Similar scenarios had played out through Rosemary’s in-between years. And Audra had loved stepping in to smooth the rough spots in Rosemary’s big plans. She wondered if Rosie had anyone to do that for her now.
Rosemary would call.
Then Mother would smile, and Daddy would lose the tight lines around his eyes.
Everything would return to normal.
For once, Audra had exciting news of her own to report to Rosemary. Her sister would understand how hard Audra had worked for this opportunity and what it meant to have her own case. Rosemary aspired to appear on the silver screen, but all Audra had ever wanted was to appear in court, weaving arguments that won the day. She had followed her grandpa around his one-man firm for a summer, and the legal bug had bitten hard.
A tremor of excitement coursed through Audra at the thought she would finally get to stand in front of a judge and present a case. Yes, she had news—her dreams were ready to come true.
The bus slowed, and Audra prepared to get off. She walked the several blocks home, darted up the sidewalk to the house, and opened the front door.
“Mother, I’m home.”
“In the kitchen.” Her mother’s alto voice sang from the room down the hallway.
Audra set her purse on the hall table and unpinned her hat. She stuck the pin through it and hung it on the banister. She shimmied out of her suit jacket and walked down the hallway. “How was your day?”
“Usual ladies’ luncheon.” Mother kissed Audra’s cheek, a frilly apron covering her pin-and-tuck dress. “Ready for Rosemary’s call?”
“Um-hmm.” Lifting the lid on the pot, Audra inhaled deeply. The scent of tomato mixed with tangy spices swirled around her. “Smells wonderful.”
“We’ll eat after Rosie calls. Don’t want it to get cold while we talk to her.”
“Are you sure? A few bites sound perfect.”
Mother shook her head and pinched Audra’s cheek. “No, ma’am. No distractions. Besides, a few minutes’ wait never hurt anyone.”
Yet an hour later, as Daddy had joined them and they still waited for the call, Audra wondered. Her stomach tightened, but not from hunger. Rosie knew she couldn’t stay in Hollywood unless she faithfully called home on the prearranged schedule. Daddy had made that iron-clad stipulation when she begged to try her fortunes out West.
As they waited in the parlor, the lines around Daddy’s eyes tightened, even as he knocked tobacco from his pipe and refilled it. Even as he settled in his favorite chair with the sports pages. Even as he tried to show an unconcerned air.
“Daddy, did I tell you the good news?”
He looked up from his paper, a distracted expression covering his face. “Hmm?”
“Mr. Clarion says I’m ready to try my first case.” She bit her lower lip, wondering what his response would be.
“Darling, that’s wonderful.” Mother dropped her knitting long enough to clap. “I’m so proud of you.”
“So he’s given you a client?”
“Yes, sir. It’s a small case, unpaid rent.” Audra shrugged. “But it’s my case. Have to start somewhere, right?”
“Your grandfather would be very proud.”
Heat flushed her cheeks at the praise. She told them a bit about the case. “It goes before the judge in one month, if we don’t settle first.”
“Does that happen often?” Mother sat in her chair, feet propped on a stool, knitting needles clacking a steady rhythm. Only the dropped stitches showed her harried emotions.
“I’m not sure.” She tried to hide a grin. “Is it wrong to hope we actually go to court?”
“That might not be best for your client.” Daddy had pulled the paper back in front of his nose. “But I’m sure you’ll figure out how to represent them. Imagine that. You have your own case.”
“Thanks, Daddy.”
“You’ve worked hard for this, darling.” Mother shot a strained look at the phone. “Wait until Rosie hears.”
“I’m excited to tell her.”
Another few minutes passed, Audra staring at the phone, willing it to ring.
Only the clicking of Mother’s needles and the occasional rustle of the newspaper pushed against the phone’s silence. Finally, Audra couldn’t stand it.
“Do we have the landlady’s number?” Audra stood from her perch on the davenport and hurried to Mother’s small desk. “We can call her instead of waiting.”
Mother shook her head, needles flying. “Rosie’s never given us the number. Didn’t want us to bother the lady.”
“Maybe the lines are tied up. Everyone’s calling, and the operator can’t connect her.”
Her father arched an eyebrow at her over the top of his paper. “Settle down, Audra. There’s nothing to be concerned about.”
He was wrong. She knew it. Something had happened. Something Rosie couldn’t talk about but that disturbed her greatly. This time Audra wouldn’t wait too long. She couldn’t. Images of her brother Andrew’s body as he lay broken on the side of the road collided in her mind. All because she hadn’t picked him up on time as promised. Visions of his form still haunted her dreams in the middle of the night.
If Rosie didn’t call by tomorrow, Audra would go find her.
She’d do anything to make sure she wasn’t too late again.
CHAPTER TWO
__________
Saturday, June 6, 1942
“Are you sure about this?” Audra’s father studied her, extra lines filling the spaces around his eyes as he pulled the car to the curb at the airport.
Sure? She doubted she’d ever be certain about this decision. Boarding a plane to Hollywood? All because her sister didn’t call? Anyone outside the family would label her crazy. But inside the family, everyone understood communication was the price Rosemary paid for the freedom to live in Hollywood.
“I don’t know what else to do.”
His gray eyes considered her in silence. Finally, he nodded. “Here’s some money to help. I know the ticket wiped out your savings.”
“Daddy, you don’t need to do that.”
“I know, but you’re my daughter.” He pressed a stack of bills into her hand.
She slowly stuffed them in her purse. She could count them later. For now, she needed to climb from the car and enter the airport before she changed her mind. The Indianapolis skyline beckoned her to stay. If she left, Mr. Clarion had made it clear her position might be filled when she returned. And her chance to try a case on her own, no matter how small, could be permanently lost.
She took a shuddering breath.
It didn’t matter right now, in this moment. What did was confirming Rosie was okay. Better to have Rosie laugh at her overboard concern than wait too long.
“Thank you. I need to go or I’ll miss the plane.”
Daddy reached across the seat and hugged her, strength and warmth flowing from him. “Be safe.”
Audra nodded against his chest, not trusting her voice.
“Call me with the details of your return flight. I’ll be here when you land.” He released her then stepped from the driver’s seat. Moments later, he’d pulled her suitcase from the back seat of his Studebaker. “Don’t forget to call when you arrive and get settled.”
A smile filled her at the thought. Guess she’d get to see how easy it was to find a phone in Hollywood. “I’ll hurry back.”
“See that you do.”
Audra entered the airport, her suitcase heavy in her hand. She worked her way through the ticket line and then waited forty minutes in the lounge for her flight to be called. First a quick hop to Chicago on an American Airlines flight, then the longer journey to Los Angeles on the Longhorn after several hours’ delay. If she were lucky, she’d look lively after sleeping on a plane. The ticket agent had assured her passengers slept comfortably on the DC-3, but she couldn’t imagine getting good rest, not on a plane.
The thought of climbing on a plane and trusting that thin frame to safely transport her thousands o
f feet in the air to her destination unnerved her. Only her concern for Rosemary could get her on the contraption. The first flight passed quickly. She had a lone seat against a window separated from two seats in her row by the narrow walkway. Set up for day travel, a maximum of twenty-one passengers could board. They’d barely climbed through the clouds before the plane nosed down. She held her breath, white knuckles clutching the armrests, as the plane fell from the sky and bounced on the tarmac.
Then, before she’d found her courage after waiting in Chicago, the stewardess announced her next flight. Fourteen hours and she’d land in California after several stops en route to let passengers on and off. Fewer passengers boarded the plane in Chicago. Since it was an overnight flight, at some point the stewardess would make up narrow beds for them. With a few hours until the turndown, Audra settled in with a paperback she’d purchased in Chicago. Several passengers gathered around a table to play cards while others read the newspapers and magazines the stewardess handed out. Once her bed was made, Audra tried to relax, letting the steady hum of the plane’s engines lull her to sleep, but her mind resisted. Thoughts of what she might find in Hollywood collided with her need for rest.
She shifted on her side, tucking her hands under her cheek. Father, will You walk with me through whatever I find? Prepare the way? Keep Rosie safe until I find her? She recited her favorite Scriptures until her thoughts calmed and her body sank into sleep.
Hours later, with the sun barely cresting over the clouds, the stewardess walked through and woke everyone. Audra tried to freshen up in the small lavatory then returned to her assigned seat. She stilled and stared then snapped her jaw shut. Robert Garfield? The Robert Garfield? Seated next to her? Her heart stuttered and jumped inside her chest. When had he joined the flight?
“Would you look at that?” The man whistled, seemingly oblivious to her stare.
“What?” The word stuttered from her lips as she sank into her seat.
“Ever flown over the Grand Canyon, miss?” His voice had a soothing baritone richness that mirrored the tones he cultivated in his movie roles.
“I think I’ve seen a picture or two.” Oh my goodness. She sat conversing with Robert Garfield. She couldn’t wait to tell Rosie.
“Someday you’ll need more than a fly-over. It’s breathtaking. An amazing spectacle that God carved for us to enjoy. Here, take a peek. It almost makes the aggravation of flying from Tucson worthwhile.” He scooted back against the seat and motioned her to lean forward.
Feeling like she invaded his space, Audra leaned onto the armrest between them. An empty sky dotted with an occasional cloud as fluffy as quilt batting stared at her. “I don’t see anything.”
“Then you need to look down.”
Down?
The thought of looking down when the plane was thousands of feet up—it stole her breath.
“You’ll miss an amazing view if you don’t take the risk.” He pointed out the window then whistled. “Amazing.”
Curiosity got the better of her fear. “All right. But I’ll have to lean closer to the window.”
“Fair enough.”
Even though the star did nothing to take advantage of her precarious position, Audra could feel the heat radiating from him. A faint musky aroma tickled her nose.
Suddenly she saw it. A gaping rent in the earth’s surface that was layered in rich colors as it tumbled deep into the permanent gash. “Oh my.” Words escaped her. “How vast.”
“You have no idea. From the rim it is the most incredible sight.” He leaned toward the window, his shoulder brushing hers as he pointed at the canyon. “The Colorado River rests in the bottom. At one point, it must have been an amazing river to have carved such a deep and vast canyon.” His voice tickled her ear, causing her to turn and meet his gaze, which searched deep into her, leaving her exposed.
Audra collapsed against her seat, feeling the connection break, relieved and disappointed at the same time. “Thank you for showing me.”
“Sure thing.” He smiled again, a charming grin that quirked at the corner of his mouth. “I’m Robert Garfield.”
“I know.” He grinned again, and heat climbed her throat. “Audra Schaeffer.”
“It’s a pleasure.”
“Breakfast time. Hope everyone’s hungry.”
At the stewardess’s singsong voice, Robert rubbed his hands together. “Guess we’ll have time to talk later.”
Audra played with her seatbelt, relieved for the break before she embarrassed herself.
The stewardess placed steaming plates in front of them. “Coffee or orange juice?” Once she’d deposited black coffee, she moved to the next row of passengers.
Audra closed her eyes for a quick blessing over the food. She opened them, surprised to find Robert’s head bowed. He opened his eyes and grinned at her. Heat flooded her cheeks at being caught.
He winked at her and raised his fork. “Enjoy.”
As soon as she finished eating, she tugged her paperback from her purse, willing the hours to disappear until she finally stood on firm ground. The travails of the heroine swept her away, and Audra lost all sense of time.
The plane descended with a bump that caused Audra to drop her book. She was thrust against one thin arm of the seat, then against the other arm. As she bounced from side to side, her stomach mirrored the plane’s ping-pong ball action. Robert folded up his paper—the headline announced Richard Heydrich, the Nazi officer in charge of the Czechoslovakian campaign, had died—and grabbed her book.
He handed it to her with a smile, and Audra could imagine him stepping from the pages of her novel. In fact, as she looked closer, his brown hair waved in all the appropriate spots for someone in pictures. Its length fit the bill for the hero in the novel or a movie. And the clear blue eyes that studied her with a hint of concern matched the placid sky that mocked her through the window. The plane dipped again, and she focused on the broad shoulders that filled the perfectly tailored jacket rather than the growing certainty this plane would topple from the sky.
The stewardess walked the aisle, unaffected by the bumps and dips and seemingly oblivious to the presence of a star. Then she caught Audra’s gaze and winked. She stopped in front of her. “Coca-Cola?”
Robert shook his head, picked up a LIFE magazine, and flipped to the table of contents.
The plane dropped, taking Audra’s stomach and the stewardess with it. Audra reached out to steady the woman.
The stewardess straightened her cap and smiled. “Thank you. Here, have a Coke.”
Audra took it, but as the plane dipped, Robert bounced into her shoulder. Drops of Coke sprayed from the bottle and dotted the sleeve of her shirtwaist.
“Excuse me.” Horror laced his voice as he pulled the handkerchief from his jacket pocket. He dabbed at the spots then handed it to her, a reddish tinge spreading across the tips of his ears. “I’m not usually this clumsy.”
Audra attempted to smile as she pressed a hand against her churning stomach and held the Coke as far away from her as possible with the other. She’d never been good at things like roller coasters, but she couldn’t allow the nausea to win. Not in front of others. She might not ever board another plane. Her father had called it a flying cigar; her mother, a death trap. Her mother appeared correct. Would the Coke settle her stomach? She eyed the bottle and then handed it back to the stewardess. “Thank you, but as much as the plane is bouncing, I’d wear it.”
The plane sagged to one side and Audra gulped. This plane was going down. Just like Carole Lombard’s. When she died in a plane crash in January, Audra promised she’d never risk her life on a plane. Only the certainty that knowing something was wrong with Rosemary could have propelled her onto the silver bird.
“Seatbelts.” The stewardess smiled through tight lips as she bumped down the narrow passageway. “We’ll land shortly.”
God, please don’t let this be the end.
This couldn’t kill her. Not before she found Rosemary and co
nfirmed her sister was fine. Her imagination had shifted to overactive, territory usually reserved for Rosie. Audra closed her eyes and prayed as she waited for the plane to either land or crash.
“A couple more bounces and we’ll get over the mountains. Smooth flying from there.” Did he really believe his talking relieved her anxiety?
Audra nodded and turned to look out the window. A mistake, as her stomach rebelled at the jagged mountains.
“Look at me. We’ll talk about anything. If your mind isn’t focused out there, you’ll be fine.” His quiet voice pulled her attention.
She latched on to the first thought that crossed her mind. “Are you in a movie right now?”
A pained smile stretched his lips. “Will be again soon. At least that’s what my agent tells me.” He pointed to the LOOK magazine peeking out of her bag. “I even appeared in that a time or two.”
“I know. I think I’ve seen a few issues with you on the cover.” While it had always been Rosemary’s dream to live in Hollywood and appear in pictures, Audra read each issue of LOOK from cover to cover and attended the weekend matinees. She’d pursued a dream every bit as elusive and foolhardy as Rosemary’s. She also knew that after investing three years in law school and two years as an over-trained legal assistant, she’d walked away from her chance to appear in court as an attorney. She was a fool. The legal world might change someday, but not fast enough to make a difference for her.
The plane bumped again, and Audra shrieked.
“Take my hand.”
She grappled for his hand and felt his large fingers squeeze around hers.
Stars in the Night Page 2