The most exciting interview of the press tour was with an enduring afternoon daily talk show host, Shawna Coupland. She was also the most daunting. Jessie had met the sophisticated Asian lady before, and they connected instantly. Both survived difficult childhoods, and both were dealing with fame and success on the highest level. They had a lot in common and often enjoyed dinner, usually with Deirdre in tow, when Jessie was in New York. Shawna was gutsy enough to ask the difficult questions on camera and this discussion with the cast of Drifters was not likely to escape her prodding.
The dialogue commenced with Carter, Sue-Lyn, Maggie and Stephen. The two leads were then introduced partway through, after some introductory footage was played on the video screen. Jessie and Josh entered together and sank down into Shawna’s velvety peach furniture. Initially, Shawna adhered to the script and inquired politely about Jessie’s involvement in the period show, and how she maintained her busy schedule, etc. Then Jessie stepped to the right of the stage and performed a song she had written for Drifters, a dreamlike ballad that would soon become the drama’s secondary theme song as well as a popular hit in its own right. After her performance, Jessie took her seat again next to Josh.
As always, entranced by her music, Josh found her breathtaking. As she casually laid a hand on his thigh, Jessie’s cheeks blazed cherry red in response to the standing ovation and voracious cheering of the audience, which she always found surreal and even intimidating. After adjusting the black cowboy hat he wore for the occasion, Josh slipped an arm around her shoulders and whispered in her ear, which elicited a sweet smile just for him. Shawna didn’t miss a trick as the rest of the cast, filled with great admiration for Jessie, watched from stools set up behind the peach chaise.
“So there’s not much point in beating around the bush here,” Shawna started roguishly, as she glanced down at cue cards in her lap. “You two are obviously a couple.”
Jessie blushed to a new level of crimson, and looked down at her long fingers on Josh’s thigh. She pulled away a little, as if she hadn’t even realized where she’d placed her hand. Josh looked over at Jessie and wondered whether he should respond, or just take his cue from her. She met his eyes and he could see fear there, which surprised him.
Shawna filled in the pause. “It hasn’t been easy for you. Josh, you’ve got to admit, you’ve had a bad rap in the past. Jessie was supposed to marry Charlie Deacon; a lot of people think she made a bad choice by ending that relationship. How are you dealing with the negativity from the press? That must be difficult.”
Behind Josh and Jessie, Stephen wriggled on his stool and bit his tongue.
Jessie shifted her position on the comfy chaise. “There are a lot of reasons why my relationship with Charlie ended the way it did. At the same time, I’m crazy about this guy,” she gestured to Josh, “and soon, when Drifters has its run, the rest of the world will be as well. He’s a tremendous actor and one of the kindest, most genuine people I’ve ever met. I don’t see the need to explain my relationship with him to the world. They’ll just have to accept that we’re together and leave it at that.”
Not unkindly, Shawna peered over at Josh, and then glanced back at Jessie. She narrowed her eyes and leaned forward. “I heard that last week someone spit on him at a coffee shop in Detroit. Why do you think that is? And how is any new couple supposed to survive that sort of treatment?”
Jessie reached over Josh’s lap and wrapped her fingers over his right hand. She knew how embarrassed he was when that very public attack occurred. She was aware that he needed her reassurance. She squeezed his hand and he marveled at the fact that he was able to sit there next to her in this very public arena and not get up and run away. Embarrassed though he was, he trusted her. Yet he could not bring himself to look up and meet the eyes of their famous interviewer.
“We knew when we got together that the image of Josh conveyed by the gossip rags would be misconstrued and misinterpreted. We have always known that we would have to be strong, that there would be criticisms by the media and by the public of our choice to be together. But the thing is, Shawna,” and then Jessie looked at the audience, “and you guys,” she waved her hand to include them, “I love this guy. He is sweet, and real, and it breaks my heart to look at him sometimes and realize how lucky I am to have found him. These guys,” she twisted around to look up at her fellow cast, “they love him too. So does the crew of Drifters. There’s a reason for that. You guys need to give him a chance.”
She could sense Josh squirming beside her. He couldn’t look up. It was killing him to have to sit there on international television and be defended by his girlfriend, who had been walking next to him when some disgruntled thirty-something in Detroit had chosen to convey his feelings about their relationship by spitting on him. Josh chanced a brief glance up at Shawna and could tell that she sensed his discomfort.
To her, Josh seemed to be pleading for this interrogation to stop. But Ms. Coupland had one thing left to say.
“Josh,” she said, looking straight at him so that he’d have to meet her eyes, just for a moment. “You have to admit. You’ve got a history of violence. Drug abuse. The world out there loves Jessie. They’re not going to put up with any shenanigans from a guy who has been arrested for beating up his own father.”
It was as if she were challenging him on behalf of the world. He felt his heart sink. It seemed that this battle to gain acceptance would never end. Josh had no idea how to respond-he had the chips stacked against him, and all God’s creatures would turn fully against him on a dime, should he ever have the misfortune of taking a wrong step where Jessie was concerned.
“Ma’am,” he heard coming from behind him as he sat there stiffly, wanting to disappear, unable to respond. “I beg your pardon, but I can’t sit here and watch my friends sit on the hot seat like this. I have to have my say.” Stephen put a hand on Jessie’s shoulder as she sank a little in her seat. “If anything, the world should be celebrating. It’s not often you see two people so closely connected as Jessie and Josh. No matter what life throws at them, they will survive. Whether or not the world approves. Whether any of us approve. Which, for the record, we do. Highly. I’ve never seen Jessie so happy. I’ve never heard such beautiful music from Jessie. Being in love agrees with her. Being in love agrees with Josh. And since I’ve already dived in, let me just add that I, too, don’t know a better guy than Josh. You would be wise to get to know him,” Stephen added, looking towards the audience. “Get to know him, watch Drifters, and your lives will be forever changed by the magic you see between them.”
“No bias there!” Shawna was amused.
“Well yeah, sure, I want all of you to watch the show, but I seriously love these guys!” Steve bent forward and hugged Jessie and Josh tightly, trying unsuccessfully to lighten the mood.
Maggie, Carter and Sue-Lyn started poking fun at Josh from behind. As he pulled his cowboy hat over his face, chagrined, Shawna had to raise her voice to bring the little group back under control. “Okay, okay, I get the picture,” she said. “Bullying is not acceptable whether it’s on behalf of the media or,” she eyed Josh, “between family members.”
Jessie cringed and resolved to skip dinner with Shawna tomorrow.
“Josh,” Shawna added as she steered the show towards a conclusion. “I will give you a chance, and I will ask the rest of world to do the same. You are obviously held in high esteem by your fellow cast and, if Jessie loves you, which it appears she certainly does, then you deserve some time to prove yourself, if nothing else. Because,” she added, “like it or not, the two of you are in the public eye, and your relationship is about to become even more public since my understanding of Drifters is that you are also a couple on screen. So,” she pointed a finger at Josh, “be beyond reproach and we will be on your side. But mess up, and you won’t get a second chance.”
It was rare for Shawna to voice her opinion so strongly that it came out as a threat. Jessie was mortified, Josh was embarrassed and, watc
hing from his home in Vancouver, Jonathon was incensed. But Shawna was secretly pleased. She adored Jessie, she had no time for bullies, and she didn’t know Josh. She had given the world a clear message-accept him if he behaves, condemn him if he doesn’t.
And when Shawna Coupland spoke, the world listened.
***
Josh slammed the Audi’s passenger door behind Jessie and stormed behind the vehicle before climbing into the driver’s seat. Despite the protestations of Charles and Matt, who were never fond of Jessie’s unruly penchant for independence, the couple had rented their own vehicle in New York so that they could enjoy some freedom. The Big Apple was the last stop on the press tour, and Josh and Jessie had booked an extra couple of days for sightseeing. After waving So long to their friends, Josh turned the key in the ignition, roughly thrust the car in gear, and hurriedly backed out of their spot in the parking garage. He skidded around the first corner but slowed after that when, out of the corner of his eye, he saw Jessie wince. Sheepish, he ran his left hand through his hair and slowly exhaled.
Pulling out of the dim parkade into the startling bright sunshine moments later, Josh leaned his left elbow on the door’s armrest and stared straight ahead as he drove. Jessie decided now was as good as ever to dive in.
“Josh,” she ventured encouragingly, “This is just entertainment to people like her, for her audience. We knew going in that this wasn’t going to be an easy ride. Let it go.”
“Let it go? What am I supposed to let go, Jessie? The humiliation of sitting in front of millions and being told that I’m not good enough for you? The memory of that asshole’s spit running down my arm? Or maybe the scorn of everyone on the Internet?”
“Look, this is new to them, to everyone out there. They don’t know you the way I do.”
“Jess, it doesn’t matter whether they know me or not. Nobody but Charlie is ever going to be good enough for the great Jessie Wheeler. You broke more than just his heart when you ended that relationship.”
“What does that tell you, Josh?” Jessie was raising her voice now, its pitch increasing like the climax in one of her songs, steady and sure. “Charlie was so good for me that he had to go have sex with a variety of big butted bimbos! I’m the only one who knows who’s good enough for Jessie Wheeler.”
Josh swerved to avoid a red Dodge Caravan that pulled out of a Starbucks parking lot in front of them.
“Asshole,” he muttered, and Jessie speculated for a moment whether he was referring to the van’s driver or to Charlie. Perhaps both. As they regained equilibrium by pulling past the van in another lane, Jessie reached over and placed her small hand over his big fingers on the gearshift.
“Josh,” she said, “I’m in this for the long haul. It’s you and me now, not me and Charlie, not me and the world. I want this to work for us. I want us to work. So don’t go getting all dopey on me. After a while people out there will find someone else to pick on.”
Switching to the fast lane, Josh cruised along for a while over the speed limit while Jessie held her breath and prayed that he wouldn’t pull a Charlie either by yelling at her or by keeping up the silent treatment. She watched as the speedometer gradually slowed to a more reasonable pace, and then relaxed further as Josh twisted his fingers around hers.
“Hey,” she said, and he took his eyes off the road for a second to peek over at her. “I love you, you dork.” Her eyes glistened as she let the emotion of the afternoon’s interview and the ache of other people’s judgment overwhelm her. It would kill her if she lost Josh. She couldn’t stand to see him hurting this way.
She was rewarded with a hesitant but genuine small grin. “I love you back.” He lifted her fingers and kissed the backs of them, and then flashed her a mischievous smile. “Big butted bimbos? Take you long to think that one up or has it been on your mind for a while?”
She groaned and punched him in the bicep.
“Ow! Stop distracting the driver!” he pleaded.
“Or what?” she teased.
Josh winked at her as he switched lanes again in preparation for their upcoming exit. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”
“Oh, so that’s your game. Put the pedal to the medal, Josh Sawyer. I’ve had enough of placating the public for today. I’m in need of some privacy. I’m thinking maybe a hot bath and chocolate covered strawberries.” Leaning back against the seat, Jessie sighed with the pleasure of anticipation.
“Well, Jessie Wheeler, I guess I don’t know you at all, then.” Josh pestered his girl. “I thought you were more the peanut butter chocolate kind.”
She pouted. “Julia Roberts ate chocolate dipped strawberries in Pretty Woman. They’re supposed to be romantic. Dork.”
“Girls and romance. What is it with this romance thing? I’m in this for the sex.”
Squealing, Jessie pounded her man in the rib cage this time. Chuckling, Josh pulled into their hotel where he surrendered the sedan to an excited tow-headed valet parker. Life’s sweetest pleasures awaited them upstairs, despite the overhanging bitterness of a disapproving world on their shoulders.
Sightseeing in New York could wait another day.
***
Chapter Seven
Drifters premiered to great acclaim, well overcoming all estimation of expected audience numbers, and engendering surprise and praise from the critics. Life settled into a general cycle of work and pleasure as the cast and crew once again pulled together, this time for the six-month shoot of season two. The mood on set was generally happy-go-lucky as the tension from season one had morphed into the melodious delight of newly requited love. Everyone could feel the happiness in the air that emanated from Josh and Jessie. There was no doubt that the couple was not only in love, but that they were also plainly and simply well matched. They were quiet, easy-going, friendly and happy, and their moods were contagious. Even Jonathon, fresh from a round of positive reviews for his Vancouver gold rush western, was congenial and amiable most of the time, since the biggest pressure was now off and all that remained was essentially to just keep up the good work.
One Saturday Josh and Stephen decided to dig out their off road motorbikes and practice some motocross. Enjoying the perks of work on a successful series, they had money to spend and a need to focus on something other than nineteenth century dialogue. Josh hadn’t competed since his tragic accident years earlier during a race, when a teenager died after being hit by Josh’s bike. The accident had happened in the blink of an eye, as those things often do; and had sent Josh spiraling into depression, despair and drug use, but his friends convinced him to get back on the horse and give it another go. Both Josh and Steve were motorcycle junkies, and so they tuned up their bikes and purchased some colorful new leathers. The next weekend they made some adjustments to their bikes to accommodate some freestyle riding, or FMX, which Jessie found hard to watch and of which she was fairly certain Jonathon would not approve - his two lead male cast members on their Honda CRF 450s going for “big air” over dirt jumps. But the sport was addictive, and the boys were hooked.
About a month into the new shooting season of Drifters, the gang drove the hour and a half out to Agassiz so the boys could practice on a local course. It was a gorgeous windless blue sky autumn day; the drive alone was worth the trip. Leaves of rusty reds and burnt orange lined the route, sentry to the small party of friends cruising casually along with their coffees and salty snacks of crunchy cashews and roasted almonds. The majestic snow-capped mountains were a more onerous guard. Like the leaves, they stood watch along the way as if they were protecting the boisterous group throughout their journey. Everyone was in good humor. The shooting of Drifters season two was off to a great start, and the reviews from season one were heartening. Besides, what could be better than a group of good friends hanging out together on a pleasant crisp fall Saturday?
The group convinced Jonathon to let them borrow one of the show’s production vans so that they could all travel together. Carter brought his new girl, Ashley, a pleasan
t addition to the gang. Stephen invited Sophie; Maggie and Sue-Lyn tagged along in the backseat, picking on the others and harassing Josh about his driving. As they approached the motocross track, the discussion turned to the sport. It was a dangerous activity even for guys like Josh and Stephen who, having raced in their younger days, were now out just for the fun of it. Josh was quiet as the discussion centered on known accidents, like Cam Sinclair’s badly broken femur in Las Vegas, and Jim McNeil’s death during a practice at the Texas Motor Speedway. It was a fact of life that injury followed riders of the sport, whether they were into racing or freestyle events. It wasn’t lost on any of them that the Agassiz track was near a landmark called Cemetery Road, but they were all so happy on that particular day that the road’s name became a joke and in no way a portent of things to come.
As the guys unloaded their heavy bikes from the trailer behind the van, the girls dropped their compostable coffee cups in nearby square covered wooden garbage bins and wandered around the site. Maggie elbowed Jessie and pointed towards a white sign with black lettering.
“Black bear area - Beware. I love British Columbia, but I can’t get used to the bears.” She edged a little closer to Sue-Lyn.
Jessie grinned. “You wouldn’t have liked Charleston, then. We shared the city with alligators, four kinds of poisonous snakes, and black widow spiders.”
Maggie looked at her friend, somewhat astonished. It was rare for Jessie ever to mention Charleston. Even Jessie looked slightly taken aback, surprised at how easily the reference to the historic city had left her lips, as Sue-Lyn hooked an arm in her co-star’s elbow. Jessie looked up at Maggie and shrugged. The slight admission was a good sign - maybe life in Charleston was indeed behind her.
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