The Actor

by Maya Brooks

  “Don’t you think we’d get tired of each other if I came with you to work every day?”

  It’s so sweet of you to suggest it, but if I do a thing like that it’d be for the wrong reasons.

  “Maybe. I guess you get enough of me anyway.”

  He didn’t sound convinced.

  “Not at all, but I don’t want you to tire of me.”

  He brushed his fingers over her cheek.

  “I’d really like to have you there. Maybe you can come with me some day, just to keep me company?”

  “I would love to.”

  His face brightened, and she decided to tell him at least a part of the truth.

  “I haven’t wanted to ask if I could come. I mean, if I’m everywhere you might get a Laura overdose and not want me anymore.”

  “You’re so silly. Tomorrow isn’t a good day, we’re just shooting boring stuff, but Thursday will be all action. I have one scene where I’m talking to myself in my head, and there’s this big sword fight. With myself and a green screen.”

  “I look forward to it.”

  Marc sat quiet and she thought he watched TV until he ran a finger over her shoulder.

  “You’re bored and you don’t know what you want to do. You could start school or something.”

  School? Are you high? I’m not nine.

  He must have seen the disbelief on her face.

  “I mean a college, sweetheart. Lots of people go to college, you can even do it online. You’re so smart I bet you could get a Masters degree in no time, in anything you wanted. Or be a doctor. Hey, if you study psychology, you can help me with my messed up head.”

  There was no way not to laugh when he made a funny grimace and spun a finger against his temple.

  “That’s a good idea.”

  Maybe not psychology per se, but school. I’m good at math, maybe I could be an engineer or something. Or an architect. Drawing buildings could be cool.

  “If you were to study online you could come with me if I have to go film somewhere else.”

  That could solve a lot of problems. Maybe I could even find a line of work I could do on the road…

  Marc kept his eyes fixed on her and smiled.

  “See, I have my bright moments. Find whatever program you want and we’ll make it happen. Lawrence will help you with anything you need.”

  With a solution in sight she relaxed, and was completely unprepared when he pushed her off his lap. She had to put her feet on the floor not to fall. Even then, she didn’t expect him to sweep her up in his arms and carry her into the back of the house.

  “Where are we going?”

  Taking Thomas’s advice, she built a library, a guest room, and a small space for herself. The children’s rooms were newly painted, but still empty. As far as she knew, he never went there.

  He stopped in his daughter’s old room. It was large and empty with a wall of windows facing the yard.

  “This room could be wonderful. Make a space to work in. I don’t know what you want to do, and I understand why you picked a closet for your stuff instead of here, but I’d much rather you used it.”

  “But…”

  She still hung in his arms like a little girl.

  “They’ll never come back and you are here. Make it yours.”

  Glancing into his eyes, she understood. He wouldn’t care if she painted the walls purple and built a roller coaster, as long as it chased the ghosts away.

  She had been too shy to take up space, but he kept inviting her to a permanent spot in his life, and she needed to take it.

  Neither he nor the house belonged to Anne anymore. They were hers.

  *****

  Thursday morning, Laura woke from Marc stroking her hair.

  “Wake up baby doll, it’s morning.”

  “No way. It’s dark.”

  He laughed and she rubbed her eyes.

  “Why are you all sweaty?”

  “I’ve been working out, silly.”

  Seriously? It’s six in the morning.

  “How early do you get up?”

  “Just after five.”

  “Every day? Don’t you sleep? I thought I was sleeping in your arms right now.”

  No wonder he dozes off on the sofa.

  “We’ve gotta leave for the studio soon, come join me in the shower.”

  He looked hopeful, but the words made no sense to her.

  “What?”

  Marc smiled and poked her.

  “Shower, work.”

  Is that today? Today is Thursday?

  He pulled the sheets off and scooped her up in his arms.

  “You look wonderful. I want you so much.”

  Really? I don’t feel wonderful. I bet I have mascara under my eyes, and I haven’t brushed my teeth yet, because it’s in the middle of the night…

  Her mind didn’t get any further; Marc put her down just outside the huge shower, tearing his workout clothes off before inching her flimsy nightgown over her head. A second later, he turned the water on and pushed her in.

  Oh, that is a gorgeous man body.

  He grinned like a contented cat, put his hands on her hips, and tugged her close.

  “Did I mention that I want you very much?”

  She didn’t think she wanted to have sex, she was barely awake, but with his lips so close to hers and with little drips of water gleaming on his skin, her body turned out to be much more awake than her brain. All of a sudden, early mornings seemed much more appealing.

  Once out on the road, she squirmed.

  “Are you sure this is a good idea? I don’t want to be in your way.”

  “I’m sure. Don’t worry.”

  He stopped at a drive through to order breakfast, and bent over to kiss her cheek.

  “It’s so nice to have you here. I should have asked you earlier.”

  When they got their coffee and bagels, Laura cupped her hands around the mug.

  He is so handsome I sometimes think my heart will stop. Is that normal?

  Marc pulled off the road and into a wide driveway. It didn’t look glamorous at all; it looked like an industrial park. He seemed filled with purpose, and she trailed after him with her head spinning, clutching her coffee mug. Marc munched his bagel, but she was much too excited to eat.

  A part of me always thought actors don’t really work. Maybe they do.

  “Wow. Big houses.”

  “They’re soundstages. You’ll see soon”

  Confusing.

  He opened a door with a keycard, and she blinked at the bright lights. The corridor held a number of unmarked anonymous doors.

  “It would be so easy to get lost here.”

  “In my drinking days I’d go through the wrong doors all the time. Sometimes on purpose.”

  I bet. Especially if you thought there’d be a hot co-star on the other side.

  There was no malice in her thought, simply stating a fact.

  He stopped by the fifth door to the right. The other side held a young woman with hot pink hair, a well-lit mirror, and heaps of make-up, hair extensions, and random things like plastic wrap.

  The woman smiled.

  “Good morning.”

  “Hi Bella, sorry I’m late. This is my fiancée, Laura, but that’s still a secret.”

  Interesting. He never called me that before.

  Bella laughed.

  “That’s right, you’re still married, aren’t you? Laura, it’s a pleasure to meet you. You have a keeper. Marc paid for my make-up school and got me this job. I’m the youngest artist ever to work here.”

  She lowered her voice and whispered, “I’m just sixteen. I lied on my application to the school.”

  The pink hair threw me, but she has his eyes.

  Laura tilted her head to the side and watched Marc with a smile tugging at her lips.

  “I know. He’s full of surprises.”

  “Yes, I am. I worked with Bella’s mom on a set a long time ago. Hold my mug for a second will y
a.”

  He wiggled out of his coat and sat down. She offered the mug back and he kissed her hand.

  “Thank you. Have a seat, we’ll be here for a while.”

  I want a seat on your lap, but I guess that’s out of the question.

  Bella said, “Aww, you two are so cute together. Laura, I can’t begin to tell you how happy I am to see him happy. Marc has been like… an uncle to me all my life. So, we spend about two hours in here every morning. Today they’ll shoot his scenes pretty late. Some days we have to be here at five or six.”

  The mere thought of being anywhere that early made Laura groan.

  No wonder people have drug problems. How do you wind down late at night, and how do you get back up the next morning? I couldn’t do it.

  It was fascinating to see Marc change in front of her eyes.

  She’s good. Should I tell her? Probably.

  “Bella, you’re amazing.”

  When they left make-up, heading for the set, he looked every bit like a fantasy pirate. He stopped a few steps down the corridor.

  “Are you mad?”

  “No… She’s wonderful. I bet it must have been hard, all these years.”

  “Hell yeah, but both she and her dad think he’s her dad. It’s better that way.”

  For everyone but you.

  “Do you have any more children tucked away?”

  “Not that I know of.”

  She snuggled into his arm, careful not to ruin the make-up.

  “Uncle Marc. I love you.”

  The day had more surprises in store. They reached what Marc called a sound stage, and a very energetic looking man approached them. He was shorter than Laura, dressed in jeans, T-shirt, and sneakers. Marc kept an arm around her shoulders.

  “This is my director. He couldn’t make the Christmas party, so I don’t think you’ve met?”

  “We have not. It’s a pleasure.”

  The man grinned.

  “It is. If you’re here maybe we can get some decent shooting in.”

  Uuh?

  Marc looked embarrassed, and the other man poked his chest.

  “Every evening at eight this guy claims he wants to go home to you. I guess it’s sweet, but we don’t get much done.”

  Marc rumbled, “She doesn’t need to know that,” but his attempt to tower over them and look menacing failed. “Why don’t you take this chair and sit right here… Don’t listen to what any of these people say about me, because they’ll make me sound like a big wuss…”

  Someone passing by giggled. “He is.”

  “…Shut up. And if you need more coffee or something, there’s a table right over there.”

  One of the camera men shouted, “Just stay away from the donuts. Donut boy hasn’t been here yet and they’re so hard we’re thinking of making a cannon so we can shoot intruders with them.”

  The day flew by, and Laura watched, wide-eyed, as Marc acted, acted, and acted.

  No wonder he’s exhausted when he comes home.

  Eventually, she fell asleep on a prop sofa.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Laura worked on the abandoned rooms, with her own two hands this time. It gave her something to do. She was still worried about excluding the children completely from the house. If they ever came back they should feel welcome. With Thomas’s help she turned one large room into two smaller, but really hip ones. Marc never sat foot in them.

  He worked many long days, and she was delighted when he announced they’d close down filming for Christmas.

  Is it that late already? Where did this month go?

  She ended up running some last errands on the day before Christmas Eve. It had been raining ever since the snow that originally greeted her disappeared, but now big flakes soared through the air.

  Crap. Snow gets slippery. Marc always tells me snow gets slippery. I can’t crash his Jeep.

  He probably wouldn’t care about the car, but she’d feel horrible if she ruined something so expensive. She drove carefully, and fought an urge to squeeze her eyes shut every time her vehicle skidded ever so little.

  When she returned to the house, she relaxed in the seat and patted the dashboard.

  “I made it. We made it.”

  The outside lights twinkled, but the inside was dark.

  Weird. Marc’s car is outside. I guess he could have taken one of the others.

  Logical reasoning didn’t shake the feeling that some small disaster waited. She dropped all the bags in the hallway, and heard his voice from the dark living room.

  “I’m in here, babe.”

  Sitting all alone in the dark. That’s normal…

  She fumbled her way through the hallway and stopped in the living room door. She could make out dark shapes of the furniture, but that was all.

  “Can I turn on a light?”

  “Sure.”

  He sat in his favorite chair, rubbing watery eyes with a thumb and forefinger. She crouched on the floor and rested her hands on his knee.

  “Are you okay?”

  “Sure. I’m sorry.”

  For what? For being drunk or for being human?

  “How much did you have to drink, sweetie?”

  “Not enough.”

  He emptied the glass and refilled it. The gesture broke her heart.

  Aww sweetheart.

  She claimed a spot on his lap and took the glass away.

  “Be a good sport, give your girlfriend a sip.”

  The strong liquor made her cough.

  That’s hideous. How do you drink this?

  Marc leaned his head against her. “I’m glad you’re home.”

  “I’m glad I’m home too. I missed you. Wanna tell me what happened?”

  “It’s stupid. I’m stupid.”

  What did you do? How bad can it be?

  She was careful not to show the thought, and kept a merry tone of voice.

  “You’re one of the smartest people I know.”

  “Today is Alannah’s birthday. She came early and she was so small, a little angel. I’ve been a horrible dad to her.”

  He took the glass back and sipped it.

  “You know, you want to do everything right, and it turns out a big fucking mess. I tried to call her today to say happy birthday, but Anne won’t even let me talk to her.”

  That’s cruel. How long has it been since he saw them? When did he come down to Florida? Must be at least half a year.

  What could she do? Probably nothing, but she had to at least try.

  “Let me try to talk to her. Maybe she’ll at least let you drop off their presents so you can say hi.”

  This is probably not a good idea, but it can hardly get any worse.

  “You’d do that for me?”

  “Sure. I can’t guarantee success, but I’ll try. What’s her number?”

  He pulled a hand over his face.

  “I don’t know. Look in my phone.”

  “Okay. I’ll be right back.”

  This is insane, and I love you too much to try and fail in front of you.

  She pressed her lips against his, snatched his phone, and headed for the kitchen. She should probably use her own phone; if Anne recognized the number she might not answer.

  Laura forced herself to exhale and wiped her palms on her jeans.

  No pressure. It’s not like the Christmas joy of someone you love is at stake here or anything…

  The phone rang and rang, and then Anne picked up.

  “Hey, this is Laura calling. We met once, in your old house…”

  Awkward much?

  “I know who you are. What do you want?”

  The words blurted out without much connection to the brain.

  “Marc is sitting alone in the dark crying because he can’t see his children. It’s Christmas. Maybe you could give him five minutes? Meet him on neutral ground somewhere if you don’t want him in your home.”

  Anne made a snorting noise.

  “That’s about the funniest thin
g I ever heard. He’s drunk.”

  “Yes, but he wasn’t when he tried to call her.”

  Her voice came out too sharp. This wasn’t going well.

  Anne said nothing.

  “He still drinks sometimes, we’re working on it. He’s not doing drugs anymore, and he’s working on a new show. He has struggled really hard to straighten himself up.”

  “The kids don’t need his shit. They’re doing good now.”

  “I understand, but he is their dad, isn’t he?”

  The silence was chilling.

  I guess I hit a sore spot.

  “Fine. Tomorrow at ten, Pacific Centre Mall, Starbucks. Don’t be late.”

  She hung up, and Laura smiled.

  In the living room, Marc still stared straight ahead. She took the glass away from him and put it on the side table.

  “You need your hands to hold me, silly man.”

  “She said no, didn’t she?”

  “Actually, we’re meeting them in the mall tomorrow, at ten. You have to be sober and you can’t be hung over, or this is never happening again.”

  He sighed softly.

  “How did you do that? You’re an angel.”

  “C’mon, you need to eat something.”

  He followed obediently and she could see him struggle to pull himself together.

  Late at night, she woke and found him staring up at the ceiling.

  The next morning, they were early to the mall, and Marc fidgeted with everything.

  “What if they don’t like my presents?”

  I want to tell him not to be nervous, but hell, I’d be a wreck.

  “I’m sure it’ll be fine. How are you?”

  He shrugged.

  “I have a freight train in my head, but it could be worse. Maybe they won’t come. Maybe she lied, or they don’t want to see me.”

  “Sweetheart…”

  She didn’t get any further: a little boy shrieked “Daddy” and ran through the crowd.

  Marc fell down on his knees, and the child almost disappeared in his embrace.

  “Aidan… I’ve missed you so much.”

  “Mom said you’ve been sick. Are you better now?”

  “I’m much better.”

  He sounded choked.