“But we don’t have much time,” Spencer argued desperately.  “I’m supposed to start school in a couple of months.”

“That’s your problem, Spencer, not mine,” Ashley said flatly.  “I have to think about what’s best for the company and what’s best for my department.”

“But, if you’d just let me –“

“Spencer, stop.” Ashley held up her hand.  “This conversation is over.  We’ll do the interviews we already have scheduled for this week and that’s it.  If we don’t find anyone, we can hold more interviews a few weeks from now when I have time.”

Spencer bit her lip to hold back her retort.  She wasn’t surprised Ashley was dismissing her concerns.  She did it all the time.  But in this case, Spencer needed her to listen, needed her to understand.  She’d let obstacles interfere with her goal of graduating from college a long time ago; she couldn’t let that happen again.  Not when she was so close to following through on a dream she’d had since making her first short film in high school.  Ashley could easily find someone to replace her, but Spencer knew it wouldn’t be so easy for her to find the courage to again try for a college degree.  She decided then that whether she found an assistant to replace her or not, she’d quit Venom Entertainment, even if that meant buying out her own contract.  She’d find the money somehow.

“All this talk has cut into lunchtime,” Ashley interrupted Spencer’s thoughts.  “You’ll only have time to pick up something from the diner downstairs.  Can you just get me a Cobb Salad and a bottle of water?”

“Yeah, sure,” Spencer said, standing.  Just then Ashley’s phone rang.  “I’m sorry, I told Chelsea to hold all your calls.  She must have gone to lunch or something.”

“Well, you might as well answer it,” Ashley said. “And whoever it is, I’m busy.  I’m not in the mood to deal with any angry artists or nosey journalists.”

Spencer picked up the receiver, “Venom Entertainment, Ashley Davies’ Office.”

Spencer?

“Dad?” Spencer whispered, turning away from Ashley’s questioning look.  “You can’t call me here. You’ve gotta call my cell phone.”

I’ve been trying to for the last half hour, but you didn’t pick up.

“That’s because I turned it off.  We’re doing interviews today,  I couldn’t answer it. Listen, I have to go.  I’ll call you back in a few minutes.”

Spencer, wait, it’s important.  It’s…Sammy.

At the mention of her daughter’s name, Spencer nearly dropped the phone.  She was dead silent as her father continued.

Sammy’s in the hospital, Spence.  She had a seizure this morning and collapsed. 

“Oh God,” Spencer breathed.  “Is she all right, Dad?  Please, tell me she’s all right.”

She’s a fighter, Spence. I’m sure she’ll be back at home in no time.  Your mom hasn’t come out to talk to us yet, so I don’t any details.  How soon can you get down here?

“I’m on my way  now.”  Spencer hung up the phone without saying goodbye.  She grabbed her purse, headed for the door but was stopped by the sound of her name. She’d completely forgotten her boss was there.

“Spencer,” Ashley called, rushing over and grabbing a hold of her shoulders.  “What’s wrong?”

“I have to go.” Spencer struggled to break free from Ashley’s grasp.  This was wasting time.

“Did something happen? Is everything okay?”

“Does it look like everything’s okay?” Spencer snapped.  She was having a difficult time focusing on Ashley’s face, then realized her cheeks were wet and her vision blurred with tears.  “Let me go.  I have to go.”

“Listen, you’re in no condition to drive,” Ashley said gently.  “Let me take you where you need to go.”

“I don’t have time for this, Ashley,” Spencer argued.  “My daughter’s in the hospital.  I have to get to her.”

Spencer continued to push Ashley away, but Ashley pulled her closer until Spencer found herself wrapped in her boss’s arms, crying hard on her shoulder.

“It’s going to be all right.” Ashley said so softly it was almost a whisper.  “I’m going to take you to the hospital, okay?  Everything’s going to be fine.”

Spencer nodded her acquiescence into her boss’s shoulder and allowed her to lead her out of the office.