Waiting in the Wings, page 7
part #7 of Off Screen Series
“Nah. I made myself dinner last night.”
“Do I want to know?”
“Peanut butter and jelly. Oh, and corn chips,” Addison said.
Sandra shook her head. “Tell you what. You agree to be the pace car for an hour, and I will make dinner.”
“Really?” Addison’s eyes grew wide.
“Trust me, Addison. It won’t be Emma-worthy. I’m thinking spaghetti and meatballs.
“Garlic bread?”
Sandra laughed. “Are you related to Jeff and no one told me?”
“Why; does he like garlic bread?”
Sandra smiled. “So? Deal?”
“Yeah, it’s a deal. You need me to pick stuff up?” Addison asked.
“No,” Sandra replied. “He loves to ride in the cart. What time?”
“Give me about an hour and a half?” Addison asked.
“See you then,” Sandra said.
Addison nodded and waved goodbye. “See you.” She watched Sandra turn the corner and shook her head. It hadn’t escaped her notice that every time Jeff’s name was mentioned, Sandra had blushed. “Well, well,” she mused as she headed to her office. “Better get a move on Jeffrey,” she said and closed her door. She smiled and picked up her phone. “Jeff? Yeah, I know you will be back tonight. No, nothing is wrong. Oh, will you just be quiet and listen! I didn’t call about the meeting. I called about this weekend... Yes, I know. Just listen. I think you should come to Kansas. Why? Well, because I do! Geez! You know, it is your Goddaughter’s birthday,” she reminded him. Addison gloated when she heard his response. “Sure, I am sure. Mm-hm. You can make it happen. Be like Captain Picard... Make it so.”
***
“So?” Sandra asked. “When are you leaving for Kansas?”
Addison took a sip of her wine and smiled. “Tomorrow at noon.”
“Really? I thought Jeff said you two had meetings until Friday?”
“We did. Now, he does.”
Sandra grinned. “Couldn’t take it anymore, huh? Not even my spaghetti helped?”
Addison sniggered. “It helped. It’s just…”
“Not Emma’s.”
Addison smiled. “It did help, actually—having you and Brody here tonight helped. It’s too quiet here.
“Well, I doubt you’ll be complaining about that much soon,” Sandra offered.
“You would think that. It’s strange,” Addison said.
“What’s that?”
“I used to get so frustrated by noise when I needed to work. Now? I don’t know. If I don’t hear something being banged on or there are no smudges on my papers… I don’t know, I…”
“I get it,” Sandra said. “I feel the same way lately,” she replied. Addison was curious. “Since you started this whole reboot. Jeff? He’s been away so much,” Sandra said. Addison listened, careful not to give away her suspicions in her expression. Sandra’s gaze retreated into her wine glass as she continued to speak. “I guess I have gotten used to hearing him come through the door. Brody looks for him. It’s just so quiet lately. I can’t concentrate.”
Addison smiled. It was difficult for her to believe, but she had the same problem. The sounds that accompanied her daily life had become part of the fabric that held everything together—even Addison’s work. From time to time, Addison did need silence. Everyone did. Emma did too. Most days, Addison felt at home in the commotion of a household with a toddler at its center—a household with Emma holding them all together. She wasn’t surprised at all by Sandra’s revelation. Addison and Emma were both aware that Jeff had fallen for the actress. They both suspected that Sandra’s feelings ran deeper than friendship. Both understood that the idea of exploring what those feelings might mean terrified Jeff. Addison was unsure if Sandra had realized how her feelings for Jeff had grown.
“I get it,” Addison said. Sandra looked up. Addison noted the insecurity in her eyes. “I know you miss Dan,” Addison said.
Sandra nodded. “I do,” she agreed. “I miss Jeff more.”
Addison smiled knowingly. She could see the tears pooling in Sandra’s eyes. “Why don’t you tell him that?”
“I don’t know,” Sandra confessed. “He’s my best friend, Addison. I don’t want to lose him. I can’t lose him too.”
Addison pushed back her tears. She understood better than Sandra could guess. She had felt the same way about Emma. At times, she still did. Addison didn’t fear Emma walking away from her. She was confident that they would never separate willingly. Like Sandra, Addison had lost the most significant person in her life once. That kind of loss conjured a brand of pain that a person never forgot. It lived inside a person every minute of the day. You learned to live with it. You never completely let it go. Addison had also learned that you couldn’t walk away from loving someone because they might leave. People did leave. If not by choice, then as a result of nature. Someone always left, and someone was always left behind. That was part of life.
“I don’t think you need to worry about that,” Addison told Sandra.
A weak smile tugged at Sandra’s lips. “I know he loves me.”
“It is pretty obvious,” Addison said.
“But, it’s a lot to ask,” Sandra said. “He loved Dan too.”
“We all loved Dan,” Addison said. The words were greeted with a genuine smile from Sandra. “But, Jeff is in love with you,” she said honestly.
“It’s a lot to ask. Brody is a…”
Addison held up her hand. “Give him some credit,” she said. “I can’t tell you what to do,” Addison said. “When Emma and I were first getting to know each other… When I realized that I was in love with her, I was scared shitless.”
“Why? Because she wasn’t out?”
“Partly. Only partly. She made me feel like I had a place to land. Do you understand what I mean by that?” Addison asked. Sandra nodded. “I had forgotten what that felt like. Losing that… I just couldn’t bear that thought.”
Sandra sighed heavily. “I know that I should tell him. I want to. I just…”
“It isn’t safer to keep it locked up inside,” Addison said. “Tell him the truth. Tell him why it scares you too.”
“Speaking from experience?”
“Yeah, you’d think a writer would be better at knowing what to say.”
“You seem to be doing a good job so far,” Sandra observed.
“Mm. With you, maybe. With a script. With Em? Sometimes, Sandra, it’s still hard.”
“Why?”
“I’m not sure,” Addison said. “Because she’s where I land—wherever she is. It’s just always been that way—from the first cup of coffee we shared, if I were to be honest. I don’t know. I love her so much that sometimes I forget how much she loves me. Maybe that’s it. I hate to admit that. Maybe that is it.”
Sandra smiled. “You are a complete romantic, Addison.”
“Guilty. That doesn’t make it less true. I can’t tell you what to do. I do have a suggestion.”
“I’m listening.”
“Come to Kansas this weekend. Jeff will be there. I invited him this afternoon.”
Sandra’s eyes twinkled. “Addison, are you trying to write a script with Jeff and me?”
“Nah. Well, maybe a little,” she admitted. “I really would like you both there. I know Emma would too. She misses you.”
“I miss her.”
“Yeah, I know. I think she could use your friendship, to tell you the truth. So could I.”
Sandra nodded. “You guys have always had my friendship; you know that.”
“Yeah, but I mean I’d like to have you around more. Hell, our kids are almost the same age. I wish I that I had friends to grow up with like that.”
“Okay.”
“Really?” Addison asked.
“Yeah. I’m not promising you that I’m confessing anything to Jeff, though,” Sandra said.
“I get it.”
“Who else is going to be there?” Sandra inquired.
“Em’s family mostly. My dad comes in tonight. He’ll beat me there.”
“Your dad is coming?” Sandra asked.
“I know. Crazy. Emma can convince him of anything,” Addison chuckled affectionately.
“I’m sure he’ll be happy to see you.”
Addison’s smile did not reach her eyes. “He’ll be glad to see the munchkin, and he will definitely be happy to see Em,” Addison said.
Emma had confided to Sandra a bit about the tenuous relationship between Addison and her father. And, Sandra had seen evidence of the stress and sadness that often caused for Addison over the years. She could see that plainly now. It was written more clearly than any of the lines Addison had drafted in a script.
“Make you a deal,” Sandra said.
“A deal?”
“Yeah. I will give Jeff a chance if you give your father one,” Sandra said.
Addison nodded. “Not quite the same thing,” she said.
“Maybe not. You wanted to be the matchmaker,” she laughed.
Addison chuckled nervously. “I’ll try.”
“Good. Now, pour me some more wine,” Sandra said.
“Just don’t tell anyone I got you drunk.”
“Never.”
Chapter Six
Addison took a deep breath and gripped the steering wheel tightly. She’d talked to Emma and Vicki shortly before turning in for the night. Emma had seemed happy that Sandra and Jeff had both agreed to stay in Kansas that weekend. And, Emma had been more than a bit amused by the slurred speaking of her former co-star. Sandra had ended up passing out on the couch with Brody while Addison had talked to Emma. They had both agreed that their friend needed the escape. A few glasses of wine in a safe environment had given Sandra the opportunity to confide in Addison and to relax for a bit. Emma told Addison she thought it had been good for them both.
Addison never said anything, but Emma was sure that at times, Addison felt a bit lonely. Tamara and Christie had moved back to Los Angeles, but Tamara had been traveling with Christie a great deal. She’d been home for about a month when she had been offered a production job on a project that was filming in Australia. She would be gone for another six weeks. Jeff’s time had become consumed with Sandra. That left Addison to spend most of her time with Emma. While that had many benefits, Emma recognized that everyone needed a life outside of their marriage. Emma saw Christie frequently now that Tamara was away, and she spoke daily with her mother. Emma also guessed that Sandra was in need of a friend to talk to about everything in her life. Addison was a terrific listener. Emma hoped that Sandra and Addison might grow to be closer friends now that they were working together again.
The car speakers blared the news of an incoming call, startling Addison from her thoughts. Emma wasn’t expecting her until Friday night. She readied herself to accept the call without giving away the fact that she was only about ten minutes from Emma’s parents’ house. “Hi.”
“Hi, honey. Are you in the car?”
“Yeah. Thought I’d step out of the office for a few minutes and grab some lunch,” Addison replied. Well, that was partially true. Addison smirked at the McDonald’s wrapper sitting on the passenger’s seat.
“Did you have to carry Sandra to her car this morning?” Emma teased.
Addison laughed. “Nah. I told her just to lock up when I left. To tell you the truth, I felt a bit guilty for letting her tie one on like that.”
“She needed it,” Emma replied.
“Yeah, I think so,” Addison agreed. “So, how is the munchkin?”
“Busy.”
Addison chuckled. “I’ll bet she is. What’s she up to?”
“Following your father everywhere,” Emma said. Addison remained silent. “Addy?”
“How’s he doing with that?” Addison asked. She was looking forward to seeing Emma and Vicki. She’d been thinking for hours about the kiss she intended to plant on Emma’s lips the moment she saw her. Addison had conveniently avoided thinking about seeing her father.
“I think that you could say he loves it,” she told Addison. Emma heard Addison sigh. “Addy… He did ask when you would be here.
“Well, I guess there is that,” Addison said as she turned a corner.
“I will be glad to see you,” Emma changed the subject.
“You will, huh?” Addison brightened.
“Yep. I’m away for a short time, and you are already getting the girls drunk at home.”
Addison laughed. “Yeah, that was a romantic adventure last night. I have no idea what she feeds Brody, but oh, my God!” Addison said.
Emma laughed. “Got stuck with diaper duty, huh?”
“Uh… I let her sleep. It was ugly enough without the risk of injury to our carpet or anything else,” Addison joked. She looked ahead as the final turn that would take her to Emma came into view. “Hey, listen, I’m about to pull up…”
“Let me guess? McDonald’s?”
“What? Me, eat that sludge?”
“Mm-hm. When the wife’s away….”
“Yeah, yeah,” Addison looked briefly at the wrapper on the seat and shook her head. Emma most definitely had her number. “I’ll call you in a bit.”
“Enjoy your McNuggets.”
Addison laughed. “Bye, Em.”
Emma hung up the call and shook her head.
“How’s she doing?” Sherry asked.
“Oh, she’s fine. I just hope that was red wine they were drinking last night,” Emma commented.
“Why?” Sherry asked.
“It’ll help unclog her arteries after all the shit she’s been eating this last week.”
Sherry laughed and patted Emma’s back. “You know; she’ll be looking for cookies when she gets here.”
“Mmm. She looks for cookies daily,” Emma replied.
Sherry raised an eyebrow. “Well, we’d better get on that then, don’t you think?” Sherry suggested.
Emma smiled. “You love encouraging her.”
“I think, Emmie, with Adam here, maybe cookies are a good idea.”
“Probably so. There are two things that those two have in common for sure.”
“What’s that?” Sherry asked.
“Neither of them ever tire of the sprout and both can never seem to get enough of my cookies.”
Sherry laughed. “I’m not sure I’d put it in those words to Addison,” she commented with a chuckle.
Emma rolled her eyes. “Mom!”
Sherry shrugged and pulled Emma into the kitchen. “I’m sure she’s happy to share just about anything, but your cookies,” Sherry teased.
Emma laughed. “You’re impossible.”
***
Addison took a deep breath and turned off the engine. She was anxious to see Emma. Any other trip to Kansas, and Addison would have run for the front door. She closed her eyes and took another slow breath, opened her eyes and opened the car door.
“Momma!” and exited voice screamed.
Addison turned to the sound and instantly felt her heart swell. “Hiya, Munchkin,” she called to her daughter. Vicki ran as fast as her legs would allow. She tripped in her excitement and landed on her knees.
“Oh, no,” Addison hovered over her. Vicki pouted with frustration and looked up at her momma. “You okay?” Addison asked.
Vicki huffed, and Addison pressed down her urge to laugh at the look of consternation on her daughter’s face. It was a familiar sight. She’s seen both Emma and Sherry sport the same look a few times. Usually when Sherry was ready to throttle Emma’s father or when Emma was ready to strangle Addison.
“Is she okay?” Adam fled to his granddaughter.
Addison kept her eyes squarely on her daughter. She was confident that when Vicki stood up, there would be evidence that she had fallen. Gravel had a tendency to leave a mark on bare knees. She also did not want to encourage a tantrum from Vicki. Vicki’s adventurous nature had already earned her a fair number of bumps and bruises. Addison wondered if this would be the first skinned knee. Lucky her, she got to deliver that news to Emma.
“I think she’s okay,” Addison replied. She reached down and helped Vicki to her feet.
“Ouchie!” Vicki’s eyes started to water.
“Yep, looks like you got an ouchie, Munchkin,” Addison agreed. She scooped up her sniffling daughter and kissed her on the cheek. “How about we go find Mommy?” she suggested. Vicki nestled into her neck and nodded.
“I’m sorry, Addy,” Adam apologized as they walked to the house.
Addison was confused. “Sorry for what?” she asked.
“I should have had a better hold on her.”
Addison detected the genuine concern and guilt in her father’s voice. She smiled at him compassionately. “It’s okay, Dad. She’s quicker than she looks,” she chuckled.
“Emmie?” Sherry called out.
“Yeah?” Emma answered from the pantry.
“Uh… Did Addison say anything about getting here early?”
Emma emerged carrying a large bag of flour. “No, why?” Sherry pointed out the kitchen window.
Emma moved to take a look. She dropped the bag of flour on the table and rushed to the back door. “What are you doing here?” she asked as she and Addison stepped onto the porch.
“Hello to you too,” Addison replied.
Emma smiled and then noted the tears streaming down Vicki’s cheek, matched by the small trickle of blood trailing down her leg. “What happened?”
“Sprint and flop,” Addison answered. Emma bit her lip to keep from chuckling.
“It was my fault,” Adam offered.
Emma shook her head. “I doubt that,” she tried to soothe him.
“Ouchie, Mommy,” Vicki reached out for Emma.
“I see that,” Emma said as Addison let Vicki fall onto Emma.
“Guess what?” Emma whispered to Vicki. Vicki shook her head and pouted. Emma brushed her bangs aside. “That means you get to sit in the sink,” Emma said. Vicki’s eyes widened. Grandma’s sink was huge, and Vicki loved to play in it. “And, it means you get to wear Elmo on your knee.” Vicki brightened. Emma took the opportunity to lean over and kiss Addison gently on the lips. “Hi,” she whispered.
