To Night Owl From Dogfish

by Holly Goldberg Sloan

  Bett is growing up so fast. And Avery (looks like she’ll be my new grandchild!) has warmed up to me in a big way. She’s a good influence on Bett, who can be a wild and difficult child. Avery tries to put the brakes on at all times. She’s got plenty of fears and she’s a first-class worrier like an old lady, but she’s smart and makes me laugh. Even though she’s from a big city, she’s not too full of herself. They make a great team.

  At first I was worried that Dougie would show up with his fiancé, Sam, and take the girls away (I’d already decided I was staying here even if that happened—I’m in a play and they need me), but the men lost their passports and they have to get new ones. Every day they make a bigger mess of things for themselves. It doesn’t sound like much fun to me, but then again flying halfway around the world seemed nuts, especially because they hadn’t been a couple for very long. They could have gone on a fishing trip up the Delta and had an easier time of it.

  Of course if they’d done that, I wouldn’t be sleeping with my grandbabies by a blue-green lake in Michigan! I wouldn’t be learning how to do vocal exercises and eating tofu scramble. (I can hear you laughing, but it doesn’t taste half bad, Diamond, just so you know.) I wouldn’t be able to sing all the words to the play Hamilton or be turning into a board game geek! You’ve got to try Forbidden Island.

  Everyone wants to be a big shot nowadays and have pictures of themselves to put up on the Internet. I always thought it was just a lot of showing off. But now I’m getting ready to update my Facebook page for the first time in years. I’m in a play, and people should know about it.

  Shine on!

  Betty (known here only as Gaga)

  P.S. It’s such a gift to have this much alone time with Lil’ Bett. I’ve been filling her in on family stuff and such. She’s a sponge for it all.

  * * *

  From: Bett Devlin

  To: Avery Bloom

  Subject: Stuff Gaga told ME that Kristina told HER

  Hey, Night Owl—

  I’m with Gaga right now in town + she’s getting her feet checked by a doctor because of bunions, which is the most boring thing I’ve ever written to someone. Or ANYONE has ever written to someone. I’ll be back in an hour. Don’t get ice cream without me.

  While I’ve been stuck here, Gaga told me some fun stories about my dad when he was a kid. And she also told me some of YOUR ORIGIN STORY, which I’m sure you know, but I might have some new facts that you haven’t heard before. Kristina tells Gaga everything personal.

  Anyway, Gaga said that Kristina + your dad were BEST FRIENDS all through college + your dad was discovering he was gay. But they had one crazy night + Kristina GOT PREGNANT.

  Kristina decided to keep the baby (YOU) + then her mom (your grandma SUSAN) told Kristina that she’d help raise you in the early years, so that Kristina could go to London where she had won a place in some big-deal theater company.

  Your dad was freaked out by everything + went to start architect school in New York.

  But then at the end of your second year of life, your grandma Susan DIED of a stroke (which came out of nowhere! She got a big headache one day. But you should NOT worry about that happening to you. Most headaches are nothing!). Kristina flew to Ohio + they had a funeral + your dad came + Kristina fell apart.

  So your dad decided to finally take being a parent seriously + he packed up all kinds of baby stuff + drove you + Kristina BOTH to New York. They didn’t have any kind of plan.

  Only Kristina had to get back to London soon + you got an ear infection + the doctor said you SHOULDN’T FLY.

  So Kristina went to London alone, thinking she’d be back in 3 weeks, but she slipped on the icy sidewalk in front of the theater + broke her ankle + she had to have surgery + she couldn’t travel for 4 MORE months.

  You were with your dad that whole time + when Kristina finally got to you in New York you hadn’t seen her in half a year + you didn’t even know who she was! She took you to a park + a dog knocked you over + bit you on the lip. You had to have stitches! Kristina thought it all meant that she was a horrible mom.

  So she + your dad went to a therapist who said maybe your dad should have sole (or soul?) custody because it would be less confusing for you than going back + forth all the time to London.

  Kristina said okay. But she now knows that the moment she said “Okay” she had made the biggest mistake of her life. If she could turn back the hands of time + change anything, that would be the ONE thing she would do. She said that signing over custody of you broke her heart.

  So whenever you see someone standing on a bridge in one of her plays crying, like in TELL ME WHEN JIMMY COMES HOME, or on a roof crying, or anywhere else, they are really crying about YOU. They are crying because they lost the most valuable thing they ever had. Not that you are a “thing.” But you know what she means.

  Anyway, Gaga said NOT TO TELL YOU THIS. But I decided to go in a different direction.

  Love,

  Dogfish

  * * *

  From: Avery Bloom

  To: Bett Devlin

  Subject: Re: Stuff Gaga told ME that Kristina told HER

  This is super upsetting and I feel like I’ve been looking through the keyhole of a door into a room that is my own life, and before now I could only see some of it. Now the door is open at least a crack. There are two major things that I hadn’t known before.

  1) No one ever told me that Kristina was heartbroken. I’ve just thought of her as a busy playwright who had her own life in England. I feel like she could have found a way to be in touch with me. Did my papa stop her from doing that? Or is she now rewriting the past? (She is a writer.)

  2) Also, I never knew that Kristina was in the park with me when the big dog knocked me down and bit me. That story’s just been about me and a bad dog experience. I always assumed my dad was with me. And the funny thing is that it’s so far in the past, it’s faded away into an explanation about why I have that little scar on my lip. I’m afraid of deep water a lot more than dogs.

  I’m thinking now that maybe all stories are there to explain something.

  I really like reading stories with an unreliable narrator, because the person telling you what happened can’t be trusted with the facts and you have to figure it out.

  Maybe when it’s your own story, you’re always going to be an unreliable narrator.

  * * *

  SENT as TEXT MESSAGE

  Girls—You’re not going to believe what’s happening! It’s about to be announced online. You must be somewhere in the golf cart—oh wait, I can see you over the hill—

  * * *

  PLAYBILL.COM LEAD STORY

  The latest announcement out of Seelocken, Michigan, is that the summer production of Tony-nominated and Drama Desk Award—winning playwright Kristina Allenberry’s newest work, HOLDING UP HALF THE SKY, is headed for an off-Broadway run in the spring.

  Planned for a February preview with a March start at New World Stages, #4, the production will feature cast member (and newcomer) Betty Hawkins Devlin in the role of Sandra Mason.

  Other parts will be recast, with rumors swirling that Auli’i Cravalho is in talks to play the lead, Sister Elaine. Reps confirmed Nia Long is in early negotiations for the part of Ruthie Hocks.

  Valeria Garcia directs the twelve-actor piece, which explores time and identity. Martina DeSouza will provide sound design. Dilly Clark is in charge of moving light programming.

  * * *

  From: Avery Bloom

  To: The Hon. Evan Balakian

  Subject: Booking a date for a wedding

  Dear Judge Balakian,

  I asked Ariel for your email address. She wrote back one word: “Why?” I told her the answer, and now I’ll tell you (but maybe don’t share it because it’s not yet on Instagram or any social media, and a lot of people make announcements now with enga
gement photos).

  My papa’s getting married! For a while I was the only kid in our class with a gay parent, though it’s great that it’s not that way anymore since Maddy Burkett showed up with her two moms (and all those cats), and then Will Garrd’s dad left his mom for Will’s science tutor.

  Anyway, Ariel said you sometimes marry people. So I’m writing to ask if you’d marry my papa and his new partner, D. Marlow Devlin. He and my papa are in China right now, exploring the open road (on motorcycles, which is very dangerous, but very exciting for them).

  Marlow’s daughter, Bett, has been with me at camp in Michigan (and now at a theater program at the Seelocken Institute) and is my new best friend. Please tell Ariel she will always be my oldest best friend, as well as my school best friend. Bett and I can’t wait to be sisters. (Legally, stepsisters.)

  I know how busy my papa is (I have his Google calendar for the fall synced with my phone), so I thought I would take care of this while he’s away and surprise him and Marlow when they get back.

  Would you consider officiating at their wedding, now that the Supreme Court’s decision on gay marriage has made the world more fair?

  Some possible dates that could work are: 9/7, 10/12, 10/13, 10/19, 10/20.

  Probably it would be an afternoon wedding followed by a dinner with long table seating and a possible “small animals of the world” theme. (Bett’s idea.)

  If you could commit to this, it would be a big thing to check off the list. If you can’t do it, I totally understand. Ariel said you like to golf on weekends.

  Please say hello to Ariel’s mom for me and tell her I can’t wait to eat her flax pancakes this fall on a sleepover. My about-to-be new sister, Bett, is a big pancake person, and says she really wants to meet Ariel, especially when she found out you guys have a schnoodle. Bett loves dogs and says she’s never spent any time with a schnauzer-poodle mix.

  I hope you and your family are having an amazing summer.

  Sincerely,

  Avery Bloom

  * * *

  From: Bett Devlin

  To: Marlow Devlin

  Subject: Explaining about the tractor

  Dad—I want to explain that if you see a picture of me online DRIVING A TRACTOR (with Avery squeezed next to me in the seat) it’s not REALLY real.

  I mean, it’s not photoshopped or anything + yes, I’m driving, but the tractor is moving VERY SLOWLY + we are in the field at Seelocken just doing that FOR A PICTURE on our last day here because the tractor is so big + the whole thing looks funny. It was VERY windy, so that’s why my hair is blowing back like that.

  I realized when Rena (who does publicity for the plays) said she was putting the picture on the theater website, you might see us. But probably not. Gaga is here + of course she knows all about heavy farm equipment + it was very very SAFE. That’s why we have on those hard hats.

  Also, Avery is screaming in the photo the way you scream on a roller coaster. (She has actually never been on one, but if she had, she would have screamed like that.) Her expression is from GOOD SCREAMING. You can ask her. Or have her dad ask her. But if he hasn’t seen the picture—why bother?

  Okay, that’s me checking in. Also, did you know that most tractors have 4 forward speeds with a high + low range? You start with the P.T.O. + that means Power Take Off.

  At CIGI they just TALKED about mechanical stuff, but at drama camp it’s REAL.

  We all leave for New York tomorrow. Empty your voice mail. It’s full + that’s freaking out Gaga. She’s got LOTS OF NEWS.

  We’re glad you stayed + didn’t come racing back home even if you were TRYING to come racing back home but failed because of not having passports.

  Love you,

  Bett

  * * *

  From: Betty Devlin

  To: Marlow Devlin

  Subject: Seelocken

  Doug—

  We keep missing your calls. But the ten-hour time change isn’t helping, and also the Institute is in the woods and cell service isn’t what it should be, so our phones don’t ring half the time. We just see the messages afterward. Sorry, son.

  Here at Seelocken we’re almost done with the play (fastest three weeks of my life) & now we’re all going to go together to New York City.

  I’m guessing you just spit out your coffee—or probably your tea. You know I don’t travel & I’ve only been to New York once & that was during the Jimmy Carter administration, but this is a business trip for me. You read that right: a business trip.

  I was hoping to tell you the news in person, but we are taking the play HOLDING UP HALF THE SKY to off-Broadway. By “we” I mean I’m part of it!

  It’s not happening till the spring, but I need to find somewhere to stay in New York City (even though Avery keeps saying we’re a family now & there’s room for us in the Bloom apartment). Kristina lives in London, but she’s going to get a little New York spot now, too.

  Another reason I’m flying east is because I’m meeting with an agent. He saw the play & he wants to “represent” me. First I thought that was fishy, but Kristina says that this man, Emerson Morgan, is for real and I will need him to negotiate my contract.

  Mercy me, everything’s spinning in new directions. Okay, honey—we’ll try your cell when we’re at the airport in Detroit. They must get better reception there.

  Love you to death—

  Your mama (or Sandra Mason. She’s kind of unpredictable but has guts.)

  * * *

  From: Sam Bloom

  To: Avery Bloom

  Subject: Finally got a flight

  Okay, we got temporary passports and I’m finally on a plane to NYC. We board in thirty minutes. The flight takes twenty-five hours, stopping in Dallas. I still can’t believe it took this long to get out of here.

  I can’t wait to see you, Ave. We have so much catching up to do. So much has happened to each of us.

  One day in the far-off future I’m hoping that I have a sense of humor about it all.

  Love from,

  Your Papa

  P.S. I’m sending the flight details to my office. I’ll text you when I land. Let Kristina know that I expect to find you waiting for me at home. She didn’t return my last two emails. It’s best if you get Dee to watch you. I don’t think I’ll be in any mood to see Kristina.

  * * *

  From: Marlow Devlin

  To: Betty Devlin

  Subject: Flying back home

  Mom—

  I’ll be back in LA tomorrow. I know you said you were in New York, but I need you to get on a flight with Bett and be in LA when I arrive.

  I have a lot to tell you, but I don’t want to put some of it in writing. Especially because Bett gets into my email.

  See you soon.

  Marlow

  * * *

  From: Betty Devlin

  To: Marlow Devlin

  Subject: Seelocken

  We’ve got a flight to LA, and we’ll be there to meet you when you arrive. Don’t worry about paying for the flights, because I got a cross-country trip in my play contract and it includes what they call a “plus one.” (Bett.)

  We’re packing up now. And you probably know this, but the Blooms’ NY apartment is as fancy as I’ve seen. Bett took a lot of pictures.

  See you soon, sugar.

  * * *

  From: Bett Devlin

  To: Avery Bloom

  Subject: FIRST CLASS FLYING

  I’m on the plane. In FIRST CLASS, which is like you said “AWESOME” but probably really bad for a person because who wants to fly the old, cramped, uncomfortable way once you’ve done this?

  It’s another thing that shows how people live in the same world only a different one, but at the same time. Up front there was champagne (I got orange juice) as soon as we walked on. They hung up o
ur coats + couldn’t stop smiling, while behind us most of the other people had to squeeze down the aisle while getting yelled at to take their seats as quickly as possible.

  Gaga said they looked afraid that they were going to be kicked off the plane because of overbooking. They can see our bathroom but were told not to use it, which makes me feel bad. But the flight attendant closed our little curtain so they can’t see in.

  Right now they’re baking us fresh chocolate chip cookies. Behind the curtain a baby is crying. At least I hope it’s a baby.

  Gaga keeps saying she doesn’t know the first thing about being an actress + she didn’t even understand half of Kristina’s play. I told her we never stayed for the whole thing because it wasn’t meant for kids + also it was more fun to be out running around on our own.

  Remember the owls? (Of course you do, Night Owl.) I loved them so much. I wish we could have trained the ones in the trees to fly down + land on our shoulders. (We could have even had one in the wedding ceremony, maybe swooping down with the rings tied with ribbons to its claws!)

  Gaga says that too much traveling can make a person crazy. I don’t know if she’s talking about my dad or herself because she just emptied a dish of warm nuts into her coin purse.

  This trip to China was hard on the dads, but they will be SO happy when they hear that we got along great + that we’re fine with them getting married. We were such pains about it in the beginning.

  I really really can’t wait to start my own dog-walking business if we move to New York. I bet I’ll make a fortune. But maybe they’ll decide that it’s not fair to pick one of the cities over the other + that means living halfway instead, so we’ll be 1 big family somewhere in Oklahoma. They have a good basketball team there.