For just a second, Barb forgets to compose her face. You’d have had to be watching the show very attentively to catch it, but you would have glimpsed an abyss of despair, a heart oozing pure pain. When the talk show hostess touches her hand, Barb is reminded of where she is and what the priorities are here. She shakes back her glossy chestnut locks and smiles radiantly into camera 3.
“I am deeply touched, Barb, by your sharing what must be the most tragic, the most heart wrenching moment of any mother’s – any parent’s life. Thank you so much for being so open with us, with our millions of viewers out there – among whom I’m sure some share your fate.” Brilliant smile, lots of gleaming teeth. “We’ll be right back after a short break and important messages from our sponsors. Then we’ll continue our conversation with Barb Bernstein, award-winning documentary filmmaker, about her latest work on drug-running across the Mexican border, the film that earned her an Academy Award nomination.”
As the show cuts to commercial, Barb and Amanda Starr both let out long sighs.
“You did great, Barb, and I mean great. I do have to play to my audience on camera, but I really meant what I said. I am deeply touched and awed by your openness and your strength. And I’m convinced it will mean a lot to those parents who have faced similar tragedies.”
“I will never...” said Barb in an unusually subdued tone, “never in my whole life do this again.”
Wow, so I have an exclusive! Amanda inwardly pumped her fist.
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