Linda
My dear, I think it’s a brilliant idea. I just don’t want you bullied into a living situation you’re not comfortable with. It shocked Walt when I suggested you might have other plans for your future.
Work for someone besides Walt? The idea kind of shocked Sandra too, but this job wouldn’t last forever. Walt was nearly a quarter of a century older than she was. He’d want to retire, eventually. She had enough friends in Hollywood’s personal assistant groups to know many bosses were nightmares to work for. How could she take a job with someone else after Walt had treated her like family?
Sandra
Thanks for your support, Linda. It means a lot to me.
Walt’s wife replied with a gif of one cartoon Disney character hugging another.
* * *
The soundof the ping of Eb’s phone pulled him from his task, glad he’d put a special notification sound for Sandra’s number. Otherwise, he might have ignored it, and a message from her always provided a welcome interruption.
Sandra
These interviews are exhausting, even for me, and I don’t have to do them.
It included a snapshot of Walt snoozing. When the first picture had arrived a few days ago, it had struck Eb how much she must trust him. The paparazzi would love to get hold of the photos she’d sent. He imagined the headlines would suggest the reason a famous actor napped so much was because of some terrible illness. As always, Eb deleted the picture and replied to her message.
Eb
Sadly, not everything we do for our jobs is fun.
Eb’s phone rang. It was Sandra.
“I only have a few minutes, and texting long messages takes forever.”
“This is the perfect time for a break.” He leaned back in his home desk chair. “Rue is so tired from the scarecrow decorating activity yesterday that she’s taking a nap.”
“Thank you for live streaming it. It kept Walt entertained while he was in the Green Room. He made me promise not to schedule anything next year. He wants to be in town. Which was my bad. I didn’t appreciate how important it was to him to be part of his grandkids’ memories. Miss Rue looked like she enjoyed herself.”
“So much!” Eb had enjoyed himself too, something he hadn’t expected. “I can’t believe I’ve lived here all these years and never taken advantage of the holiday activities.
“Seriously. What’s wrong with you, living in a Christmas town like Huckleberry Falls and playing Scrooge? Oh! Sorry. I didnotmean it to be a hit on your name.”
“Don’t worry. It really is a terrible combination, but I have thick skin.” Though not as thick as he let on. He wondered what she’d think if he told her he often thought of legally changing his name.
“I need to talk to her highness about a present I’m planning to bring her.”
Eb paused, unsure. He didn’t want Sandra to feel like she had an obligation to spend money on his daughter. Though, if he were honest with himself, the idea of her connection with Rue gave him a rush.
“I’d wake her now, but she hasn’t been down long, and she’s a grump when she first gets up. She’s usually done with her bath by seven. What do you have in mind, if I can ask?”
“Have you ever heard of those American dolls? They’re made of porcelain, and the craftsmanship is beautiful. I’m planning to get one for each of the girls.”
“Aren’t they expensive?”
“Is it a problem?” Sandra’s voice had chilled.
Eb took a deep breath. He imagined she made a good salary working for Walt, and she didn’t appear to have a lot of expenses.
“I didn’t mean to insult you. I just— this is all new to me. You ought to see the stuff my parents have already sent.”
“So they’ve forgiven you for not telling them about Paige being pregnant all those years ago?”
“Oh, man.” Eb rubbed his temples. “It was quite the blowup, but I’m still sticking with my decision not to have told them back then. I’d rather deal with the mess now than my mother’s four-year heartbreak.”
