by Kailin Gow
Nadine hugged Meecham. “I want you two here. That’s how we spend summers together. It’s tradition. And it will always be tradition even when we’re old and have children. Our children will spend summers together here in Malibu.”
“That’s a promise,” Meecham said.
“Pinky promise,” I said, hooking my pinky with Nadine’s and then Meecham’s.”
“And I’m making a promise now that I will one day help bring these crime rings down,” Meecham said. “I can’t believe how many innocent people had to go through what I’m going through right now.”
John read from the screen. “I think the crime ring, believe it or not, is from overseas.”
“Really?” Meecham asked. “That sophisticated?”
John turned to us and said, “That far-reaching. It’s not just some petty thief working on a few ads here and there. It’s an organization operating overseas, with a large network of criminals managing locally. Ladies and gentleman, you just been conned by a sophisticated very organized global crime ring. You, Meecham, did not stand much of a chance to detect something was wrong. Their con was just that smooth.”
“I don’t understand how anyone can be that devious to want to con innocent people out of their hard-earned earnings,” Nadine said, patting Meecham’s shoulder. “Anyone who do is the biggest scumbags in the world and shouldn’t ever be blessed with having any children.”
At that, Dan and John suddenly glanced at each other. I couldn’t read what their glance was about, but it looked like they were surprised Nadine had just said that.
That out of everyone in the room, they least expected Nadine to say that.
“Thanks Nadine,” I said. “You’re a good friend. The best buddy any girl or guy could ever have.”
“What I have,” Nadine said earnestly, looking at both of us. “I’ll gladly give to you two. If it weren’t for you both befriending me at camp, I would never have understood what it was like to have siblings…to belong to a family.”
“Aww,” I said, tears nearly spilling out. “I love you, girl.”
“I love you two, too,” Nadine said.
Dan and John seemed to have excused themselves from the room or we girls just did not bothered noticing them slip out from this very emotional moment.
But soon, Dan was back in the room, by my side as he touched my shoulder gently. “Sookie, there’s the police at the door. Meecham, they would like for you three to give a report. It’s the first step for them to help you get the culprit. At least the ones operating locally.”
“Thanks,” I said to Dan, turning towards him. He was so close when he whispered into my ear, that now we were just an inch or two facing each other. He was staring into my eyes with an intensity I have never seen in a man before.
Searching.
“Sookie,” Dan said, still not letting go of my gaze. “After speaking to the officer, walk with me on the beach?”
His eyes were mesmerizing and all I could do was nod “yes”.
“Good,” Dan said. “I really want to talk to you.”
Chapter 7
Dan
Time could not go fast enough that day. I waited and waited for what seemed like hours for Sookie to finish her part in giving the police report.
By the time she changed into jogging shorts, a tank top, and a light jacket; the temperature had dropped by ten degrees.
I was sitting on a chair on the deck of the beach house as she walked with a natural spring in her steps toward me. Does that kind of thing come naturally to this girl? Who bounces with a happy step as they walk right after going through being conned out of her dream apartment and deposit earlier?
“Hi,” Sookie said grinning a wide beautiful smile that lit up the sky. “Sorry to keep you waiting, but I had to be thorough in my giving the officer my side of the story.”
“Understood, and no worries,” I said getting up to join her. I was a good head and shoulder taller than her, but I could see how nice it would be to hold her, like in a slow dance. We would fit like gloves together.
We started walking along the beach, and I felt Sookie’s stress from earlier, eased up, without even talking. Just walking in silence and enjoying the sunset along the beach.
“It’s beautiful,” Sookie said, looking at the orange sky merge with the beige of the sands.
“Not as beautiful as you are,” I said, turning towards her.
“Thank you,” she said. “But I hope we’re here to talk about something more substantive than how I look.” She smiled again, which took my breath away.
“Sookie,” I wanted to tell her that I wanted to know more about her. To learn everything about her. I wanted to get to know her life before she entered mine.
“Yes?” she asked.
“You seem so much older than your age,” I said.
“I”ve always been. Had to grow up fast living in New York and having no parents around. Meecham, too.”
“You seem to care a lot about Meecham,” I said.
“I do. She’s the only family I have, blood-wise. Nadine is a sister to me too.”
“I know you and Meecham were probably hoping to move out of the beach house so you can have your own place instead of sharing space with my father, brother, and I,” I said. “Sorry to ruin your summer plans with Nadine this summer.”
Sookie laughed. “It’s not your fault at all. Don’t apologize.”
“Look, after this week, I won’t be here. I have my own place in Orange County, near our company’s offices. I manage the place when my father is traveling. It’s what I do because it’s our family’s business. John won’t be at the beach house much either. He has a lot going on, and an entire busy life of his own before Dad dragged him back into the family business and matters.”
“So…” Sookie said. “You’re saying all this because…”
“I don’t want you and Meecham to feel awkward with us Donovans around. You, Meecham, and Nadine can go on as though my brother and I aren’t here. We’re here only for this one week, and then we’re gone. Out of your hair, out of Nadine’s hair. You and Meecham can live at the beach house without looking for a new place of your own.”
“Really?” Sookie’s eyes lit up.
It made my heart raced a little seeing her looked so happy. Suddenly, I had the urge to want to make her happy like that all the time.
“Sookie,” I said, stopping and turning to her. “I know this can sound strong and fast, but I’ll be honest with you. I think you’re very special. And…smart, talented, driven…”
“I think you’re pretty special yourself,” Sookie said smiling up at me.
I gulped as my ears tingled from the pleasure of hearing her soft lilting voice praise me. I should be used to a woman’s voice telling me what I’d like to hear, stroking my masculine ego, but I was taken by surprise, which was completely unusual for a suave chronic dater myself, known to be one of the most eligible bachelors.
Before I knew it, Sookie stood up on tiptoes and reached her arms around my neck, pulling my head down to meet hers. She kissed me on the lips, and said, “Thanks for the blessing to stay at the house. It really means a lot to me.”
It was just a friendly kiss. Not a kiss between lovers, as I had hoped.
But I couldn’t keep myself from smiling widely and chuckling as she ran back into the house, shouting back at me, “I need to tell Meecham. She’ll feel so relieved!”
Chapter 8
Sookie
Now that it was settled Meecham and I can stay with Nadine, with Dan’s blessings, Meecham was able to go to her meeting with her new advising professor with no worries.
And I was headed out to my interview for the internship at the production company, dressed in a nice blouse with a neck tie and a pencil skirt and pumps.
The production company was near USC so I could drive over back and forth between classes and work. That would be the perfect plan for me. I hoped.
“Ms. James,” the receptionist called. �
�You’re next.”
I stood up, fixed my skirt, and walked confidently to the door where a woman was holding a clipboard.
“Name?” she asked.
“Suzanne James,” I said.
“Position?”
“Intern,” I said.
“Great,” she said without smiling. “Follow me.”
I followed the woman into the room which looked like someone’s office. Posters of productions were plastered on the wall. Figurines of characters in the films were on the desk and on the bookshelf behind.
Then the large steel and glass desk in the middle of the room and the back of a high leather chair.
“Have a seat,” the woman said. “Mr. Tate Hammersmith will be with you soon.”
Tate Hammersmith? His name sounded familiar.
I waited in the chair for Tate Hammersmith to show up, but no one appeared at the door. It was about 10 minutes into my interview when I noticed the chair at the desk spinned to face me.
“Oh,” I jumped out of my chair. “I didn’t notice anyone there.”
The man who sat at the desk looked familiar. He wore a suit that was a bluish-grey. But it was his hair…blonde and wavy.
He stood up and walked in front of his desk before leaning against it, crossing his ankles. He was tall with broad-shoulders like a football player.
“Sorry about startling you, Miss James,” he said. “I was on the phone with New York. Just listening in to a conference call, but it lasted longer than it was supposed to.”
New York? He looked so familiar now.
“Do you travel there often?” I asked.
“A lot,” he said. “Almost weekly. It’s a long flight, and by the time it’s over, I can’t wait to get out of the airplane and go home.”
There! He was the man on the plane who rudely bumped into me in the aisle causing me to bump into Meecham and hurting her elbow.
I tried to hide my glare at him so I smiled instead. “I know how that feels. I used to live in New York but commute to Malibu every year.”
“Can be exhausting,” Mr. Hammersmith said. “It brings out the worst in me when I’m cramped up in those tiny seats for at least 5 hours going and then 5 to 6 hours coming back. 11 hours of flight in one day.”
So that was it? He couldn’t wait to get off.
“Are you claustrophobic too?” I had to ask. It would explain a lot.
His bright blue eyes widened and he said, “Yes!” He relaxed and came over to sit next to me. “How did you know?”
“Well, you’re bigger than what the seats are built for so it must feel tighter for you than for most people. Even if you’re not claustrophobic, you would feel like it. Plus having to sit like that for 11 hours in a day would be like torture for someone who couldn’t easily get up and walk up and down the aisle.”
“You’re right,” Mr. Hammersmith said. “All of those reasons were very logically put. How old are you? I know I’m not supposed to ask too many personal questions, but I think you’re here for the internship?”
“Yes, I am,” I said. “I’m 18 years old and will be attending USC in the fall.”
“Getting a head start on interning,” Mr. Hammersmith said. “Smart and a go getter.”
“Thank you,” I said. “I just really needed a job, but it make sense to work at an internship where I can learn on the job while being paid so I can at least pay for my tuition.”
Mr. Hammersmith laughed. “You’re brutally honest, aren’t you?”
“Why not?” I said “Honesty has always been my best policy.”
“Terrific,” Mr. Hammersmith said. “You’re hired.”
I blinked my eyes a couple of times in disbelief. “I am?”
“Yes,” He said. “I’ll tell Karen that the position has been filled.” He reached out his hand and I shook it.
“Thank you, sir,” I said. “I’ll be the best intern you’ll ever have!”
“Good. Can you start tomorrow?” Mr. Hammersmith asked.
“Yes,” I said.
“Good, tomorrow we’re having a meeting with our newest hotshot producer and his team to go over the details of our newest blockbuster film. It’s a good learning experience, but also, we could use the help in getting the team what they need for the meeting.” Mr. Hammersmith said. “Be here at 9 am sharp.”
“I’ll be here at 9,” I said almost giggling.
When I reached the parking lot, I couldn’t help jumping up and down. “Yes!” I shouted. “Yes! Yes! Yes!”
A young man in his twenties stopped in front of me as I was jumping, and laughed. “Good news?”
I stopped jumping. “Yes, very good news!”
“Good!” he said. “I love hearing good news.”
“I just got the job I wanted,” I said. “I’m so happy!”
The young man laughed, sharing in my happiness. “Your happiness is contagious,” he said. “It’s great for morale. I’d love to have you on my team…wherever you are.” He handed me his card and said, “I’m Brent.”
“I’m Suzanne, but all my close friends and family call me Sookie,” I said. “I don’t have a card yet, but when I do get one, I’ll give you one, proudly.”
Brent laughed. “I love it! You’re so cute. Everything about you…Wished everyone had that kind of energy and joy. It would make the world a better place.”
“Aww thank you, Brent,” I said. “I’ve got to go. I start early tomorrow so I have to go home to be prepared.”
“Hope to see you around,” Brent said.
“Me too,” I said. “It would be great to have a friend already here when I start.”
“Sure,” Brent said, indicating his card. “Call me if you ever need anything.”
“Thank you, Brent,” I said, waving to him good-bye as I walked to Nadine’s car. Note to self. When I earn enough, I will buy a car of my own.
I got into Nadine’s car and pulled out of my parking spot. As I drove out, I realized Brent had been standing there staring at me all this time. Whoever he was, he seemed like a nice guy. Tall, sandy brown hair, warm brown eyes, a cleft chin, and perfect teeth; he looked like he could have been an actor. Hammersmith turned out to be not so much of a jerk as I thought he was. He also turned out to be one of the most handsome blonde men I’ve met.
Hollywood was a place where the most gorgeous people work and live. All that was on the surface, but when you peel back the layers, they were a bunch of normal people too…people with phobias like Hammersmith had and people who just wanted to make that human connection in a sea of inhuman transactions and dealings.
Soon, I would be part of that whole system too.
I pinched myself in Nadine’s car. I still could not believe I got the job.
Chapter 9
Sookie
“Guess what?” Nadine met me at the door when I returned home.
“What?” I asked. “Is Meecham back yet?”
“Not yet,” Nadine said.
“Where’s Dan? Where’s John?” I asked.
“Dan is outside working on something, and John, well, he left to go out with some friends. He said he’ll be back tonight for dinner.”
“And your mom and stepdad?” I asked.
“That’s what I was going to tell you,” Nadine said, exasperately.
“Okay, what?” I asked.
“They just up and left,” Nadine said. “On a big trip. A cruise first and then some tours. Without telling us.”
“Just like that?” I said. “That’s a bit spontaneous.”
“Like Mom is throwing caution to the wind and trying to live life to the fullest.”
“Not a bad philosophy,” I said. “I guess when you get older, you realize things like that…how important it is to live more. To experience more. Because when you get to be an old person, you wished you had taken the time to live fully.”
“Whatever her reasons, Mom is just acting so not like Mom. More like she’s trying to be a girl again.”
“Well, sh
e did just spontaneously get married. Taking off on her honeymoon with her new husband was actually more expected than her spending it here with all of us grown kids,” I said.
Nadine laughed. “You’re right. She and Stepdad should have taken off right after the wedding in the first place…instead of…”
“Torturing us with so much awkwardness…” Dan walked in from the patio with a sheet of paper in his hands, “that it made you want to hide.”
I laughed. “So true.”
“Hey, Dad just called me and said he and Stepmom decided life’s too short to not go after what they want so they decided they want to spend time together as newlyweds on a beach by themselves. Guess where they’re at?”