Page 26 of Cinematic Destinies (Red Carpet Romance #3)
T he next morning while Ella was having tea, she decided to FaceTime Jean.
“ Ma chérie . What a wonderful surprise. I’ve been thinking about you.”
“Oh?”
“Georgia was sublime in the film. I enjoyed getting to know her. Reminds me so much of you, in every way. A rare beauty, a firecracker with a warm soul. Wait until you see her performance. Somehow she inherited your spirit and Finn’s talent.”
Ella smiled. “It meant a lot to her, and to all of us, that you cast her. It’s extraordinarily special and full circle for our family, and especially me. Thank you.”
He came as close as he ever did to a genuine smile. “The honor was all mine.”
“Seems you told her some of my secrets.”
“You know I only tell people what they must hear. Comes from spending a lifetime as an artist. Plus, I’m too damn old to filter,” he said with a snicker.
“What was your excuse before?” Ella joked. “I’m just needling you. Truly, I’m grateful for all you’ve done for Georgia.”
Jean nodded almost imperceptibly. “It’s always a pleasure to see your beautiful face, but I can tell when you have an ulterior motive. I can still read your eyes, even through my own sagging lids.”
“Yes, do you look like death warmed up,” she teased.
He laughed. “I was possessed by an idea last night, for a film. Usually when that happens, I get up and bang away on a script until I can sleep. With no more scripts, there’s nowhere to put the ideas, so the bloody things keep spinning in my head. There’s no respite.”
“Funny you should say that. It’s exactly why I’m calling. Rumor has it, you’re retiring. But you know I never believe gossip. Especially when it seems so utterly absurd.”
“Sometimes the rumors are true, vicious as they may be.”
“You’re an artist. Artists make art.”
He smiled softly and let out a puff. “I’m tired, Ella.”
“You’ll have plenty of time to sleep when you’re dead, which from the looks of it isn’t far off.
” The corners of his mouth curled upward, and she continued, “Albie knew he was dying the summer he came to film Celebration . For fuck’s sake, unlike you, he had cancer.
That didn’t stop him. Quite the contrary.
It motivated him to make a final piece of art that would live on long after he was gone.
Seems like a better use of time than waiting around to die. ”
Jean smiled, squeezed his eyelids shut for a long moment, and then looked directly at Ella. “You know I don’t believe in looking back. Sentimentality, nostalgia, longing, pining over one’s own legacy—all rubbish. Tragic misuses of imagination. Pathetic human foibles. Flaws of our bleak condition.”
“No need to sugarcoat it. Tell me what you really think,” she joked.
He chuckled. “I do find myself looking back, Ella.”
“And?”
“I’ve fucked some things up for sure, especially with the fairer sex.
Perhaps I missed out on something. But I’ve had a bloody good run too.
Made a hell of a lot of films. Some of them are even good.
” Ella smiled. Jean’s expression became softer, and with a wistful look in his eyes he said, “With all I’ve done, I find myself most often thinking about that summer in Sweden, making Celebration . ”
“I think of it often too.”
“ Celebration was about the meaning of life. The inevitable tragedy of the human condition. The trivial nature of our existence. Yet I do believe it was on that set, during that magical summer, I began to see a glimmer of something else—a glimmer of hope.”
“And they say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.”
“Promise you’ll never tell anyone. Even after I’m gone.”
“Your secret is safe with me.”
“You know, Ella, you’re the love of my life, platonic as the relationship may be.”
“No. Filmmaking is your great love. Always has been. But I do love you too, as much as one can love a morbid, narcissistic, and royally fucked-up genius.”
He laughed. “I do so love you. And your gorgeous family.”
“And we love you.” A quiet moment passed and she added, “Will you please think about what I said?”
“I shall think of nothing else.”
“I’ll see you at the film’s premiere, if not sooner. Our whole family will be there to support Georgia, and you. Be well, my dear friend.”
“You too. Thank you, ma chérie . Thank you.”
AFTER ANOTHER SLEEPLESS NIGHT, ALBERT tried to make progress on his new work assignment but was too consumed with thoughts of Ryan. He decided to FaceTime Georgia.
She had just stumbled into her apartment after a long run, her face flushed and dripping with sweat. When she saw it was her brother, she answered, panting. “Hey, snot face.”
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“Just got in from a run,” she sputtered. “Give me a second.” She guzzled a bottle of water and caught her breath. “I’m here. What’s up?”
“It’s about a guy.”
Georgia smiled. “Go on.”
“I’ve been seeing this guy, Ryan.”
“Is he hot? Did you fuck him?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.
Albert sighed. “It’s not like that. We were taking it slow, and I really like him; it’s just . . .”
“What’s wrong?” She softened her voice and said, “You can talk to me.”
“He broke up with me because I’m not open . . . especially with Dad.”
Georgia looked at him compassionately and said, “Sweetie, why don’t you just tell Dad? It’s not a big deal and he won’t care.”
“How do you know that?”
“Because Dad’s not a dick.”
“But what if—”
“I know you’re worried about it, but you don’t need to be. There’s no reason to twist yourself into knots. Let me get Betty in on this call. She’ll tell you the same thing.”
“Georgia, I’m not sure if she knows. I don’t—”
“Sorry, too late,” Georgia interrupted.
“Well, hey you two,” Betty said, wearing her blue scrubs.
“I’m having the longest shift ever. You caught me on a break.
I’m in the residents’ lounge about to eat a PowerBar from the vending machine.
It’s not even the flavor I like. Yes, my life is sad.
” When neither Georgia nor Albert reacted, she said, “Oh my God, is something wrong?”
“No, nothing’s wrong. Not really. It’s just . . .” Albert stammered.
Georgia jumped in. “Al’s gay. The guy he likes dumped him because he’s not out with Dad. Mom knows, but he’s afraid to tell Dad.”
“Georgia!” Albert wailed.
“Oh, Albert,” Betty said softly, a warm smile on her face. “Thank you for telling me.”
“That’s not exactly what happened,” he muttered.
“I don’t want to pressure you, but I really don’t think there’s any reason to be worried about telling Dad.
I mean, he’s the greatest ever. I know we all feel that way,” Betty said.
She looked at Albert tenderly through the screen and continued, “Look objectively at how he lives his life. He always treats everyone with respect. He and Mom have a diverse group of friends, many of whom are gay. Plus, he cares deeply about social justice and has great politics.”
“Yeah, that’s exactly what I said. He’s not a dick,” Georgia said with exasperation.
A smile flickered across Albert’s face.
“Al, you’re completely awesome exactly as you are. Mom and Dad love you like crazy. Live your life. Be who you are full force,” Georgia said.
“I couldn’t agree more,” Betty added.
Albert smiled. “Thanks. As annoying as you two can be, and even though I’ll never forgive you for treating me like your doll when I was little, I got pretty lucky in the sister department.”
“Damn straight!” Betty exclaimed.
“We are amazing,” Georgia joked. “Seriously Al, just be you.”
“I’m trying,” he replied.
“Okay, so now that we’ve settled that, let’s get back to the good stuff. Tell us about the guy. Is he sexy?” Georgia asked.
Albert blushed.
“Ooh, it seems he is!” Georgia squealed.
“Can I ask you two something for real?” Albert said. They nodded and he continued, “I don’t have that much experience with guys. But with Ryan . . .”
“Yeah,” Betty gently encouraged.
“The way he makes me feel. Sometimes I think it’s everything.
When we’re together”—he stopped to shake his head—“it’s just the best feeling.
Like I’m more alive with him than I could ever be without him.
Everything feels possible. I’m not just who I am.
I’m who I want to be.” Betty and Georgia looked at him wistfully, as if they understood deeply.
Albert continued, “Why is it so hard to let go of everything else and just grab onto it?”
Betty sighed and softly said, “I don’t know.”
Georgia looked down and inhaled deeply. In a barely audible voice, she whispered, “Me either.”
“Yeah, that’s what I was afraid of,” Albert said.