Sky Tongues (11 page)

   
And eventually, everything was.

100
   As expected, there was a trial, which lasted about a year too long but I was not a flight risk and was allowed to go home and be with my family. Ultimately, I was acquitted of murder, as the jury agreed that I had acted in self-defense.
   I was stunned beyond belief to hear that everyone involved with Exquisite Afterlife wanted me back and I took them up on it immediately, anxious to put the whole ordeal behind me.
   On weekends I flew back to New Boston to finish up playing Death; it only took a few trips as we were very nearly done when the production had been interrupted.
   When it was released, the movie was a moderate success and I gained favorable reviews, but it wasn’t the triumph we’d all expected. It was a cute little movie that is still good to watch on a rainy night when you find yourself alone with a dish of your favorite ice cream.
   That’s good enough for me.

101
   Both my parents went to prison, guilty of kidnapping. He received a longer sentence as it was established that my mother suffered from a mental illness and had probably only been acting out of loyalty to him. So, really she didn’t go to prison at all. She went to the nuthouse.
   My father died in prison and my mother has yet to be released from the asylum. She probably never will be.
   I was acquitted of the charge of murder as it was clearly a case of self-defense. I’ve never met a single soul who said they wouldn’t have done the exact same thing in the same situation.
   I’ve never regretted my actions.
102
   We stopped the series a year later, after its seventh season.
   Ratings had dropped drastically since Dove’s departure and we all agreed that it was better to leave quietly than to be thrown out with a fuss.
   The party we had was heartbreaking; we’d all spent so much time together, watching each other get married, get divorced, have children, have grandchildren. We’d been there for each other as much as any family ever had and if you happen to catch an episode and think, wow, what a crazy bunch of characters, you don’t know the half of it.
   We loved each other and parting company with those you love is always a difficult, if not impossible, task.
   It is comforting to know that somewhere, right this very moment, Exquisite Afterlife goes on.
103
   I continued working in film for a few years but grew tired of all the traveling it entailed. I wanted to remain close to home for a while and have at least somewhat normal hours.
   Rabia is the one who suggested I open my own theater company here in LA and that is exactly what I did. It’s just a small company called Mue Productions, but we have fun and, I think, produce good work.
   I’m especially fond of spotting new talent when they walk through the door, some young Mue with drive and passion and not just the desire to succeed, but the
need.
The knowing that there can be no other way, no other choice.
   Besides my family, that is the greatest thrill of my life.
   Finding a flower where others saw only a weed. |