The show was a success. Ashley had finished it off and the Queens were taking off their costumes.

"Hey, Queenie. That was pretty intense."

"What?"

Ashley looked up to Millie, who swallowed.

"Well, your All You Wanna Do was really... Realistic."

Ashley gulped. "Yeah. I guess I'm a better actress than I thought I was."

Millie smiled, but it looked forced. "Hey, Ashy. If there's something you wanna talk about, you can tell me."

Ashley shook her head. "There isn't anything, Mills. I'm fine."

She walked out and found Erin. "Hey, Rin!"

Erin gave Ashley a hug. "Hey, Queenie. You were really good today. Something up?"

Ashley nodded. "During AYWD, I felt so scared."

"How?"

"I felt alone, and abandoned, like everything that happened came rushing back!"

Tears. Why couldn't she stay strong?!

"Hey. C'mon, Ginny. Things are fine. We're far away from all of that, and you're going to be OK."

Ashley sniffled. "I just hate this feeling. Of being powerless."

"I know. I know you do."

Ashley gave Erin a massive squeeze. She looked up.

"What did I do for you to deserve a mess like me?"

Erin smiled. "You didn't do anything. I insisted."

Ashley nodded. They both walked out to stagedoor, where Ashley signed, posed, and smiled before she got home.

"Finally. We're here."

Ashley opened the door. She was surprised to see a letter under the door.

"What's this?"

She opened it and read.

To a Miss Ashley H. Sanderson,

My name is Josephine Stuart. I was a friend of your mother, Emily Carson, when we were teenagers. She and I were very close, and became pen-pals after her departure to America. She told about you, and I wished to meet you. Now that you are in the UK, I'd like to see you. My address is in the card I sent with this letter. If you can, I would like to meet you whenever you feel like it. My number is also on the card. Your mother had something she wanted me to give you.

Best wishes, Jo Stuart.

"Jo?"

Ashley recognized the name. Her mother would often recall an old friend with that nickname.

"Yo, RedHead! Takin' a shower or what?"

Ashley smiled at the sound of Erin's thick New York accent returning. It only came when she was angry or annoyed.

"Well, what's pissing you off?"

Ashley walked into the kitchen, where Erin was standing.

"Just wanted to make sure you was doin' somethin'. What were ya standing 'round for?"

Ashley gave her the letter. Erin read it and squinted.

"You sure this is the real deal? I mean, some letter under the door has some lady's name in it who claims to know your deceased mother, and that she conveniently lives in the UK. Ain't that just a bit of a stretch?"

Ashley nodded. "But, Rin, you have to remember. My mom went everywhere in Europe to search for a proper education after she left Greece. And she's mentioned someone nicknamed Jo a million times. This could be true."

"Yeah, yeah. But if anything happens, I'm killin' her and burying you."

Ashley laughed. "Trust me, E. This is going to be fine."

After their quick break, they went back to the theatre for an Evening run, in which Grace was on for Howard.

"Hello, love!"

"Natalie!"

Ashley ran and gave Natalie a big hug. Natalie laughed.

"Hey there. I didn't see you this morning, so I'm glad I saw you now."

"I know. How are you?"

"I'm good. I found a couple MegaSixes about you. You were on for Howard?"

Ashley nodded. "Only three more Queens and I hit swing bingo!"

Natalie nodded. "Um, Ashley. Can I ask you a question?"

Ashley nodded. The two of them sat down in Natalie's dressing room.

"Was everything all right today? Jaye'J told me about your All You Wanna Do, and she said you scared her."

"I did?"

"Yeah. Millie said you were so real, and it made her feel like something was wrong. She said at the the end of the song, you screamed."

Ashley had been dreading this. She didn't want to lie to Natalie, but she didn't want to tell her the truth. That she was just a scared, and frightened teenager.

"I was fine. Just going through the motions. I just wanted to give the audience a little more today. It's nothing."

Ashley felt a pit of fire burn in her stomach, but Natalie nodded.

"OK. If you say so."

Ashley stood up to leave, but Natalie stopped her.

"Just remember, Queenie. If there's anything you wanna talk about, you can tell me anything. They don't call me the mum of this cast for nothing."

Ashley smiled. "I will."

She left the room, and the pit grew deeper.

How can I tell you everything after all I've been through?