“Oh, let me text Frank. He can get all that stuff and put it in the car.”
“I wanted to buy them.”
She waved her hand in front of her chest. “It’s sweet. I get it, but Frank is probably feeling antsy. Let’s give him something to do while we wander the trees. Leave them here.” She set the basket on the counter near the barista, pulled out her phone, presumably texted Frank, snatched her cup off the counter, and proclaimed, “Let’s do this.”
We walked out of the general store and a female employee quietly directed us to the top of the tree forest. “It’s been cleared of guests, and you can feel free to take as much time as you need.”
“Thank you,” Billy told her, clearly noting she’d been standing there waiting for her.
Zoe, as her tag read, didn’t respond, rather stood there bouncing from one foot to another.
“Would you like a picture?” Billy spoke quietly.
“I really would. I promise I won’t sell it or anything like that. Shoot, that’s such a stupid thing to say.”
This had Billy laughing. “If you can make a million, sell it. But I don’t think this will be worth much. No Hollywood gossip to go along with me in a puffy coat.” Turning to me, she asked, “Will you take it?”
I nodded and held out my hand for the phone.
Zoe gave it to me, and Billy said, “It’s so great to meet you, Zoe,” also noting her name tag. “Are you a student?” Billy inquired like she really wanted to know.
Zoe nodded, adding, “I’m studying biology. I hope to go to medical school.”
“I’m sure you will make a fabulous doctor. We need more female docs,” I noted.
Then Billy leaned in, quickly removing her sunglasses, and smiled. I snapped a quick photo, and faster than I could blink Billy had the glasses back on. In the distance, I saw Frank approaching.
Billy whispered to Zoe, “Let’s keep the photo our secret until tomorrow? Please don’t post until then. It’s best to stick it up after I’m finished here, or you will never get home to do your schoolwork. People will be pinging you nonstop, and we want you to be a doctor.”
“Of course. Thank you, Ms. Conway.”
“Oh, it’s Billy. Mrs. Conway is my mom, and I’m just me.Billy.”
With her unprecedented amount of grace, Billy slipped her arm back in mine and I guided her toward our section of trees.
“Oh, it’s cold.” Billy shivered into my side, taking a quick second to grab her gloves out of her pocket and slip them back on.
“Here,” I said, half turning and pulling her zipper all the way up. “Better?”
She nodded, and we resumed our walk toward the trees.
“This is so magical. Back in LA, the trees are sold out of concrete parking lots.”
“It’s a concrete jungle out there,” I teased.
“It sure is, but this is fabulous. I’m coming back next year and I’m bringing my assistant, Suzie, and her nieces and nephews. They’ll love this.”
“Can I say something?” I asked the question like a fool.
“Of course.” Stopping in her tracks she turned to look at me, her bright eyes catching me off guard. She was filled with adoration for family, friends, babies, and everything in between.
“You have so much love for life…but you seem to hold back in public?”
She moved a touch closer, winding her gloved fingers through my bare ones. This woman was such a contradiction, a yin and yang of soulful and austere.
“You see, when the cameras are on you—and I mean almost at every instance—there’s no time for loving life. Showing enthusiasm makes your eyes crinkle and wrinkle while your heart goes soft. Fans don’t want either of those. They want ultimate beauty, and perfection coupled with edgy. I’m neither, so my biggest acting job is my life itself. I have to be who they want. To them, I am—was—a smoke show and a bit bitchy.”
“You are a smoke show, if you don’t mind me saying.” I joked, not sure how to tell this woman she was perfect without her suit of armor.
