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The urge is so strong that I actually feel my muscles tense.

But I’m not the woman who was with Dylan, the broken shell of myself.

I’m more.

I’m a woman who took a chance to make a better life for myself. I’m a woman who’s learning to trust again even after the world has showed me its ugly underbelly. I’m Willow Fucking St. Claire, and that means something.

Maybe not much to the rest of the world who only sees me as Dylan’s fiancée or the washed-up actress or the troubled child star.

But I know it.

Finally, I know it.

So, when he taps on the screen a few times and hands me the phone, I don’t cower away from whatever curveball I’ll be facing next.

I take the cell and force myself to remain calm as I read Dylan’s post on Instagram.

* * *

We all have various struggles and challenges in our lives, and Willow is no exception. We’ve all seen her battle the demons inside her and come out victorious. Unfortunately, the war to sobriety isn’t always straight.

It’s an uphill battle with many valleys and sheer cliffsides and mud-filled puddles. There are mountain lions and rattlesnakes and black widows, all poised in the shadows, waiting to take a bite out of a bright, beautiful woman who I love with all my heart.

And recently, one of those predators has finally pierced flesh.

A few weeks ago, Willow relapsed and made the brave decision to enter a rehabilitation facility in order to get back on track. Production of our next film together has been pushed back to allow her this time?—

I gasp.

“I know, baby.”

My eyes burn and I shake my head. “I know it’s the least of my problems,” I whisper, blinking rapidly. “But I was so excited to stretch myself with A Whisper in Time. Now, I’ll be lucky to not be dropped from the film altogether.”

“Princess,” he murmurs, lightly stroking a hand along my side. “I’m so sorry.”

I nod.

“We’ll figure it out.”

I’m not sure we will.

But I know that I haven’t come this far not to at least fight for it—and if I still lose…

Well, I know I’ll survive that too.

My eyes go back to the screen and I keep reading.

* * *

—and we look forward to welcoming her back when she feels well enough to work again.

In the meantime, I’ll continue doing what I’ve always done for the woman I love: taking care of her, watching out for her, and holding down the fort until she can return to our house and make it a home again.

Please be kind, and know that addiction is a serious illness and the trauma that clings to our young actors is a difficult mantle to shed. Let’s all show Willow how much we love her and shower her with love and support and compassion instead of derision and hate.

-D

* * *