by L. L Hunter
“Oh, my God!” I ran downstairs quickly to join them.
“Where is my daughter? I know she’s here. I want to see her.”
“She left her town and old life and you behind for a reason. She didn’t have to tell me why she fled, but I could tell.” That was Bree. I smiled at her standing up for me, but she didn’t have to. This was a battle I had to fight on my own.
“Bree. It’s okay. I’ll handle this.”
“Kate, I’ll get him to leave if you want. Just say so,” said Bree’s father.
“It’s okay. Thanks, guys, but I’ve got this.”
And then I turned to face my father. The man whom I hadn’t seen in a year—for a good reason.
“What are you doing here? How did you find me?”
He held up a glossy tabloid magazine. I was wondering where he was going with this until I saw the image on the front cover.
“I got this trash from a gas station. Imagine my horror to not only find out my daughter ran away to Hollywood but became a whore!”
“Hey! You have no right to speak to her like that!” Bree’s father came to stand in between my father and me. I looked down at my bare toes in the grass.
“I can speak to my daughter however I want. Now, explain this, Katherine.”
“I can explain. It’s not what you think. I was at a party. The photo is from last year. It was one night.”
“You’re a disgrace. You left your family and the diner behind for this!” He threw the magazine in the gutter and then spat on it.
A tear rolled down my throat.
“Kate, let’s go inside. I can call the cops to come and get him. You don’t have to put up with this.”
I looked at Bree standing at my right shoulder, holding my arm. Her expression was one of shock and sadness and pain. I wanted to wrap my arms around her and tell her it was okay, that I could handle it on my own.
“It’s okay, Bree. Let me handle this.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. I’m sure.” And then I turned toward my father, took and deep breath, and finally spoke the words I had kept inside me all these years, the words I had been too afraid to speak until now.
I had to face my fears and banish my demons once and for all.
“I left Ohio for a few reasons. One, I couldn’t handle your ridicule of me anymore. Ever since Mom died, you’ve treated me like your servant. Your slave. You don’t appreciate anything I do for you, even when I stay to clean up at the diner after midnight. When I cook your dinner, there’s always something not right with one aspect of it or another. And I mostly left because you hit me.”
I was crying now. Thankfully, my father remained silent. So, I continued.
“I never forgave you for that night. My grandmother always had a disdain for you. She had a feeling, and she trusted her intuition. My mother was stubborn, though. She thought she could change you. She should have listened to her mother. But I mostly left because I finally wanted to do something for myself. I spent the last five years of my life being your substitute wife and looking after Granny’s diner when no one else would. I kept the household running when no one else would while you drank yourself to sleep on the couch every night. So, one year ago, after you hit me, I finally took the leap and left.
“And I haven’t looked back since.
“Until today. Tell me why you’re here? Do you want money or something? You always hated when I brought stuff home from the store and yelled at me for spending too much. You even took my money and spent it on your drinking habit. It was my money, money I earned myself. So now, in this new life, I finally have my own money. My dreams have finally come true. You can’t do a thing to take that away from me. I am twenty-one years old. I am a legal adult. You don’t own me anymore.”
My father opened his mouth to speak but shut it again.
That was a shock, seeing him having nothing to say. He always had to have the last word. It was weird to see him remain silent.
Finally, when he did speak, he only said, “Well, I’m happy for you. Good luck, Kate. Some money would be nice, I guess. But you’re right. I don’t own you. You’re not a little girl anymore. This is your life. I’m sorry for coming back into it, but I just wanted to see how you were. It may come as a shock to you, but I do miss you. I’m glad to see you’re doing well for yourself.”
He missed me? Yeah, right. He missed me cooking his dinner and wiping up after him. He missed my money and having someone to annoy and ridicule. He didn’t miss me. Not really.
He turned and walked back to his truck, got in and drove away.
That was the last time I ever saw my father.
29
Six Months Later
I found out a few months later that he shot himself in the head one night. Just as I thought we were making progress and he was on the path to redemption.
I felt weirdly numb about the whole thing. I felt a sense of relief that my tormenter was gone, and I was free from the endless abuse because, even after I left, just knowing he was still out there, was enough to unsettle me. So, after his death, I went back home to sort out the mess he’d made.
Bree came with me. I showed her Granny’s diner, my home away from home. It was now mine, according to a secret will my grandmother wrote, one she kept from my father. My father had drunk away and spent most of the family’s money. So, I sold the house I had grown up in to pay off his debts.
I ran my hand over one of the vinyl seats in Granny’s one day. Bree spun around on the retro bar stool.
“I don’t know if I can do it, Bree. This meant everything to my grandmother.”
“Then don’t sell it. It’s a pretty cute diner. Every successful actress needs somewhere to put their wealth. This can be your investment.”
“I guess. But who would run it? I can’t be an actress and run this diner at the same time.”
“Then hire someone.”
I slumped down in the bench seat and ran my hands over the shiny metal surface of the table top.
“You’re right. I’m overthinking it, aren’t I?”
“No,” she said, coming to sit opposite me. “You’re doing what most people would do. This diner means a lot to you. You should hold onto that. But hire staff to manage it. We can get our lawyer to look over the papers back in L.A.”
I smiled. “That sounds like a good idea. Hey, do you want one of my famous milkshakes before we leave?”
“Yes, please!”
We laughed, and I made my way behind the counter to whip up some of my specialty chocolate milkshakes.
Even though it was bittersweet to leave my diner behind, my old hometown, I couldn’t wait to get back to L.A. I had a life to live and many more exciting opportunities on the horizon.
30
Over the next few weeks, I kept myself pretty busy. I didn’t have time to think about my father or my grandma’s diner. My lawyer did look over the papers like Bree said he would, and before long, I became the official owner of Granny’s. I made Margaret, my grandmother’s best friend, who had been practically managing the diner for years, the manager, and hired a couple of wait staff and cooks from the local area. I wanted to give back to the community that made me who I was today. I also made a few small changes to the menu, making it a little healthier. I introduced fresh fruit juices and more vegetarian and vegan options as well as a couple of salads to the menu and did away with most of the deep-fried foods.
I also had plenty of acting work. I booked a few more ads as well as a few other movie roles.
The film I starred in with Jack came out a month later, to much anticipation. I walked the red carpet with Damian and posed for pictures with Jack.
It was a box office success.
And speaking of success, the film in which Jennifer Lawrence asked me to audition for, and Damian to co-write, began production a few months later.
It was the role I was born to play. It was the role I had been dreaming about my whole life. And it was a dream come true fo
r Damian, as well.
One night on set, while I was waiting for my next scene, I was sipping some hot tea and reading a book in my chair when Damian walked up.
“Hey.” He smiled. He gave me a kiss on the forehead and dragged the nearby chair over so he was in front of me. He sat in it and reached for my hand.
“Hey. What’s going on?”
“I just wanted to see you. Can’t a guy see his girlfriend?”
“Of course. But I know you, Damian. You’re up to something.”
He put his hand to his chest in mock offence. “I’m offended you think I have a hidden agenda when all I want to do is kiss my girlfriend.”
I laughed. “Sweetie, you’re not the affectionate type. You’re too proud for that. Over the past few months, you’ve started to change, though.”
“Change? In what way?”
“You’ve become more touchy-feely. More passionate. More caring. And you want to kiss me all the time.”
“Oh. Is that a bad thing? Do you not like that? I can stop.”
“No, no. I mean, I do like it. I love the new you. It’s just… strange. That’s all.”
“Oh. All right then.” He looked down at our clasped hands together on his knees. He then cleared his throat. “I actually wanted to talk to you about something.”
“Yes?”
He looked up into my eyes, then got to his feet and shoved away the chair he’d been sitting on. He then got down on one knee.
“Oh, my God! Damian, what are you doing?”
Everything on the set stopped. I felt like everyone was watching us. It was like only one world existed, one universe, and its only inhabitants were Damian and me. He and I were two planets stuck in each other’s orbit. We were two stars circling each other, and those stars told the story of our love.
“From the moment I saw you, Kate, I knew I just had to get to know you. You were the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. And when I got to know you, I couldn’t help but fall in love with you. You drove me crazy. In those weeks where we had to keep our relationship a secret from the world, I thought I was going to go insane. I practically did. I was driven mad by jealousy, even though I should have known better than to trust some stupid rumour. Not everything is as it seems in Hollywood.
“But I shouldn’t have worried, because there is nothing fake about you, Kate. You are as real and genuine as they come. And I knew you weren’t with Connor deep down in my soul, but a little part of me still saw you together, and I only saw green.
“I’m so glad you’re with me, here, now, and in life. But I want to make it forever. I want to spend the rest of my life with you by my side. So, Kate Brooks, would you do me the extortionary honour of becoming my wife?”
I stood and looked down at him, hardly believing this was happening.
“Oh, my God.”
I had to say something other than ‘oh my God’ so he wouldn’t think I didn’t wanna marry him.
“Yes. Of course, I’ll marry you.”
“Oh, thank goodness.” He got to his feet, and I leapt into his arms and kissed him. He spun us around. The set erupted into applause.
“I’ve got to get you a ring yet. I’m sorry.”
“That’s okay. A ring is only a physical representation. All I need is you. I love you, Damian.”
“I love you too.”
We kissed, and then the director yelled at us to get back to work.
Epilogue
I had now been in Hollywood for two years. My life had changed the day I stepped off that bus from Ohio. Looking back, I was a shy, naïve girl when I arrived, but now I felt I had gained more life experience and had grown up. Even Bree said it herself that I had become a woman.
I was now living my dream as an actress. I also had a gorgeous fiancé, my own money and career as well as my own side business in my grandmother’s diner, Granny’s.
Damian and I also bought a house. The house was a cute beach style bungalow in Beverly Hills. It had character and charm. It was one floor but spacious with six bedrooms and five bathrooms as well as a pool and a six-car garage.
I couldn’t believe how far I had come in two years, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I wouldn’t change my life for anything.
My name is Kate Brooks, and my dreams had become a reality.
The End
A Touch of Sparkle
A Christmas Short Story
1
December 23rd
I think that should do it,” said Chloe, stepping down from the step ladder, but not without help, her pregnant belly making things more difficult these days.
“Looks amazing,” said Jack, giving his wife a kiss on the cheek as he rested a hand on the baby bump.
She leaned into him.
“Mmm. I hope our son doesn’t arrive before the guests do,” she mused out loud.
“Yeah, buddy. Stay in there just a little longer, okay? Your mom and dad have Christmas to prepare for.”
“Speaking of, wanna try the lights? I hope one of the globes hasn’t blown. As soon as one of these cheap arse lights break, the whole thing dies.” Chloe laughed.
“It should be fine. If they don’t work, I’ll just go to the store to pick up more.” Jack walked over to the powerpoint hidden behind the Christmas tree. “Okay, Chlo. Are you ready? Oh, where’s Lexi?”
“Um… I think she’s in her room playing. Let me check.” Chloe walked over to the security monitor they’d installed not long after moving into this massive house in the Hollywood Hills. She found the screen for their daughter’s room and smiled when she saw Lexi fast asleep on her play mat amongst her dolls.
“I don’t think we should wake her. She can see the lights later.”
“Is she asleep?”
“Yep. In the middle of the floor.” She laughed.
“Cute. Okay. We’ll put it on for her later. Ready?”
“Yes. I’m ready.” Chloe turned and walked back into the lounge room where they’d set up the Christmas tree. It was the first year Chloe had insisted they get a real Christmas tree. They didn’t have those in Australia. The pine smelled amazing.
Though she had been living in the States on and off for five years now, just in the last few years did they make the decision to move to Hollywood full time and rent out their house in Australia. It was better for Lexi and for their careers.
Jack flicked the switch, and the Christmas tree was suddenly illuminated. The different coloured lights cast a rainbow against the wall behind. The decorations she had bought at a local store, and some of which she had brought over from Australia, including ones from her childhood, sparkled against the lights.
“It’s amazing!”
“It is.” Jack came to stand beside his wife, and they admired their handiwork together. “We just have to get Lexi to hang the decorations she made at school later.”
“Yes. I also wanna get a bauble for our baby boy.”
Jack leaned over and kissed her and then bent down and kissed their son through Chloe’s belly.
“We will. It’s gonna be the best Christmas ever.”
2
December 24th
Lexi ran into the kitchen and wrapped her little arms around her grandmother’s legs.
“Hey, sweetie. Wanna help Grandma make lunch?”
“Yes,” said Lexi, smiling up at her grandma with her cute gap-toothed grin. Jack’s mother lifted up her granddaughter and sat her on the counter beside her. Then she went back to rolling filling for dumplings.
“I used to do this with your daddy when he was your age, Lexi.”
“Weally?” Lexi asked in her small, high-pitched voice, cocking her little head to the side. “And now you’re gonna teach me?”
“Yes. And now I’m gonna teach you. And your brother when he’s old enough.”
Lexi frowned at that.
“What’s wrong, Lexi-cakes?” she asked, upon seeing her granddaughter’s face.
“I don’t want a baby brother.”
> “Oh, why not?”
“I want Momma and Daddy to hug only me.” She spread her small arms out wide and then wrapped them around herself. Her grandmother walked over to her and then tickled her belly. Lexi’s giggles filled the kitchen.
A door closes somewhere in the house.
“Hey, is someone having fun in here without us?” called Jack, walking into the kitchen, tailed closely by Chloe. Their arms were laden with shopping bags full of last-minute necessities for their Christmas party tomorrow.
“Daddy! Mommy!”
“Hey, squirt,” says Jack. “Being good for Grandma?”
“Yes,” replies Lexi sweetly.
“Hey, baby,” says Chloe, placing her bags on the island counter away from the food preparation area. She then bends over, her swollen belly heavily protruding as she gasps for breath.
“We’ve got the prawns. Well, shrimps as they’re called here. They’re a must in Australia.” She gasps and sucks in a sharp breath.
“Chloe? Are you okay?” Jack rushes to her side instantly.
“I think… I just… Oh!” she cries out as pain shoots through her body, bringing with her the breaking of her water—right over her brand new sneakers, a birthday present from Jack. But Chloe is not worried about her shoes right then.
“I think he’s coming!”
“Go, go. Get to the hospital!” says Jack’s mother. “I’ll look after Lexi. Take her, Jack.”
“Okay. Mom, stay with Chloe while I grab the bags.”
Jack runs off through the house to look for the overnight bag he had prepared earlier that week in preparation for this very moment. They knew their son would be a Christmas baby. They had known it since his conception, but Jack still couldn’t believe it was happening now. ‘You can only prepare so much’ was his new motto of late.
He found the two bags—one for him and one for Chloe in the closet near their bedroom—and grabbed his car keys before running back to the kitchen to get Chloe.