nose.
He walked out of the room and stopped in front of the man in charge. "She doesn't deserve to be fired. She's suffered a near tragedy and isn't thinking clearly. Don't punish her on my account."
George opened his mouth to protest but Adrian shook his head. Instead George said, "Let's go. We're going to be late."
They left the building and jumped into the car. George was already talking a mile a minute about the statement Adrian had to make.
"I know what to say, George." Adrian saw concern and frustration on George's face. "Don't worry. It will be fine." Adrian was sure it would be. He knew what he had to say, just like he knew the Mothers Against Rock would use this incident for their own gain, to protest against rock singers or to bring child suicide to the public's awareness. He couldn't control any of that, but he could make sure his position was known.
"I've given Natalie your card and asked her to call you if the boy's mother is happy for me to visit him."
George considered him. "Why? The media's going to have a field day. You don't want to get further involved."
"What if the attempt was a cry for help?" Adrian asked. "What if this boy has parents like mine? What if no one else sees what's going on?"
George nodded once. "I'll arrange it."
Adrian breathed out a sigh of relief. It was one thing he appreciated about George. He understood where Adrian had come from.
They pulled up in front of the next radio station to discover reporters and cameras already out in front. Damn, they were quick. He was used to this type of publicity, but he needed to shield Kate from it.
"Kent will give a statement after we've finished our interviews," George said, holding up a hand to ward them off. "If you'll excuse us, we're a little late as it is."
They were ushered into the station and into the studio, where the hosts were doing everything but rubbing their hands in glee to have the first interview.
Adrian rehearsed in his mind what he wanted to say. He needed to stay focused and be honest and hope the honesty and concern came through in his voice. Greeting the hosts, he put on the headphones he was handed and sat down.
It was going to be a long day.
***
After Kate had eaten and dressed they planned their day. First stop was to a science museum that was close to where Adrian was performing.
"Let's surprise Uncle Ade for lunch," Kate said. "We could take him a picnic. He'll be doing sound checks and stuff there."
Libby considered it. Adrian didn't want to be associated with Kate when he was in his Kent gear because he was worried she might be a target for his fans. Still, they would be inside the building and all the roadies knew who she was.
"Come on, it will be fun." Kate had hope in her eyes.
"Let me call George and see what he has to say. If things aren't going smoothly, they won't be breaking for lunch yet."
Kate grinned as Libby plugged George's number into her phone.
"What's wrong with Kate?" George's voice bordered on aggressive. He must have caller ID on his phone.
"Nothing's wrong." Libby rolled her eyes at Kate, who giggled. "We're close by and Kate wants to surprise Adrian with lunch. I thought I'd check if it was all right before we came."
"We've got lunch catered," George said.
Libby refused to get riled. "If you're too busy, you just need to say so, George. Kate and I have plenty to do to keep us occupied."
He sighed. "Seeing Kate might help Adrian. One of the interviews didn't go so well today. Go to the back entrance. I'll tell someone you're coming." He hung up before Libby could ask for more detail.
Libby smiled at Kate. "He said yes."
"Yay!" Kate looked around. "Where do you think we can get a picnic?"
"George said they had lunch catered, so we don't need to bring anything."
Kate pouted.
"But perhaps we can buy Adrian a chocolate bar for dessert." Libby pointed to the little deli nearby.
"Good idea."
They wandered over to the shop and Kate took her time exclaiming over the different kinds of chocolate before choosing one for Adrian and one for George.
At the back door of the entertainment complex, a staff member and a roadie were waiting for them. The roadie greeted Kate while the staff member checked Libby's ID. When the staff member said they could enter, the roadie led them to Kent's dressing-room. "George said to wait in here. We're almost finished on stage."
The dressing-room was of a similar standard to the one in Melbourne: lots of mirrors, a couple of couches and stark white walls. Kate ran over to one of the couches and bounced down on it. "This is going to be fun."
Libby smiled at her but she was concerned about George's comment. What had happened in the radio interview today?
They waited for ten minutes before Adrian walked in wearing his Kent gear.
"Surprise!" Kate yelled, bouncing off the couch.
Adrian jumped back as if startled, but Libby could tell he'd been forewarned they were there.
"Geez, Kate, you scared the life out of me!"
Kate giggled. "No, I didn't. George told you we were here, didn't he?"
"Yep." He held his arms wide and Kate ran into them. He picked her up and swung her around. "It's good to see you, kiddo." Adrian closed his eyes for a second, squeezing Kate tightly. Libby could see the comfort he took from Kate's presence – he'd clearly had a rough morning.
Adrian opened his eyes and gazed at Libby for a moment, as if he was waiting for something, then put Kate back on the ground.
"I'm starved, Uncle Ade. Can we have lunch now?"
"Starved, eh?" He winked at Libby. "I'll have to have words to your nanny. We can't have you starving." His tone was stern and Kate looked alarmed.
"I was just kidding."
Adrian broke into a smile. "Gotcha."
Kate slapped him playfully on the arm. "That wasn't nice. Come on, let's go."
Libby followed them out of the room.
The food was set up in the area behind the stage. The roadies had already helped themselves to plates of food and were sitting on any available surface. George was talking to someone, gesticulating to make his point.
Kate waved at a couple of the men but didn't leave Adrian's side. At the buffet she took a plate and piled it full of food. She peeked over her shoulder at Libby. "Make sure Libby gets a plate, Kent."