by Nella Tyler
“We need the right person. Someone who the audience will root for, sympathize with and adore,” I said, pulling out my phone to snap pictures of the whiteboard.
“Yes, that’s true. But, consider this. Do you want it to be one person?” Max asked. “Or would you want to do several? See this story in different forms, different faces?”
We raised our eyebrows at each other and then turned to the board. The film was another rags-to-riches tale. A throwback to my grandfather in these modern times. An idea my father had spent pages and pages writing about.
Max and I had both agreed he’d been on to something. With the way everything was shifting – college degrees in more demand, and the rise of the gig economy, along with start-ups everywhere and the desire to be your own boss – it promised to tap into something big.
I knew people would love it. The audience would be watching other people work for their dreams, see their hard work and aspirations coming to fruition. Yet it would also reflecting back on what the audience hoped for in their own lives and perhaps inspire them to chase their dreams.
In a way, too, I felt like this was the perfect film to honor my father and start my own legacy.
“I have someone in mind already. That’s how all these ideas came together so quickly,” I explained to Max, and he gave me a surprised look. “Her name is Cammie Book.”
“Oh?” Max grinned at me. “And just who is this woman to you, because that is one hell of a smile on your face right now, Kris.”
“We’re seeing each other.” I turned to him and clapped him on the shoulder. “Damn, Max, I should say thank you. If it wasn’t for you, I would’ve never met her.”
“Excuse me?” Max asked. “As far as I can recall, I haven’t introduced you to anyone lately.”
“But you did tell me about Birmingham Realty,” I said with a devilish grin.
“You’re dating your realtor?” He asked and shook his head. “That I did not see coming. Although, it does make sense why you were always so happy after seeing houses or talking about them. Alright, tell me about her.”
“Cammie is just starting out, but she’s gonna light the world on fire,” I said. Then I proceeded to give him a summary of her background, the struggles of her childhood, her decision not to go to college and how she’d landed a spot as a rookie at the biggest, fanciest realty firm in the city. How she’d “done what she had to do” to help her family and make sure her brothers got to college. How I had a feeling once they were on their way, she’d strike out a new path.
By the end of it, Max looked impressed. “That’s a hell of a story. I don’t know if it can be an entire film, but I like it.” He paused, mulling it over. “A solid idea.”
“I know,” I smirked and folded my arms.
“Mm, don’t get too cocky. Have you asked her yet?”
Damn, Max knew me too well.
“No,” I said and laughed. “But I’m going to. Soon. And there’s no way she’ll say no.”
It really was uncanny how great of a Friday it was shaping up to be. By two o’clock, I was done for the day and decided to leave work early to go see Vince.
To my surprise, the parking lot actually had cars in it, but when I walked into Strikerman’s, there was no one there. I shook my head.
People must have been using the lot because Vince refused to charge for parking or put up signs that said it was just for the bowling alley. He was a gem of a good guy.
“Boldin. My man.” Vince appeared behind the front desk and did a drum roll. “How you doin’ on this fine Friday?”
“Good. It’s been a productive day.” I strolled over to him, and we bumped fists.
“That’s what I like to here. You want some dogs?” When I shook my head, Vince shrugged and slapped six hot dogs down on his plate. “Suit yourself.”
“How’s things?” I asked. Was it just my imagination or did the alley look cleaner? A little brighter and more inviting? Or was I losing it?
“Good, man, good. AU might be sending a student over to do a piece on the alley. How about that? Strikerman’s in print.”
That would be shocking. “That’d be great, dude. How’d that happen?” I asked.
“My aunt pulled some strings. You know how she works over there.” He winked as he chowed down on the first hot dog, getting mustard everywhere.
“Doesn’t your aunt work in finance at the university?” I asked, puzzled.
“Oh, everybody knows everybody at those places.” Like AU was a tiny store instead of one of the biggest universities in the state. He chomped down his dog as he waved me over to the bar. “How’s the documentary coming along? Pick something yet?”
I nodded. “Picked one this morning. A rags-to-riches story like my grandfather’s – but without the shoes.” I grinned as I thought of my leading lady. “We’re still trying to figure out how long we want it to be, who we want in it, but I’m going to ask Cammie.”
“Oh, the lady realtor?” Vince smirked at me. “She still in the picture, Romeo?”
“I’d prefer Orlando, actually. Play ends much more happily.”
Vince gave me a strange look. “The pirate elf guy? Why would you want to be him instead of the greatest romance guy in history? You’re a weird dude, Boldin.”
“Uh, do you know how Romeo & Juliet ends, Vin?” He shook his head, and I laughed. “Forget it.” I should have known better. “Yes, Cammie is still in the picture. And hopefully she will agree to be in my picture. I haven’t asked her yet.”
“You guys dating now?” he asked. “If so, I can’t imagine she’d say no. Seems like that type.”
I went to say yes, then stopped. We hadn’t exactly said as much, but we were, right? “Uh.”
“Haven’t had the talk, yet, huh?” Vince shook his head. “Better lock that down. Modern women wait for no man. Nor should they.”
Vince would say things like that, but he didn’t know the ending of Romeo and Juliet.
“I’ll keep that in mind,” I smothered a grin. “Hand me a beer, would you?”
After Vince got us beers, I regaled him about Cammie and the documentary. I could tell Vince was far more curious about her than the film. Mostly whether she had any friends.
“I’m just saying, man. You could do your boy Vince a real solid – nice girls usually flock together, right? And hey, I just realized.” He put his beer bottle down with emphasis. “Strikermans!”
“Yes, that’s where we are currently sitting, Vince. In Birmingham, Alabama, no less.”
“No, dummy, I meant I am a rags-to-riches story. You said you might do several people, right?” Vince bounced up and down, then jostled my elbow.
Oh no, I thought as I nodded, suddenly dubious about the merit of that idea.
“Well…” Vince said, gesturing around. “This would be a great addition, you have to admit.”
I was at a loss for words at first, looking around the empty bowling alley, the warped wooden lanes, the threadbare carpet and the odd smell of fake cheese in the air. Vince barely used the nacho machine. Why did it smell like that?
Then I looked at Vince who was smiling as though he’d invented sliced bread and I smiled back, saying, “You know what, Vin? I will keep that in mind.”
Later that night, as I got home, Vince’s suggestion to use Strikerman’s in the documentary popped into my mind again, and I laughed out loud. “Man, I’ve been holding that in for hours,” I said to myself. “Oh, Vince. You kill me.”
I wondered if we could somehow get Strikerman’s in there, but I could see of no way how.
It's story wasn’t so much rags to riches as it was unsolved mysteries. Every time I left there, I wondered if it would be the last time I’d ever see that place. But it soldiered on somehow.
Walking into the kitchen, I put down my stuff and picked up my phone to call Cammie. As it rang, I wondered if I should broach the documentary. No. Should probably do it in person.
Suddenly I realized it had gone to voicemail, and
I hit End Call, frowning at it.
That was strange. It was the only time Cammie hadn’t picked up in the last month. I was tempted to call her again, but then I wondered if she was working late or something. I mean, I could always call her tomorrow.
The phone wouldn’t leave my hand, however.
I compromised by sending her a text, letting her know she could call me back and that I would be up late.
When she didn’t respond to the text after ten minutes, I told myself she was busy.
That Cammie, she’s a hell of a worker. I thought, still staring at my phone.
Chapter 28
Cammie
I was walking through the house in Redmont Park, trying to find Kris. We had to hurry back to the office to sign papers within the hour, or the house would be gone. And then Kris would have to move, and I’d never see him again.
Where is he? I wondered, trying not to panic, as I clattered down the stairs. The hallways were longer than I remembered, the rooms darker and rain lashed against the windows.
“Kris!” I called out. “Can you hear me? Where are you? Come on, this isn’t time for your jokes!”
A sudden loud knock came at the window, and I jumped. Heart pounding, I walked over, but I couldn’t see anything. Then I spotted Kris, hands in his pocket, head tilted towards the sky and soaked to the bone. He was standing on the walkway down to the river, which was swollen and rising. Water was already starting flood up the hill towards him.
“Kris!” I screamed, hitting my hand on the window, but he didn’t move.
I rushed to the back door, struggling to run, but it was locked. Yanking on it, I tried to open it and then kicked it in frustration.
Suddenly, loud knocking came on the door and I fell backward…
With a start, I sat up in my bed, chest heaving and my hand pressed to my heart. It was going a mile a minute underneath my fingertips.
Then I let out a huge sigh, hanging my head. Another nightmare.
Banging suddenly echoed through my house and I glanced up, a shiver rushing over my body. Someone was knocking on my front door. Glancing at the bedside clock, I saw that it was almost one o’clock in the afternoon. For a minute, I contemplated ignoring whoever was knocking, but as it came again, more insistent, I had a feeling I knew who it was.
Pulling on a sweatshirt, I padded out into the hall and to the front door. Outside was a glory of sunshine and I sighed as I yanked it open.
Anna was standing there, and I blinked against the brightness of the light and her hair. “Hey, Anna. Break my door down, why don’t you?”
“Oh, Cammie.” Suddenly I was wrapped tightly in a one-armed, coffee-scented hug. “You poor thing!” she exclaimed, stepping back and peering at me. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
Waving her in, I walked into my kitchen and sat at the table. “How did you find out? Millie?”
“Yes,” she said savagely, plunking down opposite me and shoving a coffee towards me. “We were at brunch just now and the little twit had the nerve to gossip it all over the place.” Anna’s cheeks were flushed, and her brown eyes glinted. “I shut her up real fast, though, don’t you worry.”
“Anna, you didn’t have to do that,” I said, tiredly, rubbing my cheek. “Weren’t you her bridesmaid last year? I don’t want to start trouble between the Dewitts and the Westfalls.”
“Yes, and so what? She started the trouble, not me.” Anna gave me a haughty look as she shoved a coffee at me. “Millicent Westfall is a vicious little henpecker and I told her that if her husband had a backbone, she wouldn’t have to feel the need to drag down anyone who does.” Anna glanced away and smirked to herself. “Minus some profanity and a few other valid points.”
“Rattling Westfall skeletons?” I wanted to laugh, but I was too tired. “I appreciate it, but really, Anna. It was my fault.”
“Like hell it was! It was that man-child mauling you on the job. I know you asked him to behave himself, Cammie. I do listen and remember the things you tell me, doll. He should have known better! Birmingham Realty is a henhouse of old boys who will drop their dollars in a stripper’s thong without blinking a damn eye, but when a woman asserts herself, they’re suddenly as prim as a lady’s ironed gloves on Sunday for church.” She was breathing hard. “It’s bullshit.”
“What can I do though?” I asked and rubbed my eyes.
“Have you talked to Kris?” I shook my head, and she sighed. “I knew it. Well, maybe you could ask him to intervene. He might be able to use his pull… But Kris is pretty young, and people have been sniping at him for running his daddy’s company into the ground. Not that he’s been there long enough to run it one way or the other.” Anna gave me a sympathetic look. “I don’t know, Cammie. If it was any other realty company, you could probably bounce back. I doubt they’d even care, so long as you sold a house to Kris Boldin. But B.R.” She shook her head. “They’re old school. Inbred as royalty. Snooty as fuck.”
I nodded, even though I already knew all of this. There was nothing I could do.
Well, there is one thing I could do, I thought sadly. I could leave.
“I’ve been thinking about this since Friday, Anna,” I said, sipping my coffee. “I’m out of the real estate game. If Millie Westfall is dragging me at brunch, it’s only a matter of time before this spreads all over the city. Other agencies won’t take me now. And there aren’t any other agencies worth working at, at least not in Birmingham.”
“No, don’t say that!” Her shoulders slumped. “Are you thinking about leaving?”
I didn’t answer, only shrugged. We were quiet for a long moment.
“I’m taking you out!” she suddenly declared.
“What?” I looked at her, half-annoyed, half-exasperated. “Why?”
“Cammie, you haven’t left the house in days! You need fresh air, a fresh perspective!” Anna cried out. “And booze. Lots of booze. It will help, trust me. Get your brain working right!”
“I don’t want to go out, Anna,” I sighed and took a huge gulp of coffee. “I couldn’t possibly want do anything less than go out in Birmingham right now.”
“Which is exactly why you need to,” she said, giving me a look.
I knew no amount of arguing with her would change her mind, so I got up to get dressed. I tried to drag my feet, but Anna hurried me into getting into a comfortable outfit, then all but dragged me outside.
First, we went for a walk in the park, where Anna was oddly quiet, until we wound up by the community garden, bursting with greenery and blossoms.
“Remember how long this took?” Anna said. “Funding, finding times that worked?”
I nodded, not sure what she was getting at.
“Cammie, you helped organize all of this.” She held out her hands. “Now look at how that hard work paid off. Beautiful flowers for everyone to enjoy.”
“We all chipped in, Anna.” I pointed out. But I had to admit, the fresh air was reviving me, and the sun didn’t seem as blinding now. Even color was coming back into the world. Perennials were a riot of blues, pinks, and purples.
Then, as though Anna had orchestrated it, a little old grandmother and her tiny, toddling granddaughter came through at that moment, the little girl running for the flowers.
“Maybe you could work for the city,” Anna suggested. “Or go back to school.”
I shrugged. “Maybe.” I didn’t want to tell her those jobs probably required degrees or didn’t pay enough. And there was no way I could afford school. Why couldn’t Anna understand that I was screwed and leave it alone?
Anna must have sensed I was getting annoyed and quickly changed the subject to where we wanted to eat. I didn’t care. My head was starting to hurt, and I wanted to be home. The brief energy I’d gotten from the park had faded by the time we got back to Anna’s car.
Instead of our usual spot, Anna opted for a quieter restaurant that had outdoor seating. I think she also chose it because it was more of a tourist spot and we wouldn’t run int
o anyone we knew.
Wine did help, along with the delicious tapas. It was hard not to enjoy tapas.
When I laughed at something Anna said, she seemed relieved, reaching across the table to squeeze my hand. “Oh, good. I thought I’d lost you there for a moment.”
“Anna, I am lost,” I groaned. “What am I going to do? Every other job requires a degree. And yeah, I’d love to go to school, but I have three brothers who need to graduate high school and get to college. It’s just not feasible.”
She sighed, squeezing my hand again and then letting go. “I wish I could tell you, Cammie. It’s weird for you not to have all the answers.” Then she winced. “Sorry, I didn’t mean it to come out that way.”
“You know, Anna, my whole life people have always been so damn eager to tell me what I can’t do. I’ve spent years trying to prove myself and prove them wrong. That’s why I work so hard. But if you want to tell me ‘I told you so,’ go ahead. Now’s your big shot.”
I’d started off irritated, but by the end, I was just exhausted. I couldn’t take it anymore. Not from my best friend. I bent my head and tried not to cry.
“I’ve become one of those people, huh?” I looked up to see Anna biting her lip. “What is wrong with me? I’m amazed by you, Cammie. You never seemed to need anyone. Everyone comes to you. And you power through on pure belief.” She sighed. “I don’t know if you’ll believe me, but I think it was a combination of worry and envy. Nasty mix.”
I stared at her. “What?”
“Cammie, you go a thousand miles per hour after your goals. You don’t stop. I’ve watched you run yourself into the ground – get sick from studying and working three different jobs.” She shook her blonde curls. “Although I know myself too well to know it was just worry. I think, maybe, I wanted to slow you down. Selfishly, I wanted us to reach the same milestones together.”
“You’re also not used to not being first,” I teased and Anna flushed. “Anna. I know you’re not malicious – I think maybe I come off too strong, people feel like they have to catch me before I fall.”