“You’re smart. You could do it.”
“With your help. Stash was a controlling bastard. He told you those things so he could run the show, so he could steal from you, and you’d never know it.”
“True.”
“Yes, he did. Mom said he’d been stealing from you for the last two years. He wanted to keep you away from the business side of things. He didn’t want you poking around, finding out. So, he made you feel dumb. And you believed him. How could you?”
“I did. I did.” She shook her head and gazed at the floor. “That effing bastard. He did just what you’re saying. And I was an i***t and fell for it.”
Buddy tipped her chin up with a finger. “Honey, Emmy, sweetheart. He’s gone. You can do anything you want to. Hell, you’ve been out, performing in front of audiences, grabbing ’em, holding ’em for year
