Duets
by Emelle Gamble
from the Anthology Once and Forever
CHAPTER ONE
Los Angeles,
July 31, 2010 2 p.m.
“He’s not what you think.”
Molly Harper turned away at these words, knowing they more than likely preceded an indictment of her fiancé. Keep from showing you’re hurt, she told herself. But she knew disappointment had flashed in her eyes, and that her mother had seen it.
“Ben’s not what I think?” Molly stared outside as the limousine she and Norma rode in glided down Wilshire Boulevard, five miles from the brick-paved road leading to her mother’s neighborhood. “Why don’t you tell me what you think I think he is?”
“You think he’s a man like your father, a man inclined to put his wife’s well-being and his children’s needs before his own. Ben Delmonico is not that kind of man,” Norma said.
She turned and faced her mother. “I don’t think you know Ben well enough to say that. And honestly, I wish you had a little more faith in me. I gave this a lot of thought before I decided to marry him.”
“A lot of thought? You told me five minutes ago you said ‘yes’ the same night Ben proposed. I think you’ve agreed to marry him because you’re panicking.”
Molly sighed. She’d hoped Norma would be delighted by the news she was marrying a successful man, the gorgeous, Academy-Award-nominated actor, Ben Delmonico. A man known the world over for his sophisticated action movies and box office charisma. But it was clear Norma was not delighted.
Typical. Mother loves being contrary. And in control. “What am I panicking about?”
“About being thirty-two. About not having children. But mostly because Cruz Morales is seriously involved with another woman. And, as usual, when you panic you make impulsive decisions just to put an end to anything that might seem like a confrontation. I’ve seen you live to regret that several times.”
“That’s the most ridiculous thing you’ve ever said.” Molly’s took a breath. “When you told me a few weeks ago Cruz was involved with Shar, how did I act? I was happy. I told you to give him my congratulations! Cruz and Shar hooking-up has nothing to do with me deciding to marry Ben.”
“Really?”
“You know as well as anyone that Cruz and I have been over forever. He’s moved on, and I’ve moved on. We’re friends, but only that.” Heat bloomed on her cheeks and spilled down her neck.
“I don’t remember you being all that crazy about Ben before you heard the news about Cruz.” Norma tilted her chin up.
“Just because I don’t announce something to you, doesn’t mean it’s not true.”
Norma snorted.
Molly’s squeezed the side of her face. I won a Golden Globe for acting, but I still blush when Mother thinks I’m lying. “Ben and I have been dating for months. He’s a charming and generous man who convinced the studio to consider me for Traitor, risking his own chances for the lead. And everyone but you thinks we make a perfect couple. All my friends like him, Mom, both for himself and because he’s a wonderful actor.”
“Well, that is one thing we can agree on,” Norma said. “He is a good actor. So why not just make movies with him instead of marrying the man?”
“Those are not mutually exclusive. I’m marrying him and making a movie with him. Or have you forgotten I’ll be on set in Paris at Christmas?”
“Of course I haven’t forgotten that. It’s the first Christmas you won’t be home; thank you, Ben Delmonico.” Norma leaned closer. “I just can’t help but wonder if that movie isn’t what’s behind him proposing so suddenly. The wedding publicity is sure to make it a blockbuster.”
“For god’s sake, that’s just plain insulting. He didn’t ask me to marry him to get publicity.” Molly reddened again, remembering how Ben had said, two minutes after she’d accepted his proposal, “Our box office will be huge.”
“Let’s just drop this, Mom. We’re almost home and I’ve got a million things to do.”
The Lincoln slowed and turned onto North Highland, the main thoroughfare into Hancock Park. “Every time we come this way, I remember the day Charles and I brought you home, all those years ago. It was the biggest triumph of our lives.”
“That’s a nice memory,” Molly said, not letting her guard down.
“It is.” Norma turned to Molly. “Now look, obviously I can’t tell you what to do any more. But until you found out Cruz was moving in with Shar, every time you called home, you asked about Cruz first. Every time you came home, he was the first one you called. I think you’re still in love with him. And, despite his behavior, which might fool someone who hasn’t known him since he was a little boy, it’s clear to me that he loves you too. I think this relationship with Shar is a ruse to provoke you into finding a way to work things out.”
The limo rocked gently and the women’s shoulders brushed against one another. Molly ran her fingers through the wild blonde hair she was famous for. “You’ve just outlined a plot so pathetic it wouldn’t get made by the Hallmark Channel.”
“I like the Hallmark Channel. They make lovely movies, without all the naked fannies.”
“I like the Hallmark Channel too, but that’s not my point. Cruz wouldn’t be with Shar for any reason other than he finds her a good match. He doesn’t do ‘ruses’.”
“What’s he got in common with her?”
“They both work at the college and they’re both into books and the local arts scene. I bet she’ll finally get him to turn one of his ideas into a novel. I never could.” Molly’s voice wavered.
“See, that’s pain in your voice, not happiness. You shouldn’t be afraid of the truth about your feelings, whatever the cost.”
“Like you? Are you always completely honest, Mother? No matter the cost?”
Norma blinked. “What are we talking about now? What haven’t I been honest about with you?”
Molly looked down. Her question had surprised both of them and she wished she could un-ask it. Now isn’t the time to open that particular can of worms.
“I’m just pointing out that sometimes it’s better to keep things to yourself, and not share them until you can cope with the reality of the repercussions. You do that. Remember when Dad was sick? You took weeks to tell Jason and me.”
“Yes, I did. And I believe I apologized to both of you for that.” Norma blinked again. “But this discussion isn’t about me. It’s about you. I just don’t want you to lie to yourself about how you feel about Cruz.”
Molly heard pity in Norma’s voice. She hated to be pitied by anyone. Not even by Norma.
Especially by Norma.
“Look, don’t ruin my happy news by imagining Cruz has some crazy plan to win me back. And please don’t repeat this nonsense to anyone. Cruz and I broke up because we didn’t want the same life. We tried. We failed. Case closed. I think you’re the only one who hasn’t accepted this.”
“The only thing I can’t accept is you’re both too stubborn to compromise.”
“I’m not talking about Cruz anymore.” Molly pulled out her phone and began scrolling through her texts. “Jason’s plane landed. He’s probably already at the house.” She glanced outside. “We’ll be there in five minutes. Let’s not be arguing when we get there, okay?”
Norma put her cold hand on Molly’s arm, ignoring Molly’s plea. “Marta said Shar is pressuring Cruz to give up teaching and move to LA. She’s got an offer from one of the studios, to run the script department, or something. Marta said she told Cruz she could help him make some real money writing for the movies.”
“What?” Molly met Norma’s eyes. “Money doesn’t motivate Cruz. He loves teaching like I love acting. He’s not going to abandon his profession, or his students.”
“He might, if it’s what Shar wants.”
“Marta’s mistaken. Cruz is old-school. Shar will not entice him to get involved with Hollywood. Believe me, three years ago I suggested he take some time off and write a book, and come with me to Europe while I was filming. He wouldn’t hear of it, said everything about movie making was toxic.”
“If you could just find a way to balance your lives, in my opinion…”
“Your opinion isn’t what matters, Mom. Drop it!”
Norma opened her mouth, then clamped her lips together and turned away.
Great, now I’ve hurt her feelings. Molly clicked her phone off and tucked it into her purse. “Forgive my tone. But look, Ben’s a sensitive guy. He’ll pick-up on your negative feelings about the wedding if you don’t let go of them. And he’ll worry about why you aren’t happy for us.”
Norma continued to stare outside. “Your fiancé thinks I’m a pushy and doting mother. Which I am. I think he’s a narcissist. Which he is. A pretty one, but a man only concerned with his own success. Same as most of your actor friends I’ve met over the last decade. Ben doesn’t give a hoot what I think.”
“Yes he does.”
Norma sighed and looked Molly in the eye. “Have you told Cruz you’re getting married?”
“No. I told you that you’re the first one to hear the news.” Molly fiddled with the engagement ring, twisting the three-carat pink diamond around and around. “I know I surprised you with this, and you don’t handle surprises well. But it’s a happy day. Don’t let an old dream spoil a new one. For either of us.”
“Well, that’s not my intention.” Norma smiled at her daughter finally. “And thank you for telling me first. I hate hearing news about your personal life on television.”
“There’ll be a press conference at the end of the week. Artie is handling it. But we should probably hire some security for the house the next couple of weeks,” Molly added.
“Oh, so I’m not first to know? You told your agent first?”
“No, Ben told Artie, who is our mutual agent. But no one else. And he had to do that so Artie could get in front of the media frenzy that’s going to break out when it’s announced we’re getting married. Any time two actors get hitched it’s like chum to the sharks.” Molly made an exaggerated grimace and showed her teeth, hoping her million watt personality might warm her mother’s hands, or heart.
Norma didn’t seem to notice. “Are you going to tell Cruz?”
“I’ll call him tomorrow, before the internet freak-out begins.”
“Why?”
“What do you mean, ‘why’? Why am I going to tell him?”
“You said you two were over. I can tell his mother and she can tell him, if you’d rather not go to the trouble.”
Molly shifted in her seat. “I’ll tell him. Cruz and I are still good friends.”
Best friends, a voice in her brain chirped. For a moment she tried to imagine what Cruz was going to say. She blinked. It’s impossible. I never know how that man will react to anything. “I’m calling a whole list of people tomorrow. He’s just one of them.”
Norma crossed her arms and shivered, her skin as pale as the pearl choker lying against her neck. “Mr. Garcia, please turn down the air conditioner, it’s bloody freezing in here.”
“Si, Senora.”
Norma met his glance in the rear-view mirror and shrugged. He nodded.
Molly frowned. These two act like I can’t see them. Or they just don’t care. She squared her shoulders. “As soon as I get a shower, we’ll have dinner and let little brother in on the news. It’s going to be great, Mom. Jason adores Ben.”
“Your brother loves you very much.” Norma’s gaze settled on Molly’s face. “You will make a lovely bride.”
“Now, that’s the spirit!” She hugged her. Her mother felt frail in her arms, and looked tired, tired as if she was getting the flu. Molly suddenly wished they weren’t hosting a major charity event at the house in two days, which was going to be where she and Ben would announce their engagement.
“Thanks for everything you’re doing, Mom. The party and all. Why don’t you and I head out and do some shopping this weekend? We’ll have tea at the Polo Lounge, just you and me. If you’re up to it.”
“Of course I’m up to it,” Norma said, though her voice trembled.
Molly wished her father was here with them. He would have tamped down Norma’s fears and taken charge of the plans. Tears brimmed in Molly’s eyes. Although Charles Wintz might have been as stubborn as Norma in accepting someone other than Cruz as his son-in-law. He’d seen before anyone else did, when at fifteen she’d fallen for their cook’s handsome only child.
“She’s in love with him, baby doll,” Molly had heard him say to Norma, as she hid outside the den door. “And it looks like the real thing to me.”
“When are you thinking of having the wedding, Molly? And where?” Norma cleared her throat. “Here in LA or up at the Santa Barbara house?”
“In a couple of weeks, actually. At Cabo San Lucas. I think only two dozen people at most. It will be easier to keep the location a secret that way.” Molly clapped her hands together, throwing herself into the part of a thrilled bride-to-be. “It’s going to be perfect. I’ll wear your veil and your mother’s emerald earrings. Jason can give me away. Isn’t that what you always dreamed of? Me happily married?”
Norma nodded. “Yes, I’ve dreamed of that.”
“Then be positive. Think good thoughts. For all of us. Please.” She folded her hands around her mother’s. “It’s a new chapter, and I know Ben’s perfect for me. Give him a chance and you’ll see.”
The limousine pulled into the driveway and a few seconds later stopped at the front entrance. Molly kissed Norma’s cheek and bounced out, directing the luggage removal and welcoming the family dogs that leaped around her like canine paparazzi at the sound of her famous voice.
But Norma didn’t move. A few moments later her chauffer opened the door and leaned inside. “Are you feeling alright, Senora?”
She pointed through the window at Molly. “My daughter is an excellent actress, Mr. Garcia. She looks very happy. But did you hear her say even once that she loved her fiancé?”
The old man shook his head. “No, no, I did not hear Molly say that.”
Norma nodded. “Just as I thought. Ben Delmonico might be a
lot of things, but perfect’ for my daughter isn’t one of them.”
.
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Once and Forever
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