Chapter 13 #2
She closed her eyes for a beat. “Okay, I didn’t want to do this, but we are on a road trip before I start my breast cancer battle.
And we’re trying to accomplish as much as we can before my entire life gets torn apart.
So, if you could please make an exception for all of us to at least come onto the set, you don’t even have to make us extras, we would truly be grateful. ”
I looked at them, anticipation fluttering in my chest as I watched their expressions change.
“Oh, I’m so sorry to hear that,” the younger one said. “I, uh… My mom went through that. Lots of ups and downs, but she’s in remission right now.”
Alice’s face softened. “I’m so glad to hear that. I know I have a rocky road ahead, which is why we’re trying to have as much fun as we can.”
They looked at each other, and the bald one softly shook his head, but the one with glasses pinched his lips together.
“Well, we do have a scene today where we could use some extra extras. You wouldn’t be paid, and this would definitely need to be handled carefully with some forms to sign, but maybe we could help you out.”
My eyes flew open wide. “Are you serious? You’re gonna let us come to the set and be in the movie?”
The bald one looked concerned, but the younger one shrugged. “Well, like Anders’ mom had it, my aunt had breast cancer too. Kinda feel like she would want me to help these ladies out.”
“Dan, are you sure?” the bald one said. “We need to follow every rule. Clarice is gunning for us, and even a thousand miles away, I’m still terrified of her. If we do this, they need to sign a mountain of paperwork. We can’t survive a lawsuit if they get hurt or leak information.”
Dan nodded. “Yeah. We can get the paperwork done. I think it will be fine.”
Anders looked at the bald one. “Well, Roger, what do you say? Should we sneak these ladies onto the set and get them in a scene or two?”
I bounced on my toes. “Come on, Roger! You won’t regret it! Look at us. We’ve got character. You want these mugs in your shots. Admit it.”
He chuckled, shaking his head. “Alright. You’re in.”
“Whoo-hoo!” I whooped, tossing my arms around Alice’s waist and giving her an unwelcome squeeze. “We’re gonna be in a movie!”
She wiggled out of my embrace. “Thank you, gentlemen. Where do we go?”
Anders dabbed his mouth with his napkin. “We’re just finishing up. Set’s only five blocks from here. Why don’t you just follow us?”
“Got it! I’ll gather the gals!” I grabbed Alice’s hand and dragged her back to the table.
“Well?” Sylvie asked with expectant eyes. “I take it your obnoxious hollering was a good thing?”
Alice smiled. “We’re in.”
“Oh! This could be fun!” Doris clapped her hands.
“It worked again?” Sylvie asked with a slight shake of her head.
I nodded, my ecstatic expression sobering a little. “The cancer card truly is powerful business.”
Alice glanced at the three men. “Anders’ mom had it and Dan’s aunt had it. They understand.”
Doris frowned. “Oh, that’s terrible.”
“It’s shocking,” Sylvie said as she tidied up her area. “Every time we use it, someone has a connection. It’s like this invisible club nobody wants to be in, but everyone’s a member.”
“A lot of survivors, too,” I pointed out, nudging Alice. “Fighters. Just like you.”
We all shared a look, one that said no matter what, we had each other. Up, down, in, out, over, under… The Wilder Widows were together through it all.
Even cancer.
“Well, I’m just glad having cancer can do us some good,” Alice said. “Because honestly, this does sound like an interesting way to spend the day.”
I was already heading for the door. “Come on, girls, we don’t want to slow ’em down. Let’s be waiting outside when they’re ready. This is going to be awesome!”
A movie… We were going to see how a movie was made and maybe even get to be in one.
Immortalized forever. Especially in case…
That unwelcome thought flickered into my head, the one that thought… What if Alice doesn’t make it?
Rage filled me up as I beat that thought back down, replacing it with the other one.
She’ll be fine.
She had to be. I wouldn’t allow any other outcome.
The widows came out the door behind me, followed by Dan, Anders, and Roger.
We hurried behind them down the sidewalk as they argued and spoke so fast they sounded like auctioneers.
The widows whined that they hadn’t even gotten in a shower yet today and didn’t look their best for their movie debut, but Anders assured them hair and makeup would be happening anyway.
Several blocks later, two guards sat at the end of a barricaded street.
“They’re with us,” Roger said, hurrying past them.
I gave each guard a tip of my Viking hat before rushing in after our three new friends. But my hurried feet slammed to a stop when we rounded the next corner.
They’d built a town.
And not just a town, but a full Western street, period perfect, with a wooden saloon, a general store, a livery, and a jail with bars on the window, the facades propped up by two-by-fours in the back.
In front, men and women who looked like they’d just stepped through a portal from the 1800s moseyed around the street.
The only giveaway that they weren’t authentic was the cell phones and paper to-go cups of coffee in their hands.
“Horses!” Doris squealed, pointing at the half-dozen horses tied to the hitching posts out front.
“It’s a Western!” I cheered, my heart hammering. “A real live Western! I’m going to be a gunslinger! Or a madam! Or a rugged pioneer woman! You guys… a western!” I covered my mouth to contain the whoop. “I love Westerns!”
“Welcome to Dunberry,” Anders said, turning back to smile at us.
“Okay, this is amazing!” Sylvie grinned.
Crew members moved everywhere with the organized insanity of an anthill. Lights on enormous stands. Camera equipment on a dolly track. A man with a headset in a director’s chair who was talking very fast to someone beside him.
“I’ll admit, this was worth the cancer card,” Alice whispered to me, and I looked up to catch her smiling.
Roger gestured for us to follow. “Okay, let’s go get you signed in with some NDAs and release forms. Then head into wardrobe. They’ll get you into period-accurate gear.”
The four of us all shared a look of excitement, and then we hurried after them to start this wonderful wish Bertha had pulled us to.