I check my phone. Still no text from Spencer. It’s been two days since I last saw him and I haven’t heard anything from him yet. When I woke up the morning after getting here I sent him a text and he didn’t even respond to that. I’m sure he’s fine… Dex would have called if anything happened.
I get up and walk into the kitchen, where Jess is standing in her running outfit.
“Do you want to come?” she says.
I shake my head. There’s no way in heck I’m going for a run. I’m still feeling beat up and tired from the last few months of nonstop work. It’s funny because I would have never imagined being a movie to be hard work, but it was the most physically and mentally demanding thing I’ve ever done in my life… and I wouldn’t trade that experience for anything.
“Maybe tomorrow.”
She raises her eyebrow at me.
“Class starts tomorrow.”
“I know… I’m trying to savor my last day of freedom and that doesn’t include running with you.”
“Tomorrow then… promise?”
“Promise.”
She takes a sip from her water bottle and heads out the front door. I sit down on the couch and check my phone again. It’s weird, I’m compulsively checking it to see if I’ve heard from Spencer and I can’t seem to help myself. It’s kind of weird, but I’m missing going to work and seeing him every day. I push the thoughts of him out of my mind and focus back on school.
Jess helped me register for classes yesterday. I didn’t get everything I wanted since I waited so long, but I got four classes that I’m going to need. I’m still not sure what I’m going to major in—I thought once upon a time I wanted to be a teacher, but now I’m not so sure. It’s not really a big deal, I need to take all my prerequisite classes first anyway.
It’s funny, I was so devastated when I thought I wouldn’t be attending State and now I’m not that excited. I guess it’s going to be good… I have to go to college if I want a job where I can make money.
The doorbell rings and I get up. I wonder who could be ringing the bell? My heart starts beating faster as I realize there’s a distinct chance that it’s Logan. Would he really show up here? I walk to the door, as quietly as possible, and look through the peephole. It’s a package delivery man and I feel like I can breathe again.
As I open the door, he lifts the huge box up and hands it to me. I glance at the name on the package and see that it’s for me. I was expecting a check from Dex, but this box is giant—about four feet wide and three feet tall, maybe six inches deep. What the heck did he send me?
“Did you need me to sign?”
“Nope, you’re all set.”
“Thanks.”
He smiles, turns and walks back toward his truck. I rest the package on my hip and close the door. It’s heavy enough that I have to set it down and push it to the couch. I sit down and rip open the tape. When I pull back the cardboard flaps there’s Styrofoam surrounding what's inside. I put the whole thing on the floor and pull from the open end. It slides out and smile when I see what it is. It’s the painting I liked at the gallery, the one that Rodger painted, and it’s in a beautiful wooden frame. There’s an envelope taped to the glass in the middle of it with my name on it.
I grab the envelope and sit down on the couch. I slide my finger under the flap and rip it open. Inside there’s a piece of paper folded in thirds. I open it and a check falls out and onto the couch next to me. I pick it up and smile as I look it over. Just as Dex promised, it’s a check for sixty thousand dollars. I set the check on the coffee table and turn my attention to the note.
Amy,
Thank you for everything. You really helped with the film, more than I think you know. We couldn’t have done it without you. Life is funny, it never really turns out the way you picture it will. I thought we had a great cast and with a turn of events we got you instead. I was scared at first… I wasn’t sure you could do it, but you showed that it’s important to truly believe in people. I’m sorry about everything that happened with your mom, but I’m glad that it happened. In a way, if I would have never ended up in Greenville, I would have never met her or you. The film I shot there is nothing really, but because I met you… well, I think this is it. I think this is the best film I’ve ever made. This film is that film that people will remember me for and you are a big part of that. I’m not sure you truly understand the impact of it, maybe I’m wrong… maybe I think it’s better than it is, but time will tell.
The painting is from Rodger, he said this painting had to be yours. He said what you said about it made him feel like all the years of people telling his painting was crap made it all worth it. He didn’t explain, but said you knew what he was talking about.
Take care and the best of luck with whatever path your life heads down. I hope that we meet again.
Best Wishes,
Dex
I wipe a single tear from my cheek. What he says is true. This isn’t how I would have planned my life out, but I’m truly grateful for the way things worked out. I put the note next to the check and finish unpacking the painting. It really is special and I’m so grateful that Rodger wanted me to have it. I need to remember to have Dex thank him for me.
I sit back down on the couch once I’ve cleaned up the Styrofoam and put the box outside in the recycling. Jess walks through the front door as I unlock my phone and get ready to text Dex.
“Hey.”
“How was your run?”
“Amazing, you missed a good one.”
I really doubt that. I smile at her and she heads into the kitchen for water. Jess walks back into the living room, sets down her water and starts to stretch.
“Wow… nice painting. Where did that come from?”
“It’s a gift from the assistant director. We had a wrap party at a gallery and I was admiring it, so he sent it to me as a gift.”
She raises her eyebrows and winks at me. I can’t help but laugh.
“No,” I say, “he was just a really nice guy and he helped me a bunch. Dex is… well, he’s Dex and I think it’s been some time since he worked with a first time actor in a lead role. Rodger, the assistant director, always dumbed stuff down so that even I could understand it.”
Jess finishes stretching and plops down on the couch next to me.
“I saw the clip from your movie, on Late with Lucas, and it didn’t look like you needed much direction.”
A wicked smile crosses her face. I knew it was only a matter of time before she brought up my kiss with Spencer. I don’t mind really, it was just a kiss that had to be part of the film and nothing more. There’s no point trying to convince her of that, though. She’s so ridiculous. I really missed her.
“Are you ready for tomorrow?” I say, doing my best to change the subject.
“No… I still haven’t bought my books. What about you?”
“I need my books, too.”
“Should we go to the bookstore now?”
“If you want. I don’t have enough money yet for books… I have to go to the bank and put my check in.”
Jess stands up and starts walking toward the bathroom.
“I just got paid. I’ll cover you until you can get to the bank.”
“Are you sure?”
“Of course. Let me just shower and we can go.”
I grab my phone so that I can text Dex and thank him.
Hey, just got the package. Thank you so much, for everything. The note was sweet. You were so kind to take me in and cast me in your film, something I’ll never forget. Please thank Rodger for me, it was very generous of him to give me that painting. Thanks again, for everything.
I set my phone down and pick up the check from the coffee table. Sixty thousand dollars. I know it’s just a check, but I never imagined I would hold this much money in my hands. I’m really looking forward to not having to work at some crap job for a while. Best summer job ever, that’s for sure. My text vibrates and I look down and read the text from Dex.
The pleasure was all mine. It’s amazing what we able to accomplish in such a short amount of time. I owe it all to you and Spencer. I really hope that it makes a lot of money, not for my own sake… but because you deserve to be compensated for what your performance deserves. I know you are all about going to college, and I applaud that, but if you ever want some work or you want to do something next summer… just ask. Also, my door is always open if you want to come back to stay or visit or whatever.
The thought hadn’t even crossed my mind. Ever since I went to L.A. I was convinced I wanted to get out of there ASAP and get back to Salem for school. I don’t have to decide now, though. Next summer is still a long way off and lots could change between then and now.
Thanks. I’ll keep that in mind.
“You ready?”
I look up and see Jess drying off her hair. She’s already dressed and looks ready to go.
“Sure,” I say. “Let me just get my purse.”
We head outside and get in her car. It takes longer to find a parking spot than it does to drive there, but eventually a spot opens up near the front. There are more people in the parking lot than I think there were in my entire high school and this is just for the bookstore. It’s a little overwhelming.
Jess and I head into the bookstore and find her books first. Every few minutes I glance at the line, which seems to be growing the longer we are here. I’m so not ready for any of this.
“How much is the new copy?” she says.
I bend down and look at the tag.
“Two hundred fifteen.”
Wow. It’s amazing that a book could cost over two hundred dollars. I’m starting to feel bad that Jess said she’d cover the cost of my books.
“I guess I’m going for the used one.”
She shakes her head as she grabs the slightly worn book off the shelf. It’s in decent condition, but definitely used, and even that one is a hundred and fifty. Highway robbery as far as I’m concerned.
Jess nudges me and tilts her head to the left. I see two guys standing at the end of the aisle, looking at us. One of them has his phone in his hand and is pointing it at us. I wrinkle my brow and stare at them. They pause a moment longer and finally turn away.
“What was that about?” I say. “Do you know them or something?”
“No… I told you, you’re famous now.”
Ugh. I refuse to believe that this is what my life has become. I was on TV for a brief moment in time. I really hope Jess is right and people will forget about it. I want my five minutes of fame to be over.
“Let’s get out of here.”
“What about your books?”
“I’ll get them in a couple of days… It’s not that big of a deal.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah,” I say. “Let’s just get in line so you can pay for yours.”
“I have an idea.”
I don’t like the sound of that, but before I can say anything Jess is already making a beeline for the front of the line. I don’t know what she’s about to do and I have a feeling it’s not going to end well.
Jess walks up to a group of three guys, who look to be about our age, who are at the front of the line.
“Hey, boys, how are you?”
They look at her and then at me before answering.
“Good,” one says.
The other two just nod.
“Do you know who this is?” she says, pointing at me.
I should have guessed she was going to do this.
“Hey… aren’t you that Amy girl?” one says. “The one who dated Logan Reynolds and was on TV?”
“That’s her,” Jess says, cutting me off as I open my mouth. “We are in kind of a hurry… do you mind if we cut?”
All three shake their heads in unison. I can’t say I condone cutting or using my temporary fame to get what we want, but I’m willing to compromise if that means we can get out of here sooner rather than later. We step into line in front of them and I hear grumbles from the rest of the line. I don’t turn around… I’m not about to make a bigger scene that Jess already has.
I guess I can’t complain. We make it out of the bookstore in five minutes when the line would have taken probably an hour. Jess starts laughing once we are outside and heading back to the car.
“You think you’re so clever,” I say.
“No… I know I’m clever. There’s a difference.”
I just shake my head. I have no idea how she doesn’t get into more trouble than she already does.
It’s strange… Spencer always seemed so calm when people were taking pictures of him or talking to him and I didn’t mind. I can’t explain it, but now that people are focused on me and he’s not around it feels so different. It’s almost like everything is fine when I’m with him. Spencer has this sort of calming energy. I have a feeling that the whole thing that happened on Late with Lucas would’ve been even worse if he wasn’t sitting next to me when Logan walked out on stage.
I miss Spencer… things just don’t seem the same when I’m not around him.