SPIN CYCLE - Chapter One

Carmen Tavares ignored the first three rings of the cell before she realized she just couldn't do it. "I'm so sorry", she said to the woman giving her a facial. The woman responded by swiping the hot towel from her face. She quickly glanced at the number on the cell phone screen and pushed 'send'.
"Hi babe, what's up?" she said casually to the single biggest star in the world.
"I need you. Come now.” Less demanding than pouty. Carmen knew by instinct this was no emergency. It was a repeat of a dance they'd done so many times before. Hadn’t Carmen sworn to her boyfriend that she could get all the way through a facial without answering her cell phone or checking her Blackberry? She had lost the challenge.
"I can come now if you want," Carmen said calmly, "or maybe if you tell me what's going on I can make it right from here."
The facialist positioned herself in the corner of the tiny room to appear to be not listening while making sure she could hear every word. Carmen put her hand over the mouthpiece.
"I'm sorry, Donna. Can I have just a minute?" A few months ago she would have never shooed away her esthetician, but after the latest run of tabloid stories, no one could be trusted. Those "inside sources" usually turned out to be massage therapists, limo drivers, and estheticians. Donna wore a snobby smirk as she opened the door and exited.
"Carmen, this is not a work thing," the voice said. This is a friend thing! I'm not kidding. I need you to come now!"
Carmen sighed. Being a publicist to a celebrity was demanding enough. To be publicist-slash-best friend was bordering on impossible. She knew when she took the job that this celebrity had a history of trouble with boundaries. But could she blame her, really? She was only 21 years old. Savannah didn't know it but Carmen was more mom than best friend.
"Savannah, can you tell me what's going on? I don't mind rushing back to the hotel but it would be great if I knew why." She instantly regretted the edge in her own voice. Savannah was an innocent, despite her reputation. She didn't deserve the snippy attitude.
"It's okay. Never mind," Savannah replied predictably. "I'll handle it. It's your day off and all."
The guilt crept in like it always does. "No, I'm coming. I'm on my way," Carmen said. "I just wanted you to give me a heads up." She hoped that Savannah would buy her cover.
"Is it the paps?" If people knew how sleazy they were they would never buy another copy of People, US, or the Enquirer.
"No!" Savannah answered emphatically. "I wouldn't bug you with that on your day off!" She softened and whispered. "It's Alex. He just stormed out of the suite. He says he can't take this anymore and he's going back to L.A." The final part of the statement ended on an uptick, like a child who tells you that the dog ate her desert and she deserves another.
Alex was the latest boyfriend in a string of five over the last year. They all had three things in common. They were tall, good looking, and they weren't Josh.
Carmen knew the facial was over. As Savannah's publicist, she was less concerned about her client's feelings than she was the business side of her boyfriend leaving. The odds were good that wonderful Alex would be sitting down with Extra spilling his guts within the next thirty minutes. That could be disastrous.
"I'll be there in twenty minutes. Don't go after him, okay?"
"I won't. But Carmen? I think he really means it. He packed a suitcase and everything. Why am I so unlucky in love?"
Carmen couldn't help but smile as she elevated herself from the table. She remembered being twenty-one. The drama was never-ending.
"Savannah, just chill out for a few minutes and I'll be there, okay? You want Brad to come in and keep you company?"
"No, he always acts like it's such a big deal to hang out with me. I'll just wait for you."
"Okay, honey. I'll be there in 20 minutes." She snapped the cover shut on the Blackberry and went to the sink to wash off the mango facial mask. This 'day off' was turning into just another day, babysitting a talented, lovable, hopelessly confused train wreck named Savannah Morris.