10. Chapter Ten
Chapter Ten
Jonah
J une Margaret Harper is, without a doubt, the worst kind of distraction, something I am reminded of when we get to the diner. I struggle with the door, pretending its heavy, and hold it open for June, who waits for me on the other side so I can take her arm once more. We slowly make our way through the crowded room, and I help June into a booth seat like its a daunting task for us both.
Its when June looks up at me when she gets settled, her eyes big and soft, that I forget myself and lean down, pressing my mouth to hers. Its just a peck. Less than the kiss she gave me on our walk. But I feel it down to my bones and can barely remember what Im supposed to be doing. The ball of lead inside me burns hotter than ever.
Junes hand finds my chest, holding me at bay before I move in for another, more intentional kiss, and she gives me a gentle shove to force me upright again. Easy, tiger, she whispers. You shouldnt get frisky in public.
I cant stop the laugh that crackles out of me. Frisky? Her word choice is enough to push me back into character, so I take my time shuffling to the other side of the booth and dropping into the seat without grace. I place my cane on the far end of the table and then drop my chin onto my hand so I can smile at my beautiful wife.
And she is beautiful. Even all oldified, June is stunning, and since the moment I first saw her after Katie worked her magic, I havent been able to stop imagining my future life. Its been so long since I dated that I cant remember the last time I even pictured myself with another person, but I can see it now.
Not necessarily with June. Im not that crazy. But I can picture myself old and weary, sitting with my wife on a wraparound porch that overlooks a few acres of land. My parents like to sit on the porch swing my dad built years ago and watch the sky change from dusk to dark, and they say it never gets old, spending those quiet hours together. The older I get, the more I want something like what they have.
Its never been all that accessible since my rise to fame, but maybe
You look ridiculous grinning at me like that, June says, her voice husky and deep in a way that pierces me straight in the chest.
My head slips from my hand. Thats your old woman voice? I whisper, a measure of panic in my words.
She frowns. Whats wrong with it?
Whats wrong is the shiver of desire that ran through me at the sound of it. Not exactly giving me sweet old lady vibes. I shift in my seat, glad I cant easily lean across the table to kiss her again because I might never stop if I did. I cough and look around for a server before I get any ideas. I meet Dexters gaze for half a second as he takes a seat at the bar, but I keep my focus elsewhere. Maybe try a different voice, I murmur, catching the attention of a woman in a white apron.
Hiya! the server says as she comes up to our table with two glasses of water. Welcome to Gigis! My name is Karina, and Ill be taking care of you today. Can I get any other drinks for you two?
I look at June, wishing I knew her drink preferences so I could better play the doting husband. My mind flashes back to this morning in her kitchen, and I smile as I remember seeing a large canister tucked away on her countertop. My lovely wife would like a hot chocolate, I say in a croaky voice. Coffee for me, please. I already downed an energy drink before Shara from makeup got started on my face, but Im all for more pep in my step.
Oh, June says, her voice less sexy and more raspy, honey, are you sure you want the caffeine this late in the day?
I lift an eyebrow. Well, I was thinking
You know your stomach doesnt take kindly to it after ten.
Holding back a laugh, I reach across the table and pat her hand. Youre quite right, my dear. Maybe a hot chocolate for me too then.
You got it, Karina says, handing us a couple of menus before disappearing through a door on the other side of the diner.
Youre no fun, I say immediately, flicking open the menu to see if theres anything remotely healthy I can order. I should stick to comfort food to fit my old man persona, but my gut wont love that on top of the hot chocolate after my heavy breakfast this morning. I was looking forward to that coffee.
June chuckles as she lifts her own menu. I think youre plenty energetic already, darling . Im not sure your old body can handle it the way it used to.
Ah, sometimes I miss the days when you didnt have such a hold over me, Maggie dear. I cant see it beneath the makeup, but I imagine June blushing, and I cant help but smirk at her.
Narrowing her eyes, she sips her water and says, That was never, dear.
Youre right. Ive always found you the most captivating woman Ive ever known.
Well, a feminine voice says behind me, arent you two the cutest?
This is why were hereto talk to people in townbut Im still annoyed by the interruption. I take my time turning, using my whole torso rather than my neck so I come across as stiff and inflexible. Why, thank you, I say, flashing a smile at the middle-aged woman sitting behind me. My wife brings all the cute. Im just a bonus.
Snickering, the woman looks at June, but only for a moment. Thats good; the less chance there is of June being recognized, the better. Are you two new in town?
Passing through. Were driving across the country as a last hurrah before I die.
Will you stop saying that? June says, and a rush of delight passes through me knowing shes playing along. You are perfectly healthy, Martin.
I wink at her before turning back to our neighbor. She keeps me young.
The woman awws and pats my shoulder. Hopefully you live for a long time yet. What made you stop in our little town?
She couldnt have set me up better if shed tried. Oh, I say, tugging on my ear, we had a bit of electrical trouble last night, and we found that nice RV park on the edge of town.
The woman frowns, confused, but I can see when she realizes what I mean because her gaze turns stormy. Oh, thats not an RV park. Its a movie company.
Movie? June asks, her voice full of curiosity. How exciting!
Maybe for some people. For most of us its an inconvenience. Theyve kind of taken over Laketown.
We really havent, and everyone has done their best to stay out of the way as much as possible. Plus, the town is getting a whole lot of money for letting us film here. Since I cant say that, I offer a frown of commiseration. That must be frustrating. Everyone we talked to this morning was very nice.
Actors are good at pretending, the woman grumbles. So while at any other time I would recommend spending some time in Laketown, its better if you steer clear and come back another day.
I nod, pretending to take her advice to heart. We can do that once we figure out whats wrong with our rig. Is there a good electrician in town? I did some electrical work back in the day, but Im afraid this old noggin doesnt remember things as well as it used to. I tap my head and smile.
She nods and grabs a napkin and pen. Youll want to talk to Glen Davis. He is a magician with electrical.
As our neighbor writes down the information we need, I raise an eyebrow at June, who narrows her eyes. She seems to agree that Glen sounds like the kind of person who could tamper with a mechanical lift and strand our lead actress in the air. I didnt pay enough attention to her notes at breakfast, but Im going to guess Glens name is on the list of suspects.
Taking the napkin, I stretch my hand over the booth bench and shake the womans hand. Thank you so much, Miss
Im Stacy. Hopefully Glen can get you all fixed up, and then maybe well see you in Laketown another time?
Absolutely, June says emphatically.
Stacy gathers her things and leaves right as Karina returns with our hot chocolates. You two ready to order? the server asks brightly.
Im ready to talk to Glen and figure out if he put Bonnie in danger, but I smile and order a chicken fried steak. This is a slow game were playing, and I remind myself that the longer it takes to find the truth, the more time I get to spend with June. I should enjoy this while I can.
June orders a BLT, and when Karina asks if she wants a side salad or fries, I can practically see her gears churning as she debates her options, glancing at me as she does.
She wants the fries, I say, biting back a smile. My Maggie likes to pretend she doesnt enjoy potatoes more than anything.
Though June narrows her eyes slightly, her shoulders dip in what Im hoping is relief. Yes, she says, handing her menu to Karina. The fries would be lovely.
You got it. Karina winks at me as she takes my menu, and then she heads for the kitchen.
The instant were alone, June shakes her head at me and mouths, Jonah James.
I take a sip of my hot chocolate to hide my smirk. Ive always admired the way you eat like youre human, my dear.
And I do admire that. Hollywood is full of women who focus more on their appearance than living life to its fullest. Most of the time it isnt their faultsociety forces them into a level of perfection few people can achieve without sacrificing things they shouldnt have tobut I think thats one of the reasons Im so drawn to June. Shes outside of my world where appearance is everything.
She seems like the kind of person who cares about who a person is more than what he looks like. I already know she finds me physically attractive, but Im still curious about her opinion of the rest of me.
Besides, I add, you know how I feel about potatoes. The worlds greatest vegetable.
Idaho. June rolls her eyes. Of course. Are potatoes actually a vegetable?
Technically, yes. Some people think it should be reclassified as a grain, but Im of the opinion that potatoes are and always will be vegetables. Not to mention my familys farm is sustained by potato sales, and a reclassification could disrupt the status quo. Maybe it would force my dad to retire, which would be a good thing if he accepted it, but he would just work harder to keep things going.
My brother texted me while I was in makeup and said something about a drainage issue in one of Dads fields. He asked if I could send over some money so he can pay someone to get it fixed before Dad tries fixing it himself, and Im worried that that means Dad is losing stamina with Mom being incapacitated. Not to mention hes nearly seventy-five. He can only keep going for so long.
There must be some sort of worried expression on my face because June reaches across the table and wraps her hand over mine. Everything okay?
Her question shouldnt startle me, but it does. Maybe because its been a long time since anyone but Richie asked me that. Fine, I say out of reflex, but I frown as I look down at our aged hands and shift so our fingers are tangled together. Maybe fine. I lower my voice so no one overhears us. I hate being as far from my family as I am.
Do you ever think about moving back?
Sometimes. But I love my job, and I cant imagine doing anything else. Mostly because I dont have the skills for anything else. Eager to find a different topic of conversation, I put on a smile and tilt my head to one side. How many kids do we have?
Pursing her lips, she looks like she might reject my change of subject. But after a moment, she matches my smile and says, That memory of yours, Martin. We have three, remember?
Ah, yes, I always forget about that middle one. Shes trouble.
The real troublemaker is the youngest. He takes after you a little too much.
Which is why hes my favorite.
She smacks my arm. Youre not supposed to have a favorite child!
Oh, but you and I both know everyone secretly has a favorite. Yours is our oldest daughter, obviously.
Why is that obvious?
Because she gave you a respite from me and my inescapable need to love on you.
A laugh bursts out of June, though she stifles it as several people look our way. Dexter is one of those, raising an eyebrow when I meet his gaze and giving me an impatient look. He seems to think were wasting our time chatting with each other, but what does he expect us to do?
You are incorrigible, June mutters, sipping her hot chocolate and shaking her head at me.
Im already holding her hand, but it doesnt feel like enough. So I slide my foot forward until it taps against hers. She taps back. Only when it comes to you, love, I mutter.
You two are darling, Karina says, pausing at our booth with someone elses food in her hands. How long have you been together?
Married sixty-four years, I say proudly. My eyes stray to Junes hand in mine, her fingers distinctly empty. I should have seen if the costume department had any rings, but its too late now. Its a miracle my Margaret has put up with me this long.
Karina smiles at the pair of us, then continues on her way.
This is so weird not being recognized, June whispers. I get food here all the time.
Im thoroughly enjoying this anonymity, I whisper back. I dont know if I could live my whole life like this, though. Ive gotten used to the attention my career brings, and Im not quite ready to fade into obscurity. Does that make me vain? Maybe. But Ive always been a spotlight kind of guy, and I love nothing more than seeing the way my performances affect an audience. Make them feel something.
If I took on fewer jobs, I could spend some of my time in a place like Idaho, but cutting back on projects sounds about as appealing as telling Dexter my real name. Fewer projects would mean less money, which would make it harder to ensure my parents are taken care of. Im no Derek Riley, who gets cast in movies without even trying, and every job I get is a relief.
Maybe I should have let you order a coffee, June says, squeezing my hand and pulling me out of my thoughts. Shes looking at me like Ive been lost in thought longer than I realized.
I return her squeeze and lean closer. You were right, and I would have regretted it.
You didnt get much sleep last night. Theres something in her expression that is so compelling, like shes trying to say so much more than her words.
I lift one side of my mouth in a smile. Worth it.
June shifts forward, closing the distance between us. Im glad you were with me. I would have been terrified.
Did you get visited by the ghost last night? Karina asks.
I nearly let slip a swear as I sit back, startled, and remember to stay in character. You scared me, Karina, I say with a breathy laugh and press a shaky hand to my heart. My eyesight must be worse than I thoughtI didnt see you coming!
She winces and places our food in front of us. Im so sorry.
What did you say about a ghost? June asks. And dont you worry; Martin scares so easily its a wonder he hasnt had a dozen heart attacks.
I snort. Its because my heart belongs to you, Margaret dear. You will always keep it safe for me.
Glancing between us and worrying her lip between her teeth, Karina seems to debate answering Junes question, as if it might scare me again. But we need her to answer it.
I do love a good ghost story, I say, picking up my utensils and throwing a smile up at Karina. Small towns always have one.
Oh, well Karina shrugs. No one fully knows what to make of it, but there have been strange things happening around that movie set in town. Its nothing, really.
I cut into my steak, hoping that puts her at ease. What sort of strange things? I was once convinced we had a ghost in our attic, but Margaret assures me it was a raccoon.
There is no such thing as ghosts, June says, rolling her eyes. I have told you this so many times.
Normally I would agree with you, Karina says, but no one can explain this one.
I meet Junes gaze, forcing my expression to remain neutral. She isnt as skilled at hiding her skepticism, so I speak to pull Karinas attention back to me. The whole town believes its a ghost? You have me intrigued, Miss Karina. What has it done?
Oh, its
Karina! Someone deeper in the diner waves at her and holds up a mug.
If youll excuse me, Karina says, offering a quick smile, I should get back to work. Let me know if you need anything, okay?
Once shes gone, Junes shoulders slump. That was disappointing.
That was interesting, I argue, taking a bite of my food. Its delicious but a far cry from my strict diet. If I werent in the middle of filming, I wouldnt care as much, but Im likely to start craving mashed potatoes and gravy now.
More than usual, anyway.
We eat the rest of our meal in silence. I can tell June is thinking hard, probably wondering like I am if Karina was telling the truth about no one having an explanation for the disasters happening on set. If other people are like Karina and nonplussed, that could help us narrow down suspects.
When Karina comes with our bill, I pay with cash and leave a much smaller tip than I normally would, trying to come across as average. I make sure Dexter knows were leaving, and then I struggle to stand and help June out of her seat. Maybe well get some answers when we find Glen the electrician, but something tells me were far from solving this thing.
But if it means I get to spend time with June, I dont even care.