Chapter 26 #3
“Sometimes in life, you have to accept the death of a dream or a business or your own plans.” Papa pressed his hands onto his knees.
“I haven’t wanted to accept it, and so I have strung it along until there was no life left.
The stock market crash is beyond us and our ability to fight.
I must acknowledge that God is calling us to something different.
” He let out a sigh as he took Mama’s hand, a sad smile on his face.
“We are thankful for what we’ve given to the film industry.
But it’s changing, and we need to be content knowing that our part was to lay the foundation.
Other people will build upon what we’ve done. ”
“What will you do for work?” Vicky asked.
“Warner Brothers has asked me to join them as a director,” Papa said.
“I’ve already turned down Mr. Mayer several times because I can’t imagine working for him.
But when Harry Warner asked me to come onboard, I knew I couldn’t pass up the offer.
The Warner brothers are good people, with integrity and vision. ”
“Papa is excited to keep doing what he loves,” Mama explained, “without the pressure of paying the bills.”
“And Warner Brothers has offered to purchase most of our equipment and props, which will help with our debt,” Papa added.
“Harry said he would like both of you onboard, as well. Of course—” He paused and had to swallow as he looked down at his hands.
“He doesn’t know Ally won’t be with us. But, Vicky, he wants you to join his cast of actors. ”
It was Vicky’s turn to look uncomfortable. She readjusted the purse on her lap and glanced out at the crowd before saying, “I accepted an offer to go under contract for Mr. Mayer. Spencer arranged it for me. Mr. Mayer is going to pay me fifty thousand a year.”
“Vicky!” Mama said, though I couldn’t tell if she was upset or only surprised.
“It’s time I set out on my own.” Vicky lifted her chin. “I appreciate all you’ve done for me, Papa, but I’m ready to make my own way.”
“If you think that’s best,” Papa said.
“I do.”
Mama put her hand on Vicky’s knee. “Then we’re happy for you.”
The crowd suddenly went wild, and a man on a loudspeaker was talking, though it was hard to understand what he was saying.
But when Spencer appeared next to the automobile and opened the door for Vicky, I knew what had happened.
The crowd cheered again as the announcer said, “And here is Victoria Bennett, who plays Meg March, the oldest of the March sisters. Vicky, as she’s known by friends and family, has had a long and illustrious career in the movies. We believe you will be charmed by her performance as Meg.”
As Vicky stepped aside, Spencer turned back to the vehicle and held out his hand to me. “One more time?”
I nodded and smiled, taking his hand as I exited the vehicle. I was wearing one of the most glamourous gowns I owned. Long and sleek, it was made of thousands of gold sequins, and it shimmered in the lights. A fur stole was draped over my shoulders.
“You look lovely tonight,” Spencer said as he leaned in to kiss my cheek.
He stayed there for a moment longer than necessary, and I pressed into him, knowing that tonight we would say good-bye.
When I pulled back, I said, “Thank you.”
His eyes conveyed a thousand apologies, and I knew it would have to be enough.
The crowd erupted with applause as the announcer said, “And here is Miss Ally Bennett, the star of Little Women, who will steal your hearts with her performance of our beloved Jo March. Film Daily and The Los Angeles Times are saying her performance has all but guaranteed an Academy Award for Best Actress next year.”
My cheeks flamed with embarrassment and gratefulness as I listened to the announcer. It was so hard to comprehend that this was my last movie premiere—my last day—in 1929.
Yet, I was ready. More than ready.
Cameras took pictures or captured movie reels as we walked across the red carpet. Spencer and I stopped several times to pose and talk to reporters.
“Miss Bennett,” a reporter hailed me, “my name is Morduant Hall. I’m a film critic for The New York Times. May I have a word with you?”
“Of course.” I leaned in to hear him, since the noise from the crowd was deafening.
“This film is achieving unprecedented acclaim,” he said, “and several people are saying it will become a classic, just like the book.”
I smiled as I met Papa’s gaze. He had joined us as Mr. Hall spoke to me.
“What does it feel like to know that your name and performance will go down in film history as one of the classics?”
Mama, Papa, and Spencer waited as I thought about Mr. Hall’s question.
“All of us have the opportunity to make history,” I said.
“We often get to choose what kind of a legacy we leave behind. More than films, I want to be remembered as someone who lived my life to the fullest and used the gifts God gave me to leave the world a little bit better than I found it. That’s all we can really do.
If that means I’ve created a classic, then I’m very glad. But that wasn’t my aim.”
“How very charming,” Mr. Hall said. He then turned to Papa. “May I ask you a few questions about the film, Mr. Bennett?”
Papa nodded as Spencer took my arm and led me into the theater.
It was quieter inside, since the fans wouldn’t be allowed into the building until we were seated. I started to move toward the screen room, but Spencer stopped me.
“Can I talk to you for a minute?” he asked.
I nodded and followed him to a corner of the lobby where we could have a little more privacy.
“I need you to know something, Ally.” He faced me with no pretenses. “I’ve hurt a lot of people, and I’ve spent a lot of time regretting the choices I’ve made because of it. But until now, I haven’t cared very much about what other people thought of me or those choices.”
I wasn’t sure what to say, so I remained silent.
“I care deeply about what you think of me,” he said. “And what your family thinks of me.” He glanced over my shoulder, and I turned my head to see what he was looking at.
Vicky had just entered the theater.
“I hope you can forgive me for taking you to the Beverly Wilshire Hotel that night,” he continued, drawing my attention back to him.
“I was only thinking of myself in that moment and how much I wanted to be done with my assignment.” He took a deep breath.
“I never contemplated how much I would hurt you or how much I would regret losing you. Will you forgive me?”
I’d already forgiven Spencer, but he needed to hear it. “Of course I forgive you.”
Relief made his shoulders sag. Then he smiled, and his charming eyes filled with that teasing twinkle I’d come to know.
“Thank you, Ally. That means so much to me.” He glanced over my shoulder again, apprehension tightening the lines around his mouth for a second.
“There’s something else I’d like to talk to you about. ”
“Vicky?”
He met my gaze, a question in their depths.
“She likes you, Spencer.”
He grinned. “Really?”
“You know she does.” I couldn’t help but laugh.
“No hard feelings if I asked her out?”
“No hard feelings.” I would leave here tonight and never see him again. I didn’t want to allow anything to go unsaid. “I wish you both the best.”
“Good.” He looked sheepish. “Because I already asked her out.”
My eyes opened wide with surprise and delight. “When?”
“A few days ago.”
“What did she say?”
“She wanted me to talk to you first.”
“Really?” I turned, and this time, I caught my sister’s eye.
“I’ll let you two talk.” He left my side and walked up to Vicky. He said something to her and then smiled back at me before going into the screen room.
I stayed in the corner as Vicky crossed the lobby to join me.
She took a deep breath. “Spencer talked to you about us?”
Nodding, tears came to my eyes. “I think it’s wonderful, Vicky.”
Her lips parted, and she let out a breath. “You do?”
“I hope you’re very happy.”
“Really?” Tears gathered in her eyes, too.
“Falling in love with Sam is the most powerful thing that’s ever happened to me,” I told her. “I pray you experience it too. And if it can be with Spencer, how wonderful, Vicky. I know you care for him—”
“I’m in love with him.”
I put my hand over hers. “Spencer has a good heart.”
“You’re not mad at me?”
“How could I be? I want you to be happy.” A sob caught in my throat, and I had to look down for a moment. “I’m going to miss you. I’m glad that I can leave here knowing things might work out between the two of you. I could never be mad about that.”
Tears fell down Vicky’s cheeks as she gave me a hug. “I’m sorry about everything. I wish I could go back and make things better between us.”
“You have nothing to be sorry about. I will remember the good times.”
“So will I.” She pulled back and wiped the tears from her cheeks. “Let’s enjoy this final night together. We all have much to be proud of.”
I nodded. “I’ll meet you in the screen room.”
She smiled one last time and then left me in the lobby to join Spencer.
My family trickled into the building, and I smiled at the sparkle in Lydia’s eyes, knowing she had been struck by the acting bug.
Kathryn had King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table in hand, and I suspected she would not be happy until she was able to find a quiet spot to read.
Mama helped Julia keep the children in line as Annette flirted with the actor who played Mr. Brooke.
Papa simply looked around the theater lobby, and I knew that he was trying to savor it all. Take it all in. Knowing this would be the last Bennett Studios movie.
He was right. If this one had to be the last, at least we had ended with our best.
Mama caught a glimpse of me, and she lifted her hand to wave me over, a sad smile on her face. “Come, Ally. Let’s make the most of tonight.”
As I took her hand, I was thankful that I was spending my last day in 1929 surrounded by my family, watching a movie we had made together. It was exactly how I wanted to remember all of them.
Tomorrow, I would wake up in 1849 and never return here.
I just prayed that I wouldn’t lose 1849, too.