Screen Kiss

by Ann Roberts

  “Then what happened.”

  “He dragged me behind the house and into the woods. Called me names like dyke ’cause I dressed in flannel shirts. He…punished me.”

  “How?”

  “He was smokin’ by then. He lit a cigarette and burned me.”

  “Where?”

  “My arm.”

  “Is that when Ted showed up?”

  “Not the first few times. I don’t think he wanted to get involved, but then he finally did, and Mama kicked him out.”

  “How did he get involved?”

  “After he followed us, he told Mama what Oren was doing, but Oren called him a liar… Then Mama told me to prove it. I looked at Ted, and I could tell he really wanted me to tell the truth, but when I looked at Oren, I saw how bad things would go for me if I got him in trouble. Mama was going to kick Ted out anyway. He’d already told her he wanted to go to the police, so she knew he’d cause trouble for her, which meant more trouble for me.

  “So I lied and told Mama that Oren wasn’t doing anything bad. That’s when Mama kicked Ted out of the house. He shook his head and went and packed. Before he left, he told me I should report Oren to the police. I nodded, but we both knew I wouldn’t do it. I was stuck for a few years more, but fortunately, Oren enlisted in the Army on his eighteenth birthday.”

  “Between the time Ted left and Oren left, that was about a year?”

  “Yes.”

  “And did the abuse continue?”

  “Yes. Anytime I pissed him off, so like once a month.”

  “Did your mother know?”

  “She had to. She did the wash and she saw all the holes in my flannel shirts.”

  “Did you keep wearing them?”

  “For a while. Oren would pick a color and that’d be the spot he burned the hole.”

  “While you were wearing the shirt.”

  “Yes. Eventually I got other shirts. I told Mama I didn’t want to wear flannel anymore. I think she connected it to what Oren was doing, but she didn’t want him to get in trouble. The school had already called once when the nurse saw a hole.”

  “So your mother took you shopping.”

  “Yeah, she wanted me to buy these cheap T-shirts, but there were all these colors. It was like flannel to me…I insisted on shirts that were all one color.”

  “Is that your first memory of hating colors mixed together?”

  “Yes.”

  “Did the abuse stop after you bought new shirts?”

  “Mostly. I’d learned not to say anything to Oren to make him mad, but I think the new shirts were more girly, and he thought they were more appropriate. But he still burned me sometimes. I think he liked hurting me.”

  “And you continued to separate colors?”

  “Yeah. I remember my mother used to make this medley of frozen vegetables. I started putting the peas, the limas, and green beans together, and the carrots and corn by themselves. Oren thought it was hysterical. Mama knew something wasn’t right, but she wasn’t going to bring it up. She knew it was tied to Oren, so she didn’t want to know.”

  “Did she ever ask to see your scars?”

  “No. But I remember we always had a giant bottle of rubbing alcohol. She made a point of telling me that if I ever had a burn or a cut, I was supposed to swab it in rubbing alcohol. I’m sure she realized that if any of the burns got infected, I’d have to go to the hospital.”

  “So she didn’t see them, but she knew they were there.”

  “Well, she saw them once, or at least, she saw some of them one night when she’d worked late. She came home and found Oren on the front porch drinking and smoking. That’s what he always did when he got really mad. She came into the house and I was going to take a shower and wash the dirt off the newest burn.”

  “Where was it?”

  “Under my left breast. So I got in the shower, and a few minutes later she barged in and threw open the curtain. She stared at me, and her face turned white. Then she walked out.”

  “Did anything change once she saw the evidence of his abuse?”

  “He enlisted soon after that. I remember the day she practically forced him to go down to the recruiting station. I don’t know for sure because they were whispering, but I’m pretty sure she blackmailed him. She told him if he didn’t leave, she’d report him to the police, and she’d find Ted to back up her story.”

  “Why do you think she forced him to go?”

  “She didn’t want him to get into trouble.”

  “Do you think it could’ve been because she wanted to protect you?”

  “No, that wasn’t it. When Oren died in Iraq, she blamed me. She said I’d driven him away. It was all my fault that he was gone. She always says that…”

  “Addy, I think we’ve gone far enough today. I’m going to count to three and you’ll come back. One, two, three.”

  Addy blinked and noticed her face was covered in drying tears. Dr. Pfeiffer handed her a tissue, and she blew her nose. She jumped up. “One second, please.” She flung open the office door and rushed to the living room. She turned to the accent wall—and felt the familiar anxiety. It’s still there.

  She returned to the office and dropped on the sofa. “I thought the hypnosis would solve my problem. It didn’t work.”

  Dr. Pfeiffer looked at her sympathetically. “Addy, this is a process. When we start hypnosis, it’s like going into a dark room. Sometimes it takes a while for our eyes to adjust and see things clearly. This is going to take more than one session. I think it’s going to take many sessions.” She leaned forward and took her hand. “Hypnosis is just one part of the work we need to do. You’ll reveal and remember the past, but then you and I will need to spend time making sense of it, what happened then and how it’s affecting you now.”

  “And then I won’t freak out about colors?”

  “I hope so.”

  “Me too.”

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Mazie glanced at her watch for the third time. It was nearly seven o’clock and Addy still wasn’t there. A huge crowd of Wilshire Hills residents had shown up and lined the streets, hoping to stargaze, obtain autographs and take photos of their favorite movie icons. Mazie saw Kit and Weather behind the gold ropes and waved. They waved back and gave her a thumbs-up. Kit mouthed, “Where’s Addy?” to which Mazie could only shrug. It was a good question and Mazie was getting worried.

  She sent her a text, but she knew if Addy was riding her bicycle, she couldn’t answer. And what if she’s sitting on a bench in Warren Park, on one of her mental vacations? Mazie banished the thought. Addy knew how important this was to her. She’d be here.

  At seven-ten the limos pulled up, and the shouts and cheers began. The publicists ordered the limo arrival to ensure the biggest star—Tarina—arrived last. The first few limos were filled with the people who financed the movie, directed it and wrote it. The cheering increased when members of the supporting cast got out of the fourth and fifth limos. When the last limo door opened and Tarina emerged, the crowd erupted. She spent fifteen minutes walking the ropes and talking with fans, taking selfies, and signing autographs. Mazie smiled from her perch in the projection room. Tango had the lobby covered, and from up here Mazie could see everything perfectly—and keep an eye out for Addy.

  As Tarina made her way into the lobby, the crowd dispersed. They couldn’t get into the theater tonight, so they left for other pursuits. Then Mazie saw Addy down the street. She’d been unable to breach the immense crowd, but once she saw an opening she jumped on her bike and headed around to the back. Mazie raced down the stairs to greet her.

  “I’m sorry,” she panted. “I was in the park thinking about my appointment and I lost track of time. Then I couldn’t get through the crowd. Did you know the sidewalk is packed all the way to the university? I would’ve been here sooner—”

  Mazie kissed her. “I know. And I want to hear all about the appointment later, but right now, let’s get this done.” She wiped some
sweat from Addy’s face lovingly. “Run up to my room and take a quick shower. I’ll meet you in the lobby.”

  Addy nodded and grabbed her backpack. Mazie walked the lobby perimeter and sidled up to Tango who said, “It’s all good. Take a look at Tarina and Almondine.”

  The two women had their arms around each other and appeared to be holding court as they answered questions from the press. Mazie couldn’t hear the questions or their replies, but she had a suspicion Almondine’s life was about to change significantly. It was just like Notting Hill with Julia Roberts.

  “Mazie,” a voice said.

  Mazie turned to Dr. Bertrand, who wore a gorgeous tuxedo. On her arm was a beautiful Latina woman wearing a flowing green dress. Mazie was certain if there was a “Best Dressed” contest for couples, they would win.

  “Dr. Bertrand, I didn’t know you’d be here.”

  “The distributor of the movie is a friend, and you’re supposed to call me Ivy,” she said, wagging her finger. Mazie nodded through her blush. “This is my wife, Anna.” Mazie shook her hand as Tango appeared next to them. They took the hint, and Ivy said, “Have a wonderful evening.” She squeezed her hand and glided away with her wife.

  “It’s time,” Tango said.

  She sounded some chimes and filtered through the lobby, alerting the VIP crowd to take their seats. Mazie followed her into the theater, glancing back, looking for Addy. She’d looked harried and somewhat upset. Mazie imagined the session with Dr. Pfeiffer had been difficult, but she knew it was necessary. And while she didn’t know much about hypnotherapy, she imagined there would be more sessions. Addy would come through it stronger, just as Mazie would come through her performance test.

  With that thought, her smile was natural as she assisted the guests with finding seats and ensuring the VIPs landed in the reserved seats near the front. She glanced at Almondine, sharing a whisper with Tarina. Their fingers were lazily laced together, and Mazie felt a rush of sheer joy for her friend. Almondine deserved happiness.

  Once everyone was seated, Tango ducked out and headed to the projection room. She dimmed the house lights and the excited chatter decreased until everyone was attentive to the screen. There were no previews, but there was a message from the producer.

  Tango, who had a great voice, announced, “Please welcome Ms. Elaine Frunsman.”

  While Mazie had no idea who Elaine was, many in the crowd knew her and cheered. She thanked everyone who made the movie possible, calling out many names individually, while the audience politely clapped. Mazie looked at the back. Two chairs had been set up at the doors, one for her and one for Addy. Tango would stay in the projection booth, and Nadine and Jackie, who stealthily wandered the event and had escaped Mazie’s detection, would keep an eye on the lobby, along with the hired concession temps.

  Where was Addy?

  Mazie cast a nervous glance at Ms. Frunsman before she slipped out to the lobby and up the stairs. She burst through the door to her room—and her feet halted at the sight of Addy. She wore a bra, her dress shirt in her hand. Mazie’s jaw dropped as her gaze traveled across the red, scarred, and angry skin of Addy’s back, shoulders and chest. Addy froze for only a moment before covering up, but in that moment, everything was clear to Mazie—Addy’s reluctance to become physically involved, her mind’s retreat into the world of cinema romance, and, Mazie imagined, her “color peculiarity.” She could only imagine who could’ve hurt Addy in this way, and if she ever met him…And she was absolutely positive it had to be a “he.”

  “I’m sorry you had to see me,” Addy muttered as she buttoned her shirt and stuffed her other clothes into her backpack. “I’ll go now.”

  Mazie realized she was sending Addy all the wrong signals. She rushed to her and put a hand on the backpack. “No, you can’t leave.”

  “But you looked completely disgusted,” Addy said in a small voice Mazie had never heard.

  “No!” Mazie insisted. “I was surprised and then furious at whoever would do this to you. You of all people…” She wiped the tears streaming down her face, not caring how smeared her carefully applied makeup became. “You’re the kindest, most gentle person I’ve ever met, and I’d love to hire a complete badass to take out the scum who hurt you. Somebody like Ripley from Alien, or Sarah Connor from Terminator, or Wonder Woman or…even Evelyn Couch, the Kathy Bates character from Fried Green Tomatoes.”

  “Tawanda!” Addy whisper-screamed. They both giggled and Addy pulled Mazie closer. “I’d just take Mazie Midnight.”

  “You’ve already got her.”

  Their lips naturally came together and Mazie no longer cared about the movie screening, the Bijou, Almondine, her test—anything. She wanted Addy desperately.

  “Let’s go to bed,” Mazie said between kisses.

  Addy stepped back and shook her head. “I want to, but we can’t. You’re responsible for all of this, and I don’t want anything to go wrong. You’ve worked too hard.”

  “But Tango—”

  “No,” Addy insisted. “Not Tango. This is your baby.” She kissed her forehead. “Besides, as you might imagine, I still have some more work to do with Dr. Pfeiffer on all of this.”

  Mazie nodded, suddenly very aware there was much to say and this wasn’t the time. “Will you keep me in the loop?”

  “Of course.”

  The movie proved to be quite exciting, and Mazie loved sitting in the back with Addy, holding hands, sharing a bucket of popcorn and some whispered commentary about directorial choices. When the movie ended and the credits rolled, the crowd cheered their favorite tech people, and a few actually stood and waved to the crowd. It was something Mazie had never seen, and she thought it was delightful to see the crew so acknowledged.

  Just as the credits finished, before anyone could move, Tango’s voice announced, “Please remain seated. It is my pleasure to welcome Tarina Hudson.”

  The crowd cheered as Tarina took to the stage. Mazie and Addy looked at each other, surprised. Mazie wondered what Tarina was up to, since Tango obviously knew something Mazie did not.

  Tarina grabbed two microphones from Nadine, who appeared from stage left. “Thanks, Nadine.” Tarina looked out at the crowd as the movie screen rolled up into the ceiling, revealing the enormous old organ.

  “What’s going on?” Mazie said to Addy through clenched teeth.

  Addy shrugged and Mazie was comforted that she wasn’t the only person in the dark, but her anxiety soared. This would surely delay the after-party and that would upset the caterer.

  She was about to jump up and take control when Tarina shielded her eyes and said, “Mazie Midnight, are you back there?” Mazie froze and Tarina said, “Get your bootie up here, girlfriend.”

  The crowd cheered as Addy escorted a stunned Mazie to the front. Addy passed her off to Tarina, who said, “Now, I hear you’re a singer. I thought we could do a duet with my love, Deenie, on organ.” Mazie looked stupidly at Almondine, who wore the broadest grin Mazie had ever seen. She whipped out a quick eight bars that brought the crowd to their feet.

  “I’m sure you know this song, Mazie,” Tarina said.

  She belted out the opening verse of “Ain’t too Proud to Beg,” and Mazie tried to hide her terror, knowing she’d eventually have to sing. She pictured herself back on the bus with Kit, Weather, Mrs. Gelpin—and Addy. Then she joined Tarina in the chorus. When Tarina pointed, Mazie took the second verse, her gaze straying to Almondine ripping up the keys, Nadine and Jackie dancing in the wings, and Addy clapping her hands in time with the music—like the rest of the crowd. Mazie sang to Addy through the chorus, and then Tarina joined her for the last verse. They wailed on the ending, and Mazie felt the resounding applause shake the Bijou to its foundation.

  She and Tarina bowed. She basked in the crowd’s praise. She’d dreamed of such a reception, and she could only hope her performance test went as well. Kit clapped furiously, Dr. Bertrand held her camera out as if she were filming a movie, and her wife applauded p
olitely. Tarina pulled Mazie into a strong hug and whispered, “You rocked it, girl.”

  “So it was the two of you?”

  The after-party was pushing three hours when Mazie finally learned who had set up the impromptu concert after the premiere: Nadine and Jackie.

  “Well,” Nadine said with an air of condescension, “once I told my new friend Rina, that’s Tarina to the rest of you, about your stage fright, she said to me, ‘Oh, we’ll take care of that.’ And she did.” Nadine laughed heartily and everyone joined in.

  “This is a terrific party, Mazie,” Jackie added.

  “Thank you.” She gazed at her new friends, so grateful she’d moved to Wilshire Hills. “Thanks to all of you.”

  “We need to talk,” a stern voice said.

  Mazie turned and stared at Ivy Bertrand, who wore an unreadable expression. “I need to see you in my office tomorrow morning at nine a.m.”

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Addy’s emotions hit a wall as the after-party slowly unraveled. She was positive she’d run the entire spectrum of emotions since early that morning. As if she were in a funhouse, she’d experienced emotional shocks every few hours, not knowing what was around the corner and how she’d feel about it, including the sheer elation of seeing Mazie singing with Tarina.

  She slouched down in her balcony seat and threw her legs over the railing. Theater One boasted a tiny balcony, but Almondine didn’t open it because insuring it would’ve been too costly. Consequently, it was a storage place with boxes set on many seats and in the aisles. It was also a quiet place to be alone, away from the hubbub of the after-party that struggled to end, even though it was nearly midnight. Addy needed a few hours of sleep, in accordance with policy 14.2 of the Wilshire Hills Transportation Policy Manual, which stated that all drivers would be well rested before they drove.

  “Can anyone join this party?”

  She sat up. Mazie stood at the top of the stairs. “Well, you certainly can.”