Fame

by Susan X Meagher

  Haley moved over to peek into the bathroom, which was decorated in the same beach-centric theme. The showpiece was the shower, where green and blue glass tiles curved down the wall, forming a gentle wave. “This is crazy,” she said. “I’d have to train five hundred thousand dogs to be able to afford this.” She bumped against Piper’s shoulder. “And this is the garage!”

  “I know. It’s kinda weird.”

  Haley pulled her close and kissed her, sighing when Piper’s lips molded into hers. Sometimes you simply fit with another person. When they stood close like this, Piper’s breasts rested perfectly atop Haley’s, as though they’d been made to order. It was a waste of energy to try to explain attraction, but she knew it when she felt it—and she felt it every time they were close.

  “Isn’t it time for another meal?” She straightened her shirt and went to the tote bag Piper had brought. “Oh, you lucked out. This one’s coconut flavored. I know you’re probably sick of kale and spinach.”

  “I’ve never eaten kale before today,” she said, prying off the top and slugging down a third of the bottle. “And when this is over, I’ll never eat it again.” She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. “This one isn’t bad, but I’m still so hungry I’m starting to get a headache.”

  “Maybe from not having caffeine,” Haley suggested.

  “Oh, god.” She sighed, resting her head on the counter. “No coffee for two more days. This is gonna kill me.” Her eyes shot open. “And no alcohol tonight! I’ve got to meet really famous people totally sober!”

  “You’ll do fine,” Haley soothed, stroking her back. “Let’s go meet your sister.”

  “She’s not home yet, but we can go look around. Wanna go skinny-dipping?” she asked, eyes sparkling.

  “Sure. I’d really enjoy meeting your sister while I’m stark naked.”

  “It wouldn’t bother her,” Piper said, guiding Haley and Delta out of the building. “She’s as close to a nudist as I’ve ever met.”

  Delta stood on the top step, shivering with terror as he looked at the spiral staircase—which had to seem like a cliff. “I don’t blame you,” Haley said, picking him up and tucking him under her arm. “If I’d had a couple of drinks, I’d be shaking, too.”

  “Yeah,” Piper said, “I’m going to have to curb my drinking when I stay over. I don’t want to be found in an alley in Venice. That’s just too tawdry a way to go. Especially since the tiny headline would read, ‘Charlie Summers’s sister dies under mysterious circumstances.’”

  Once on the ground, they were in a Lilliputian yard, nearly filled by a glittering pool.

  The main house was two stories, with almost the whole rear of it consisting of garage-style doors, with nine lightly frosted glass panels in each. Haley didn’t pay a tremendous amount of attention to real estate values, but she was engaged enough to have a rough idea of what the whole layout was worth. A lot was the proper answer.

  “Wanna sit outside for a bit? “Piper asked. “It’s an awfully nice afternoon.” She sat atop one of the curvy wicker chaises and crooked her finger, beckoning Haley.

  “I would love to.” Haley sat down as well, with Delta standing by her chaise, whining to be picked up. “I’m purposefully ignoring him,” she said. “He needs to learn he doesn’t get what he wants by complaining. After he stops whining, go ahead and let him up if you want to.”

  Haley was pleased to have Piper follow her instructions to the letter. Delta went from chair to chair, putting it on thick, really begging for attention. Then he sat down and stared at Piper, clearly puzzled by her refusal to do his bidding. When he’d been quiet for about ten seconds, she picked him up and let him press his little front paws into her belly, like he was fluffing up his bedding.

  “I’d increase the time he had to be quiet, but that’s a good start,” Haley said. “Even if Charlie doesn’t do the same, he can be well-behaved when you’re in charge.”

  “Am I ever in charge?” she asked, turning to smile. “Can I get you something? I’m sure my sister has drinks in the fridge, if nothing else.”

  “No, I can wait.” She kicked off her shoes and stretched out. “This is pretty nice, Piper, but I think I prefer your yard.”

  A wide smile greeted that comment. “I do, too. It’s not worth as much as this, but it’s homier, isn’t it?”

  “It really is. And I always like homey more than…this. I don’t even know what to call this. Ultra-modern?”

  “Yeah, I guess. Like I said, I was raised in apartments. I decorated my house, but I never had a plan. I just picked up stuff when I had the money.”

  “Off topic, but I was wondering about something,” Haley said. “How come you didn’t have a single relative at your party? Don’t you have cousins or anything?”

  She started to shake her head. “My mom was an only child, and her parents were both dead before I was born.” She downed the rest of her juice, actually smiling when she finished it, unlike the grimace she’d had after the last green drink. “My dad’s parents might still be alive, and I think he had a couple of brothers, but he had a falling out with the whole clan before I was born. They might not know I exist.”

  Haley let that sink in for a minute. “I can’t really imagine what that must be like. My grandparents all treated me like I was the second coming of Christ,” she admitted, chuckling at the thought. “It just feels so unfair. I had six people I thought of as parents, and you only had one.”

  “It wasn’t enough,” Piper admitted. “My mom tried her best, but she was gone a lot. Especially after Charlie was born. Being a single mom with two kids really made it tough to make ends meet.”

  “Why’d she have another?” Haley asked, then wished she could pull the question back. But Piper didn’t seem to think she’d been rude.

  “My mom was one of those women who didn’t feel complete without a man. But she had awful taste,” she added, making a face. “She went for looks and charm, neither of which buys you much in the long run.”

  She looked so sad that Haley had to dig a little more. “How’d you feel about her bringing a new guy into the family?”

  “Not good,” she said, her sober expression underscoring the words. “I was only ten when she met Frank, and even at that age, I could tell he was a bad choice. He was one of those guys who brought you a cheap toy and expected you to go play with it for the entire day, preferably alone.”

  “I’m sorry, Piper,” she said, with her heart clenching at the sadness that infused Piper’s features.

  “I am, too. Having him around made me just about invisible.” She let out a breath, then her usual smile started to creep back onto her face. “But I’m glad Frank existed. Even though she was a pain in the butt at first, I loved having a little sister. She’d be so happy to see me when I got home from school that I didn’t mind watching her all evening.”

  “I know you said you haven’t seen him in a long time, but do you speak to your dad?”

  “No.” She shrugged. “I think he lives in Sylmar, which isn’t far from me, but we haven’t kept in touch.”

  “Your choice?”

  “Pretty much. He’s made a couple of overtures in the last few years. You know, a Christmas card, a note relatively close to my birthday. That makes me think he’d like to be closer, but I’m fairly sure that’s mostly because he’s getting older and he’s single again.” She let out a laugh that sounded strained. “That’s his version of retirement planning.”

  “How about Charlie’s dad?”

  A wry smirk settled on her face. “Once she got famous enough to pop onto his radar, he emerged for the first time in years. I convinced her to tell him the same thing I told my dad. After you pay all of the child support you owe, we’ll start fresh.”

  “I’m sorry your mom didn’t pick good guys.” Reaching over to pat her thigh, Haley said, “At least she picked a trait that had a payoff. If your sister’s as pretty as you are, she was two for two.”

  Piper’s smile was s
o cute. It made her look pleased, but also surprised, like it was rare that someone told her she was pretty. “My sister’s gorgeous. Extraordinarily so. She must have trampled a few people to load up when they were handing out good looks.”

  “She didn’t cut in line before you, Piper. You’re a knockout.”

  A smirk settled onto her face, but she accepted the compliment. That was nice. People who treated praise like an incoming grenade made things tough.

  The sun had disappeared behind the house, and the nighttime scents were starting to build. Haley loved the way honeysuckle and jasmine filled the air as night fell, the fragrances exotic compared to the plains where she’d grown up. Piper reached over and took her hand, not speaking, just being close. After a long while, she said, “I looked forward to this all week.” Her voice was as warm and soothing as the breeze. “I’d be cutting someone’s hair and my mind would veer off to spending the day with you. A whole lot of people might be unhappy with their hair because of you.”

  Haley squeezed her hand. “I did the same thing. I was so tempted to cancel my evening appointment so we could get together on Tuesday, but I’d made a commitment, so I went—reluctantly.”

  “I’m really glad you’re here now.” Piper’s phone rang, making Delta leap to his feet, his startled gaze going in every direction when he barked, his black eyes slamming shut on each yip. “Sorry. Gotta take this.”

  “Hey,” she said, leaning back against her chaise. “No, you’re not disturbing us.” She winked at Haley as she emphasized the pronoun. “We’re sitting by your pool, wishing we could afford one.”

  Haley stood and attempted to move away to give Piper some privacy, but the yard was so small that was tough to do. She got a little distance by standing near the side of the house, where the pool equipment was kept. In that nook, the filter and pumps were loud enough to provide white noise to block out Piper’s voice. Delta was right by her side, as expected, unable to tolerate anyone moving around without his permission. Given that she probably had a few minutes, Haley spent it trying to get him to stay when she put her hand out and gave the command. He didn’t do too badly for a beginner, managing to stay in one spot even when she turned to leave.

  Then warm arms slid around her waist, and Piper’s lips were at her ear. “My sister’s going to be home in a few. Want a tour of the house first?”

  “Sure. Then I won’t have to act impressed if I think it’s awful,” she said, chuckling.

  “You won’t. But even if you did, Charlie wouldn’t mind. She has remarkably thick skin.”

  Piper took her by the hand and led the way to the rear of the house. A keypad activated all of the doors, quietly rolling up along the ceiling after Piper entered the proper numbers.

  “Wow,” Haley said as they went inside—standing in the center of the room and placing her hands on her hips as she turned around to take it all in.

  During her years of working for a wealthy, showy guy, and training dogs for other wealthy people, she’d seen a lot of expensive houses. But this was the first one she’d ever wanted for herself. Especially this kitchen.

  It was spare and ultra-modern and dazzling—all things she didn’t usually like. But this space made her feel like she was inches from the ocean, her favorite spot. The gleaming white cabinets were like clouds hovering over cool blue tiles, exactly the color of a summer sky. The thick glass countertop looked like the last remnant of a wave that had broken against a beach, beautiful striations of moving water beneath a perfectly calm surface. Haley had no idea how the artist had done it, but flecks of blue and green were suspended like chips of beach glass, shining brightly from the light of the perfect LEDS just above.

  Four tall chairs sat on the other side of an island with the same cool countertop, their backs to the open doors, with the tranquil, glimmering pool beyond. It was the kind of place she could sit and reflect for hours, watching the color of the water change as the sun set.

  Then Piper’s arms were around her, and soft lips kissed her neck. “This is nice, isn’t it?”

  “Nice? You’d better get out a thesaurus to find a better word, ’cause nice doesn’t cut it.”

  “I thought you liked homey,” she teased.

  “I must have been wrong. I like this. This is the nicest kitchen I’ve ever been in, and I’ve been in some doozies.”

  “I like it, too. Wanna see the rest?”

  They held hands and entered the dining area, which wasn’t very divorced from the kitchen. The open layout would make it noisy if you had kids, but this wasn’t the kind of place made for small fry. Haley moved past the modern glass dining table with the royal purple velour chairs to the understated, obviously expensively decorated living room, dominated by a low-slung, modern, turquoise sofa.

  The house had clearly been furnished by a decorator, since there wasn’t a single thing to reflect the personality of the owner. No photos, no mementos, no books. Just some art glass bowls filled with the dried, straw-colored anodyne seed pods that designers were currently using to fill things. She’d seen them in more than one high-end home, so they were clearly a trend.

  Two comfy looking minimalist chairs, covered in a blue-green, as opposed to the green-blue sofa and a large, square, white lacquered coffee table finished off the room. The furniture certainly didn’t fill it, since the designer was intentionally going for lots of empty space, but it looked expensive and tasteful, which was obviously the goal. If it had belonged to a Finnish man in his forties, it would have been perfect. But a twenty-three-year-old kid from the Valley? She should have been struggling to pay for a shared one bedroom in The Palms and getting by with the minimum from Ikea. It was simply too much, but she was afraid to say that to Piper.

  As a pair of arms surrounded her, and soft lips tickled her neck, she heard Piper’s voice say, “I feel a lot more comfortable in my living room.”

  “Me, too. But I do like your little apartment. Especially if you could stick Charlie’s kitchen onto it somehow. That thing is sick.”

  They started up the stairs, then Delta started to yip, racing down to head for the dining room.

  “Pip!” A cheerful, melodic voice called out. “Are you here?”

  Piper grinned and gripped Haley’s hand harder as they went back down the stairs. There stood the star in the making, holding a squirming Delta in her arms. Given what Hollywood valued, she was going to make it and make it big. Charlie was absolutely gorgeous, but also so wholesome looking she could have sold clouds to the angels.

  Haley started at the top, carefully taking her in. Beautiful, bouncy hair, mostly honey blonde, with darker strands throughout. If Piper had a hand in coloring it, she was a master. Bright blue eyes, wide open and ingenuous, a smallish, well-formed nose, and lush lips—which made Haley irrationally want to give her a kiss—all perfectly situated on a classically beautiful face.

  She was dressed like most young women on the Westside, in a pair of layered tank tops and charcoal grey yoga pants, along with bright blue running shoes.

  Those lovely blue eyes landed on Piper, then Charlie rushed to her for an enthusiastic hug. “Happy birthday, Pip,” she said. “I hope your party was stupendous.”

  Piper whispered something in her ear, then kissed her cheek and pulled away. After sliding an arm around Haley, she drew her close. “Meet Haley Dillon. Haley, my sister, Charlie Summers.”

  In the usual Hollywood style, Charlie lunged for her like they were also sisters, wrapping her in a big hug, then placing kisses on both cheeks. Lavishing affection on strangers wasn’t Haley’s thing, but in this case, she didn’t mind. Charlie smelled like money and youth and promise—with a big jolt of sex appeal.

  “It’s so good to meet you!” Charlie squealed. Releasing Haley, she grabbed Piper by the ear and tugged on it playfully. “Look at you! You’ve hit a home run this time, Pip.”

  Haley watched as Piper pushed her sister’s hand away, her cheeks coloring from her teasing. Charlie was as friendly and welcoming as a
whole litter of Golden Retrievers. Who wouldn’t want to watch her on the big screen, much less hang out with her?

  “It’s good to meet you, too,” Haley managed, unsure of what else to say. In her experience, famous people wanted you to know who they were and got prickly when you didn’t. But she wouldn’t have recognized this pretty girl if she’d bitten her, and wasn’t able to act like she did.

  Piper handled that issue. “Haley hasn’t seen you in anything, so you’re going to have to convince her you’re famous enough to bother with.”

  Charlie laughed at that, obviously self-confident enough to take some ribbing. “I’m not very famous yet,” she said, giving Haley a look that made her feel like she was the only person in the room. They said that very charismatic people could pull that off, although she’d rarely experienced it for herself. But when Charlie locked those big blue eyes on you, for just a second you felt like you were pretty fascinating. “I’m going to be on a forty-foot tall billboard on Sunset Boulevard in a couple of weeks, though. Then we’ll see what happens.”

  Haley stared into those guileless eyes, wishing she could convince this naïve child to run away and never look back. But Charlie had it bad. You could see it in her eyes. She needed the fame, the acclaim, the adulation that came with the game. She was simply too young and too innocent to know how fleeting, and potentially devastating, all of that notoriety could be.

  ***

  An hour later, after drinking some sparkling water with lemon and listening to a few pretty entertaining stories about working with Aaron Evert, Piper stood and said, “We’d better get started on your hair, Charlie. Since I haven’t had any food, I’m running only on nerves, so it might take longer than usual.”

  Charlie stood and rubbed Piper’s belly until she had her laughing and slapping her hands away. “Have you ever met a bigger baby?” Charlie demanded. “She’s had more high-quality calories today than she normally gets, but because it’s good for her, she’s all pissed off.”