3. Vonnie
During the week, I worked part-time doing makeup at Sephora. On Thursday nights, I did makeup for the drag show at a local spot in town. I liked to keep my weekends free for weddings and to spend time with Will.
As I stood at my station putting the finishing touches on my last client of the day, my mind drifted to the conversation Will and I had.
What the hell did he mean it was time for me to give up on my dream?
I couldn’t believe that he had actually given me an ultimatum.
Pursuing this dream opportunity could cost me my relationship, but not pursuing it would likely cost me my sanity.
My sore feet were always a testament to my hard work despite my mother’s constant remarks about me needing to get a real job. Plopping down in the chair my client once occupied was a welcomed relief. My heart ached at the thought of passing up the chance of a lifetime.
After spending the weekend in Miami and living it up with Jenna, I had about six hundred dollars to my name.
I wasn’t sure what kind of expenses I would have once I made it to New Orleans.
Room and board would be provided, but I knew those few hundred dollars would go quickly while I waited for my paychecks to start rolling in.
In a short period of time, I had gotten used to not having to think about money.
William had spoiled me financially by being a walking ATM.
He didn’t even like me to reach for my wallet in his presence.
He wanted to be the sole provider in our relationship, and I was absolutely fine with that.
Now, I saw that being the financier of everything had given him a sense of control over me.
Picking up my phone from the counter, I searched for flights.
I could have easily called Larsen and asked if she could accommodate my fare, but I didn’t want to risk her changing her mind and going with another candidate.
The least I could do was get myself to the location.
The hourly rate I stood to receive would make up for my loss.
Instead of wasting more time hemming and hawing and thinking about what could go wrong, I selected a one-way flight.
I would worry about the rest when the time came.
The last-minute flight ended up being a little more expensive than I anticipated.
Things would likely be tight for the few weeks, but I would make the best of my situation.
I smiled once I made it to the checkout screen and discovered that William’s credit card was still linked to my account.
I didn’t even think about that little fact.
He never questioned my spending as long as I didn’t exceed a thousand dollars in a purchase, so I knew this time would be no different.
I only debated for a second before going through with the transaction.
If he decided to get in his feelings about me spending his money, I would address it when the time came.
Right now, I needed to pack. I was heading to New Orleans in two days.
“So, you’re really doing this shit?” William snarled as I passed him, heading to the door with my bags.
He had been talking trash ever since he came home and discovered my packed bags leaning against the wall.
I didn’t understand why he felt like it was a good idea to pressure me to give up something that was such a big deal to me.
The more he spoke ill of my dreams, the further away he pushed me. I was done mincing words.
“I told you I was doing it. I don’t understand the question.”
“I guess nothing I had to say mattered.”
“Actually, all of it mattered. I came to realize that you will never take my career seriously, but I have to.”
“There’s nothing to take seriously. It’s makeup, Evonne. You can do your makeup stuff around here. Don’t you have enough clients? You always out doing something with them.”
Rolling my eyes, I looked back at him. “If you don’t understand how important this is to me, nothing I say right now will make any difference.”
“What are you going to do when this shit doesn’t go the way you’re expecting it to? I told you. Our relationship might not last if you make the decision to leave.”
“If our relationship falls apart due to me leaving to better myself, then I’ll know it was hanging on by a thread in the first place.”
“If you walk out that door, don’t bother coming back.”
“Good. That means I don’t have to worry about embarrassing you in front of your friends anymore with my ratchet-ass behavior.”
“Vonnie, you can be mad all you want to, but I meant what I said. If you walk out that door, it’s over between us.”
Those were the last words Will and I exchanged before I slammed the front door and left for the airport.
Against his wishes, I’d booked the first flight to New Orleans after sending my signed contract back to Larsen.
Less than seventy-two hours after revealing my big news to my boyfriend, I was in Louisiana.
Larsen picked me up from the airport and took me to the two-bedroom duplex where I would be living with a girl named Gia.
So far, Gia was super cool. She was the wardrobe designer and over the team that sourced pieces for wardrobe.
Larsen bragged about my costume designs, urging me to show them to Gia.
Surprisingly, Gia was also impressed with my work.
A real wardrobe designer liked the stuff I had been making just as a hobby.
Larsen explained that she wanted Gia and me to work together to design the wardrobe and makeup looks so they would be cohesive.
They thought it was a plus that I was able to sew.
The cast wasn’t set to arrive for another two weeks, but the crew were all present and accounted for.
We didn’t waste any time venturing off to the set and getting acquainted with our workspace.
It was muggy as hell under the huge tent they’d set up for wardrobe.
There were about six tents set up in the production area.
The set designers had their own tent along with the tent that was set up for craft services.
We were in an impromptu meeting discussing our expectations for the duration of the film.
“OK. Here’s what I was thinking. Gia and Evonne should have full creative discretion over the styling.
I’ve worked with Gia in the past, so I know she knows what she’s doing.
She and I discussed the wardrobe and came up with a few notes.
Since the film is post-apocalyptic with a futuristic feel, we want uniforms and really clean lines for the minions and soldiers, while the rebels should be unkempt.
We’ve sourced some thrifted pieces, but we’re not married to any one uniform idea.
They should be disheveled and look like they’ve worn their clothes for a few days.
We can do uniforms for the rebels, but there should be a stark contrast in their appearance compared to the union leader’s minions and the soldiers,” the production designer, Anton, announced as he went on to explain the concepts for the set based on the setting of the film.
Aside from Anton, Larsen, and Gia, two other people who worked on the set were working with me as we went over sketches for the looks they were going for. Hearing that Gia and I had full creative control of the wardrobe and makeup had me floating on air.
“I had the idea to do really chic skirts and pantsuits for Clarissa since she’s going to be the leader of the minions. I think it’ll be fitting since her character is stern and uptight.”
“Like her,” one of the set designers said with a snicker.
“I want her look to reflect her character. I think she should wear white in every scene.”
“Sounds good. I know you and your team will bring it all together. We have two weeks to get the looks finished. I have twenty extra hands on deck to make sure you two have what you need,” Anton stated.
“That includes a team to do makeup?” I quizzed. I was almost afraid to show my naivety by asking if I would be the only one doing makeup.
“Yes. There will be a makeup team on set once the cast arrives,” Anton confirmed.
“You come up with the looks, and the team will help you execute them,” Larsen clarified.
Wow! I would have my own team.
My relationship was in shambles, and I had no idea where I would be living when filming was over, but I had honestly never been happier in my life.
Any man who couldn’t support my dreams could kiss my whole ass.
The good thing about it was I could afford to move anywhere I pleased once my checks started rolling in.
I wouldn’t be tied to what William could offer me.
However, I wasn’t completely cold-hearted.
I loved William, and deep down, I hoped he came to his senses, but I wasn’t going to let our tiff get me down.
When Gia and I were left to our devices, I used my phone to connect to the Bluetooth speaker I brought along for the trip.
I worked better with music. I lost track of time as I zoned out and sketched.
“No wonder I’m starving. It’s almost one o’clock,” Gia said as she stood from the stool next to me. “Let’s go to the craft services tent.”
“I’m not that hungry. I don’t want to stop working while the ideas are flowing. I’ll grab something later.”
“You need fuel, girl. A short break isn’t going to disrupt your flow that much.”
“You never know…” I shrugged.
“We can’t both be workaholics. Somebody has to be reasonable.”
“Seems like it’s you this time.”
“Well, how about I pull up the menu so I can tell you what they have today? I’ll just bring you something back.”
“That’s cool.” I nodded in agreement.
“Today is soup and sandwich day. They have grilled cheese, grilled chicken, turkey, and ham for the sandwiches. Then for the soups… there’s chicken noodle, loaded potato, and spicy tomato.”