Hollywood Princess

by Dana Aynn Levin

  Sure, I would visit Danny every weekend. That was our plan. But what about the rest of the week? Danny’s assertions that he would have to behave or risk embarrassing Steve did not assuage my fears. I wanted him to behave because he loved me, not because he felt obligated.

  I needed the words, but how to tell Danny without sounding like I was issuing an ultimatum. That wasn’t what I wanted.

  I continued staring at the passing landscape. Not much could be duller than endless strip malls flashing past at 80 miles per hour.

  “E, why the frown?”

  Danny startled me back to consciousness. Without noticing, we were now winding our way westbound past the glossy towers of downtown. Traffic had been light. If it kept up, we’d be early for lunch with the moms.

  “Why the frown?” Danny repeated. His voice was kind and caring. Did I really look that sad? I hoped not.

  “Nothing. Just spacing.”

  “I don’t believe you. You haven’t said one word in almost an hour.”

  “That long? Neither have you,” I retorted.

  “I’ve been concentrating on the road. What’s your excuse?”

  “There hasn’t been any traffic to concentrate on. Try again.”

  “I was thinking how I woke up on top of the world this morning, but my lady is wearing a frown. If I quietly give her some space maybe she’ll open up and tell me why. But you haven’t, so what is it, baby?”

  I took a deep breath. “I don’t want to fight.”

  “Did I do something?” Danny asked with concern.

  “No, you didn’t do anything,” I answered truthfully.

  Fact is, it wasn’t what Danny had done. It was what he hadn’t done.

  “Then what?” Danny asked.

  “I don’t want to have a fight,” I repeated. “You’re driving.”

  “Eli, you can’t say that and not tell me,.”

  “Not now,” I said firmly.

  “Babe…”

  “I want to stop at my house before we go to the club.”

  “Your house?”

  “Santa Monica. I want to play tennis after lunch and hang out at the pool. I need to pick up clean whites and a dry bathing suit.”

  My efforts to change the conversation were transparent, but the longer Danny and I avoided Malibu, the longer I could avoid the conversation.

  “Tennis?” Danny was surprised. “Can I borrow a shirt from Mike?”

  “Sure,” I said, relieved that Danny was buying into my plan.

  “Why hang at the club? I was looking forward to taking you home, babe.”

  I was surprised to find tears spilling out of my eyes.

  “Because we won’t be able to all summer,” I trembled.

  “Is that what this is about? Sunday?” Danny’s tender voice was full of love.

  “Sort of,” I admitted and more tears flowed.

  Danny took my hand. “Baby, don’t cry. I love you too much to see you so sad.”

  Mom was home when Flora opened the front door to let us in.

  “Elizabeth! Danny!” Mom exclaimed as we nearly collided at the top of the stairs.

  Mom was rushing out, already dressed for lunch.

  “It’s so good to see you!” Mom said and she hugged us. “Why are you here?”

  “Eli had a sudden craving to be beaten at tennis,” Danny answered and winked.

  “I do not intend on being beaten,” I answered and then added, “I need clean whites and a bathing suit.”

  “Can I borrow a polo from Mike?”

  “Help yourself, Danny.”

  “Thanks. While I’m in your closet, can you find out why your daughter is so sad? All she’ll tell me is she doesn’t want to have a fight.”

  “Sure, Danny.” Mom shook her head, perplexed. “Whatever.”

  “Thanks, Randi.” Danny kissed my cheek and went toward my parents’ room.

  Mom followed me into my room and perched herself on my bed. Meanwhile, I rummaged through my walk-in closet, digging in the back for tennis clothes.

  “Elizabeth, what’s going on?” Mom asked when I emerged with a tennis dress and a floral Gottex one-piece with a matching pareo. “Danny says you’re sad. Didn’t you have a good time at Naomi’s?”

  “You know we did. I’m sure Ellen reported in,” I giggled.

  Mom laughed. I was right. “Then, why so sad? Danny’s worried.”

  I bit my lower lip to keep my emotions under control. I didn’t know how long I could hold out. Close as I was to my mother, I had never confided in her. Now I hurt because of it.

  Mom intimidated me. Had I not feared her judgment, I could have relieved myself of the burden I was carrying. Mom didn’t know the pain Danny had inflicted on me. Otherwise, she would tell me to drop him. Mom would be ashamed of my weakness. At times, I certainly was.

  “Is this about Sunday?” Mom asked.

  I nodded ‘yes.’ Speaking would bring unwelcomed tears. Now that it was Monday, the specter of Sunday had come crashing down like the proverbial ton of bricks in ways my mother could not imagine. Her husband was Dad, aka Mr. Perfect.

  Mom’s soft brown eyes met mine with a ferocity that wouldn’t quit. She gave me the look that said she knew I was hiding something. Mom wouldn’t rest until I spilled.

  I turned away, my arms protectively across my chest. Tears flowed. I was shaking. Mom rose from the bed and gathered me in her warm embrace.

  “Elizabeth,” she said softly, “What is it, honey?”

  Gut-wrenching pain paralyzed me. Mom had gone from opposing me being with Danny to whole-heartedly accepting us in large part because I was so happy. Would Mom consider me a liar when she learned the truth? Until today, I had been happy; Danny was wonderful. There was only one problem, and it killed me to voice it.

  “Mommy, I don’t trust Danny,” I sobbed.

  Immediately, I regretted my confession.

  “Elizabeth, you live with Danny. What do you mean you don’t trust him?” Mom asked, being kind for now, not judgmental. That would come later, I was certain.

  “Mostly I trust him. I love Danny, but Mom, I’m afraid he’s going to cheat,” I sobbed.

  The tears would not stop. I was trembling. The ugly truth was nearly out. Mom held me close and rubbed my back to provide comfort.

  “You’ll be seeing Danny every weekend,” she pointed out.

  “I know. But there’s the rest of the week,” I sniffled, tears subsiding.

  “Why would you doubt him? Danny loves you.”

  “He’s done it before,” I whispered.

  “Elizabeth! No!” Mom exclaimed softly. “Are you certain?”

  “Yes,” I whimpered so softly I was nearly inaudible.

  Mom held me closer. She stroked my hair. Her voice took on a deflated edge. “My heart breaks for you, honey. How do you know?”

  “Back in January. I overheard a girl at the library telling a friend. I confronted him then.”

  “What did Danny say?”

  “It was a short fling. He saw her only once or twice.”

  “Elizabeth, you must have been devastated. Why didn’t you call?”

  “I was afraid to. You would have told me to break up with him.”

  “I would have,” Mom agreed. “And you didn’t want to hear that.”

  “No, I didn’t. I called Ellen. She told me about Steve.”

  “I’m so sorry, honey,” Mom said, sadly. “I know how much you love Steve.”

  I nodded.

  “Elizabeth, I’m trying to process this. What did Ellen say?”

  “Ellen told me Danny was sorry and to follow my heart.”

  “And your heart belongs to Danny.”

  I nodded as I answered tearfully. “I love Danny. I love him even more now.”

  “Has it happened again?”

  “I don’t think so,” I lied. “But Danny’s never promised not to do it again.” I couldn’t reveal my suspicions about Reggie. That would be too humiliating.

 
“Have you said anything to Danny?”

  “Not in a while. I’m afraid. I might not like the answer.”

  “Elizabeth, I don’t condone Danny’s behavior. He took your heart and broke off a part of it. I can’t look at him the same way anymore.”

  “Mom,” I begged, “Danny can’t know that I told you.”

  “Elizabeth, I would never betray your confidence,” Mom promised. “Danny’s behavior was reprehensible, but you say it hasn’t happened again.”

  I nodded my confirmation.

  “Danny’s a sensitive young man. Hopefully seeing the hurt he inflicted made him realize the enormity of his actions.”

  “I hope so.”

  “Elizabeth, you were willing to forgive Danny because you loved him. What will make you forget?

  “Words. Words will make me forget. I need Danny to promise he will never do anything to hurt me again.”

  “Let’s think about this,” Mom suggested. “You’re living together?”

  “Yes. We even opened a joint checking account.”

  “You did?” Mom was pleasantly surprised and smiled.

  “Yes,” I hesitated.

  “You just returned from Naomi’s, and I’ve seen you together enough to know how much Danny loves you.”

  “What’s your point, Mom?”

  “Actions speak louder than words, Elizabeth. Living together, joint bank accounts, visiting grandmothers; men don’t frivolously do these things. Does Danny discuss your future?”

  I finally smiled as I thought of how often Danny did.

  “Danny talks about when we graduate and how beautiful he thinks I’ll be when I’m pregnant. Danny wants lots of babies.”

  “Elizabeth, Danny certainly sounds committed. I wouldn’t worry about it. He probably doesn’t even think about you needing to hear the words at this point. Danny probably thinks telling you he loves you every day is enough.”

  “You think so?”

  “Men do not discuss babies casually. It’s the biggest commitment there is.”

  I hugged her tightly.

  “Thanks, Mom. I better wash. I don’t want Danny seeing my face tear-stained.”

  Mom left my room as I entered the bathroom. Through the running water I heard her and Danny.

  “How’s Eli?” he asked.

  “She’s good. Tell Elizabeth I’m leaving. I’ll see you at lunch.”

  I splashed cold water on my cheeks and dabbed my eyes. Then I patted my face dry with a hand towel. Appraising my reflection, I was pleased to note my early season tan deflected attention from my puffy eyes.

  I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. Confiding in Mom made me feel better. She had not been judgmental nor had she told me to dump Danny.

  Beyond the bathroom door, Danny was waiting. Poor boy! Today I was an emotional rollercoaster, and he had tolerated it. At least I was happy again.

  I stepped into my bedroom and found Danny in Dad’s white polo shirt. My sapphire-eyed sweetheart was staring at me.

  My earlier sadness gone, I was able to appreciate how handsome Danny looked today. In contrast to his sandy hair, his tanned skin was striking. His eyes stood out more than usual. They were twinkling for me. Full, pink lips smiled my way.

  “Feeling better?” he asked. Danny sounded hopeful.

  “Yes,” I answered, giving him my megawatt smile.

  I took Danny’s hands and pulled myself into his comforting embrace.

  “Does this mean you’re over whatever was going to cause us to fight later?”

  “What fight” I asked innocently.

  My hands reached up, and I brought Danny’s lips to mine for a kiss.

  “I have plans for tonight,” I said breathlessly, “And a fight would be completely counterproductive.”

  “I know your plans, and you’re right.”

  Danny’s breath was on my face. He gripped my head through my thick waves and as my hands reached around his neck our lips met. Mine parted eagerly, sharing our love. All doubts vanished in the security of Danny’s strong, loving arms.

  Then Danny lifted my skirt and squeezed me. I gasped.

  “Baby, I want you now,” Danny whispered in my ear. “Do you know how tortuous it was sleeping next to you at Grandma’s and not being able to love you?”

  “Do you know how tortuous it was to feel you poking against me?”

  Our lips joined again, our tongues exploring. Consumed by lust, Danny pushed my skirt and my thong down past my thighs where they fell to the floor.

  Drunk from Danny’s passionate sensuality, I couldn’t react sanely. I was half undressed and his hardness rubbed against me. We had never made love in my parents’ house. Yet here we were, powerless to stop.

  “I love you, Eli.”

  “Flora will hear us,” I protested while I unfastened his shorts and pushed them down far enough to fall to the floor.

  “Too bad.” Danny lifted me off the floor, our lips once more glued together.

  On the way to the bed, Danny kicked the door closed. The highly charged moment left me feeling wasted, my mind turned to jelly. I was senseless. I wanted Danny as much as he wanted me, and I wanted him now.

  Giddy from our furtive love making, we arrived at the Riviera Country Club. Freshly showered and wearing tennis whites, I hoped my mother wouldn’t notice my damp, braided hair or more obvious, Danny’s shaggy wet mane. Self-conscious, with grins that wouldn’t quit, there was no getting around what we had been up to since Mom left the house.

  In a lust-induced haze, I followed Danny to the dining room where we found our mothers already seated. Ellen rose and greeted us with hugs and kisses. Mom raised an eyebrow and shook her head. I blushed crimson. Danny sat by my side, confident and not caring.

  Normally lunch at the club was relaxing. Today I couldn’t get past Mom’s glances and Danny’s leg rubbing mine beneath the table.

  I was relieved when Danny glanced at his Rolex and announced, “Time for tennis, Eli.”

  But my concentration was shot. Thoughts of our romantic interlude dominated. I spent the next hour going through the motions. My brain couldn’t function. Neither could my body. I floated through the match.

  Later that evening, we snuggled on the chaise beside the outdoor fireplace. “Will you ever tell me what we were going to fight over now that you say we won’t?” Danny asked.

  I thought before answering. “I’ll tell you when we go to bed on September First.” By then my insecurities would have been rendered moot, and we’d share a good laugh.

  “Eli, I’ll hold you to that,” Danny chuckled

  CHAPTER 104 - ELIZABETH

  Wednesday Danny woke full of energy. Giving me a loud, playful smacker of a kiss, he bounced out of bed, near manic as he vaulted over me.

  “E, go back to sleep. I’m picking up Teddy. It’s going to be great hanging out with him.”

  I never heard Danny leave, so I knew I fell back to sleep. A check of the clock confirmed over an hour had passed. If I didn’t want my brother catching me in my birthday suit, I needed to hit the shower and get dressed.

  Danny and Teddy were in the kitchen when I came downstairs. The raucous scene reminded me of an exclusive fraternity. I was not used to this level of testosterone in my house.

  Teddy was removing bagels from a brown paper bag and playfully tossing them to Danny. On the other side of the kitchen he caught the bagels and placed them in a large bowl. They were laughing, having a good time. My boys!

  Danny spied me first. He smiled playfully and opened his arms to me.

  “Here’s your lazy sister!” Danny announced as he pulled me into his embrace. He was grinning. Teddy laughed.

  “Danny, you told me to go back to sleep,” I protested.

  “So I did. Good morning, Sweetheart.”

  “Good morning,” I answered. Then I pirouetted out of his embrace and over to Teddy.

  “Hey, bro,” I said, and I kissed his forehead after brushing a lock of wavy brown hair off his fac
e. “Welcome to Casa de Jacobs-Newman.”

  “Elizabeth, this is so weird you living here with Danny.”

  “Whatever,” I answered. I picked up a tomato from the counter and began to play one-handed catch.

  “Come here, Eli,” Danny said.

  I caught the tomato one last time and in two strides I was at Danny’s side. He embraced me again but this time he kissed me. It was awkward with Teddy watching.

  “Teddy’s here,” I whispered through gritted teeth.

  “I don’t care.” Danny kissed me again, not caring.

  “Can you stop that?” Teddy asked. He flushed as red as the tomato. “That’s my sister.”

  Danny stopped but kept his arms wrapped around my shoulders.

  “Sorry,” Danny apologized. “I love your sister. Eli’s my lady.” Then Danny noticed the tomato. “Can you please slice that, babe? I’m hungry.” I groaned. Typical!

  After clearing the breakfast dishes, Danny grabbed my hand and barked, “Teddy, fill the dishwasher. I want to show Eli the surprise.”

  What it could be? “It’s in the garage,” he added.

  Teddy, already rinsing the dishes, smirked. He knew.

  “My car!” I exclaimed as Danny pulled me into the garage. My Range Rover.

  “It arrived last night,” Danny explained.

  “Thank you.”

  “I knew you’d want it, but today I need it.”

  The back seat was down and bicycles filled the space.

  “Teddy and I are picking up the bike path in Santa Monica. Eli, you don’t mind, do you?” Danny gave me sad puppy dog eyes. “I never spend time with Teddy.”

  “I know,” I sighed. I was not happy with losing Danny for the day, but I was pleased to encourage their relationship.

  Danny pulled me to his chest. “Eli, you’re the best,” he said and kissed me. “We’ll be back by six.” Danny kissed me again. “You can drive my car today. Have fun. Go shopping.”

  Danny pressed his keys into my palm. Then he pulled out his wallet and handed me a black American Express card and five one hundred dollar bills.

  After my initial disappointment at not spending the day with Danny wore off, I realized he was right. It was time to get acquainted with my new hometown.