Hello, Hollywood! (17 page)

“Just wait till you see what we have next!” I said. Looking at Rex, I whispered, “Is it okay to tell them?” and he nodded.

“Jack and Angie are going to have a baby!”

A collective gasp went up from all in attendance, then everyone began to cheer.

When the applause died down, Kat looked my way, her brow wrinkled. “I just have one question,” she said. “Pink or blue?”

“What do you mean?”

“Pink or blue? Girl or boy?”

“Oh, he’s going to be a boy. We’re already calling him Little Ricky. Funny, right?”

Several of the cast members chuckled at that one.

“We’re using the
I Love Lucy
angle because we know viewers will connect with it. That’s the goal, to help them connect. It’s going to be really funny, especially if we can get George Lopez to play the Cuban bandleader.”

“Wonderful idea,” Scott said. He pulled Kat into his arms and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “My blushing bride . . . expecting! What a fun plot twist!”

“It’s going to be hysterical,” I said. “Just wait till you see all that we have planned. Hope you’re up for a lot of fun.”

“I am.” Kat grinned. “I can’t wait. But I’ll bet I know something even funnier than anything you writers can cook up.” She paused, her eyebrows elevating.

“Oh?”

“Yep. Let’s just say that God has impeccable timing and an amazing sense of humor.”

“Well, sure he does. I’ve always said that.” I went off on a tangent, talking about the Scriptures on laughter. After a couple of moments, I couldn’t help but notice that Kat was staring at me. She crossed her arms and sighed. Loudly.

“What?” I asked. “Did I lose you?”

“Athena, sometimes it’s better just to come out and say something instead of beating around the bush.” She looked directly into my eyes. “I’m having a baby.”

“Well, yeah. I know that. What do you think I’ve been talking about? We just wrote the scene this morning—the one where you stand up in front of your friends and tell them that you’re . . .” My words drifted off and my breath caught in my throat. “Kat, you do mean that your character Angie is pregnant, right?”

“Right.” Kat nodded. “She’s pregnant.”

“Oh, good.” I paused to giggle. “Because for a minute there—”

“And to make things even more ironic, so am I.”

I continued to ramble until her words sank in. “You . . . you . . . you’re . . .”

“Yep.” She nodded, then began to cry. Happy tears, no doubt.

Scott pulled her close and began to sing in perfect pitch, “We’re having a baby, my baby and me!”

Everyone swarmed them at once. I found myself surrounded on every side by well-wishers pouring out their love and affection on Kat and Scott. I wanted to hug Kat first but missed out when Rex grabbed her. Then Nora. Then Tia. Then everyone else on the planet. My heart swelled with joy as I watched the giddy expression on my best friend’s face. Oh, the things I wanted to tell her! How had she kept this from me? We never had secrets. Never!

Then again, some things were meant to be between husband and wife. That was the point, wasn’t it?

The crowd finally cleared, and I gave her a big hug. “I’m so happy for you, I could just scream.”

“Join the crowd.” She gestured to the cast and crew. “Looks like everyone loves the idea.”

“What’s not to love?” I paused a moment and whispered, “I’m assuming Lenora already knew?”

“Oh, heavens, yes. She’s already hired a decorator for the nursery. She’s sure it’s going to be a girl.”

“But the baby we’re writing into the script is a boy, remember?”

“I know.” Kat grinned. “This is just all too funny. Can’t wait to see what God does.”

“Looks like he’s already doing it.”

“Yep. Looks like he is.”

I lost her to several of the kids, who gathered around her, squealing and chattering about the new addition to the
Stars Collide
clan. Not that my feelings were hurt. She needed some time to share this news with everyone. We were one big happy family, after all.

Thinking of happy families reminded me of Stephen. I searched through the crowd until I found him standing beside Paul. He winked and gave me a little wave, which I returned. I was dying to ask him where this latest bit of news placed Kat and Scott on the plotline of their lives, but I didn’t dare.

Only one thing I knew for sure as I observed the joy radiating from my best friend’s face—if this was what a real-life happily ever after looked like, you could sign me up right now.

The three weeks following the filming of the Snidely Whiplash episode were filled with great moments on every front. Stephen and I grew closer by the day. At some point I stopped asking where we were at on the plotline because I didn’t want to know. As long as our days were filled with sunshine and rainbows, why should I care what potential catastrophes might lie around the bend? Wasn’t this what the life of faith was all about, anyway? Mountains and valleys? Not knowing about tomorrow, but resting easy in today?

My relationship with Brooke turned out to be one of the sweetest gifts I could have imagined. She became a regular fixture at the Pappas household, helping Mama with the little ones on several occasions, and hanging out with Trina and Mary on a regular basis. A couple times she opted for an overnight stay with me just so we could be together. Getting to know and love her was the highlight of the autumn season. Next to falling for her dad, anyway. Nothing could top those sweet kisses he and I shared when no one else was around. Not that we had a lot of time to ourselves. Still, I treasured every precious moment.

The craziest thing that happened during those three weeks? We all—horror of horrors—fell in love with Zeus. That mangy mongrel weaseled his way into our hearts, winning us over with his slobbery kisses. How dare he worm his way into our family! I could hardly believe it. I almost found myself regretting the fact that we’d sent him to live with Stephen and Brooke. Almost. He was as much a part of our family as they were.

Other things stirred during those weeks too. I’d never seen my best friend so happy, or so fulfilled. Every day I watched as Kat bubbled with anticipation over her little bundle of joy. Already Tia, Jana, Nora, and I were planning a baby shower. Not for several months, of course, but when it happened, it would be the best ever.

Hmm. Better not tell Stephen. He’d probably try to script it.

All in all, life was pretty great. And in my current frame of mind, I could only guess that things would continue to get better and better, both in my personal life and in my professional life.

On the night the Snidely Whiplash episode aired, I joined my family—along with Stephen, Brooke, Mary, Trina, Milo, and Aunt Melina—in my living room. Mama made popcorn and we gathered around the TV. I hadn’t really done a big buildup for the episode, so no one else knew this one was any different from the rest, but I knew it had special pizzazz. Time would tell if they agreed. Babbas usually had a pretty good eye for comedy. He would let me know if it worked.

My suspicions were confirmed as the show progressed. I’d never heard so much laughter in all my life. What a gift for a writer—to see people actually enjoying her work. Every time I looked at my father, he had tears in his eyes from laughing so hard. And at one point Aunt Melina had to excuse herself to go to the restroom because she’d laughed until her weak bladder gave out.

I had to conclude, everything about the episode worked. Every line. Every nuance. Every bit of slapstick. Everything. I had that rare sense that writers get, say, once in a lifetime when a miracle occurs. And I did not take it for granted. Indeed, as the show came to a conclusion, I found myself overwhelmed with sadness that it had ended. I rarely got that feeling anymore.

As the closing credits rolled, Mama looked my way, hands clasped together at her chest. “Oh, Athena, you’ve outdone yourself. It was brilliant.”

“Thanks. I loved hearing you laugh. But remember, I didn’t write it alone. Stephen and Paul and I worked together. We’re the Three Musketeers.”

“Well, the Musketeers need to keep on writing together,” my father said, “because that was sheer brilliance. I can’t remember laughing that much in years.”

“We had fun,” Stephen said. “I wasn’t so sure it was going to work at first, but Athena’s persistence paid off. She was right all along, and I’m man enough to admit it.”

“Thank you.” I kissed him on the cheek and released a sigh of satisfaction.

“A good man always knows when to let his woman take the credit,” my father said. “You’re a smart guy, Stephen.”

“Thank you.” He grinned.

“That was by far the funniest episode I’ve ever watched.” Aunt Melina grabbed her sides. “I ache from laughing so hard. And I thought I was going to have to change my clothes a couple of times there.” She giggled and Milo joined her, the two of them turning red in the face.

“It was great,” Brooke said. “I loved that part where the bad guy tied her to the tracks and then Dudley Do-Right came and rescued her. So romantic.”

“We based it on an old cartoon,” I explained. “It’s pretty cliché, but that’s what makes it work. Sometimes cliché is okay.”

“You made a rhyme.” Brooke laughed. “‘Cliché is okay.’”

“Yeah, I guess I did.”

We continued laughing and talking about the episode, everyone chiming in about their favorite parts. In fact, we laughed so loud that I almost missed hearing my cell phone ring. I caught it right before it went to voice mail.

“Hello?”

“Athena, my phone is ringing off the wall.” Rex’s voice rang out in an overly cheerful tone.

“Oh?”
I hope that’s a good thing.

“Network executives want to call a meeting first thing in the morning. How early can you be at the studio? Seven thirty? I need to give them an answer.”

“Oh no. Are they . . . unhappy?”

“Unhappy? No way. They said this was the best episode all season. And apparently a new sponsor is thinking about linking arms with us, which is always good. Executives just want to pat you guys on the back and talk about what’s coming next.”

“Awesome. Should I tell Stephen and Paul to come too?”

“No, that’s not necessary. These guys know you’re the head writer and they want to give you the respect you’re due in a situation like this. So just you this time, okay? I think it’s for the best.”

“Okay, you’ve got it. See you in the morning.”

I thought about his words as I climbed into bed that night, and even dreamed about them. I could hardly wait to hold my head up high as I met with network executives the next morning.

And that’s just what I did. Dressed in my most professional attire, I entered Rex’s office at 7:25. At 7:30 sharp, three network executives made their entrance, dressed in business suits. Well, the guys, anyway. The woman—a forty-something with pristine makeup and hair—wore the female version of a business suit in a rather bland shade of gray.

I had that usual tight feeling in my throat as we all took our seats. Kind of reminded me of that one time I’d been called into the principal’s office as a child. In that case, I hadn’t been in trouble at all. I’d been called in to receive an award for best student of the day. Hopefully today things would go just as well.

The next half hour was spent tossing compliments back and forth. Turned out Ms. Kearney, network exec, was a fan. A huge fan. I counted approximately twenty times she used the words, “I just loved it.” And I’d never met anyone with a brighter smile.

By the end of our time together, we were all best friends. In fact, Ms. Kearney told me to call her Gail. So I did.

“I can’t tell you how excited we are about the prospects for the rest of the season,” Gail said. “I can hardly wait. After last night, I know the viewers are going to respond positively.”

“Really?” I shook my head. “Who would have guessed something as simple as tying a woman to train tracks would resonate with viewers?”

“People love physical comedy. Slapstick is rarely done these days because people are afraid of it, but there’s still a place for it in the twenty-first century. Clearly. That episode was all the proof we ever needed.”

“Looks like it.”

“There’s nothing better than being innovative, and that’s what that episode was. It was one of those rare ones that people will genuinely remember forever.”

Oh boy, did I hope she was right. I could almost envision people thirty years from now talking about the episode in the same way Bob and Paul and I always talked about the old
Dick Van Dyke
episodes. Did my words really have that kind of power?

The thought of it suddenly overwhelmed me. If my positive, funny words had power, I also had to believe that my not-so-great words had power too. Ouch.

At 8:15 Gail and I walked out of the room, laughing and talking all the way. Rex and the others lagged behind to chat. As I rounded the corner, I ran headlong into my mother.
My mother?

My heart raced as I tried to imagine what had brought her here. “Mama? Is something wrong?”

“No, honey. Everything’s fine. Brooke and I were headed out on a shopping spree and decided to stop by.”

“Shopping spree? On a school day?” I asked.

“It’s a teachers’ in-service day,” Brooke said. “Perfect day to shop. Nona Pappas said she would help me pick out some new jeans.”

Nona Pappas?

“She needs my help with a few other things too.” Mama gave me a wink. “Some things just need a woman’s touch.”

“I see.”

At my feet, I heard the strangest sound. Was that . . . panting? I glanced down, horrified when my gaze fell on Zeus. “Mama, what in the world?”

She dismissed me with a wave of her hand. “Don’t fret, honey. He’s not staying. We were just on our way to drop him off at the doggy day care when Brooke remembered that she had her father’s cell phone. We’re only here for a minute, to drop it off.”

I looked down at the dog crate. “You brought Zeus inside?”

“Brooke thought her dad would like to see him. Besides, he’s such a sweet little dog,” my mother said. “I couldn’t bear it if something happened to him in the car.”

Yep. Zeus had definitely weaseled his way into the family.

Thankfully, Ms. Kearney—Gail—didn’t seem terribly shaken when she saw the panting canine. She glanced inside the crate. “Oh, what a cute dog. What breed?”

“A Greek Domestic Dog,” I explained.

“Never heard of it.”

“He traveled all the way from Athens to live with us,” Mama explained. “His name is Zeus. It’s quite a story, actually.” She dove into the twisted tale, telling all about Mean-Athena.

Gail looked my way with a crooked smile. “Interesting story here, Athena. Maybe you could use some of that as fodder for an upcoming episode.”

“Could be.” I forced a smile, wondering how in the world I could work my dead aunt into an upcoming episode of
Stars Collide
.

From the crate, Zeus began to cry. “Oh, poor little guy.” Gail knelt down beside him. “Are you lonely in there?” The dog’s cries grew louder. He knew a sucker when he saw one, and Gail had
s-u-c-k-e-r
written all over her.

“Just ignore him,” I said. “He’s trying to get attention.”

“Well, it’s working.” Gail reached over and unfastened the latch on the crate.

“No, no, no, no, no.” Reaching toward the door, I did my best to slam it shut. “If he gets out—” I never had a chance to finish. Before I could complete the sentence, Zeus went barreling across the studio. He paused at the camera to lift his leg. “No!” I ran his way, but he took off just as I came closer, this time heading for the dressing rooms.

“I’m so sorry,” Gail called out. “I didn’t think he’d run away.”

“Good news is, he can’t get out,” I said, still chasing after the dog. “Bad news is, if Rex hears about this, I’m out of a job.”

“If Rex hears about what?”

I turned in slow motion, my heart gravitating to my throat. “Um, well, see . . .”

“If I find out there’s a mangy mutt eating Tia’s copy of this week’s script?” He pointed to our director’s chair. Zeus had made himself at home and was currently consuming several pages of script at once.
No way. Oh, you awful dog!

“Give me that,” I cried, yanking the script out of his mouth. “We worked long and hard on that.”

“Athena?” Rex looked at me with panic in his eyes. “Would you mind explaining what in the world is happening here? Tell me I’m seeing things, that there’s not really a dog in the studio.”

“You’re seeing things.” I plastered on a tight smile. “There’s no dog in the studio.”

“Good attempt, but I still see him. He’s eating the legs off the sofa.”

“Ack!” I scrambled to snag the mutt, but he shot between my arms and ran onto the set, making himself at home on one of the wingback chairs. At this point, the network executives got involved. One of them—the older of the two men—reached out to grab Zeus, only to have the ornery mongrel snap at him. Yikes!

Zeus jumped from the chair and ran across the set, pausing to chew on a couple of wires. Heaven help me. Hopefully the building wouldn’t go up in flames. As I chugged along behind him, I heard Rex’s voice behind me.

“Keep him away from Lenora, whatever you do. She’s got Fat Cat with her today.”

I groaned. Lenora rarely brought her finicky feline to rehearsal anymore. Why today of all days?

Seconds later I was running down the hall, chasing Zeus. He made it as far as the hair and makeup room, where he turned and made a loud—and overly dramatic—entrance. I’d almost caught him . . . almost . . . when he spied the cat in Lenora’s arms.

Fat Cat took to hissing, then sprang through the air toward Zeus, his claws fully extended. What happened next left a lasting impression in my memory bank. The dog, never one to cower, tucked his tail between his legs and began to creep backward. Backward. I could hardly believe it.