“?‘Desperate’ has unflattering connotations,” said Grace. “Maybe ‘anxious’ is a better word.”
“Well, maybe Iamanxious about the future,” said Julia, a bit defiant. “I just found out that I’m going to lose a job I love, working with people I absolutely adore, with no guarantee that anything else will come along.”
“Something will,” Grace said. “You have an entire year to find it.”
“I’d rather put off that search quite a bit longer.” Inhaling deeply, Julia managed a shaky laugh. “You know, I wasn’t only looking for sympathy when I spilled the tea. I was hoping you could help me figure out how to convince Ellen and the others to stay with the show.”
Her friends were silent so long that Julia prompted, “Are you still there?”
“Forgive me,” Grace ventured, “but I’m not convinced that would be the best use of your time and creative energy.”
“I’m with Grace,” said Megan. “They’re adults, and they’re free to make their own decisions. I think you should focus on searching for your own fantastic new series or movie or whatever.”
“Yes, and with deciding what to do in season six so you can resolve all the storylines and give the audience a satisfying conclusion,” said Grace.
“That will definitely be important when we finally wrap up the series,” Julia said patiently, “but again, as I said, I’d like to postpone that a few years. Vinnie? Donna? Any thoughts?”
“Would a raise persuade them?” asked Donna. “If the studio or the network could outbid those other offers, that would be a good incentive to stay, wouldn’t it?”
“I thought of that too,” said Julia. “Unfortunately, I can’t imagine that the network could match what Nigel is likely getting from Warner Brothers. Then there’s Noah. He’s willingly forgoing any pay to attend college. I don’t think money will motivate him.”
“Have you tried simply asking your friends to stay?” Vinnie asked.“Maybe if they knew how much it means to you, they’d stick around for another season or two, as a special favor to you.”
“They know how I feel,” said Julia, remembering the scene at the party. “And I can’t ask them to make major life and career decisions simply as a favor to me. They have to choose to stay not because it’s whatIwant, but because it’s what’s best for them too.”
“But what if stayingisn’twhat’s best for them?” asked Grace.
“I honestly believe that it is.”
“I’m sure you do,” said Megan, “but you’re not exactly an objective observer.”
Julia laughed, forlorn. “No, I’m definitely not.”
“Then I think you have your answer, even though you may not like it,” said Grace. “They have to decide on their own that it’s in their best interest to stay with the show—ifthat is, in fact, true.”
“You could remind them what they’d miss if they left,” said Donna.
“But if they do decide that they should move on, you should let them go, willingly and with love,” said Megan. “Don’t let your personal disappointment ruin the friendship.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t dream of it,” exclaimed Julia.
“Then tread carefully,” Grace warned. “To be honest, I can imagine many ways this could backfire on you spectacularly.”
“I won’t let that happen. If I have to choose between saving the show and preserving the friendship, I’ll always put the friendship first, front, and center.”
Her friends murmured approvingly, then fell into a contemplative silence. Julia thought she heard the snip of scissors through fabric.
“Well, I don’t feel like we’ve been especially helpful here,” Vinnie grumbled.
“That’s not so,” said Julia. “I’m feeling much better.”
“I don’t see why. You still don’t know what to do.”
“Maybe not, but you all were willing to listen to my tale of woe,and you offered me sympathy and your honest opinions. I can work with that.”
“I’m glad you’re feeling less anxious,” said Donna, “but as soon as we hang up, I feel like I should call Lindsay and tell her to start polishing her résumé.”
“Please don’t do that,” Julia begged. “It’s too soon. The show hasn’t been canceled yet—and if I have my way, it won’t be.”
