Chapter 39
39
Keith fell into a chair in the den of the main cabin, sipping a bourbon, neat. He called Michelle, wondering how her day had gone. When she answered, he immediately knew something was wrong.
“Michelle, what’s going on, honey?”
“Nothing, really.”
“Either you wrote a sad scene today, or something happened. Please tell me.”
“Adam and I had a good talk today, that’s all.”
“If it was good, why are you crying?”
She sniffled. “It was emotional. We cried, but I didn’t break down until after he left.”
“Were you arguing?”
“Not at all. For the first time since Bill died, we had a heart-to-heart, and I think we understand each other more now.”
“That’s good.”
“It is. I didn’t realize some of the pressure that was put on him at a young age. When Bill commuted between here and Charlotte, he told Adam to look after his siblings and me. That was too much for a fourteen-year-old boy.”
“We all do it, Michelle. I’m guilty of doing the same thing to Kevin. I guess we’re doing what our fathers did to us, trying to make them men.”
“At fourteen?”
Keith chuckled. “Mine started at ten. I even went as far as telling Kevin I needed updates every night when I called. Looking back, it sounded like I wanted him snitching on his mother. Maybe subconsciously, I didn’t trust her then and didn’t realize it.”
“I don’t know what transpired between Bill and the boys, but I remember Cade looking up to Adam for everything when Bill was gone, almost more than he did me. It’s funny how you see life looking back.”
“Yeah, you see things you didn’t while you were going through them. Strange how the little things seemed so big back then.”
“Because we were in the midst of them.”
“What does that say about us? Will we look back and be glad we’re taking this chance, or are we going to regret it?”
“I’m glad I stepped out of my comfort zone and took this chance.”
“I am so glad to hear you say that.” He took another sip of bourbon. “We’re filming in Asheville at the end of the week, and then the festival is on Saturday. I’ll be there the rest of the week. Is my invitation still open? Chip can drop me off and pick me up. I won’t have any early shoots.”
“I think I can make that work.”
“One more thing . . .”
“What’s that?”
“Do you trust me?”
Michelle furrowed her brows. Did she trust him? “You haven’t given me a reason not to.”
“I’m taking that as a yes.” He chuckled. “When I see you later this week, I’d like you to give me your phone so Chip can put something on it for me.”
“You want to track me?” She laughed. “My children already do that.”
“It’s a surprise. Trust me. ”
“All right, all right. I trust you.”
“What else did you do today?”
“Normal day... gym and errands. What about you?”
“Worked all day.”
“Easy scenes?”
“Some more than others. Nothing physically demanding today. That starts this week.”
“I thought you had a stunt double for those types of scenes.”
“I do, but I still do some of the stuff.”
“Please be careful.”
“I will, but we may use that hot tub on your deck.”
“I love the sound of that. I’ll make sure it’s ready to go.”
“Wonderful.” He drank down the end of his bourbon. “We have a cast dinner tonight, so I need to shower.”
“Have fun. Talk to you later.”
“Sweet dreams, Michelle.”
“You too.”