20
“You’re sure you don’t want me to drive you to the airport?”
Spencer sets his bag down next to the front door and walks back into the living room.
“Yes… but thank you for the offer. It’s easier for me to just take a cab… and that way you can stay here and chill out. It’s important for you to rest… because I know you want to go back to work.”
“You’re right… like always.”
Spencer wraps his arms around my waist and looks down at me.
“Well… I’m not always right… just like ninety-nine percent of the time.”
“Of course… how could I forget?”
He walks up to me and puts his hands on my waist.
“I really love you.”
“I love you,” I say.
Spencer leans down and presses his lips against mine for what I assume will be our final kiss until I join him in Europe. I savor every sensation and put my arms around him to extend the length of the kiss. He eventually pulls back and smiles at me.
“You’re cute.”
“I try.”
“Do you?” he asks.
“No… not really.”
“I didn’t think so.”
Neither of us says another word for the next minute as we stand there, our eyes locked.
“I really don’t want to leave,” Spencer says.
“I know… and I don’t want you to leave.”
“Ugh. How long until you’re done filming?”
“A couple of weeks… and then we can join you in Romania.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
“Me, too.”
He smiles and brushes a few stray strands of hair away from my face.
“When are you going to the doctor?”
“One. Why?”
“Let me know how it goes. I’m be flying, but I’ll turn my phone on as soon as I land.”
“OK… and let me know when you get there.”
“I will.”
“Thanks.”
Spencer sighs and looks down at the floor.
“Was it this hard for you to leave when you came to visit me in Prague?”
“Yes… it was awful.”
“Baby.”
“The only thing that makes it OK is that we know I’ll be seeing you in a few weeks.”
“I know… it’s still hard.”
“It is.”
“I wish we never had to be apart for this long,” he says.
“I get it… I feel the same way. We might get that chance… if Nadia follows through with her threat and I lose my chance at landing any more film roles.”
“Are you worried about it?”
I shrug and shake my head.
“Not really… it’s going to be what it is. I’d rather never act again than compromise my values… as stupid as that might sound.”
“It’s not stupid… it’s brave.”
“Well… I mean… just my earnings from doing three films is more than my mom made in her entire lifetime… so… yeah… it’s not that big of a concern.”
Spencer chuckles and nods his head.
“That’s a good way of looking at it,” he says. “Speaking of your mom… did you ever get in contact with her to let her know you’re OK?”
“No… do you think I should have?”
“That’s up to you… but she might be worried.”
“I was kind of thinking that. She also could have no idea that something even happened. Like I told you, she’s been pretty out of it when I’ve gone to visit. I mean… she thought my dad was still alive.”
“Yeah… that’s kind of crazy. Is it from the medication?”
“I have no idea, but that’s what I assume.”
“Is she getting any better?”
“I think so, but it’s hard to tell.”
“Any idea what will happen if she gets better and they release her?”
“No… I honestly haven’t given it any thought. I mean… even if she’s cured… I’m not sure there’s a good answer. I certainly don’t want her to stick around here… there’s nothing for her and no telling how often we will be around in the future.”
“What about Greenville?”
“I guess… I suppose she still has friends there and stuff.”
“Just think about it,” he says, “so that you’re ready for it… when that day comes.”
“I will, thanks.”
Spencer kisses me, again. He pulls back and sighs.
“I should get going… or I’m going to be late getting back for filming tomorrow.”
“Baby.”
“I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
We walk down the hallway and he stops at the door.
“Ugh… I really don’t want to go.”
“I know,” I say, smiling, “but one of us has to keep working… and it doesn’t seem like it’s going to be me.”
He smiles and shakes his head.
“If anyone can overcome this silliness… it’s you. You’ve overcome worse odds than this to get where you are, so I wouldn’t be surprised if the offers started rolling in again when your two movies come out in theaters.”
“You’re sweet. Thanks, Baby.”
“It’s true.”
“Anyway… I love you… and I’ll text you as soon as I land.”
“Sounds good.”
We share one last kiss before he picks up his bag and opens the door. I follow him outside and close the door, so Arte can’t try to escape. The taxi is outside waiting, likely with the meter running. Spencer puts his bag in the back seat and then climbs in. He rolls the window down and waves to me as the car pulls away from the curb.
I head back inside and sit down on the couch. I knew I was going to be sad when he left, but I feel like I’m on the verge of crying. Arte walks up to me and sits down at my feet. She looks up at me with those sad eyes and I can’t help smiling.
“What do you need?”
She starts to whine and I shake my head—I can’t believe how cute she is.
“Did you want to come up here?”
Arte responds with one shrill bark. I know she can jump on the couch, but she’s acting like such a baby right now. I scoop her up and put her on my lap. She wrestles free of my hands and starts to lick my face with everything she’s got. I start laughing and that only seems to egg her on even more. She spends the next couple minutes loving on me, so I return the favor and rub her belly once she calms down and sits on the couch next to me. She must have been able to tell I was out of sorts once Spencer left.
Arte rolls onto her back so I can scratch her tummy. I’m so in love with her… and it makes me really happy that I can take her with me when I’m done filming.
“So, little one… how would you like to go meet my mother?”
Arte tits her head back and forth as she listens to me. This coming week is going to be pretty hectic, as we try to catch up after my accident, so I figure this morning would be the best time to go see my mom. I don’t expect her to have heard about what happened, but I think Spencer is right—I should check because she might be worried about me.
My hope is that visiting my mom will also serve to distract me from the fact that Spencer is gone and I won’t see him for a couple of weeks. I honestly have no idea how anyone could stand to be in a long distance relationship because our arrangement feels so difficult… and having an end in sight hasn’t made it any easier.
Arte jumps down from the couch and runs to the back door.
“OK… I’m going to let you out and just leave the door open… that way I can go shower.”
I stand up, open the door for her and watch as she runs out into the yard. She plops down in the grass and rolls around. I smile and shake my head. I always wanted a dog, but I never could’ve imagined how much joy one could bring me. Arte is such a blessing.
“Here we are… this is where your grandma is living… for now.”
Arte looks over at me and then out of the window. This was the longest car ride I’ve taken her on and she did really well and spent almost the whole time fast asleep, which is probably because she was outside running around the whole time I was in the shower.
I get out of the car and walk over to the passenger door. Arte sits patiently as I open the door and put her leash on.
“C’mon… let’s go.”
She jumps down from the car and walks with me toward the front door of the building. I’m resisting the urge to pick her up and carry her around. I love doing it, but she’s going to start growing up quickly and I feel like it’s not a great habit to start—she’s eventually going to be trained and I don’t want her to think I’m a total softie… even though it’s exactly who I am.
I walk through the front door and the girl behind the desk stands up from her chair as I walk toward the elevator.
“Excuse me… you can’t come in here with a dog.”
“Really?”
“No… it’s against the rules.”
I look down at Arte and then back at the girl. There’s no way I’m going to turn around after coming all this way and I wouldn’t leave her in the car… not in a million years.
I start walking toward the elevator and she comes out from behind her desk.
“Please… don’t make me call security.”
I stop and look at her.
“It’s a tiny little puppy. My mother is receiving treatment here… she’s my only parent and I almost just died when the ceiling of a burning building collapsed on me earlier this week. I think you can make an exception. Call your boss… or whomever… and tell them I’m going up to her room. I pay a lot of money to have her here and I don’t feel like it’s asking too much for me to bring my dog in this one time.”
She stands there, just staring at me. I’m not sure if she’s shocked by what I just said or if she’s deciding what to do next.
“Just don’t let anyone else see you with the dog.”
She walks back behind the desk and looks toward the door. Well… that turned out much better than I expected it would. I would understand the resistance if I was trying to bring Arte into a hospital or something… but this is a private care facility that costs a lot of money. I hope I didn’t come across as being a typical entitled Hollywood person.
The elevator doors open and we step in. Arte sits down and looks up at me as the elevator lurches and starts to move up. She lets out a single cry and starts to shake a little.
“Come here, little one.”
I pick her up and cradle her in my arms, which seems to calm her down instantly.
“Someone is a real baby… that’s for sure.”
The elevator stops and we get out. I set Arte back down and she trots along next to me as we walk down the hallway. I knock on my mom’s door and she opens it a few seconds later.
“Amy….”
She trails off as she looks down and notices Arte.
“You got me a dog?”
“No,” I say, shaking my head, “Spencer got her for me.”
“Spencer?”
“Can I come in?”
“Of course.”
She turns and walks back into her room. I step in and close the door. Did she seriously get confused when I said Spencer got Arte for me? That’s not a good sign. I unhook Arte’s leash so she can roam around the room. My mom sits down in one of the chairs, so I sit down in the other.
“How are you?” she asks.
I’m expecting her to ask about my dad at any moment, but I’m not going to bring it up just in case she’s forgotten… or remembered that he’s dead.
“I’m OK… I was in an accident at work. I wasn’t sure if you heard about it, so I thought I would stop by and tell you I was doing alright.”
“What happened?”
“I was knocked unconscious during a shot. I ended up going to the hospital, but it was nothing more than a concussion. My follow up appointment is actually in a couple of hours, so I can’t stay that long… plus I have to take Arte home.”
“Arte?”
“My dog… her name is Artemis… or Arte, for short.”
“Of course. Cute name.”
“Thanks.”
“And where did you say you got her?”
“Spencer… my husband.”
She looks confused for a couple of seconds and then smiles.
“Right… Spencer… of course.”
I’m not sure if she actually remembers who he is or if she’s just trying to convince me she does. It’s still so strange to see her like this, but I’m trying to be as patient and compassionate as possible because I really do want her to get better.
“So… how have you been?”
“Good… I really like it here.”
“I’m glad. Do you feel like they’re helping you?”
“Yes… definitely. My doctor told me they think I’ll be ready to be released in a couple of weeks. I’m excited to go home.”
Home. She doesn’t even have one. I guess I need to figure out where she’s going to live when they do release her. I didn’t think it would be as soon as a couple of weeks, but I guess it’s a good thing—I know this place is expensive and it should work out fine because I don’t want Dex to keep paying for it if her doctor says she’s ready to be released.
“Well… that’s good news.”
“Yes. They are all nice, but I’m ready to get back to work.”
Work? This is the first time she’s mentioned it to me in a long time. I thought maybe she could try to get her old job back, but I’m starting to wonder if that’s ever going to be a possibility.
“I’m glad.”
“I don’t mind it here,” she says, “but I’m starting to get a little bored.”
I nod as I look out the window. The view never gets old, that’s for sure. I could sit here all day and just look out at the ocean and get lost in my own thoughts.
“That makes sense.”
We sit in silence for the next few minutes, both of us watching the waves. Arte starts to cry, so I pick her up and put her on my lap.
“She seems like a handful.”
“Just a little,” I say. “I’ve only had her a few days and it’s been pretty hectic, so I think she’s still trying to get used to her surroundings and her new family.”
“You always wanted a dog. I remember… you were ten… and you begged your father for a dog for Christmas. You promised you’d get perfect grades, that you’d walk it, feed it… all of that. Then you said you’d be willing to combine your birthday and Christmas gifts if that meant you could have a puppy. You were heartbroken on Christmas morning when you didn’t get a dog.”
“I was. You got me a bike.”
I do remember that. I was crushed.
“Yes, but you loved that bike. You rode it everywhere for the next couple of years.”
“I did… but that doesn’t mean I ever stopped wanting a dog.”
“You never really brought it up again.”
“Yeah… because Dad told me you refused to get one and that he couldn’t talk you into it.”
“Really? I don’t remember that. I’m pretty sure he was the one who didn’t want a dog.”
I roll my eyes and sigh. My dad always had dogs growing up… he was a farm boy and they were a big part of his life. Mom, she was the anti-animal one who always said they were dirty and no good could come from owning one.
Thinking back to that Christmas has put me in a bad mood. Ugh. I’m trying to be kind to her and she’s not making it easy. I take a deep breath to calm myself down. She’s sick and I need to remember that.
“So,” I say, standing up, “I should probably get going. I need to drop Arte off at doggy daycare before I go see my doctor.”
She stands up and wraps her arms around me.
“I love you, sweetheart. I’m really so proud of everything you’ve accomplished.”
“Thanks.”
We break our hug and she looks like she’s about to start crying. I put Arte’s leash back on and walk toward the door.
“Thank you for coming to check on me,” she says.
“You’re welcome. I’m pretty busy with work this week, but I’ll come back as soon as I can.”
“Sounds good, love you.”
“Love you, too.”
I smile and wave before walking out of the door. I lean my head back and sigh once I close it. So bizarre. She’s still all over the place. I was expecting her to be getting better, especially if her doctor is talking about releasing her soon… but I’m not sure she’s ready.
We get on the elevator and head back downstairs. Arte is a little calmer on this ride, but she’s still quite happy when the doors open and we step out of the elevator.
I stop at the front desk on our way out. The girl behind it looks up from a magazine and forces a smile onto her face.
“Yes?”
“I was wondering… could you have my mother’s doctor call me?”
“Your name?”
“Amy Thomas… but her last name is Kendall.”
“Of course. I’ll let her doctor know that you stopped by and that you’d like to have a conversation. Is there anything else?”
“No, thanks.”
She nods and scribbles down the note on a piece of paper. I smile at her before turning and walking out of the lobby.
“So… are you ready to go to daycare while I go to the doctor?” I ask, as we get back in the car.
Arte looks up at me and blinks. I smile and shake my head.