Val stood in the doorway holding a letter.
“Nicky look! I was going through the letters on the desk and I found this invitation. It’s to the Première for our movie. Darling, it’s going to be in Hollywood. At the old Grauman’s Chinese Theater. A real Hollywood Première. Isn’t that fabulous?”
“Let me see that.” Nicky jumped up and grabbed the card from Val’s hand.
“Well I’ll be… What a break. How cool is this?”
He was like a small child who had just discovered a new toy.
“December 14 that’s perfect! Coming out before the end of the year means we stand a chance of getting nominated.”
“Nominated? Are you crazy?”
“No baby, I’m serious. Why not? It’s a great flick. Great story, good actors; I have a hunch it’s good enough to get a couple of nominations.”
“It’s a dream. But California. What happens if I’m up in Boston in my stupid play?”
“They’ll let you out for the day. Maybe it’ll be on the weekend. Then you can stay at my house.”
“I’m going to find a calendar right now.”
Val went to the desk and hunted frantically.
“Here’s one from last year. They usually have next year’s on the back. Yes, here it is. The fourteenth is on a Friday. I’m going to stay for the weekend anyway. I don’t care what they do.”
“Baby, that could cause problems. You’re under contract.”
“I don’t care. They’ll understand. In fact, I’m going to call my agent right now and tell him to put it in my contract.”
He laughed. “Maybe you should wait till we get nominated.”
They heard a key in the door.
“I think your mother’s home.”
He slid past her and made it to the den as Anne came in. He threw on a shaving robe and sat down looking at the invitation in his hand. It dawned on him, that if he could put the wedding off until after the opening, he wouldn’t have to go through with any of the shit. He would be where he wanted to be, and it would be arrivederci Valerie. He was lighting a cigarette when Val opened the door making all kinds of faces.
“Mother’s home.”
“I’m thrilled. Did she have a wonderful time?”
“Why don’t you come and ask her yourself?”
He found Anne sitting on the couch. She looked very serious.
“Hi there. How’d it go?”
“I had a wonderful time, thank you.”
“Well I don’t know about you, but I’m starving.”
He didn’t wait for any response and hurried to the kitchen to find Val.
“What’s with her?”
“I really don’t know. She looked furious when she came in.”
“I don’t care what bug she has up her ass, I want something to eat.”
“You really do say ridiculous things. I mean a bug up Mummy’s arse, isn’t that a hoot?”
“It’s funny when you say it. Hey. So what’s to eat?”
She looked in the fridge.
“There’s all this stuff you brought in.”
“I don’t want that now. We can get something delivered. New York delivers you know.”
“That’s a good one. In that case, you know what I really fancy?”
He mimicked her.
“No, what do you really fancy?”
“Chinese food.”
“You’re on. No sooner said than done.”
He picked up the phone and called information. Val walked into the living room.
“Mummy, do you want something to eat? We’re calling for some Chinese food.”
“No thank you. I had a late lunch, and anyway, I lost my appetite today.”
She sat there not bothering to look up. Val tried to sound concerned.
“Do you think you’re coming down with the flu or something?”
Her mother snapped. “I wish it were that!”
“What is it, Mummy? You might as well tell me. I mean, I can see something happened today, and if you don’t tell me, it’s just going to get worse.”
“How bright of you to notice. I don’t know how to say this to you.”
She stood up, faced Val, and pointed toward the kitchen.
“That man in there.” She paused dramatically, speaking softly. “That man, if you can call him that, is not a nice person.”
Val felt the color drain from her face. Her mother went on.
“Valerie you have been used. We have both been used. He is a homosexual and has a terrible reputation. I can’t believe what I heard today. I don’t know what to think. I have done some things in my life that I’m not too proud of, but I find what he has done to be the lowest of the low. I was advised at lunch today to go along with this hideous fiasco we’re involved in until after the Première By then, the studio and the film will be safe, and your career will be more established. I am telling you this because I’m not sure whether you are aware of this situation or not. If you are, and have gone along with it, I don’t know what to say except I find it hard to believe about my own daughter. If you have been duped the same as I, then all I can say is don’t worry darling, I’m here, and you have good people behind you.”
At that moment Nicky came into the living room. Anne swept past him and went to her room.
“What’s her problem?”
“She doesn’t like you, I guess.”
“It’s mutual. Chinks are on the way. What’s on the tube?”
Val didn’t answer.
“Don’t let her get to you, baby. Come on, let’s have a smile.”
He found a movie as she busied herself in the kitchen, not wanting to speak to him… not knowing what to do. Nicky paid the delivery man and they sat on the couch with their food. The film was good, and Nicky was engrossed so he didn’t notice how little she ate or how upset she was. During a commercial she went to the den and took two yellow pills out of her purse. She looked at them for a few seconds, then popped them into her mouth and swallowed. All she wanted to do was to be somewhere else. Sleep seemed her easiest way out.
She stretched out on the couch and found it difficult to stay awake, so she didn’t. She had no idea how much time had passed when she sort of came to. Nicky wasn’t there. She tried to pull herself together and managed to sit up and saw a note propped up on the coffee table.
“Baby, you looked so peaceful, I didn’t want to wake you up. I couldn’t hang here any longer. I’ve gone over to my friend Marco’s. Get some smokes. I won’t be late. I took the key out of your purse, so don’t worry about me getting in. See you later. Love you, N.”
She relaxed a little. She wondered what time it was and stumbled to the kitchen. The clock on the stove said eleven-thirty. Her mother was nowhere to be seen. Val made it to the den and closed the door. Still groggy, she didn’t know what to do first. The only thing that came to mind was to call Karen. She dialed her number. After a couple of rings her service picked up.
“Would you have Miss van Dougall call Valerie Rhodes as soon as possible please?”
There was nobody else. She felt that panicky feeling she hated when she felt so alone. She wished she could cry. Another pill maybe and sleep. She found the yellow pills and swallowed three more. She put the bottle in her robe pocket. She felt more secure being able to touch the bottle whenever she wanted. She lay on the bed and closed her eyes. Sleep didn’t come. Only her thoughts.
I’m in a real mess, and now Mummy knows. Everyone knows! My body aches from making love right here in this bed. Now I don’t think I could bear him touching me. That can’t be normal. What’s normal? Normal went out the window a long time ago. What shall I do? What can I do? The only thing I know how to do is work. I’ll throw myself into my work and fuck the rest. But not right now. I have to sleep right now. It’s all his fault.