Chapter 19 #2
That was how Arne and I found ourselves standing with Erik in the middle of a large crowd of people making a TV series.
Arne’s eyes were open wide, but that was probably more because of something Erik called a craft table with snacks for anyone who wanted, rather than the magic of filmmaking.
Since the meal break was apparently going to be a while yet, I let Arne have some.
He stood by Erik, who wasn’t in this scene but the next one, holding his hand while eating string cheese and watching the camera and light and sound people go about their business.
There were two pretty people rehearsing in a kitchen, a set with only a couple of walls and no ceiling.
The dialogue wouldn’t keep Arne’s interest, but he was enjoying the cameras and lights and the fuzzy-covered microphone over the top of the actors’ heads.
It was a new experience for me too. I had no idea what went into making a TV show or movie. A lot of people, apparently. I stood beside Arne, watching with almost as much interest as him.
Then everyone paused, words were yelled out, and I froze in place to make sure we didn’t mess things up. I heard Cut!, like in movies about movies, and after a few minutes they started again.
After some time passed, and Arne kept his questions to himself so we didn’t attract unwanted attention, everyone relaxed and they started arranging things for the next scene.
Erik flashed us a grin. “My turn now. You guys okay on your own?”
“Can I get more juice?” Arne asked.
Erik opened his mouth, undoubtedly to agree, but I spoke first. “If you drink more, you’ll have to go to the bathroom, and you might miss seeing your dad do his thing.”
Arne shook his head. “No, we have to see that. No juice…for now.”
Erik moved us to another place to watch and then disappeared.
“Will I recognize Daddy?” Arne asked.
“I think so. He’d have told us if he was going to be hidden in a costume.”
Fortunately it wasn’t long before Erik was on the set. There was stuff happening, people telling the actors and lights where to go, and then everyone got quiet and the scene began.
Erik was good. I hadn’t seen him in anything but a college theater thing, and I was anxious on his behalf.
But while acting, he was a different person from the man I knew, and he was just as believable as the other actors.
They shot the scene two more times before everyone relaxed again and backed off.
“What happens next?” Arne asked.
“We wait for your dad.”
“I mean, what’s next in the story?”
“They don’t always shoot scenes in order. The next scene might be from the beginning of the show, or the end.”
Arne’s brow creased. “But that doesn’t make sense.”
Erik showed up then. “Ready to eat?”
Arne nodded. “Yeah! And Mommy says you don’t go from beginning to end!”
Erik ruffled Arne’s hair. “That’s right.”
“But then how does it work? It has to be a story on TV.”
I shot Erik a grin. I listened to him describe editing and sets and actor constraints to a very confused Arne while I ate a tasty meal I hadn’t prepared.
We didn’t stay much longer. They were going to work for a couple more hours before they wrapped for the day, and Erik understood that Arne had to get to bed before school.
When Erik asked, Arne was happy to agree to come another time.
I narrowed my eyes at Erik. If he wanted to make this a regular thing, he’d better be able to take care of Arne on his own, because I couldn’t drop all my responsibilities to watch my ex work.
Erik caught my expression. “I’ll have to arrange that with your mom. Thanks for coming!”
Arne wrapped his arms around Erik. “It was great. I can’t wait to tell Barney!”
Erik’s smile was a little smug.
Mom was in the kitchen when we got back. She was trying to clean up dinner, which seemed to have been pasta with a jar of sauce. At least they’d fed themselves, though I expected Mom was responsible for it.
“I’ll get that once Arne is down.”
Mom gave me a tired smile. “So what were you two up to?”
“We watched a TV show! Daddy was in it! And they get snacks all the time!”
“You can see what impresses the six-year-old.” I gave Arne’s shoulder a gentle push. “You go brush your teeth and get your pajamas on while I help Grandma.”
Arne ran up the stairs while I nudged Mom out of the way and took over with the pot. It had been left on the stove and had pasta dried to the bottom. I reached for the scraper.
Mom settled on a chair with a relieved sigh. “So Arne had fun?”
“He did, yeah. He’s a curious monkey, so any new experience he just soaks up.”
“So…”
I turned to look at her. “So?”
“Does this mean you and Erik…” She waved her hand, as if between me and wherever Erik was.
“No, Mom. He’s spending time with Arne. I’m just the childcare that comes along with him.”
“Are you sure? He seems to be successful now… Maybe you want to try again?”
I caught the worried look on her face. What would she do if I left? “He’ll be back in LA after he finishes this TV show. My life is here.”
Mom wanted me to be happy, but she couldn’t hide the relief she felt at knowing I was sticking around.
It was nice that I was needed and would be missed if I left.
But what was in my future? Would I be waving Arne off to university in twelve years, still here, still taking care of Mom?
She’d probably be in a wheelchair at that point.
Would Cora and Dorian be gone? What would I do if it was just me and Mom and Bruce?
When the pot was clean, I went upstairs to find Arne in bed with a book. I loved this kid, so much, but I wouldn’t try to keep him here with me. I wanted him to spread his wings and fly.
Once Arne said good night, he soon fell asleep. Not me. Going out to watch Erik had distracted me, but now memories of the kiss with Justin rushed to the forefront of my mind. It took me a long time to get to sleep.
Damn it. We had to get past this. Or else I’d have to quit. I didn’t want to. But was that because it was an easy job with great hours, or was it because of Justin? It might be better if I didn’t look at my reasons too closely.