by G S Binkley
Everyone in the family was aware that Lane Grayson was going with his family to New York and that was the main reason Dani had been so glum lately. It wasn’t that she snapped at anyone. It was more like her zest for life had plummeted. And that was not like the young woman at all.
It was then that Lacy had a splendid idea. She twisted around and was now facing Gage. “Let’s have a summer blast right here.”
Gage was unsure of what that blast might look like. “And that would be what?”
“Oh, you know.” But Gage didn’t so Lacy continued. “We could have like… like the Olympics. Have some games and compete in teams. The lake’s right here and now that we’re getting Sammy a race car and Derek has his we could set up some hay bales to line out a track or we have the jet skis we could race on the water…and what about a three legged race.”
“You been talking to Derek?” Gage was keen on the idea but wondered why Lacy was insistent on going all out.
Lacy leaned in and kissed Gage. “They grow up so fast and I don’t want to miss a thing.”
The actor’s mind had traversed back in time through the years. Instead of thinking about all the wonderful family times they had together especially since Gage entered their lives, Lacy seemed to focus on the moments when she was working and not being able to spend time with their children.
“What brought this on?”
Lacy leaned back on the edge of the railing. “Everyone is getting older and after next year, Dani will be going to college. Mom and Dad their getting older… well, I just don’t want to miss a moment of any of it.”
“I’m good with the idea, Lacy. The kids will love it and we can invite everyone over.” The blonde hesitated. “Lacy, you can stop acting anytime, you know.”
“It’s not about that… I want to finish what we started with the show but after…” Lacy let that thought trail off.
The writer nodded. “I agree after… we take as much time as we want off.”
They had discussed this issue before the couple ventured ahead with the television show. The Calley Carew show was to last five years and then Lacy would only take on parts that truly interested her. Gage, however, would continue writing as it was a fire that burned deep in her soul. The blonde keep a journal throughout most of her life and it helped her sometimes vent or sometimes sort through things after putting it down on paper.
Fully back in the moment, Lacy turned a serious eye at her partner. “What did you say about Griff?”
Gage had to laugh. Even when her partner was pre-occupied about something else, Lacy still picked up on the things that matter the most. “I said Derek is coming with me and, yes, Griff will be at the studio.”
Lacy dropped her arms over Gage’s shoulders. “Do you need any inspiration in order for you to come back unscathed?” The brunette was well aware of Griff’s interest in her partner.
“I’m sure Derek will keep me safe besides Michael, Shanti and I think Nathan will be there.”
“Well, just in case.” Lacy kissed her partner with such passion that the blonde would never forget.
Through the years a little green eyed monster would appear when Lacy thought of Griff’s relentless chase for her partner. But all that had dissipated knowing full well that Gage belonged to her and her alone. There was no question of the love and devotion they had for each other. No one nor anything would ever come between them. Both Lacy and Gage knew the bond between them was built on love and trust.
“Besides, Griff has her sights set on others instead of me.” Gage pulled Lacy in for a hug. “You think Dani would want to come? She’s been out of sorts lately.”
Lacy grabbed her partner’s hand and led the blonde back into the house. “No, she’s going with me to mom’s house. Hayley and Sammy are coming along.”
**********
Derek was right on the heels of the blonde as they walked into the studio where the show Calley Carew was filmed. For the last few years, Shanti along with Michael and Griff had used the studio to edit and shoot some promos for their various documentaries. Gage brought Derek along because their latest documentary was about one of his favorite subjects. Animals.
Griff and Michael were in the control room while Shanti was in the sound booth laying the audio track down for the documentary. Shanti could see on the big screen the scenes from what they filmed and read from the script, narrating the documentary.
Griff eyed the blonde up and down but had long since given up on that delicious prey. It appeared that Gage wasn’t interested but the main reason that the red head gave up pursuing the writer was that she didn’t want to tangle with Lacy. “Hey, Gage. Could you go over the script and see what you think?” Griff did respect the Gage’s insight and writing skills.
“Sure.” The writer took the script from the red head.
Derek ran up next to Michael to get a better view of the television screen. “I know what that is.” He pointed to the animal in the picture. “Do you know what they call a family of rhinos?”
Even though Michael had spent the last several months filming the wild creatures, he shrugged. “Nope.”
“A crash.”
Overhearing Derek, Gage was reminded of the upcoming event that her son had registered in to race. She walked over to where he was standing. “Oh, that kind of crash.” Gage said once she saw the pictures.
When Shanti finished with the script, she joined the group in the control room. “Gage, how’s Lacy?” She gave a quick hug to the writer.
“As usual, she’s wonderful.” Gage had finished perusing the script. “Looks good to me.” The blonde handed it back to Griff. “So what else you guys doing today?”
Michael leaned back in the chair. “A lot of editing, re-writes…” He pushed a lever on the control board. The speakers emitted a cacophony of animal and jungle sounds. “We’re trying to eliminate some of the noise on here to get a more harmonious mix for the soundtrack.”
Gage sat down next to Michael. “Here let me see.” Over the last three years of filming the show Calley Carew, Gage had strived to learn every aspect of filming from lighting to sound to props and stage direction. She finagled the buttons and levers in several different ways in order to eliminate the extraneous noises.
“That’s it. Right there.” Shanti stopped the blonde’s progress. “I like that sound for the opening.”
And with that, Gage stood up. “I just came by to see how you guys were doing and to let you know that in late July we are going to shoot a few promos for the television show.”
“No worries.” Griff shifted past the blonde. “We’ll have most of it done. Besides Michael and I are set to work on my dad’s new film this Fall.”
“Still the assistant director but, hey, it’s experience.” Michael shrugged.
Michael had worked with Ryan White on several films as well as Ron Griffen’s movies but needed that big break to direct one of his own. Most of the work the young man did centered on directing the second unit or being an assistant to the director of the film.
“What are you waiting for?” Gage asked.
“Someone to give me a break.”
“If that’s all then why don’t you direct one of our shows?” Gage was serious. “It’s only a television show but…”
“Are you kidding that would be great.” Michael hugged the writer.
Ryan White had directed most of the shows over the last three years but Gage knew he would be only too happy to help Michael.
“Yeah, Gage and you can write a show about animals and how we should protect them.” Derek was excited. “Michael can direct that one. He knows all about them.”
That got Gage to thinking. The character Lacy played, Calley Carew, was an actor and it was feasible to write a show based on that premise. “Okay.”
“How about writing a part in there for me, Gage?” Shanti winked.
Gage was fully aware of Shanti’s acting skills. She had starred in a few movies the blonde had written. “My pleasure.” Ga
ge looked around the room and her eyes landed on Griff. “Any requests from you?”
Griff shrugged and offered her suggestion. “Maybe we could write it together.”
Uh oh! I walked right into that one. Lacy won’t mind… Lacy won’t mind… and if I keep saying that it will come true. “Sure.” Gage gave her lackluster acceptance. I’m sure she will mind.
They passed Nathan as Gage and Derek left the studio. “Hey.” Derek waved.
“Gage, Derek. Where’s the rest of gang?” The young man asked.
“At your moms. At least they are supposed to be there.” Gage wondered.
Nathan shrugged. “Don’t know. I just came from work.” Lacy’s youngest brother had worked at the mall as the manager of an electronic store. Over the last few years, he helped Shanti and the others with graphics on their documentaries. Truth be told, Nathan liked hanging around with Michael, Griff and especially Shanti. “Derek, when we going fishing again?”
The young boy looked up at Gage. “As soon as she gets me a new one.”
“It was an accident Derek and I thought it was mine.”
Derek wasn’t buying it. However, they both remembered the day long ago when the young boy tossed his fishing pole in the lake and Gage jumped in to get it.
“How else was I supposed to get that Frisbee out of the tree?” When young Sammy tossed the Frisbee up in the air near the water’s edge, he didn’t realize it would get stuck on a low lying branch that hung out over the lake. Gage grabbed a fishing rod so she could reach the round thing. As the blonde inched out along the limb, she reached for the Frisbee and hooked it but the pole slipped from her fingers. Sammy got his Frisbee back as it floated on the water top but, at lass, Derek’s pole fell to the bottom of the lake. “Okay, we can go shopping tomorrow and then you and your uncle can go fishing anytime you want.”
Excited now, Derek asked. “Can we go down by the river on that island?”
Gage rolled her eyes. The Missouri River winded and cut a path across the land as it flowed to the Mississippi River. There was this one spot where the Missouri River carved out a small island. Derek loved going there and had many times with his grandfather. Gage went along a few times as well and realized the tranquility of this special place.
“If your mom doesn’t mind and we bring your grandpa.” Nathan assured his young nephew but looked to Gage for confirmation.
“Sure.” Gage mussed Derek’s hair. “The River’s not up so I don’t see why not.”
Chapter Four
When the home telephone rang, Dani rushed to get it. “Hello.”
“Hi, honey. How are you?”
Disappointed, Dani sighed. “Oh, it’s you.”
“Well, that’s not a very nice way to greet your father.” David Levine cautioned his daughter. “Wanna try that again?”
“Oh, dad. I’m sorry. I just have a lot on my mind…lately.” The young woman truly was remorseful but she had hoped to receive a call from someone else.
David chased away his own problems and now directed his attention to his daughter’s concerns. “Honey, you can tell me…talk to me anytime.” David knew Dani probably had already spoken with her mother as their relationship was strong. However, he wanted to help anyway he could. “Is your mother around? I wanted to see you guys and need to check with her when things would work out best.”
“Yes…hold on.” David could hear his daughter call out to Gage asking where Lacy was at the moment.
When Gage walked up to Dani, she said. “Your mom’s giving Hayley a bath…or at least trying. You know how she still likes to run around…ah, with no clothes.” It was true the five year old seemed to find every opportunity to steal a moment and streak through the house. Mostly around bath time. “Who wants to know?” Gage asked referring to Dani’s question about Lacy.
“Dad’s on the phone.”
Gage motioned for the telephone.
The seventeen year old young woman gave it up easily. She was too pre-occupied with certain events that happened the last couple weeks in school.
“David, Lacy will be down in a bit. Can I help? Or do you want me to have her call you back?” Gage and Lacy’s ex-husband had long since buried any jealousy or adversarial issues for each other and now were almost congenial.
David hesitated. He really wanted to talk with Lacy. “Can you have her call me? I was wanting to see the kids and Lacy hadn’t got back to me yet.”
“Yeah, she told me about that.” Gage would have preferred David come to St. Troy to visit his children instead of them going to Los Angeles so the blonde came up with a quick solution. “Why don’t you come here? We’ve got some plans for a summer blast. At least that’s what Lacy is calling it and Derek is registered in his first race of the summer the middle of June.”
The other end of the telephone line was silent for a long moment.
“You can stay here.” Gage sweetened the deal even though she did with a tad bit of reservation because she had not talked with Lacy about it.
“Yeah, sure. Well, have Lacy call me when she gets a chance.”
“Okay, I will.” Gage waited for David to reply but the line went dead. The blonde stared at the telephone wondering why he had hung up without saying a word. “Goodbye then.” She shrugged her shoulders and went off to find Lacy. It was the loud squeal that caught Gage’s attention. As the writer rounded the corner to their bedroom, a little blonde ran right into her arms.
“Got you!” Hayley yelled as Gage swooped her up in her arms.
Gage eyed her young daughter. “No clothes again I see. Did you escape from your mother?”
“Uh huh.” Mischievous blue eyes gleamed with excitement. “Let’s hide.”
“Oh, no…I will not suffer the wrath of your mother…” The blonde stopped when she caught sight of Lacy with her hand on her hip. “I was just bringing her to you.”
Lacy and Gage proceeded to get their daughter ready for bed. Hayley’s room was down the hallway. Their little girl had long since stopped sneaking into her parent’s room late at night and now considered herself a big girl. After all, Hayley was going to first grade after completing kindergarten.
They tucked Hayley in and stayed long enough for the little blonde to finish saying her prayers. The five year old seemed to want to have God bless not only everyone in their family but anyone else she could think of.
“Alright Hayley.” Lacy leaned down and kissed her daughter. “I think God gets the message.”
“Night.” Gage kissed Hayley before they left her room.
When Lacy and Gage reached their bedroom, the older woman asked. “You alright?”
Lacy started to get undressed. “Yes, just thinking about mom and what to tell David about the kids.” Gage started to inform her about the phone call but Lacy continued. “I really don’t want to be away from mom … or the kids.”
“David called.”
Lacy turned around. “What’d he want?”
Gage walked up to her partner. “I kinda invited him here… I didn’t want the kids to go out there and I thought you wouldn’t want that and…”
Lacy kissed her partner. “Good idea.”
Neither were keen on David staying at their house but things between the three had eased over the last few years. Lacy and Gage were well established in their relationship and David truly wanted to be part of his children’s life even though at times he didn’t exactly make the time for them.
“He wanted you to call him.” Gage scratched her ear. “I think he had something else on his mind besides seeing the kids.”
Lacy took her lover’s hand and pulled her on to their bed. She snuggled up to Gage. “I can only guess it’s about Hayston again.” Over the last few years, David’s relationship with his girlfriend was all over the place. When there was trouble between the two, David reached out to Lacy for counseling. It was not a role she sought or really wanted but was glad she could help.
**********
The summer blast had fi
nally arrived. Lacy, Gage and Stella had made all the plans. First up, was bowling just as Stella had on her list. The whole Ballant family was on hand as well as Nathan, Hank and his wife, Jen. Lisa was nearly four months pregnant and declined to join in as did her husband, Jason McIntyre. This was their first baby and they both wanted to take things easy as Lacy’s sister had quite a bout of morning sickness.
Stella had planned the whole event. “Everyone have their shoes on?” She spied Hayley in bare feet.
“They didn’t have my size.” The young girl giggled.
“Since there are ten of us, five on each team.” Stella appointed herself one of the captains. “Who wants to be on my team?” Three pairs of hands shot up. Derek, Sammy and Hayley all gathered next to their grandma. “Dani, you might as well join the winning team.”
Dani did as requested. She enjoyed bowling but Lane Grayson had not called her since he left for New York and it was beginning to wear on her.
Nathan gathered up his bowling ball and gave it the quick once over. “If you guys don’t mind, I will be the captain of our team.”
Hank bumped his younger brother. “Sure. It’s not like you have any power.” Hank was forty-three the same age as his friend and partner in business, Jason. Working in construction kept them both fit and very competitive.
Jen, Hank’s wife, whispered in Nathan’s ear. “He gets a little competitive so be prepared when I score more points than he does.”
Nathan gulped, wishing he had not volunteered himself for captain of his team. The youngest brother was well aware of how intense Hank could be when it came to any kind of competition. Through the years when the family went out to the firing range for a practice session, Hank would take it seriously and strive to have the most bulleyes. Their father, Dan, had taught all his children how to use a rifle, shotgun and handgun. He stressed safety at all times and admonished his middle son when Hank tried to outdo everyone else. Lacy took to handling a weapon easily but Lisa would have rather been home with their mother though it wasn’t unusual for Lynn to join her family at the firing range.