His phone vibrated and he pulled it out from his pants pocket and read the text from JJ telling him thanks, and she was forwarding his flight details, “Wow, first class.” He said aloud, he had never flown first before; it would be a treat and he heard that Virgo Airlines had the best first class.
He opened his desk drawer and pulled out his book reader, it was nearly full but quite a few books were still unread. His most recent additions were on travel in Australia and the surrounding area. He put all his electronics in his carryon, opened another desk drawer and pulled out a plastic bag full of thumb drives. Each drive had a piece of tape on it with names of movies that had been saved on them. He quickly sorted through them and put the selected thumb drives in the carryon. Next were two pairs of headphones. One being the noise cancelling variety and the other simple ear buds he used for working out.
Athena came up, stood in his office doorway and knocked, “Dad, mom wants to know what the weather is like. I told her it was spring but she insists its cold.”
“It’s summer weather. Tell your mom to think warm and wet. Thanks! Oh, and I’ll be right there.” Xander said as Athena went back up to tell her mother.
Xander grabbed his carryon and headed upstairs. He walked into his bedroom and Evie was pulling clothes out of his suitcase. She turned to him, “You sure it’s warm?” She asked.
“Just checked. Eighties during the day and colder at night, maybe a rain shower here and there.” Xander replied setting his carryon next to his bag.
“How long are you going to be gone?” Evie asked as she began rearranging his clothes in his bag.
“Seven to ten days JJ said. The plane leaves here at eleven and lands in Brisbane, Australia. JJ or someone from the production will meet me then I guess we fly to Pago Pago. She said the shoot shouldn’t take more than a week, but Halo got hurt and they are waiting to see—“
Evie stopped arranging the clothes in the soft sided suitcase, “What happened?”
“Not really sure… something with Johnny. Uh, I’m not supposed to talk about it, but I think I can tell you this: Halo put Johnny in the hospital.” He watched the three women look at each other simultaneously; to him it almost looked like they were communicating telepathically. Then they all gave each other a knowing nod, “What? What was that?” Xander asked.
Yiayia smiled, “Just women things.” He got the hint and left it alone.
Xander went and stood next to Evie and gave Yiayia a glance. Yiayia gave him her sideways nod, took Athena’s hand and led her out of the bedroom.
“Evie, are you going to be ok?” He asked and gave her a gentle kiss on her neck.
The tickle of his lips made her flinch, “I will be fine. Will you be ok? You are the one going to be on a tropical island with Halo Raines.”
Xander was surprised. She actually said it as a joke without any sarcasm. He chuckled, “Ha! Have you seen who Halo’s boyfriend is?”
“No, and how do you know she has a boyfriend?”
“Athena showed me. You want to know?”
“Sure.” Evie said flatly.
“Robert Montclaire. I know you know who he is!” Xander smiled and gave her a wink.
“Yes I know who he is! He is dating her? Lucky girl.” Evie chortled, “As long as she likes her filet mignon and doesn’t want to try some top sirloin?”
Xander groaned at her sad attempt at a joke, but he got what she meant, “You are taking this awfully well. You sure you are ok?”
She shrugged, “I’m sad and a little worried.” She kissed him on his cheek and chuckled, “The money helps too.” She smiled with a raised eyebrow at Xander.
Xander was not sure how much of joke that last one was, he left that one alone also, “Hey we can Skype at night,” He pulled her tight against him, “and you know we can…” He raised his eyebrows up and down at her.
“Ew, no, no! You will just have to wait…” She ran her hand down and gave his manhood a pat through his pants.
“No fair!” Xander laughed. Evie then caught him off guard with a full on kiss to his lips.
She released him and wiped her lips with her fingertips, “When you get back…”
A knock sounded on their doorframe, “Oh, ew!” Athena said in a feigned disgusted voice, “Get a room!”
Xander turned to his daughter with a smile, “We did! And you are in it!”
Athena turned a cute shade of pink, “Oh… yeah. Uh, Yiayia wants to know if you want her to cook up something quick before we go?”
“I’m good…” He looked at Evie who stepped away.
“I better go downstairs, Manah will mess up my system. You finish up your packing, and don’t forget the plastic bags for your dirties.” Evie warned.
Athena moved out of the way, as her mother hurriedly passed her by the door. She then looked back to her father who was checking what her mother had packed, “Dad?”
“Yes?” Xander replied.
“Do you think it would be ok if I texted my friends that you got a big part in Halo’s movie with her?”
Xander stopped and looked at his daughter, he felt good that he warranted a mention to her friends, “Sure, I know you know this but keep the particulars quiet. Ok?”
“Sure dad. Thanks!” Athena replied and began to turn away then paused, turning back to her father, “Dad, I’m going to miss you. You know that, right?”
Xander put down a pair of his khakis, walked over to his daughter, and embraced her in his arms, “I’m going to miss you too. I love you, always have always will.”
Athena returned the squeeze, “I love you too dad.”
Xander’s heart fluttered warmly in his chest. He was so lucky to have a daughter like her; at least for now she was so level headed and grounded. She must have gotten that from Evie he decided, as his teen years were a little more robust, he liked to refer to it as.
“Hey, will you bring me up my favorite jacket? I think it warrants the weather conditions down there.” Xander asked.
“Be right back.”
Xander returned to his suitcase and checked off everything that he might need. He remembered his lucky pocketknife, retrieved it off his nightstand, and placed it deep in his suitcase. He also took out one of his solar chargers and buried it in the middle of his clothes for cushion. He double checked both bags and zipped them closed. Then the whole event of the evening hit him.
He looked down at his hands they were trembling slightly. He quickly made fists then shook them out. He was going to be on set with her… Jesus H, he thought. A fear crept up his neck like a little spider reminding him of something: what if she remembers him turning his back on her. Such a dick move, he scolded himself with a headshake.
Time to man up and put on the big boy pants, he thought. He would just have to deal with it when the time came and hope to hell if she did remember she would not judge him by it. Hell, if she knew the truth of it all, she might understand… “Ha!” He said quietly. Like hell he would ever tell what really was going on inside him that day, he thought. He quickly went into his closet and got out his passport from his little combination safe. He also took out some of the cash he stashed for extra spending money; maybe he could find something cool for Athena and Evie when he was down there.
He came back to his suitcase as Athena walked in with his favorite jacket. Xander accepted it from her and he folded it carefully and neatly, unzipped his suitcase and maneuvered it in and managed to zip it closed. He looked at his daughter, “Ready.”
Gathering up his bag, he went downstairs and found Evie and Yiayia talking together in the kitchen. They looked up at him and Yiayia grabbed a paper bag and handed it to him, “Food for you.” She patted him on his shoulder and left the kitchen to get her coat.
Evie came up to him, “You got everything? Phone charger? Xanax?”
“Oh shit.” Xander exclaimed and began to turn when Evie’s hand stopped him.
“Here, I knew you would forget it.” She handed him his prescription.
/> “Thanks, kind of nervous, it’s a long flight.” He said, only telling her half of the truth.
“Ok, we are all going to the airport. Did you try and call the Malaka again?” She asked.
“I left him a message. If he calls here please tell him I will call when I land.”
Evie nodded and grabbed her large black Jaclyn Smith purse and waited for Xander at the door. Xander placed the food in his carryon bag. He walked over to Evie, set his cheek against hers, and whispered, “I love you, and I am going to miss you Koukla.”
Evie kissed his cheek, “Me too. I will miss you.” With that said, she grabbed her keys and bade her husband to follow her to the garage where Athena and Yiayia were patiently waiting by Evie’s van.
Doctor Apulu
JJ put her phone back into her purse and gave Halo a thumbs up, “He’ll make the flight and he extends his gratitude.”
Halo felt relief as she nodded back. It felt like she could finally breathe easier as well. A knock came at the door and her doctor poked his head in. “Come in Doctor.”
The elderly, tall and dark skinned man who was her emergency room doctor strode in with his hands full of charts and x-rays, “If I may get straight to the point? Miss Raines, as a precaution I really do suggest an MRI, and soon. That hematoma on your head is quite pronounced, it does have me concerned, as your x-rays are non-conclusive. At the least, you have a mild concussion. Your other injuries should heal up fine with plenty of rest.”
Halo nodded, “Fine, when can we get this done with?” Halo asked.
“We do not have one here on the island Miss Raines, I am sorry. We transport medical patients in need to Apia on Samoa.”
Halo sighed and adjusted her paper like hospital gown with her hands, “I really don’t have time for this. Every day we are not filming it costs around fifty thousand dollars for people to just sit around.”
“I understand Miss Raines. I recall another actress some years ago who suffered a minor head injury while skiing, she passed away a few days after…”
JJ stepped closer to Halo and whispered in her ear. Halo perked up at her suggestion, “Doctor Apulu, would a hospital in Brisbane have an MRI?”
“Yes, I do believe they do being a large metropolitan city. Oh, yes! As I recall now, they do have a level one trauma center there. It is a longer flight, but it is better than not going at all in my opinion.” Dr. Apulu stuck his hands in his white lab coat pockets and waited for Halo to reply.
“I will see what I can do, thank you doctor. May I leave now?” Halo asked.
Dr. Apulu winced slightly and he began fumbling with his prescription pad in his lab coat pocket, “Miss Raines, there is another subject I need to discuss with you. I am uncomfortable in bringing this up, but officially, I need to. I apologize in advance.”
Halo figured something was up, “Go ahead Doctor.”
“Miss Raines, the police are requesting photographic evidences of the excoriations, the scratches, to your um, groin area.”
JJ spoke out, “I bet they are.” Halo shushed her with a conciliatory pat on her hand as the doctor continued.
“We can cover enough of the surrounding area as to limit what is distinguishable or viewable. In my report to them, I did describe the excoriations in detail. I can have the nurse photograph you with your friend her assisting. Is this acceptable?”
“Do I have a choice?” Halo sighed.
“Yes you do. You can say no. The case against Mr. Stone maybe a little more difficult to prosecute…”
“It’s fine doctor.” Halo looked up to JJ who gave her a tight-lipped smile.
“Very good. Miss Raines, for your swelling on your foot, all your contusions, I suggest Naproxen or Ibuprofen with alternating hot and cold packs. For your back strain I will prescribe you some muscle relaxants.” He gave her a nod, “The nurse will be in shortly, when she is done I will return to discharge you.”
“Thank you doctor.” Halo replied as Apulu quietly let himself out of the examination room.
“Halo, I think if you just pull your gown over and keep your hoo hoo covered you can show your inner thigh and hip.” Halo pulled up her gown as JJ suggested, “Damn, that looks like it hurts—that fucker!” JJ exclaimed in a hushed voice, “Does it?” She asked and hugged Halo around her shoulders.
JJ’s arm felt good, she almost wanted to start crying but bit it back as she answered, “I’m ok, thanks JJ. Yeah, I think your idea will work.”
JJ turned to look squarely at Halo, “Girlfriend, I have never seen you so… I dunno… scary? I think if someone didn’t stop you, Johnny would be dead or at least in a full body cast.”
Halo looked down and fumbled with her gown. She bobbed her head in agreement with JJ, “I know…” She looked up a little and met JJ’s eyes and changed the subject, “I was expecting at the most a little fondle or slip with the hand… I don’t know what got into that fucker’s mind. Did he plan it or what?” Halo let out a long breath, “He’s going to go down for what he did, I will make sure of it.”
“Well, I am happy you kicked the shit out of him. I hope he gets worse in prison.” JJ added.
“Hey, have you heard anything when you were out there?” Halo asked in a hushed voice.
“No, sorry. Everyone is being tight lipped.” JJ shrugged.
“Oh my, I can’t believe Joseph was aiming for the trees!” Halo said wide-eyed.
“I can’t believe how far Joseph threw him! Good thing you waved him over, everyone was just standing there in disbelief at what we were seeing. You know it did look like what was supposed to be going on, I knew something was up when your handcuffs came off. Uh, how did you break them?”
Halo smiled then smiled bigger, “I had the prop guy fix the chain link so it would break! Like hell I am going to be handcuffed for real, well unless…”
“Ah… oh! Don’t know how you can think naughty right now.” JJ chuckled.
A knock came at the door and a woman’s large, dark haired head popped through a partially open door, “It’s Patricia your nurse, honey.”
Halo waved her in, “Hello Patricia, this is my friend JJ.”
Patricia opened the door wide and let herself in, Halo would politely describe her as ‘big boned’ and jolly. Patricia shook her head at Halo with a frown on her dark face, “Honey, so sorry about what happen, it was great to hear you taught that shameful man a lesson!” Patricia’s frown went to a smile and her dark eyes twinkled.
Halo nodded and returned the smile. JJ spoke up, “Pardon me, uh… how is Johnny Stone doing?”
Patricia looked back in forth as if she was looking for someone then stepped close to the girls, in a hushed voice she told them, “I’m not to be discussing it, but I tell you anyway! He has a broken nose, two loose front teeth, a concussion, a broken and a cracked rib, oh and his arm is broken too. Um his,” She pointed down with her finger, “uh penis has three stitches and so does his sack, I mean his scrotum. They thought he might lose one of his marbles.” She shrugged and patted Halo on her leg.
“Wow, you did a number on him!” JJ said quietly.
Patricia looked to the door then back and held up a finger to her lips, and whispered, “I heard the sergeant talking to him. John Stone said ‘what happen to him?’ the sergeant told him he got beat up by a girl! All the police outside the door began laughing! The doctor had to tell ‘em to shut it!” Patricia patted Halo again, “You did good!”
“Thank you Patricia.” Halo said, trying to sound proud.
“Let’s take the stupid pictures and get done. I don’t know why, it be really silly.” Patricia said with a deeply furrowed forehead.
“It’s ok, here is this ok?” Halo adjusted her hospital gown.
“Honey, if they don’t like it they can stuff it.” She smiled then from her pocket, she produced a small digital camera and aimed it at the fingernail gouges in Halo’s groin. She snapped two pictures and checked the screen. She showed it to Halo and she gave Patricia a thumbs up.
Patricia put the camera back in her large pink smock’s pocket and pulled out a small pad then gave Halo a questioning look, “Honey? I hate to ask…”
Halo smiled and gave Patricia’s hand a pat, “An autograph?”
“Yes! My kids would be happy to see it! They love the movie you sing in! Such a beautiful voice you have honey!”
“Thank you.” Halo smiled and accepted the small paper pad and pen. She wrote: To Patricia, thank you so much for taking such great care of me. You are my favorite nurse! With love, Halo Raines. XOX.
Halo handed the pad back and Patricia read it, “Honey, you be such a sweet thing! Thank you!” She held the pad to her large bosom and smiled, “I’ll be goin’ now. So nice to meet you, take care of yourself, ok? You go and get dressed now.”
Halo nodded, “I will, thanks again Patricia.” The nurse let herself out the door all smiles. Halo turned to JJ, “Did you bring my clothes?”
Forever and a Day Page 20