The Fallen Starlet

by Eve Corso

  “Things are good. I have to say, I was surprised to hear from you and I’m happy that you called. I’ve had some ideas for your lawn for a few months now.”

  Jack laughed. “I love it when a woman can’t stop thinking about my lawn,” he said, the alcohol making him brave and more flirtatious than he usually was.

  Molly laughed with him. “I just can’t wait to get my hands all over it.” She laughed again. “I’m sorry. That was probably unprofessional. I promise, the whole thing will be consensual.”

  “Well, I’d hate to disappoint you, but this isn’t about my lawn.”

  “Are you seeing other lawns?” she asked, her tone light.

  Jack laughed. “I am actually. I’m not even in Los Angeles right now. I’m in Alabama and the house that I’m visiting, well, her lawn is shot to hell. Now, I’m going to be staying here for the month and I figured I might as well make myself useful. Maybe I can revive this thing back from the dead or at least try to brighten things up a bit.”

  “What kind of space are we talking about here? Do you know the square footage?”

  “Uh, not yet. But we’re talking about one of those southern mansions. The yard here is massive.”

  “Can you take a couple of pictures, and then tell me what you’re looking for?”

  “Yeah, I mean, I think I just want something simple. It’s for my birthmother, actually. We just met a few days ago.”

  “Jack, I didn’t know you were adopted.”

  “I was, yeah. And my biological mother, she’s a little bit of a recluse and won’t be doing too much to maintain it, so I wanted to go with just the basics, here. Nothing wild.”

  “You know, it’s actually crazy that you’re in Alabama. I’m in Florida right now. I came out for two weeks. But, between you and me, I was crazy to think I could stay here for so long.”

  “Oh yeah? What’s going on in Florida?”

  “My mom turned seventy this week, so we did the whole big celebration. I’m ready to go back home, though. Or at least, to get the hell away from here.”

  “Everything okay?” Jack asked as he wandered into the living room. Right away, he noticed all the family photographs in that room. He also noticed that his mom still had a television set very much like the one he had grown up with in the eighties. The kind with a dial for changing the few channels there were. The television was bulky and in a massive brown frame, as if it were trying to fit in with the furniture. This place sure needed some updating. But he got back to the conversation at hand as he listened to Molly on the other end.

  She let out an audible sigh. “Yeah, it’s just that everyone wants to know why I haven’t settled down and gotten married. It’s like the business I’ve started from scratch isn’t enough. They all just want me to pop out babies.” She let out another sigh. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to throw this all at you. You said you had some questions?”

  “No, hey, it’s okay. I get it. Family expectations can be a lot to live with. If you ever need to talk, I’m all ears. I, myself, am raising one young woman, solo now. So, if I can learn from any mistakes your parents are making and avoid them with my own daughter, well, then I think we’d be helping each other out.”

  Molly chuckled lightly on the other end. “Now, Jack. I’ve had the honor and privilege to meet your daughter on one or two occasions. Trust me, you are doing everything right. But I don’t know. My own parents are from a different lifetime. They’re so archaic in their thinking.”

  Jack laughed to himself. “You think you have it bad? Just wait until you meet my biological mother.”

  “I’d love to, actually,” she said in reply.

  There was silence on the other end. Jack wasn’t sure what she had meant by that.

  Molly broke the silence by giving a self-deprecating laugh. “Look, I need to cut this trip early. I could come down for a few days, check out this lawn in person. You would be doing me a favor.”

  Even though Jack couldn’t see her, he could imagine her as clear as day on the other line. Molly had these amazing freckles, like she had been sun-kissed in all the right places. On her nose, cheekbones, and his favorite, her shoulders. She would often wear tank tops, with a cardigan tied around her waist, her short dark curls all tied up in the back, her blue eyes squinting in the bright sun.

  Her voice brought him back to reality.

  “I can rent a car and drive out to you, stay in a motel for a few days, and properly assess what you might need. What do you think?”

  “Yeah, I mean, that would be great. I’m staying at a motel, too. So, we could be like neighbors or something. I have to warn you, though. It’s a small town, and there’s not much here except a few weirdos. It wouldn’t be much of an escape.”

  “It’s okay. Anything is better than here, to be honest with you.”

  “Isn’t anyone going to be upset when you leave earlier than planned?” he asked. He didn’t want to impose.

  “I’ll just tell them the truth. That work and duty calls.”

  Jack let out an uncertain sigh. Molly was quick to jump to her defense.

  “I mean it, this will be a welcome getaway. You’re doing me a favor.”

  “Okay, sure. How much is it, anyway, for a professional opinion?”

  “Consider this pro-bono. You can buy me lunch or dinner, or something. How’s that?”

  Jack laughed. “Yeah, sure. It would be my pleasure.”

  “Great. Text me the details and I’ll keep you informed.”

  Jack hung up the phone, a large smile on his face. He found his mother in the kitchen with her iced tea. She had refilled his shot glass and had a smirk across her face when he took the shot as soon as he saw it.

  “Good or bad?” she asked.

  “What?” he asked turning around.

  “Was it good or bad?”

  “Your yard? I’m not sure yet.”

  “Goodness gracious. I didn’t mean the yard. I meant, how did it go with your Miss thing? Did the conversation flow? Did you sweep her off her feet?”

  “Oh, that.” Jack smiled again. “I don’t know what I did, but I did something. She’s coming up here from Florida, actually, where she was staying with family for a few weeks. But she wants to check out the yard personally.”

  Vivianne sat back in her chair. “Well, I’ll be. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say your little Miss thing has a hankering for you.”

  “You know, I think you might be right. What am I going to do?” he asked, a nervous look suddenly across his face.

  Vivianne laughed out loud and set her glass down on the table. “Well, son, just be yourself. And if she can’t see you for that, she ain’t worth a damn.”

  Jack nodded. He knew his mother was right. It’s the same advice he would have given his own daughter, Amber. Only without the charming Southern accent.

  “You don’t have to meet her, not if you don’t want to. I understand that it may be a lot for you, and I don’t have any expectations one way or another. She invited herself up here and her plans are to see the yard and that’s it. I’ll support whatever you’re comfortable with.”

  “Well, Jackson, I appreciate that. When can we expect the young lady?”

  “Not sure. She’s going to keep me posted.”

  “Well, isn’t this week just a series of events? First, a son. Now, love may be in the works. I haven’t had this much fun since I left Los Angeles.”

  Jack sat down next to his mother, still unsure as to what to call her. “Look, I’m serious. Whatever you’re comfortable with.”

  She waved him off. “My goodness, Jackson. You worry too much. I already told you, I don’t give one hoot what anyone thinks. Not anymore.”

  “So, why all this then? Why stay in all the time? What’s it for?”

  Vivianne finally grew serious. “The world has changed so much. I don’t think I changed much with it. I like it here. I can be myself here. I dress like this for myself and myself alone. You don’t like it? You know where
you can find the door. I don’t need no son or no man to tell me how to live my life. Why do you think I left?”

  “I think you left because you were scared.”

  “I left because I was humiliated, not scared. I tried, Jackson. For years, I tried to make it in that godforsaken city of yours. All it did was turn its back on me in return. There’s no one to blame but myself, and I’ve made peace with that. You can’t protect me anymore, son.”

  “I’m not trying to protect you. But I want to make sure that you’re happy here. Happy with all of this.”

  “Well, there’s a word I haven’t thought of in a long time.” She stood up and was a little bit shaky. Jack didn’t want to overstep his boundaries, but was on stand-by in case she needed some help. She walked over to the liquor cabinet and poured herself another drink.

  “What about you, Jack? Are you happy?” she asked, turning to him.

  “You know what? I’ll work on it.”

  “Love is on its way to you, whether you’re ready or not.” She gave him a cold, hard look before taking a sip. “Are you ready for love, Jack?”

  He shook his head. “I don’t know. Look, let’s make a deal. We’ll work on it together. Let me help you upgrade this place a little bit. See about making it more comfortable for you. And in the meantime, we’ll see what happens with Molly. I won’t shut her out if you’ll promise to let me help you.”

  “Jackson, I’m old. I am weary. I’m nearing the end of my days. What comfort can I possibly have in this old age?”

  Jack poured himself another shot of alcohol, unable to believe the circumstances he was finding himself in. He was in the middle of making a deal with his biological mother about his own love life. If that didn’t warrant a third shot, he didn’t know what did. He took the shot in one fell swoop, made a face, then turned to Vivianne.

  “Is that the only TV you have in this whole household?”

  “Why, is there something you’d like to watch?”

  Jack laughed and shook his head. “No, it’s just that technology has come a long way. It’s easy now. Voice activated. We could set you up with wi-fi, Alexa, the works.”

  “Alexa? Who on God’s green earth is that?”

  “You’re just going to have to trust me.”

  Vivianne only shook her head. But she smiled at her only son. “I’m a damned fool, but what have I got to lose? I already lost my damned mind when I decided to stay with your father for as long as I did. I reckon I can’t lose much more.”

  “Tell me about the two of you, will you?” he asked, sitting down again, hoping his mother would do the same.

  “You want me to die prematurely, is that what you’re trying to do to me?” she asked, but the smile told Jack that she was only being sarcastic.

  “I want to know the truth behind who I am, that’s all.”

  “I suppose you deserve that much,” she replied, giving in. She took the headband off her head and straightened her wig. “I’ll start at the beginning. But before I do, be a doll and fix us up some tuna sandwiches. This may take a while.”

  Chapter Eight

  “I met your father, Phillip, at a party I wasn’t exactly supposed to be at. I had found out about it while waiting tables at Nate ‘n Al’s in Beverly Hills.”

  Jack sat up upon hearing that. “Nate ‘n Al’s. I’m there at least once a week. I didn’t know you waited tables there.”

  Vivianne raised an eyebrow at her son, who sat across from her at the breakfast table in the kitchen. “Now are you going to let me tell the story, son, or are you going to sit there and interrupt me every five seconds?”

  Jack cleared his throat, his eyes saying it all. “No, I’m sorry, go ahead.”

  “Since you’re familiar with Nate ‘n Al’s, you don’t need me to tell you the kind of customers it attracts. Film execs, lawyers, anyone and everyone. The place isn’t too showy and it’s got good food. Back in the day, top studio men flocked to the place in droves.”

  “They still do,” Jack was quick to say.

  Vivianne nodded and continued. “I overhead these two studio execs talk about this party at The Beverly Hills Hotel. Now, I poured their coffee real nice and slow, acting as if I was trying to be really careful, but really I was just trying to gather as much information as I could. The party was for that same weekend and I had this exquisite gown that was just right for the event. I merely showed up, told the doorman that my husband was inside, and that I had gone back to the car for the clutch. I pointed to a man who was alone, looking as if he were waiting for someone. So, what do I do? I walk up to him and asked him if he’ll get me a drink. He took one look at me, sizing me up the way men do. I stood my ground, held my head high, told him I wanted a martini, and what do you know, he came back moments later with my drink.”

  “And that man was Phillip Hewitt?”

  “Phillip Hewitt indeed. Your father.”

  “And was he married then?”

  Vivianne nodded. “Oh, yes. Little did I know, the wife was at home pregnant. When Phillip returned, I checked for a ring, mind you. But he admitted months later that he had taken it off when he took my drink order. When he came back with my drink, well, I was one smitten kitten. He didn’t leave my side the whole night and introduced me to all the big names.”

  “Sounds like he was pretty smitten himself.”

  Vivianne nodded. “He was, I could see in his eyes. We went out for a date later that week. I still hadn’t known he was married, not then. Later, I auditioned for a movie for him, but didn’t get the part. It turns out that he hadn’t really wanted me to become a star. He wanted me for himself and led me on by having me audition from time to time. When folks would ask him, he’d say he was mentoring me. Mentoring me, my butt. He had fallen in love, that’s what. But he was in love with two people at once.”

  “You and his wife?”

  Vivianne shook her head. “Me and his new baby girl, who lit up his whole life. Naturally, he couldn’t leave his daughter and who could blame him?”

  “So, what happened?”

  “I tried to leave him a few times. But I was under contract with United Cinema, so I couldn’t leave. He found me commercials, small parts on TV programs. Enough to keep me quiet, I suppose. And we continued to see each other.”

  She paused for a moment and closed her eyes in thought.

  Jack could see a pain in her eyes. “Were you happy, Mom?”

  She opened her eyes and looked to him, his use of the name “Mom” bringing her back to reality. “Happiness wasn’t something that was an option in those times. But, I wasn’t unhappy either. I knew Phillip loved me, and he wanted a life with me. When I became pregnant, he already had two kids by then. He couldn’t leave them, so I left him instead. He found me later, four months pregnant. He wanted me to stay close to him, raise the baby on my own, and he’d help me from time to time, but Jack, that’s no life for a woman or a baby. I did the next best thing I could think of.”

  Jack placed a hand on hers. “No one is blaming you.”

  She nodded. He offered her the tuna sandwich at her side. She nodded and took a bite. She chewed carefully and set the sandwich down. “Did you have an okay childhood? Did I find good parents for you?” she asked, searching his eyes.

  “Yeah, Ma. You did great. Peter and Rosemary, my mom and dad, they were wonderful. They gave me everything I needed.”

  “Did you have any brothers and sisters?”

  “No, it was just me.”

  “How long have you known about me?”

  “Oh, right around the time Jo left.”

  “Jo’s your ex?”

  Jack nodded.

  “So, you’ve known about me for about six years now?”

  “That you were here, yes. Both my parents were very forthcoming when I was a kid. I had this family tree project, and they told me then. They said they had met you and that they had been at the hospital when I was born and that you were a Southern belle and one of the most beautiful wome
n they had seen in their whole lives.” Jack smiled at the memory.

  “And how are they now, your parents?”

  Jack took a deep breath. “Well, they’re not around anymore. My dad was unhealthy. He had a heart attack. And my mom, Rosemary, had cancer.”

  Vivianne’s face softened. “How long ago did they pass?”

  “Oh, about ten years ago. My dad followed my mom about a year after she left us.”

  “They were an older couple when they adopted you. Close to my age when I had you, in fact. I had to convince the agency to allow it. The lady helping my case ended up fudging their ages.” She shook her head. “Back in those days it was almost unheard of for a woman my age to get pregnant, and unmarried. I sure got myself into a pickle.”

  Jack finished his tuna sandwich and set his plate aside. “Did you become a shut-in because you were embarrassed about all of that?”

  Vivianne shook her head. “Well, no, I wasn’t embarrassed. In the early days, when I saw children running around, causing chaos, as children do, I only thought about you. When you were in my belly, I would sing to you. And you would dance and kick me, oh how you moved.” Jack watched as her eyes watered. “I wanted to forget, Jackson. And being out there in the world was a constant reminder. Five years after you were born, to the day, I went to a barbeque, but they were also celebrating a child’s birthday party. I had no idea they’d be celebrating that, otherwise I wouldn’t have gone. My god, how I wanted to scream. I wanted to scream for what I left behind, for Phillip’s betrayal, for loving you when I had you inside me.”

  Vivianne closed her eyes as tears fell. Jack rushed up and grabbed some napkins for her.

  He gave her a few minutes, but finally broke the silence. “You said you were wealthy then. Why not bring me back with you? Raise me yourself out here, away from Los Angeles.”

  “Oh Jackson, I didn’t know one thing about raising a child. And my parents were Christian. Had they found out about you then, I would have been cast aside and they would have raised you as their own. No, having you adopted was the only way this could work. But don’t think for one moment that I was happy about it.”