Chapter 5
Adam
“Sarah, my darling girl,” Tina eloquently calls out in greeting as Brett and Sarah join us at the table in the restaurant. “You look radiant.”
“That’s because I’m so happy, Aunt Tina,” Sarah replies.
My family has known Sarah for many years as she was Brett’s sister’s best friend in their school days. If I recall, she used to babysit for Brett’s ex-wife when Rosie was firstborn. Although, by then she was readying to go off to college.
Brett and I give each other a man-hug, and we all settle down at the table to chat.
“So, tell me,” I begin, turning to look at the radiant blonde at the table. “How are the double wedding plans coming along, Sarah?”
I aim my question at Sarah and not Brett, as I know he’ll not be the one making the arrangements. It’s usually always the women who take charge of such things.
“Fantastic. We have you to thank for it all, Adam. I’m so glad you came up with the idea of a double wedding. It means we can all support each other, it’s going to be a wonderful day.”
“I’m glad to hear it,” I smile at her enthusiasm. “Have you set a date yet?”
“Yes, we have. We’ve all agreed to get married on Thanksgiving. It will be a great family get-together every year, with a double meaning,” Sarah explains.
“Wow, that’s quite a special date,” I reply. “We all know how much in love you four are. I bet you and Sophie have even got the wedding dresses already?”
“As it happens, my sister’s coming to New York to help Sarah choose one,” Brett joins in. “That’s why we’re still in New York. We were going to go back to Denver but we’re staying on a bit longer so we can make some more arrangements. We’ve even bought an apartment that we’ll keep on for work.”
“That’s brilliant, Brett. I keep meaning to do that myself,” I say. “I’m going to be spending so much time here, that I ought to invest in a home here too. You must give me some advice on the best neighborhoods. We must all get together when Kylie arrives. I haven’t seen your sister in such a long time and mother will love it, won’t you Tina?”
“It’s most essential that we arrange a girlie get-together, don’t you agree, Sarah?” Tina agrees. “I do so love to gossip without any men mulling around in the background.”
The evening develops and the company’s most enjoyable. Though, there are questions about Tessa and me, which I positively avoid. My mother doesn’t seem too keen on allowing me to brush the topic away and makes sure she gives her opinion of the matter.
“Oh, they’re having some sort of lover’s tiff,” she announces.
“No we’re not, Tina, don’t say that,” I retort, annoyed at her for sharing my pain in such an unremarkable way. “Tessa won’t talk to me, I’m more than willing to talk to her. You can’t define that as an argument. Not when one side of the relationship is willing to talk,” I say, sounding a little petty, I must admit.
“What have you done to upset Tessa?” Brett asks me. “The last time we saw her was in Italy, and she seemed quite content with life.”
“Oh, it’s all to do with work,” I explain it away, as if it’s a trivial matter. “You know what a dramatic lot we actors all are. I upset her over something, and now she refuses to talk with me. It’ll blow over, Tina, so please don’t go telling everyone we’re having a ‘tiff.’ Mind you, I haven’t seen her in a while. I have to admit, I do pine for her when there’s such a long gap, but that’s the price you pay for certain women, isn’t it, Brett?”
“Having the experience of an ex-crazy wife behind me, I say you make sure that you grab the woman you love, Adam, and keep her,” he advises me. “Get out there and let her know you love her. Well, that’s if you do, of course. As you can see, I’ve never been happier in my life, now that I have a woman I love by my side.”
“Are those your lines, Brett, or are they from a movie?” I laugh. “That’s some real smooth talking you got there.”
“No. It’s because I’m in love,” he admits. “And I don’t mind shouting it out for all the world to hear.”
Sarah leans over and gives Brett a lingering kiss at his bravery. I have to admit, they do look good together.
“We’ll have none of that in front of my mother,” I complain. Although I do feel a little tinge of jealousy. It makes me realize that I’m missing Tessa a lot more than I thought.
“Don’t you two dare stop!” my mother exclaims. “It’s a beautiful thing. I never found love in real life. I’ve had lots of it on the big screen, but it’s quite refreshing to see true love.” She smiles.
We go on to have a most wonderful dinner and get-together, and all too soon we’re parting ways on a happy note. Brett and Sarah are oozing with joy which is quite infectious. So much so, it gets me thinking deeper about my own relationship with Tessa.
There’s nothing to be done about our situation. I’m taking the offered lead role in the new upcoming movies, she knows how important this part is to my career. What I can’t understand is why she’s being so awkward with me for my decision. I won’t do TV shows like the one she’s suggested, not even if I didn’t have this pending role. Sure, I miss her but she chose not to talk to me, not the other way around.
On that note, I’m putting her to the back of my mind. Being an actor, I know exactly how to be inventive and convince my mind that this problem doesn’t exist. I’m very good at hiding away from the truth. I’m not giving in to Tessa, not under any circumstances whatsoever.
Tessa
When I first woke up this morning, I felt angry with Adam. It’s annoying how he’s always the first thing in my head after sleeping. As the day wore on, my emotions toward him went through phases. I don’t know if he’s being stubborn for not even considering this TV show, or if I’m crazy for ever expecting him to turn down such a massive role in the movies. It doesn’t help that Tina won’t take sides. She insists on being neutral and says she’d support us both either way.
Although, she’s contacting me every day at the moment. It’s her way of getting me to speak with Adam but I’ve managed to brush her off so far. I doubt Adam even knows she’s playing cupid. It’s not that I don’t want to speak with him, but my emotions are too raw at the moment. Besides, he’ll be committing himself now to the script. Once that starts, he won’t have time for me. That’s the crux of the matter, it’s not how I saw our relationship developing. That sort of attitude was fine when we were in our twenties. We’re both now in our thirties and, on my part, I want more from him.
I’ve been going over some scripts myself, for the first couple of TV shows that are meant to be for us. Anyway, I’ve decided that I’m going to do it with or without him. I’m not sure at this point who’ll be my leading man, but it doesn’t look like it will be Adam. I’m going down this route because I’ve had enough of traveling and not having any roots. I’m even thinking of buying a property back in New Orleans, in my childhood neighborhood.