To Hell and Back (14 page)

Opening the door to the trailer, I poke my head out.  I don’t have to look far for Carson; he’s just next door, speaking with Tom and a middle-aged woman I don’t recognize.  I step out into the parking lot, but I accidentally let the trailer door slam a little too hard and it closes with a loud bang.  The conversation next door stops as all three people turn toward the sound.  A blush creeps up my neck and across my cheeks at the realization that not only am I suddenly the center of attention, but, with good reason, I look like I just rolled out of bed.

Carson walks away from the other two and comes straight over to me.  “Good morning, Angel,” he says as he feathers kisses across my face before landing a soft, sweet one on my lips. 

“Carson! We kind of have an audience,” I chastise him with a grin.

“Those two?” He jerks his thumb back to where the director and his companion are clearly waiting to finish their conversation.  “They had better get used to seeing me kiss you, because it is going to happen
a lot
.  We are talking a ridiculous amount of kisses,” he tells me and proves his point with a longer, more intense kiss than the previous one.

“Someone is in a good mood this morning,” I smile at him. “How long have you been up?”

“An hour or so.  I got a text from Susan saying she wanted to meet with Tom and me before we start shooting, so I grabbed a quick shower and headed out here.”

“I take it that’s Susan?” I nod toward the woman I didn’t recognize.

“Yeah, she’s one of the sound people. She just wanted to clarify a few things before we get to work today. Nothing major. You can join us if you want.”

“Oh, no.  Thanks, but I need a cup of tea, a shower, and clothes I did not already wear.  Then I
might
be ready to meet some people.  Maybe.”

“Brie, everyone here is going to love you just as much as I do.  Well, maybe not just as much – I’d have to knock a few heads together if these guys start thinking of you the way I do,” he growls with a head jerk toward the increasingly busy set. “You’re beautiful, wonderful, perfect…”

I put a finger to his lips to stop him and say, “You only think so because you love me!”

“No, Brie. I love you because you’re all those things. Now go get dressed and meet me out here.  We can eat breakfast in the crew lounge and I’ll introduce you to some people.”

With a quick pat on my ass, Carson heads back over to finish his conversation and I go inside to take my much-needed shower.

***

It doesn’t take me long to wash and make myself presentable. I’m going with jeans, a sweater and sneakers along with a quick side braid. I want comfortable and casual, since I’m not really sure what this day has in store for me.

I meet Carson outside and he takes my hand as we walk toward the warehouse.  The set side of the parking lot is nearly full at this point.  There are groups of people everywhere as we head to the front door; some eating a muffin or bagel, some with giant cups of coffee, some puffing away at cigarettes.  The one thing they all have in common is the silent stare that takes over when they see Carson and me coming their way.  Conversations hush to a whisper all around us and I can feel everyone wondering who this plain, unknown girl could possibly be. 

I tighten my grip on Carson’s hand; the feel of our intertwined fingers is the only thing that keeps me from turning tail and running back to the comfort of our trailer. He gives my hand a few squeezes and continues forward, leaning in to whisper, “They’re all so jealous they can taste it.”

I grin up at him and whisper back, “Well, you
are
Carson Malone!”

He shakes his head at me as though I’ve gone crazy and says, “No, Angel.  You have it turned all around.  They’re all jealous of
me
because I am with you.”

The glares being sent my way by several of the younger girls in this crowd tell me just how crazy that statement is, but knowing that’s what Carson thinks is enough for me.

It’s fairly quiet when we get to the crew lounge and I breathe a sigh that we’ve gotten through our very public entrance without my actually having to speak to anyone.  There are a few people huddled around what is probably a script in one corner of the room, but the rest of the space is empty.  A young woman in a chef’s jacket comes in and adds more fruit to a platter that has been well picked-over by those who were already here.  She doesn’t look around, just finishes unloading a pile of bright red strawberries that have my mouth watering, and heads out a side door.

The spread that has been provided looks fresh and delicious and I realize I’m starving.  Carson hands me a plate and just as the first strawberry hits its surface, the door to the lounge swings open and I hear female voices laughing and carrying on. 

“So, Malone, who is the little doll?” one of the women asks bluntly. “Introduce her!”

I turn around to put a face to the voice and find two gorgeous, well made-up women standing just inside the doorway.  From their perfect faces to their immaculate manicures to the tips of their high-heeled leather boots, I know these girls probably think nothing of buying a pair of shoes that costs more than Hank’s entire monthly pension check.

“Daisy, Sara, this is Brielle. She’s the girl I’ve been telling you about.” He turns to me, “Brie, these are the hair and makeup women; Daisy’s the redhead and Sara is the blonde.  Don’t let them fool you; their bark is way worse than their bite.”

“It really is.” Daisy beams at me. “We’re only teasing.  Carson is kind of like our little brother. He wouldn’t know what to do if we didn’t keep him in his place.”

Sara chimes in with, “If you need anything, you just come to us. We know pretty much everything that goes on around here. It’s amazing what people will spill while they’re stuck in your chair for a while,” she giggles. 

“She’s not kidding.”  Daisy nods in agreement. “You guys wanna eat with us? We’re completely starving and nothing goes better with breakfast than a rundown of who’s who around here.”

I feel myself relax and I take my first deep breath since we walked out the door this morning. I get a fun, sincere vibe from these two women, and I can only hope they’re the rule and not the exception.

***

Carson

I can’t take my eyes off of Brie as she eats her breakfast and slowly begins to come out of her shell.  She talks animatedly with Daisy and Sara – you’d think the three of them had been friends for years. Brie’s closet addiction to gossip magazines has helped her hold her own. Her eyes grow wider with every story spun by these women – they’ve met most of the people Brie has only read about. 

“Max Burns? The director? I can’t remember the last film I was on that he didn’t end up nailing one of the interns. At least one,” I hear Daisy telling her.

“Male
or
female,” adds Sara.

“But, um…” stammers Brie incredulously.  “He’s married to Shannon Lane!  Who would go somewhere else when they are married to
Shannon Lane
?”

The two women look at each other and giggle. Sara leans in conspiratorially and says, “Oh, honey. Shannon likes the young set guys. The construction type. Forget the co-stars and the directors. She likes ‘em young, dumb and muscular.”

“You’re
kidding
,” Brie whispers dramatically. This sets off another round of laughter from her new friends.

“Brie, if you’re done, we should probably meet up with the Alexanders now,” I refer to the writing team Brie will be assisting.  “I have to meet these two,” I point back and forth between the two instigators, “in hair and makeup in about twenty minutes, but I want to be the one to introduce you first.”

Daisy and Sara both groan and stand up, hugging Brie goodbye and telling her they can’t wait to see her later. 

As we walk toward the office where I know we will find the writing duo, I squeeze Brie’s hand again and say, “I
told
you everyone would love you.  Those two have already adopted you as their new little sister and they’ve known you about twenty minutes.”

“I haven’t had girlfriends to laugh with like that in years!” She grins broadly.  “I hope you don’t mind the celebrity gossip,” she suddenly turns serious.  “You know, since you… are one.”  She puts her hand to her mouth.  “It’s not offensive or anything, is it?  I just got so caught up…”

I interrupt her to say, “It’s actually kind of adorable.  I’ve never had a chance to see you like this before – laughing with friends, being so relaxed.  It makes me happy to see you happy.  It just proves what I already knew – that you’re warm and funny and have so much to offer.  I’m just glad I got to you first. Everyone is going to want you, but you’re already mine.”

The look she gives me is one of pure love. My angel is blossoming. I can see the weight of the world lifting off of her shoulders – it’s everything I want for her.

Brielle

Carson walks me to an office in the back of the warehouse where a young man with a goatee is talking on his phone.  Behind him, a dark-haired young woman is scribbling furiously in a notebook.  Looking up at us, the man cuts his call short, putting the phone in his back pocket.

“Brie, this is Adam Alexander,” Carson says as Adam extends a hand to me. We all look toward the woman who is still writing and when she stops, she looks at us with a blush.

“I’m so sorry,” she says. “Sometimes I have to write things down as I think of them or I can never get them back. I’m Kate Alexander, Adam’s wife and writing partner,” she introduces herself. “You must be Brielle, the woman who makes Carson mushy.”

“Does everyone in this place talk to Lucy?” I ask the writers.

“Unfortunately,” mumbles Carson from behind me. “Take good care of my girl, please. I have to get to hair and makeup, so she’s all yours. For now.” He smiles, lifting me just enough that I stand on my tiptoes and planting a long, sweet kiss on my lips.

I had assumed I would be getting coffee or something, but Kate sits me down with a copy of the script and tells me things will make more sense if I know the storyline. I look around and, not for the first time, I say a prayer of thanks for the amazing changes in my life. So far, I think I’m going to love it here.

Chapter Fifteen

Brielle

I’ve lived here for almost a month now and I still can’t believe this is real.  I go to bed every night praying it isn’t a dream.  I haven’t believed in fairytales in a very long time, but I now find myself living in one. 

I finished all of my high school classes by emailing back and forth with my teachers. I passed every class with no problem and I’m just waiting on the final transcript to officially call myself a high school graduate.

The Alexanders have been incredibly good to me.  They helped get me into a summer creative writing program being taught by a friend of theirs.  I can do everything online and I cannot wait to get started.  I still mostly get their coffee and sharpen pencils, but they’ve asked my opinion on the script a few times and it’s a thrill just to be asked.  Being spoken to like I have something of value to say in return is something I’m still getting used to. 

Daisy and Sara have become close friends. They treat me like their little sister and are always giving me fashion tips and relationship advice. The last time I hung out with girls like this, we were still stuffing our bras and wearing Lip Smackers. Now I’ve jumped several years ahead and I’m a woman. We talk about sex and love and all kinds of things I’ve never spoken about with anyone before.  Last week, they took me shopping.  That was an experience I will never forget.  I lost track of how many different things I tried on.  In the end, I came home with a new purse, a couple of dresses, four complete outfits and three pairs of shoes.  I’d argued with Carson when he handed over his credit card for our trip, but he insisted that I go have fun with my friends and consider it a graduation gift. 

Carson is nothing short of perfect.  I know girls say that all the time, but I can’t think of a thing I would change about him.  He’s supportive and loving, but he challenges me when I need it.  He doesn’t let me wallow in who I was; he encourages me to be who I am and who I want to be.  I was a fun, outgoing girl before… well, before.  I try not to think too long about the last few years.  I know they happened, but I also know I survived and that I am stronger than I ever realized.  It’s still so hard to believe that a guy like Carson saw something in a broken, hollow shell of a girl like me, but I thank God every day that he did.  He has truly been my white knight, my Prince. 

As well as the days are going, my nights are still sometimes hard. My subconscious mind isn’t as good at staying in the present as I’d like, and I have nightmares. They’re getting a little less frequent, but they’re still intense and frightening when they happen.  The other night I had one of the worst ones yet.

“Brielle! Brielle!”

I hear Hank’s voice calling me and it’s coming closer, but I can’t see anything.  My hands reach blindly out into the darkness and I wave them frantically around, searching for anything solid to latch onto.  A strong hand suddenly closes around my ankle and yanks me off my feet.  I’m sliding across an invisible floor so fast it feels
like I can’t breathe. I’m still flailing my arms above my head, but there is only emptiness.

A
grotesque caricature of Hank’s face looms over me, lit by some unknown source.  It’s like
when a flashlight is being shined into someone’s face as they tell a ghost story. The terror I feel increases dramatically as I look into his malevolent eyes.
  The deep, black pupils are flickering like vintage movie screens as the beatings I have taken over the years play out in front of me.  As I watch, unable to look away,
every kick, punch and slap I’ve endured
reverberates through my body as though I am experiencing them all over again.  I feel my bones breaking and my joints separating as we continue to fly steadily th
rough the unending blackness. Unable to control it, I begin to scream…