Take Four (21 page)

K
EITH HAD TO AGREE WITH
B
AILEY
—the trip to New York was the wildest, craziest idea Brandon had come up with yet. The idea that they might go from begging for financial support during
The Last Letter
to this—flying to New York City in Brandon Paul’s private jet was just a little more than he could believe. It helped take the edge off the sadness he and Lisa were feeling about Andi’s latest decision—that she would give up her baby, after all. He and Lisa had talked about Andi’s choice, and they agreed it was the smartest one, the decision that would best benefit the baby.

But not before the loss would break all their hearts.

Keith sighed, imagining the day a few months from now when he and Lisa would stand by their daughter, watch her give birth to the beautiful baby in the photograph, and then tell their first grandchild goodbye forever. They would pray every day between now and then for the strength they’d need to pull it off.

Laughter came from the rest of the group, and Keith turned and glanced at his wife. She was doing better today, glad for the diversion of the trip to Manhattan. She and Katy were sitting with Bailey on a white leather sofa , drinking fresh lattes brought to them by the flight attendant—a young blonde who clearly knew Brandon by name. Dayne and Brandon were talking about Dayne’s accident—and how Dayne could’ve possibly felt drawn into making movies again after such a terrible ordeal. Keith was hanging on every word.

“At first I only wanted to be out of Hollywood,” Dayne was stretched out on another section of leather sofa, across from two
leather recliners where Brandon and Keith sat. “I had Katy and I was in love, and I had a family I hadn’t known about until recently.” He smiled, peace emanating from him. “Why would I need Hollywood?”

“Exactly.” Brandon crossed one leg over his knee, intent on Dayne and the story. “Why would you come back?”

“Really?” Dayne slid his feet back to the carpeted floor of the jet and leaned over his knees. “Because God wanted me to step back out. He convinced me that Hollywood in and of itself wasn’t evil. Certain movies, yes. The way most actors live and behave, definitely. But the medium of movies is still a very powerful way to reach people.”

“In other words, do something good with moviemaking?”

“More than good.” Dayne eased back again, sitting straighter against the cushioned seat. “Something life-changing. Where people leave the theaters knowing that their lives are empty and meaningless without a faith in Christ.”

Keith wanted to stand up and applaud. This was a much more direct message from Dayne than the way he’d presented his role earlier, back when they’d had their first meetings with Brandon.

“Really…you think the message of the film is that religious?” Brandon swallowed, clearly more nervous than he’d been a moment earlier.

“Not religious. That’s not the right word.” Dayne breathed in slowly, taking his time. “Faith should be a relationship with God. You can grow in that relationship a lot of ways. Certainly by going to church and reading your Bible. By praying. But not by being religious. Some of Jesus’ least favorite people in His day were the religious leaders. Pious and self-righteous. He’s looking more for the broken people…people who need Him.”

Again Keith could’ve cheered. He could see by the look on Brandon’s face that those last two lines would stay with him.
He’s looking more for the broken people…people who need Him.
What
a great way to describe Jesus. The whole scene made Keith certain beyond any doubt that he was there for a reason, that flying in a private jet for a night in Times Square really was mission work.

He was proud of Brandon for engaging Dayne in a conversation like this. From the beginning, Brandon had wanted to avoid any discussion of the film’s Christian content. But here he was genuinely interested in Dayne’s motives, in what could’ve transformed him from a playboy tabloid favorite to the faith-filled conscientious man he was today.

Whatever it takes, Lord…speak to Brandon’s heart. Don’t let him go off on his own or get crazy in the city tonight. Help him really hear what Dayne’s telling him.

Keith and Lisa often talked about the fact that a change in Brandon Paul—a public change—could have greater impact than any movie, anywhere.

He thought again about what Andi was doing this weekend, and how she was gearing up for Monday afternoon—when Lisa would take her to the adoption agency office so they could meet the adoptive family for the first time. If Andi resented not being invited to the spur-of-the-moment New York trip, she didn’t show it. She only smiled, happy for them. Homework would keep her busy all weekend, she told them. Also she wanted time to pray and prepare herself for Monday, for the meeting and for the goodbye ahead. Which, despite the pace and noise of the city, Keith planned to do, too. But for now he could only marvel at the change in Brandon Paul.

Because if he was reading the young star right, the miracle they’d prayed about was practically at hand.

B
AILEY FELT LIKE SHE WAS IN A DREAM
. The flight was amazing, Brandon’s private jet warm and cozy with plush throws and pillows, the cabin rich with the smell of soft premium leather. Bailey
noticed the flight attendant making eyes at Brandon, and she figured somewhere in the course of travel Brandon had gotten more than beverage service from the girl. But he didn’t seem even the slightest bit interested today. He introduced her to Bailey and the others, and then never again seemed to notice her—except to thank her for a Sprite or the turkey sandwiches she brought out before they landed.

Every year Bailey and Connor and their mom visited New York City, staying at the Doubletree Hotel in Times Square and seeing as many plays as they could in a three or four-day span. But never had they traveled like this. Once they landed at La Guardia—near the airport’s private access building—they were met on the tarmac by a shiny black Escalade and taken straight to the city.

Typically, Bailey had been the one to keep her distance from Brandon. But on this day he seemed content to let her hang out with the producers’ wives. They had a little extra time before their dinner reservations, so the driver took them to FAO Schwarz across the street from Central Park. The last time Bailey had been there she and Tim were dating—so the trip was a little nostalgic. But even back then she’d known Tim wasn’t the guy for her. It had just taken a while for her head to tell her heart.

Brandon brought a beret and sunglasses, so he wouldn’t be recognized. But Bailey had a pretty good idea that by the end of the night they’d have a trail of paparazzi following them anyway. Inside the famous toy store, Brandon led the way up the escalator to the giant floor piano, which stretched out more than thirty feet.

“I could’ve played that role in
Big
,” he whispered to her as they rode up. “Watch me. Twinkle toes, for sure.”

She laughed and again she appreciated that he didn’t stay by her side. Not that they had anyone tailing them yet, but still…she’d made it clear she didn’t want people assuming they were
dating, and on this day he was very careful to make sure no one might’ve thought so.

Upstairs, the five of them watched Brandon dance across the keys. He was true to his word, and Bailey figured he’d been here a number of times. His rendition of “The Entertainer” was both charming and spot on.

“You try it.” He waved to Bailey.

By now a few moms and their kids had stopped, and several of them were whispering to each other. One was on her cell phone.
Brandon Paul! Here in FAO Schwarz!

Bailey couldn’t resist joining in. She took off her shoes and joined him. “Okay, stand back. Watch this.” She had learned only a few songs from Connor over the years, but she could hold her own on “Mary Had a Little Lamb.” She found Middle C and jumped up onto the E key and back down on D and C, then up again along the same notes. But she messed up and hit the C twice, and when she aimed for the E, she was laughing so hard she accidentally hit the D.

“Mmm-hmm, just as I thought.” Brandon brushed his knuckles against his shirt. “No one can touch me on the life-size piano.”

“Not fair.” Bailey was still laughing, trying to catch her breath. She was standing close enough to him that the other people watching couldn’t hear what she was saying. “What’d you do, rent the place out and take lessons?”

“Well…” he grinned, the grin that was beginning to grow on her. “Actually, yes. They closed early one night and let the cast of my NTM TV show in, and well…yeah, they gave us lessons.”

“Ah-haaa…See? I knew it!” she pointed at him. She tried her song again, but she made a complete mess of it. Again she laughed, this time half bent over. She could barely walk by the time she reached her shoes, and only then did she notice how the crowd around the piano area had grown.

One little boy—maybe 8 years old—stepped up to Brandon
with a piece of paper and a pen. “Hey, could I have your autograph?”

“Sure.” Brandon smiled graciously. He signed the boy’s paper, and before he could get his own shoes on, he was asked five more times. Within a few minutes people were posing with him, snapping photos with their phones and calling out to other shoppers in the store, telling them Brandon Paul was here.
Really…right here!

Bailey pulled away with the producers and their wives, and she stood next to Katy. “Crazy, huh?” Katy smiled, amused. “I remember when that was Dayne.”

The only reason it wasn’t Dayne now was because he was looking down, intent on a puzzle in his hand, as if the pieces contained some pressing information. Katy helped, too, shielding him from the people—all of whom were too distracted by Brandon to think that a second megastar might be here in their midst.

Katy was still standing very close to Bailey. “So…what do you think about him?”

“Brandon?” She watched him, surrounded now by a growing crowd of fans. “He’s nicer than I thought.” A quick side glance at Katy allowed her to express with her eyes what could’ve been missed in the commotion. “I’m not interested, if that’s what you mean.”

“Cody?” Katy knew her, and now her eyes softened. Clearly she had noticed that Cody hadn’t been around on set, and that Bailey hadn’t talked to him at yesterday’s game.

“We’re struggling.” Bailey bit her lip. She didn’t really want to think about Cody today, in the middle of feeling like Cinderella at her first ball. But there was no way around it when she was talking to Katy. Dayne’s wife knew her as well as almost anyone. Katy had lived with them, after all, back at the same time Cody did. Katy was like a sister, and so Bailey appreciated that she’d ask now about Cody. Katy was still watching her, still waiting for
the rest of Bailey’s answer. “There’s no reason really. He started staying away, and then…Monday he sent me a text intended for some other girl. I don’t know…” She sighed and the sound lingered in her heart. “We need to talk. But at this rate that probably won’t happen until we’re done with the shoot. I’m not even sure I want it to happen until then. I need to focus on my work.”

Katy’s smile was kind, proof she truly cared. “I remember how hard those years were, when I was your age and even for years after. Always wondering why love wasn’t easier.”

“until you and Dayne.” Bailey was happy for Katy, for how things had worked out.

“Dayne?” She whispered his name, but her laugh was straight out loud. “Nothing about Dayne was ever easy.” She let her laughter fade, and she looked deep into Bailey’s eyes. “When you think about Cody, keep that in mind.”

A few yards away, Brandon raised his hand and smiled big at the people still gathering. “Gotta go, folks!” He motioned to Keith, who took the cue and was immediately at his side. “Thanks for saying hi!” Brandon waved, and his eyes were genuine.

Keith put his arm around Brandon and ushered him through the crowd. Lisa stayed on the other side, while Katy and Dayne and Bailey followed. Dayne averted his eyes from the crowd, and in a rush of chaos, they made it through the store and to the waiting car outside.

“To Sardi’s,” Brandon told the driver. He laughed as he took his seat in the back row with Bailey. “Wow…people are crazy.”

“You’re used to it.” Bailey was curious. “You handled it really well.”

“I guess.” He shook his head and brushed his hair off his forehead. “I’m not sure you ever really get used to a scene like that.”

“True.” Dayne laughed. He sat next to Katy and Lisa in the second row. Keith stayed up front next to the driver, passing on information about where they were headed. “There’s always that
sense you can’t possibly give everyone what they want. And it just takes a few people criticizing you or cussing you out because you didn’t sign something for them, and you feel like forgetting the whole thing.”

“Which, by the way, I noticed you did quite successfully.” Brandon leaned forward and gave Dayne a look of mock frustration. “You coulda helped me out there, buddy.”

“No, thanks.” Dayne laughed and took Katy’s hand in his. “It’s your turn, my friend.”

They made their way up Fifth Avenue, past the window shoppers and business people pushing ahead in both directions, past the jewelry district and Radio City Music Hall. Sardi’s was on West Forty-fourth Street, and after fifteen minutes of serious traffic in Times Square they pulled up out front.

Bailey had eaten at Sardi’s before, and the well-known restaurant could always be counted on for quality food and service. But more than that, it was fun seeing the caricatures of celebrities, which lined the walls. “Let me guess,” Bailey said to Brandon as they stepped out of the car. “You’ve already got your own picture in Sardi’s.”

“He does.” Keith put his arm around Lisa as they headed toward the front door. “I asked when I made reservations. I requested that we have a table near his picture.”

“You did?” Bailey was amazed. The whole day was like something from an unbelievable dream. “Do they know he’s with us?”

“No.” He looked at Dayne and the two of them shared a knowing smile. “My guess is they will soon enough.”

Again Brandon wore the beret, but this time he kept the sunglasses in the car. He used Dayne’s trick—averting his eyes, acting fascinated by a menu at the front desk and the pattern of the carpet as they were seated. But, even so, Bailey watched more than a few heads turn as they were led to their table.