Hollywood Princess

by Dana Aynn Levin

  The tickling stopped. My eyes fluttered open, and I found myself face-to-face with Danny’s alert liquid cobalt ones.

  Light, feathery fingertips traced an invisible line up my thigh, through my hip, and lighted on my face. I let my hand come to rest on Danny’s taut waist while he closed the two-inch gap and touched his head to mine. Our lips met for a chaste kiss.

  Danny, handsome in the early morning sunlight smiled, his dimple showing. It was impossible not to stare. His touch, his kiss, and his face were undeniably irresistible.

  “Good morning, Sweetheart,” Danny whispered.

  His breath on my cheek excited me, giving me shivers, and Danny playfully twirled a lock of my hair around his finger. Then grasping through my hair he brought my head to his, and he kissed me hard. I smiled and moved my hand to his cheek. The roughness of his stubble was pure rugged masculinity.

  I giggled at Danny’s boyish grin. I loved when he was playful. I kissed him again.

  “Yum!” Danny laughed.

  “I can’t be yum. I haven’t brushed my teeth yet,” I protested.

  Danny tapped my nose with his forefinger. Sapphire eyes sparkled. “Maybe I like the taste of day-old hot dogs and malted milk ice cream.”

  “That sounds disgusting!” I squealed, and we laughed at the absurdity.

  “Danny, you are so goofy this morning,” I giggled.

  Then I grabbed Danny’s face and kissed him again. My leg slid over his and I felt his hardness rubbing against me.

  “And you’re so wicked. Have I told you how much I love you?”

  “Don’t tell me, Daniel.” I looked him straight in the eyes. “Show me.” And I climbed on top of him.

  Danny was fully dressed when I finished showering. He was pulling the zipper on a small case lying on the settee. Clothing on hangers, including mine, lay on the bed.

  I studied Danny, now freshly shaved, wearing chino shorts and a pale blue Lacoste polo shirt. Even with his shaggy hair needing a trim, he was preppy perfection. Juxtaposed with my appearance, a towel wrapped under my armpits and wet hair dripping down my back, I was far from perfection, preppy or otherwise.

  Danny handed me a neatly folded pile of clothing topped with a pale yellow lace bikini and matching bra. I frowned. His presumption that he could choose my outfit down to my underwear disturbed me.

  “Daniel,” I smiled to cushion my words. “You’re a control freak. You want me to look a certain way when I meet Naomi because you’re anxious.”

  Danny smiled impishly. I had him.

  “Do you mind?”

  “No, not really,” I sighed. “I wouldn’t have bought these clothes if I didn’t like them. But next time, ask. A simple ‘Elizabeth, can I choose your outfit?’ would have sufficed.”

  “Sorry, E,” Danny answered with a wry grin. “Now give me your toothbrush and get dressed. I’m loading the car. Meet me in the kitchen.”

  Not wanting to keep him waiting, I quickly dressed and then I braided my hair. I probably would have selected the tiered cotton chambray skirt with its peek-a-boo triangular panel of white eyelet, topped by a pale yellow Lacoste polo shirt. With tan huaraches, I now looked perfectly preppy too, ready to take on the extreme desert heat.

  Danny was seated at the kitchen table wolfing down a croissant and gulping a cup of coffee. A small glass of orange juice was sitting beside my empty plate.

  “Croissant or muffin?” Danny asked rapid-fire.

  “What about a bagel?” I asked as I joined him. That’s what I really wanted.

  “There isn’t time. You’d have to toast it.”

  I looked at Danny as though he were nuts. I mean really, how long does it take to toast a bagel? Three minutes? Clearly he was more stressed than he admitted.

  “Honey, you’re scaring me,” I said as I reached for a croissant and the jar of raspberry preserves. “I’ve never seen you so wound up.”

  “I’m excited about visiting Grandma, that’s all. There could be traffic.”

  “There’s always traffic, Danny. This is L.A.”

  Early Saturday morning is one of the few times traffic in Los Angeles is reliably light. Pacific Coast Highway, a cloudless blue sky, and virtually no other cars – this is what my convertible BMW was engineered for! Danny floored it.

  Once we cleared the eastern suburb of Covina, it was clear sailing on the I-10. I glanced over and saw that Danny had calmed. His jaw was no longer clenched, and he’d loosened his grip on the steering wheel.

  Catching my eye, Danny grinned. Behind dark glasses, his sapphires were twinkling. Danny reached for my hand, and caressed my fingers and palm.

  “I’m okay now, babe. Back to normal.” Danny had read my mind.

  Just after eleven, we exited the freeway at Bob Hope Drive. Danny and I had arrived in Rancho Mirage. Now I was the apprehensive one. Soon, I would meet Naomi Slade.

  I didn’t know much about Naomi, but what little I did know was contradictory and it left me intimidated. By Danny’s account, I was about to meet the warmest, most wonderful woman in the world. Kind, generous and loving were the words he had used.

  In sharp contrast, Mom described her as formidable, comparing Naomi to matriarchs on prime time television dramas. Those characters, even the nicer ones, fiercely protected the family at all costs. These women were never cuddly, and they regarded newcomers with suspicion.

  I crossed, re-crossed and then uncrossed my legs in rapid succession. My eyes could not focus on the passing landscape. I felt fluttery and I couldn’t stop fidgeting.

  “I’m scared,” I told Danny as we continued down Bob Hope Drive.

  “I can tell.” Danny smiled supportively. “You can’t sit still.”

  The car came to a stop at a red light, and Danny kissed my lips.

  “Grandma is going to love you as much as I do.”

  Danny turned down a side street lined with country clubs. Far different from Los Angeles where members engaged in sport or dined, these country clubs were housing developments based around golf courses.

  Privacy walls stretched as far as I could see with glimpses of majestic palm trees and endless red tiled roofs topping low stucco buildings. When Danny turned into the entranceway at the end of a particular wall, we had arrived.

  Danny followed the “guests” roadway to the side of the gatehouse. A magnificent fountain of Spanish-styled tile spraying water at least ten feet up, greeted us as we approached. I expected no less from Ellen’s mother.

  “We’re visiting Naomi Slade,” Danny confidently told the security guard peering through the window of the heavily air-conditioned structure.

  Then the guard phoned Naomi and found the guest pass pre-printed with Newman/Slade and the dates of our visit. Danny handed it to me so it wouldn’t fly out of the car.

  The dry heat was bothering me. Extremely arid, it was suffocating. I was thirsty, too. “Please hurry,” I silently willed the guard who was giving Danny directions to 17 Bougainvillea Lane. I needed air conditioning and water, and I needed them now. There was no shade here.

  Naomi had left the garage door open for us to park, shielding the car from the hundred plus degree heat. The BMW easily fit beside Naomi’s large white Mercedes. In a third but smaller bay, a canopied golf cart was parked.

  Danny opened my door and helped me out. He reached for my shaking hands, and smiled. “Baby, I love you and so will Grandma.”

  I knew that was true, and logically why wouldn’t Naomi like me? Still I was apprehensive. I returned Danny’s smile, and conjured my confidence.

  “Come here, babe,” Danny commanded in a gentle voice. He gathered me in his arms and kissed me. It was a warm, sweet kiss and its reassurance buoyed me.

  “Eli, look at me.” I raised my sunglasses, as did Danny. “Elizabeth Jordan Jacobs, you are the love of my life. If you weren’t, we wouldn’t be here.”

  Danny’s eyes were twinkling, full of sincerity and love. Warmth radiated through our joined hands and my confidence returned.


  “Thank you. I needed to hear that,” I replied.

  Holding my hand, Danny led me out of the garage toward the front door.

  Naomi’s house was an unattached ranch style. Like the others in the complex, it was covered in sand colored stucco and topped with a red tile roof. The path to her house was lined with lemon, orange and grapefruit trees bending under the weight of their fragrant, ripening fruit. Native plants grew on the side of the stone walkway.

  Danny squeezed my hand and rang the doorbell. He was grinning, excited. I was nauseas.

  CHAPTER 102 - ELIZABETH

  “Grandma!” Danny exclaimed as the door opened.

  “Danny!”

  Naomi Slade, an attractive seventy-year old woman with a highlighted dark blonde bob, grabbed hold of Danny and warmly hugged and kissed him. Then she released him and examined his appearance, but Naomi wouldn’t let him go.

  It brought me great pleasure to witness my strapping boyfriend reduced to little boy glee as petite Naomi hugged Danny once more.

  “I’ve missed you so much.” Naomi’s voice filled with pride. “Danny, you look wonderful.”

  “So do you, Grandma,” Danny said joyously.

  Watching this emotional reunion from the sidelines, I felt out of place. Why was I here? Danny appeared perfectly content alone with Naomi. Neither noticed my presence.

  “When did you get so handsome, Daniel? I bet all the girls at Donnelly are chasing you.”

  My jaw dropped. There were women who afraid of losing their sons tried sabotaging their relationships. Was Naomi Slade one of those women?

  Danny broke away from his grandmother. Embarrassed, he took my hand. “Grandma, I have no idea what girls you’re talking about. There’s only one girl I care about.”

  Naomi’s eyes opened wide. Her hand flew to cover her mouth, mortified. “I’m so sorry,” Naomi apologized. “I wasn’t thinking.”

  “Grandma, I want to introduce you to Elizabeth.”

  “Of course you do, Daniel. That’s why she’s here. Let’s go inside. It’s too hot.”

  Danny and I followed Naomi into the substantially cooler living room.

  “I’ll get you iced tea. I made it this morning,” she offered.

  Naomi crossed to the open kitchen at the far end of the great room. There, she removed a glass pitcher from the refrigerator, poured two glasses of tea, added lemon slices, and carried them to us.

  “Thanks, Grandma,” Danny said as she handed us each a glass.

  “Thank you,” I stammered.

  Danny took a large gulp; I sipped mine.

  Danny smiled at me. “Grandma, Elizabeth is the most important person in my life. I love her very much.”

  Naomi regarded me coolly. “Elizabeth, you’re as lovely as Danny described.”

  “Thank you. It’s an honor to meet you, Mrs. Slade.”

  “Call me Naomi, dear.”

  “Thank you,” I answered politely.

  “Danny never told me he was dating anyone before he called last week. Neither had Ellen. She only said that you were beautiful. That didn’t surprise me. Danny wouldn’t date a girl who wasn’t.” Naomi paused to collect her thoughts. “This is a surprise. I thought it would be years before Danny brought a girl for me to meet.”

  “Grandma!”

  “I’m being honest, Danny,” Naomi said in a clipped voice. “I never thought you would be like your parents.”

  Naomi sighed. “You’re so young. And Mom tells me you’re living together.”

  Danny had never removed his hand from mine, and now he felt me trembling. It was painfully obvious that Naomi didn’t approve.

  Danny forced a smile at me. “I’m sorry, Eli,” he said softly. “I thought Grandma would be happy for us.”

  “It’s okay,” I answered just as softly.

  Danny’s disappointment was evident. I felt so bad for him, his big day ruined.

  “No, it’s not okay,” I corrected in my full voice. I didn’t care what Naomi thought. Only Danny mattered. I gave him the supportive hug he needed.

  “Thanks, Eli,” Danny whispered.

  “What kind of name is Eli?” Naomi interrupted with disdain.

  Danny cracked a smile. He always enjoyed answering this question.

  “I couldn’t pronounce Elizabeth when I was a baby.”

  “A baby?”

  Naomi was puzzled. Even I had to smile. “Ellen didn’t tell you who I am?”

  “Grandma, Eli’s father is Mike Jacobs.”

  “Michael’s daughter? Why didn’t anyone tell me, Daniel?”

  Naomi finally smiled. The mere mention of Dad had transformed her. “I’ve always been fond of Michael, and when I’ve met your mother, I’ve liked her too. I can relax now. You’re not a gold-digger or an actress.”

  “Grandma, I’m not that naïve.”

  “Maybe, but beautiful girls know how to get what they want.”

  “That’s for sure. Eli pulled all sorts of stunts before I finally asked her out.”

  “I did no such thing!” I protested. I never played games.

  “Yes, you did.” Danny twinkled his irresistible sapphire eyes at me, full strength. “Eli, you made me break your ankle.”

  “Danny, you broke Elizabeth’s ankle?” Naomi asked.

  “It was an accident, Grandma. Then I took care of Eli. All that time together made me realize that I loved my adorable little, gimpy best friend.”

  Danny looked into my eyes and quickly kissed my parched lips.

  “Eli’s such a manipulator.” He grinned. “Good thing she’s a spoiled rich girl, so we can trust her.”

  Monday after breakfast, Danny and I kissed Naomi good-bye and headed home.

  “I’ll see you soon, Elizabeth,” Naomi said as she walked us to the car.

  Naomi was spending part of the summer in Brentwood to escape the desert heat.

  “I love you, Danny.” Naomi said in as tender a voice as I had heard all weekend.

  “I love you too, Grandma,” Danny said as they warmly embraced.

  As soon as we cleared the gate and turned onto Bob Hope Drive, Danny took my hand and kissed it. He was all smiles. I wasn’t. I was simply relieved. The weekend was over and I had passed the test. I had survived Naomi’s scrutiny.

  “Grandma loves you,” Danny gleefully exclaimed like a little boy who had found a bicycle parked beneath the Christmas tree. “I knew she would.”

  Naomi’s approval was of utmost importance to Danny in a way I couldn’t comprehend. I had a different relationship with my grandmother. I didn’t try pleasing her. I was secure in Margie’s love. If she approved of my boyfriend, good, that would be nice. If she didn’t, oh well. She’d have to deal with it. We were adults. We could all peacefully sit around the Thanksgiving table. That’s what mattered.

  CHAPTER 103 - ELIZABETH

  Grandma Margie had always lived nearby in Sherman Oaks. We had been close since my birth. Grandma had been a constant in my life, sharing not only big events, but also the mundane.

  I didn’t have much of a relationship with Dad’s family. Bob and Frankie, Francine actually, were perfectly nice grandparents. We simply didn’t see them very often. They maintained their home in Framingham, Massachusetts near Aunt Lisa, her husband Bruce, and their three children who lived in Newton.

  Aunt Lisa was the Jacobs family princess who stayed near Boston and married a lawyer. Four years older than Dad, she had a PhD in nursing and was the director of her hospital’s addiction rehab center. Uncle Bruce was a partner at a prestige downtown firm. He had the career Frankie and Bob had wanted for Dad.

  Despite Dad’s success, his parents weren’t comfortable with either his career path or his movie star wife. Their expectations for me differed from theirs for my cousins too. Josh’s acceptance to Penn was greeted matter-of-factly. The Ivy League was expected. My matriculation at Donnelly was an unanticipated surprise.

  Was having a famous mother supposed to have robbed me of brai
ns and academic ambition? I imagined Grandma Frankie’s difficulty as she unexpectedly found herself with an additional grandchild to brag about at Hadassah meetings.

  My cousins were very different from Teddy and I. Josh was older than me, Hannah and Justin were younger, and neither was Teddy’s age either. Hannah, though only a year younger than me, might as well have been from another planet.

  When Hannah had visited two summers ago, I found being her hostess difficult. Hannah didn’t fit in. She didn’t know how to react when she learned the identities of my friends’ parents. Hannah was a tourist, starring, always on the lookout for celebrities. Of course there were celebrities. They were our friends. Welcome to my life, Hannah.

  “Eli,” Danny jarred me from my reverie. “You’re so quiet.”

  “I was thinking about my grandparents.”

  “Grandma Margie’s great, Eli.”

  “I meant Grandma Frankie and Grandpa Bob. I’d like them to meet you, but part of me doesn’t think they care. They’d probably be perfectly content to wait until there’s an engagement party and Dad sends for them. Now if I was my cousin Hannah…”

  “Baby, I’m sorry. It must hurt that they play favorites.”

  “Only when I think about it. Grandma Frankie and Grandpa Bob are proud of Dad, but our lives are foreign to them. It makes them uncomfortable.”

  I returned to starring out the window.

  Soon, Danny interrupted my thoughts again.

  “Why don’t we visit Boston in the fall? We can stay in a hotel.”

  I was touched by Danny’s thoughtfulness.

  “Thanks. I’ll think about it. Don’t say anything to Dad,” I cautioned.

  Between the weekend with Naomi and now his talk about Boston, sadness overwhelmed me. Danny was leaving in six more days and he had not given me the guarantees I needed. The calendar hung over me like a thick, black thundercloud.

  “We’re living together,” Danny told everyone. He took me to his grandmother’s; he wanted to visit mine. Danny gave me $50,000 to spend on our home. Maybe actions speak louder than words. I wasn’t convinced.

  The ambiguity was killing me. I wanted the words. Without the words, I would be spending the summer in emotional limbo. I glanced at Danny. His peaceful smile told me he was oblivious to my turmoil.