Page 79 of The Summer of Christmas

“You’re going on a date, G-Man?” she asked.

“Just meeting a friend at the local theater. I think they’re showingScrooged. The one with Bill Murray.”

“I forgot about that,” Ivy said, excited. “But it’s notScrooged, it’sScrooge. It’s British. From the1950s. Totally bombed in the U.S. Supposed to be really creepy, like aChristmas Carolhorror movie.” Ivy’s shoulders slumped. “It’s nice you have someone to go with. Have a good time.”

Griffin wanted to be out the door. But he could not leave Ivy alone. Not in her current crisis. He knew he had to ask, hoping she would say no.

“Do you want to tag along?”

“I don’t want to be the third wheel.”

“It’s not a date. Just two friends hanging out at the movies.”

She perked up. “Great. I need something to cheer me up.”

***

Bruce was not smiling when he got into the backseat behind Ivy who was sitting in front with Griffin. He returned her “Hi, Bruce” with a smile. Griffin explained that she needed cheering up.

“Why? You should be thrilled, Ivy. Your movie wraps in four days. One more day shooting in the winery. Three nights in the church. And we’re done!”

They parked. They went inside the old movie theater. It was more of a palace. The owner was in his last few weeks of operation. Like all movie theaters, he had struggled during the pandemic. He just couldn’t keep it running and was going to sell it to a local brewery, which promised to keep some of the majestic old movie house decor.

“I’m going to get some popcorn. You two get the seats,” Ivy told Griffin and Bruce as they walked in to get seats, wanting to give them a little more time together. Maybe they could figure out if they were on a date.

Ivy realized she had never answered Griffin’s question: Did she fall for Drew before he told her he was going to produce her movie, or did it happen after? Or at the same time? The popcorn line was long. Many members of the crew were there. They smiled and softly said hello—but no one was talking to her. She waited alone.

***

Griffin and Bruce both loved to sit in the center about ten rows back from the screen. Griffin kept his hat pulled down, sunglasses on, obscuring his identity from the half-full theater.

“This place is beautiful,” Bruce marveled, snapping photos.

“It’s going out of business in a few weeks. It’s for sale. I hope you don’t mind that Ivy tagged along. She’s going through a tough time.”

“I don’t mind. Ivy’s the reason we’re all here. She doesn’t write that script, we are on different shows,” Bruce said and added, “We never meet.”

“Never is a long time.” Griffin smiled. “Where are you headed next?”

“Got an offer to do a big war romance in Spain,” Bruce told him. “What about you?”

“I think I need to take a break. I might stay here for a while.”

“Really?”

“I know, but Ivy’s parents have made me feel at home.”

“Well, you can always visit me in Spain.”

“I might do that.” Griffin smiled. Was he flirting with Bruce? Was the rock-solid, damn-good-looking assistant director flirting with him?Do I like dudes?Griffin wondered.

***

Ivy got her jumbo popcorn and candy. She saw Vera walking into the theater with a cup of coffee. Ivy practically flung herself at Vera, popcorn flying out.

“Vera!” she yelled.

“Hi, Ivy,” Vera said, maneuvering around her into the theater to find a seat.