The Year of Living Famously (30 page)
Read The Year of Living Famously Online
Authors: Laura Caldwell
“I need you to trust me,” I say. I hold out my hand. “Declan McKenna, will you come home with me?”
“Ha!” Lauren says.
Declan blinks rapidly. He looks like a bewildered little boy.
“Get the hell out of here,” Lauren says in a voice that's nearly a whisper. Just as I'd thought. She won't let things get too ugly with the media around.
“Declan?” I say, ignoring her. I hold my hand higher, my fingers outstretched.
Declan opens his mouth but nothing comes out. The room is hushed, heavy with anticipation.
“Dec?” I say. I want to drop my hand. I want to run from this room.
Still Declan is silent. He shakes his head as if he can't believe what's happening. Have I lost him for good?
He opens his mouth. He closes it again. He coughs. His eyes search mine.
My arm threatens to shake, but still I hold my hand out to him.
Finally, finally, he says, “Love, I'll go anywhere with you.”
He takes my hand. He pulls me into his chest, and a torrent of flashes fills the room.
Declan & Kyra Make Dublin Home
Ever since the now-famous episode at Capo restaurant in Los Angeles, when Kyra Felis stormed in with a horde of paparazzi and declared that she was there to take Declan McKenna “home,” rumors have been swirling about where that home might be. A publicist for the two now tells
Us Weekly
that the duo have purchased a Georgian house near St. Stephens Green in Dublin, Ireland, McKenna's
home
town. “They're extremely happy,” the rep says. “Kyra will run her design business from Ireland, and Declan will travel when he needs to be on set or attend a premiere. They're making it work.”
for
The Year of Living Famously
- Would you like to be famous? Do you think you could truly handle the rigors of fame?
- Why is our culture so fascinated with celebrities today? What is it that makes many of us seek celebrity for celebrity's sake?
- What would you do if you found yourself in Kyra's situation and you were married to someone you loved, but “that someone” led a life you hated?
- What did you think about the development of the stalker in the story? Why do you think people develop fantasies about famous people? Are there certain celebrities that you feel you can relate to?
- The price of fame is often the opening of one's private affairs for public viewing. What do you think the public has a right to know about various types of celebrities? If an actor is famous for his work, versus his public persona, how much of his or her life should he or she get to protect?
- In the book, fame affected Kyra and Declan differently. What types of personalities survive the transition most easily? How did Declan's fame affect the people in his life in ways he might not have anticipated?
THE YEAR OF LIVING FAMOUSLY
A Red Dress Ink novel
ISBN: 978-1-4268-3683-1
© 2004 by Laura Caldwell.
All rights reserved. The reproduction, transmission or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without written permission. For permission please contact Red Dress Ink, Editorial Office, 225 Duncan Mill Road, Don Mills, Ontario, Canada M3B 3K9.
This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, incidents and places are the products of the author's imagination, and are not to be construed as real. While the author was inspired in part by actual events, none of the characters in the book is based on an actual person. Any resemblance to persons living or dead is entirely coincidental and unintentional.
® and TM are trademarks. Trademarks indicated with ® are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Canadian Trade Marks Office and/or other countries.
