Chapter 29
Chapter Twenty-Nine
I don’t blame Hank for his trepidation as he eyes me waiting for the scene to start. I smile at him and give him a thumbs up, but he doesn’t appear convinced I’m ready to shoot this scene.
Sally and I stand at the “graveside” as we wait for things to get going.
It isn’t really a grave. It’s a green screen where they will add a hole later.
There is a coffin sitting over the green screen, though, and the set is made up to look like a cemetery.
It’s the same set we shoot all our outdoor scenes, and it never ceases to amaze me that they can transform the same space so effectively into completely different places.
“I love your shoes. I totally had shoes like that in middle school,” Sally says.
“I did too. I love that they’re still in style.
” I lift a foot and admire the Mary Janes with the chunky heel.
“I’m really digging my whole outfit. I think I feel more my character’s age in these baggy tights and too-big dress than I’ve felt the entire time.
Even though Grimilda is an excellent wardrobe mistress, she just knocked it out of the park this time.
I admire Sally’s outfit. “You look really pretty.”
She smooths a hand down her black dress and whispers, “I’ve never been to a funeral.”
“I haven’t either.”
Her surprised gaze snaps up to me. “But…”
“We had a wake for my dad. It’s very different. It’s like a party. I think the entire town showed up. It was exhausting, but it seemed to do everyone else some good.”
“Was it at your house?”
I nod.
“You hosted a party as you grieved your loss?”
Sally’s indignation, though misplaced, means a lot to me. Like she’d fight for me if need be. “We didn’t do anything. Family and neighbors did all the work.”
“Oh, thank goodness.”
I look around at the somber set. “I think it was better than this, though. People reminisced about Dad, sharing their favorite stories. There was a lot of laughter. It was appropriate because Dad was always smiling. Something like this would have dragged him down. He would have hated it.”
Sally steps forward and throws her arms around me, completely startling me.
“You are so strong, Ari. You should have played the big sister.”
I pat her back awkwardly and speak into her hair. “You could never have pulled off the slapstick character of Stella.”
Letting go of me, she laughs. “You’re not wrong.”
“Hey, only I can hug my girlfriend.” Crispin steps up beside us with a grin, looking dapper in a dark suit.
“Then hug away, Casanova,” Sally says.
I’m about to correct her that he meant her–as in movie girlfriend–when he pulls me against him and I find my face smashed into his suit coat. Wait? Girlfriend?
He lets go of me, and I stare up at him like he’s an alien. “Did you have a near-death experience this weekend?”
He cocks his head and frowns, but also considers my question. “No, can’t say as I did. Why?”
“Crispin, you just called me your girlfriend. Right?” I look to Sally for confirmation. She’s got an amused look on her face as she nods. “I wasn’t even aware we were dating. Like dating, dating. We’ve been on one date.”
“I’ve been on two dates with you guys, so it’s definitely more than one,” Sally says, being so not helpful.
“Those weren’t dates.”
Crispin and Sally both look like they’re feeling sorry for me, which makes my stomach drop into my chunky heels.
“They were dates?”
Crispin, looking dashing with his slicked back hair, suit, hands in pockets, purses his lips, which, let’s be honest, doesn’t slow my pulse. “What did you think they were?”
I look at Sally and grimace. “At first, I thought you liked Sally. So, I thought I was a chaperone, but then River came and I remembered she actually had a boyfriend, so I guess I just thought it was you being friendly and showing your co-workers around town.”
He narrows his eyes. “At no point did you wonder if there was more to it?”
I nod, but I’m not anxious to admit I didn’t believe it.
But knowing looks dawn in both of their eyes.
Crispin chuckles a humorless laugh. “So, me showing up today, admitting I missed you and hugging you…that was all out of the blue for you? Even after dinner the other night.”
“I…” I hear Glory in my head telling me I’m afraid to move on without my dad. “You…” I hear Remi telling me I don’t see myself clearly. I let out a long sigh. “I’m working on it.”
The corner of Crispin’s mouth turns up. “You’ll catch up eventually, right?”
“Maybe…” I shake my head and look away. It’s embarrassing to understand the full scope of my denial.
Crispin wraps his arms around me again, holding me against him like it’s his favorite thing to do. “Oh, you’ll catch up, alright. I won’t have it any other way. But I’m willing to be patient while you work through it.”
Giving in, I wrap my arms around his waist and rest my head more comfortably against his chest. “Forgive me while I remain confused as to why. I still think you can do way better than me.”
Sally scoffs like I just threw paint on the Mona Lisa. “Never! The opposite, actually.”
I smile at her. “I thought you liked this big oaf.”
“I do. He’s a lovely person.”
“Thank you, Sally.” Crispin looks honestly appreciative.
“But you’re a warrior goddess with a wicked sense of humor. It’s no wonder he’s in awe of you.”
“He’s not in awe of me, Sal.”
“He is,” Crispin says against the crown of my head. “He really is.”
It sends shivers down my spine.
“That’s the wrong sister, Jeff.” Chandra steps up next to us. “It’s honestly a little creepy.”
Crispin laughs.
I shake my head, extricating myself from his embrace. “I don’t think you should laugh. I’m a little worried that people will truly think you’ve fallen for someone too young. I mean, technically, you have. I’m underage.”
“For two more days.” Crispin’s gaze is intense again, and suddenly I realize he’s been holding off because of my age.
Somehow, that means even more to me. It’s like he’s telling me he’s serious about a relationship with me, without saying it aloud.
If he started dating me when I was underage, the press would go wild.
My eyes grow huge. “Oh my gosh. We’re going on our “first” date on Wednesday, aren’t we?
” I use my fingers to indicate air quotes around the word first.
Crispin bobs his head and looks sheepish. “As far as anyone else is concerned. Yes.”
“It’s going to be public?”
“Only if you’re comfortable with that.”
Chandra is watching our exchange with interest. “Are you two actually dating?”
“No,” I say.
As Crispin answers, “Yes.”
I wrinkle my nose. “It’s going to take me a minute to recategorize those outings as dates.”
“That’s so sweet.” Chandra grabs both our hands and squeezes.
“I love the idea of the two of you together. Ari, you don’t fall for his charm and are strong enough to call him on his crap.
But also, you are in a vulnerable place, and who better to help you through it than a generous and thoughtful young man?
Really, this is good for the both of you. Congratulations.”
Crispin looks around at all of us. “What crap?”
Hank calls us to our places, so Crispin doesn’t get his answer.
Everybody is in this scene. I follow Sally and Chandra to our spots next to the grave.
Crispin and Trent stand just behind us. At this point in the movie, Chandra’s character has just started seeing Trent’s character, which is one of the major contributors to the drama between my mom and sister.
My sister doesn’t like that Mom is dating her boyfriend’s dad.
“Okay, everybody, we’re shooting two separate takes of this scene because we don’t know which take will fill the tension better.” Hank settles behind his view screen and gives some instruction to shift people around, though the main players stay where they were originally placed.
I only stand in this scene and maybe sniffle or cry.
I don’t have any lines in either version of the scene, so my mind keeps circling around Crispin’s behavior today and the revelation that he’s been waiting for me to turn eighteen.
The thought fills me with a strange giddiness.
Knowing he likes me enough to wait for me is a big deal.
I want to turn around and grin at him as the idea fills me with joy and confidence.
“Stella, stop smiling. You’re sad about your aunt, even if you are bored. Yeah, why don’t you act bored?” Hank says.
I stare at him like I just came up for air. Was I really smiling? Whoops. “Got it. Bored.”
“Christa, I need you to give your mom the side-eye when the minister says “…wonderful sister, aunt…” so that camera two can cut to your expression.”
“Okay,” Sally chirps.
Her cheery attitude has helped me so much. Both she and her aunt have made me feel like I truly am part of their family.
“Stella, you need to stop smiling. Is everything okay?” A look of alarm smooths the creases that generally sit at the corners of his eyes.
I startle. “Was I smiling again? I’m sorry. I’ll stop thinking.”
“You’re okay, though,” Hank confirms.
I nod. “I’m actually pretty great, thanks.”
Hank’s gaze slips behind me, and I imagine Crispin’s corresponding smile flashing right now. Hank’s eyes narrow when they shift back to me, putting his creases back in place. “Glad to hear it.”
“Okay,” Hank says. “Let’s get somber and moody. Christa, more moodiness. Stella, boredom. Lidia, you’re perfect, don’t change a thing. Trent, a little more longing whenever your gaze shifts to Lidia. Jeff, stop looking at Stella.”
That makes me laugh, but when I see Hank about to blow a gasket, I staunch it and immediately look bored. He closes his eyes a few beats longer than normal before he calls action.
It’s a very long morning of suppressing spontaneous grins every time I think of how lucky I am to be here doing what I’m doing with the people I’m doing it with.