About half an hour later, the hosts presented the nominated directors. When my name came up, I wished for a moment I’d been there. It’d have been nice to attend the dazzling ceremony. An opportunity rarely given to anyone, and I’d wasted it. Another one to add to a long list of regrets.
“You must be excited…and nervous. I know I am,” Tony said.
My stare dropped to his face, and I could tell that he, unlike me, was excited and nervous. I wished I could feel it, too. Any feeling. Anything. It was as if my soul had been replaced by a blank, black slate.
“And the Academy Award for Achievement in Directing goes to…” Four live images of the nominated directors cascaded on the screen, along with Cassidy sitting next to an empty seat, where I should have been. “Lucindo A. Bravo.”
“Oh, come on!” Tony booed at the applause coming from the screen. “You should’ve won. Really. The movie was great.”
My fingers touched the short straw in the frothy pink drink. “You’ve seen it?”
“Hell yeah. I took some of the guys and went to see it. Bragged about knowing the director…too well.” He snickered, lowering his head to meet my gaze. “I’m really sorry you didn’t win.”
I savored my favorite drink sip by sip. “I’m not.”
“What did Gennaro do, Maggie?”
My eyes flicked at him. “What makes you think he did something?”
“C’mon. You two are supposed to be there,” he nodded at the TV, “but neither of you are. Instead, you’re here, with this terrible look on your face, which honestly, is scaring the hell out of me.”
I narrowed my eyes, hearing nothing but the voice of the celebrity on TV. “And the Oscar goes to…Mike Gennaro.”
He made it. He’s finally made it. And I couldn’t be there to share it with him. I can’t be there to share anything with him anymore.
I slapped my palm over my eyes as I quivered with tears. Then the world stopped for a second, and I saw nothing but black.
Something annoying shook me. “Maggie? Maggie? Are you okay?”
I sniffled, wiping my face. “I’m fine.”
“You’re not fine. Please, talk to me. What’s going on?”
When Mike was announced the winner, I knew with all my heart I was still in love with him, and no matter what happened, I’d always be in love with him, and no matter what happened, I could never have him again.
“There’s nothing to talk about anymore.” I drank the last of my cocktail. “This was really good, Tony. Thank you.” My feet edged off the stool and to the floor.
“Wait. Where are you going?”
I continued to the door. “To my apartment.”
“Let me walk you.”
I turned, and he was already behind me. “It’s only a block away. Get back to work.”
“I don’t think anyone knows you’re here if you’re worried you’d be seen with me.”
A giggle burst out of my mouth. “Worried? I’m not worried about anything.” I shrugged into my backpack and gave him a hug. “I’m sorry I’ve hurt you, Tony. I really am. Forgive me?”
“That was two years ago. Of course I forgive you.”
“Thank you. You’ve always had a big heart,” I kissed his cheek. “I’m glad I got to see you again. Goodbye, Tony.”
Scene76
Mike
“Please, Samantha, just tell me where she went,” Mike begged, squeezing the phone on his ear, pacing the living room.
