It’s just You and me, Jesus.
She wasn’t morbid or depressed. She just needed to figure out aplan for the next fifty, sixty years that did not include a longing for the intimacy of marriage. Kate was right. She should aim to be some sort of grande dame of film.
Maybe after the Claude Durand film she would move to London, audition for plays. There was something peaceful and anchoring about playing the same role night after night. In the meantime, she’d enjoy her summer. Memorize the entireStargazerscript.
She was sunning by the pool, reading, when Jeremiah called.
“Can you come to the house in an hour?”
“Everything okay?”
“Yeah, I want to show you some of the edits.”
She showered and dressed, dropped the top of her ’64 Mustang convertible, and drove the short mile to the Gondas’.
When she rang the bell, Jeremiah opened with three of his seven children clinging to him, baby Eva no longer a baby but a budding, beautiful little girl.
Judah rode his back like a monkey, and Elianna gripped his ankle. Jer dragged her over the marble tile as he led Chloe to his screening room.
“Welcome to the circus.” He laughed.
“Apparently they’ve missed you.” Chloe shook Judah’s hand and tousled Elianna’s golden curls.
“Not as much as I’ve missed them. The shoot in New Zealand went over by a month, but we got it done.”
“A blockbuster?”
Jer grinned back at her, setting Eva down. “Big blockbuster. It was a pain but a lot of fun. Chris was amazing. Pilar?” He called over an intercom. “Can you get the children?”
The nanny appeared and peeled the children from their father, promising them a trip to the park.
The oldest, Ezra, appeared in the doorway, ball glove in hand. “I thought we were going to practice.”
“We are. Right after I talk with Chloe. Say hi to Miss Daschle.”
He muttered a sorrowful greeting, shoulders slumped, and disappeared.
Jer called after him, “Buddy, I’ll only be an hour. Get Avner and Daniel to play for now. And find Liel. She’ll want to play.”
“Jer, if you need to play with you kids—”
“I have the rest of the day and all next month. They’re fine.” Jeremiah nudged Chloe toward an oversized, leather theater chair. “Laura wanted to be here, but she’s meeting her agent. She’s up for a part she really wants. Can I get you anything?”
“No, I’m good. So, is this the rough cut of the film? I’m excited to see it.”
He sat beside her. “Feels a bit like déjà vu, doesn’t it?”
She smiled, rocking back in the chair. “A little. Ten months ago I was begging you for the part of Esther. Here we are with the movie shot and—”
“Almost in the can. Sharon Lee’s been working night and day. I owe her.” Jer aimed a remote, and the room dimmed as the projector shot a beam against the screen. “I don’t have the complete cut yet, but I wanted you to see this.”
“Hey, what do you think about me playing Faith Freeman in Claude Durand’sStargazer?”
“Do it. It’s perfect for you.”
“He said without a thought.”
Jeremiah cast her a sideways glance. “If you want to change your career, then change it. Playing a superhero? There’s no way you’re dying. That’s a role even Greg Zarzour can’t touch.”
