Fame

by Karen Kingsbury

  This time, though, three of the ten classes had no idea what to do for the showcase, and in the junior acting class, four kids had dropped out with complaints that it wasn’t interesting enough.

  By six o’clock when classes got out, Katy had the horrible sense that everything was falling apart. As she was dismissing her class, Rhonda showed up and grabbed her own hair with both hands. “I have parent committees asking me for wooden apples and aprons and fishing poles, Katy.” She released her hair. “I’m guessing we’re at least a week behind in the practice schedule.”

  “I don’t get it.” Katy leaned against the edge of the desk, staring at her feet. “I haven’t really missed anything, right? I mean, I’ve been here for every practice and every class date, and still it’s chaos.” She looked up. “I can feel it.”

  Just then, Jenny Flanigan passed by in the hall. She was walking with another mother and didn’t stop or look in. Maybe that was it. Maybe if she worked things out with the Flanigans everything would feel better. She held up a finger to Rhonda. “Can you make an announcement? Quick? Before everyone leaves?”

  Rhonda put her hands on her hips. “I guess so.” She looked over her shoulder. “Hurry, though. Parents are already here to pick up their kids.”

  “Okay, tell everyone practice starts an hour earlier tomorrow. That way we can catch up.”

  “Good idea.” Rhonda’s expression brightened. She turned and ran from the room. “Hey, guys,” she shouted. “Everyone, wait. I have something to . . .” Her voice faded as she got farther away.

  Katy left her things in the room and sprinted out the door in the direction she had seen Jenny Flanigan walk. She was in luck. Jenny was only a few classrooms up the hallway, still talking to the other mother.

  She bounded up to them and gave each of them a quick hug. The other mother waved and headed toward the exit, leaving just the two of them.

  “Katy!” Jenny wasn’t stiff or distant, but happy to see her. “Hey, you’re back!”

  “I came straight here from the airport.”

  “So how was it?” Whatever distance had been in Jenny’s eyes before was gone now. She looked excited. “Lots of research?”

  Katy couldn’t lie, not again. Not when she’d all but made up her mind to take the part. “Jenny . . .” She felt her smile fade. “Can we talk when we get home? You and Jim and me?”

  Concern colored Jenny’s expression. “Is everything okay?”

  “It will be. I think so, anyway.” She bit the inside of her lip. “I just need to talk, okay?”

  “Definitely.” She looked at her watch. “Let’s talk in half an hour.”

  “Thanks, Jenny.” Relief filled her voice.

  Bailey and Connor were coming up behind them, walking fast and laughing about something. At the end of the hallway, behind them, Tim Reed jumped into view. “Hey, Bailey.”

  She turned around, her mannerisms all flirtatious sweetness. “Yes, Tom Sawyer?”

  “How about you join me and Huck and Joe Harper on the island tomorrow?”

  Just then Tim spotted Katy. She raised her brows at him and wagged a finger in the air. “I’ll join you on the island if you don’t have your lines down by tomorrow, Tim.” She wanted to smile, but she resisted. “Got it?”

  He straightened up, his goofy smile replaced by wide, worried eyes. “Yes, Katy. Got it.”

  Bailey muffled a giggle and gave a little wave to Tim before he turned around and darted out of sight. Katy hadn’t seen Tim with Ashley Zarelli once today, and she was tempted to ask Bailey about it. Just for fun. She liked staying up to date on the small crushes and friendships that grew from the soil of CKT.

  But she didn’t say a word. She had too much to do before leaving the church. Instead she told the Flanigans good-bye, headed back to her classroom, and collected her things. The conversation with Jenny and Jim was getting closer with each passing minute.

  By the time Katy got home, ten minutes late, and found the Flanigans in their living room, she was out of breath and her hair felt damp against her head. She rushed into the room and took the seat opposite them. She wasn’t sure if her heart was beating fast because she’d raced so hard to get there or because of all she had to talk to them about.

  “Hi. Sorry I’m late.” She looked from Jenny to Jim. They were calm, their faces kind and open. Had she been wrong about them from the beginning? Was the tension she’d felt only something she’d dreamed up? She exhaled, catching her breath. She smiled. “Thanks for taking time for this.”

  “I had the kids go upstairs to do homework.” Jenny crossed her legs and leaned comfortably against Jim. “What’s on your mind?”

  Katy closed her eyes for a few seconds. Where should she start? She knew the answer as soon as the question breezed through her mind. “First . . .” She blinked and looked at Jenny. “I need to tell you the truth about Los Angeles.”

  Jim leaned closer. “The truth?” He put his hands on his knees. “You were doing research, right?”

  “No.” Katy’s breathing was back to normal. She slid to the edge of her seat, willing them to understand. “See . . . a few weeks ago I got a call from a casting director in Los Angeles.”

  “I remember.” Jenny’s eyes were narrow, curious. “You thought it had something to do with Sarah Jo Stryker.”

  “Right.” Katy gave a nervous laugh. “I was wrong about that. It turned out they wanted me to come to LA for an audition. An audition for a romantic comedy.”

  Jim sat back. The expression on his face told her he was shocked at this information. “Why didn’t you tell us before?”

  “I thought nothing would come of it.” She turned her palms up and shook her head. “Besides—” she shifted her attention to Jenny—“I thought you were mad at me. I wasn’t sure how to get past that.”

  Jenny gave the slightest nod. “It was hard for a while there.”

  “You really were mad?” Katy looked down. If she could disappear through the crack in the sofa, she would.

  “Mad about what?” Jim looked lost.

  Jenny turned to him. “About Bailey not getting the part of Becky Thatcher in the play. She read for it, but Sarah Jo won the role.” Jenny’s tone was calm and understanding. If her voice was any indication, whatever frustrations she’d had about the situation were gone now.

  “You were mad about that?” Surprise lined Jim’s forehead. He was a big man, a former pro football player who was assisting Ryan Taylor coach at the high school. But sitting there he looked like a kid on his first day of school—lost and overwhelmed.

  “Not really.” Jenny crossed her arms. “I struggled with it at first.” She met Katy’s eyes. “If we’re being honest, I should tell you that.” She paused. “I’m sorry. I was wrong. I told you not to play favorites, and you didn’t. It was my fault I was frustrated. Sarah Jo’s doing a wonderful job.”

  “If we’re being honest, then I’ll disagree.” Katy gave her friend a crooked smile. “Bailey would’ve done a better job. Sarah Jo’s so uptight about her mother’s constant coaching, she can’t relax and have fun. That needs to happen before we’ll see what she can bring to the part.”

  Jim tossed his hands in the air. “I’m in the dark.” He glanced from his wife to Katy. “I want to know more about this movie thing.”

  “Okay, but first—” Katy leaned over her knees—“the tension thing wasn’t just you, Jenny. I knew you were disappointed, but then I kept my distance.” She sat up again. “Stupid, I know. But I’m sorry. I just wanted to get that out.”

  Jenny stood and crossed the gap between them. “We love you, Katy Hart. You’re like family to us. I might be disappointed, but it’d never be enough for you to stay away like you’ve been doing.” She leaned down and hugged Katy. “Let’s not do that again, okay?”

  “Okay.” Katy felt the sting of tears in her eyes. She should have done this two weeks ago.

  Across the room, Jim had an amused look on his face. He held up his hand. “Waiting patient
ly over here.”

  Jenny and Katy laughed, and Jenny returned to her spot next to her husband.

  Katy drew a deep breath. “Okay, well . . .” Excitement welled within her, and the next words came fast. “I figured it couldn’t hurt to audition for a movie. It used to be my dream a few years ago, and—I probably never told you this—but I was in a TV series pilot back then.”

  “All right.” Jim whistled. “I can hardly wait to hear what other things we don’t know about our little mystery houseguest.” He scratched his head and looked up at nothing in particular. “Let’s see, maybe she’s in training to be an astronaut, or she’s in the government’s witness protection program. I’ll bet that’s it.”

  Katy gave an embarrassed laugh and covered her face. “I know . . . I know. Don’t be mad.” She peered over the tips of her fingers and then let her hands fall back to her knees. “Okay, so anyway, I get there and the film’s a major deal. A big picture starring Dayne Matthews.”

  Jenny gasped. “What?”

  “Oh, good.” Jim rolled his eyes in a teasing way. “Now I’m spending the evening with a couple of groupies.”

  This time Jenny and Katy both laughed. Jenny leaned closer. “Okay, so I’m dying here. What happened? I guess it went well, right?”

  “It went great.” Katy felt like dancing. Jenny’s initial reaction was another sign that this was God’s plan for her. It had to be. “Dayne asked me to come back, and that’s what this second trip was about. I did an on-camera scene with Dayne.”

  “Wait!” Jenny held up both her hands. “You mean it’s not a small part? It’s a speaking role?”

  Katy clenched her fists and knocked them together a few times. She could barely stay seated. “It’s the lead, Jenny. The female lead, starring opposite Dayne Matthews.”

  “No!”

  “Yes!” Katy tapped her feet. “So I went back and did the scene on Tuesday and—” she squealed—“they offered me the part!”

  There was the sound of something near the stairway, and Jim looked in that direction. “Kids? Who’s up?”

  “Sorry, Dad.” It was Bailey’s voice. “I need a glass of water; is that okay? I know you’re talking.”

  “Sure, honey. Hurry.”

  Bailey walked down the stairs, and Katy could tell by her wide-eyed expression that the girl had heard their conversation. She’d have to talk to her later, explain that she wouldn’t be leaving forever, just for a few months.

  The whole time Bailey was getting her drink, Jenny gave a series of excited looks to Katy. At one point she grabbed Jim’s knee and mouthed, Dayne Matthews!

  Jim only chuckled and shook his head.

  When Bailey was back upstairs, Jenny did a mock scream. “I can’t believe it, Katy. So did you take it?”

  “I have the contract. That’s what I want to talk to you about. I’ve never done anything this big, and I don’t have an agent. I need someone to look it over.” She realized she’d been holding her breath, and she exhaled. Everything was so much better now that she’d told the truth. In fact, the idea of accepting the offer seemed better than ever.

  For the first time, Jenny’s excitement dimmed. “You wouldn’t have to move there, would you?”

  “No, of course not.” Katy sat back and relaxed her fists. “The filming would last maybe a couple months. I’d have to miss the winter show, but then I’d be back.”

  “So what’s the contract say?” Jim had experience with these types of things—not in the entertainment industry but in the world of professional sports.

  Katy pulled it from her bag and handed it to him. “The price they’ll pay me is amazing.”

  He skimmed down and nodded. “Not bad.” He grinned at her. “A little more than you make as CKT director.”

  “A little.”

  Jenny looked over her husband’s shoulder, and her eyes reacted as she reached the place halfway down the first page. “Katy, that’s fantastic. Can you believe this is happening to you?”

  “Not really.” She was almost bursting she was so happy. Now that she had told the Flanigans, the whole experience felt more real. But it was still more than she could fully take in. The important thing was, the Flanigans were happy for her. Now she couldn’t imagine a single reason why she wouldn’t take the part.

  Jim looked at her over the top of the contract. “Have you seen the script?”

  “Yes.” She nodded, more serious. “I have it in my room. I read through the whole thing. There’s nothing objectionable, nothing I’d feel embarrassed about.”

  Jim pursed his lips. “No love scenes or language?”

  “It’s pretty clean, but there’s a scene where we kiss on the porch step.” Her cheeks grew hot. “That’s the scene we did together for the second audition.”

  Jenny grinned at her, but Jim looked at the contract again, turning to the second page. “Just kissing?”

  “Just kissing.” She appreciated Jim’s attitude and was glad she was getting his opinion. He was treating her the way her father would if he were here. She planned to call her parents before the weekend, and her dad was bound to have the same response. “I made sure.”

  “Well—” Jim lowered the contract to his lap—“it looks good. There is something I’ve heard about, something you might want to look into. It’s a no-between-the-sheets clause. You can have them write it in. That way the director can’t add a more detailed love scene once filming gets started.”

  “Great idea.” Katy had heard of that type of clause, but she’d never needed it in a contract before. She couldn’t imagine signing her name to a contract thinking the script was one thing, then getting halfway through the filming and being ordered to do something that would compromise her faith or her reputation.

  They talked a little bit more about the story line and the possible cities where the movie might be filmed. Katy told them she’d recommended Bloomington, and they both thought the town would be perfect.

  “What a blast!” Jenny gave Jim’s arm a quick squeeze. “A Dayne Matthews movie filmed right here in Bloomington, starring our very own Katy Hart.”

  Eventually the excitement died down, and Katy thanked them both. “I need your support.” Her eyes shifted from Jim to Jenny. “It means the world to me.”

  When she finally went to bed, it was too hot to fall asleep. She opened her window and kicked off all the blankets except the top sheet. Then she lay there, eyes open. Every dream she’d ever had about acting was about to come true. It was like something from a storybook, only it was real and true and it was happening to her.

  God, You’ve made it clear so far that this is Your will. And I’m so grateful.

  Daughter . . . wait on the Lord.

  Katy made a face in the dark. Wait on the Lord? Why was that verse coming back again now? Unless maybe God was warning her not to get too excited. There were still nearly four months until the movie would be filmed. Maybe that’s what the wait part meant.

  That, or maybe she was just imagining things. She closed her eyes. Thank You, God. Thanks that I got everything out in the open with the Flanigans. I’m so glad they’re excited for me. It makes it more real. I can’t wait to call Dayne and tell him—

  That’s when it happened. Right in the middle of talking to God, the face of Tad Thompson flashed in her mind. His image was so clear and vivid that for a heartbeat it took her breath away.

  After losing Tad, her dreams about acting had died. At least she’d thought so until these past few weeks. What would’ve happened if Tad hadn’t died, if he would’ve found his way out of the maze of crazy partying? Would they be together now, acting in movies, working their way up? Would she have gotten a break as big as his had been?

  Years had passed since she’d thought about Tad in detail, since she’d let herself go back to that time and remember once more what happened. But tonight, with a warm summer breeze dancing across the nighttime and with sleep a million miles away, Katy gave herself permission.

  The friend
ship she had with Tad in high school had carried over to their college days. He was funny and confident, and he shared her dreams. They went to the same university, their goals of acting so similar that they thought it would be more fun to pursue them together.

  From the beginning, Tad had been aggressive about getting starring roles. He didn’t have leading-man good looks, but he was cute and quirky, and everything he said made her laugh. Katy never cared what role she received. She was happy playing a lead or a member of the ensemble. As long as she was onstage or in front of a camera and Tad was somewhere nearby, making her laugh.

  It was at their fall audition their freshman year of college that Katy first heard Tad sing. His voice melted her insides and made her knees tremble. She fell for him that afternoon and never looked back, but she didn’t know how to bring up the subject. Besides, she wasn’t sure if Tad had the same feelings for her.

  She remembered when things had changed between them. It was closing night of their first college production—The Sound of Music. They went with the cast to a local burger joint to celebrate a successful run, and afterwards Katy’s car wouldn’t start. Tad stayed with her while everyone else left, and since it was cold, they waited inside her car for the tow truck.

  She had a bench seat in the front back then, and they sat side by side, laughing and reenacting scenes from the play. Katy had been the oldest daughter in the von Trapp family, and Tad teased her that maybe she enjoyed the “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” song a little too much.

  “Come on, admit it.” Tad poked her in the ribs, tickling her even when she pushed his hand away. “You thought the guy was cute.”

  Then Tad launched into the song, sliding across the bench and singing in a voice that left Katy breathless. He was teasing, but as she joined in and sang along with him, the atmosphere between them changed. The song ended, and their faces were only inches apart.

  “Katy, how come you never look at me like you looked at the guy in that scene?”

  “Because—” she swallowed, her breaths coming fast and shallow—“because I’m afraid.”