“Not married, but he’s not a problem.”
“You sure?” Even with my own shitshow, I still worried about Billy. There was no reason to drag her into this.
“He likes dick. Pun intended. It’s why we broke up.”
“Yeah? I didn’t know.”
“He hadn’t come out yet, and when his mom died he spent some time blaming himself for her death, as if his lifestyle choices brought it on her. His mom knew and was supportive, but also knew his dad wouldn’t be as kind. His dad was ruthless. At least we had it good in that department. Our dad cared when he really needed to…”
I nodded, thinking he did.
“Richard came out publicly a few years later. His stepmom softened the blow to his father, I’m told. She’s always been a good person. Richard liked her. Anyway, I’m pretty sure Richard has a partner, but they keep it low-key. He’s a prosecutor in DC, which already irritates his father.”
I shook my head. “I guess it’s not only us, still trying to make our parents happy decades later. Parents who are not built to be happy. Parents who are predisposed to be miserable and take and take…”
“I always felt bad for him. He seemed almost desperate to run away at times, and when his mom passed, he was devastated,” Billy went on, and I took her hand in mine. At least now I understood why Billy never tolerated my making fun of Richard.
“You’re a good soul, sis. You deserve happiness, and so do I. We made a life away from there.”
“Problem is, Mom is not going to stop with this little scheme. She’s going to keep pushing,” Billy countered.
“Here’s the thing. I’m not Scott. I won’t do her bidding.”
“You need to give Scott a piece of your mind.”
Nodding, I added, “First, I have to get out of here…again… I’m starting to regret not casting you asSuper Lady. At least I would have someone on the set I trusted.”
“Aren’t you going to Hawaii to film?” She raised an eyebrow at me.
“What, did you raid my office?”
“No, I’m friends with Dave, who is playing the Evil Twin.”
“Oh, right.” I walked back to the lounger and placed my forehead in my hands. “We’re not supposed to go for two more weeks. I wanted to get some lighting right here. On the set, I mean. And also, I haven’t asked James yet, and I know she’ll argue left and right and left again. But—and this is a big but—we have permits for the next six weeks, so I’m thinking Hawaii it is. And if we can keep our location quiet for a week or so, I can drag James with me. She works from home now, and she can set up there.” All my ideas rushed out of my mouth without thought. I had an idea blooming, and I needed to water it.
Billy interrupted with an eyeroll. “I know.”
“Well, I can take her, and Mom won’t know. Because despite Dave and his big mouth, we are keeping the filming a bit hushed.”
“Sounds like a great plan, except it leaves me to deal with Sweet Caro and Richard. You know Mom thinks he’s straight and a catch for me? In case you haven’t caught on, I don’t do catches.”
“Boom!” I stood and clapped my hands. “I have a small bit part. A librarian with a French accent. You can play it. Done.”
“In Hawaii?”
“Yes. It’s a long story but she’s from French Polynesia and holds the key to finding the magic gemstone in her library. The library where she is hiding in Hawaii. Her name is Ravia.”
“That’s more than a bit part.”
“The actress who was going to play it is pregnant and doesn’t want to travel. She told us a few weeks ago, and we argued about her contract. You’ll have to film a few backstory scenes when we get home, but that’s it.”
“You can’t do that—give the part to me.”
“I just did, Bill. Come on. I have shit to do. Go get your facial or whatever you need, and then call your accent coach and tell them we’ll bring them on our set. They can get you ready for the next role and put the finishing touches on the French accent for this. Of course, after you attend Moira’s bash.”
“Mom’s gonna know I tipped you off.” She was slinging back her cold coffee and snatching her purse.
“Do you care?”
