Take One (17 page)

Pure joy.

A
NDI DROVE OUT TO
B
AILEY
’
S HOUSE
Saturday morning in the pouring rain so the two of them could study for a few hours. That and she wanted to meet Bailey’s
family, all those brothers she talked about. As she pulled up, she slowed her car and stared. If this was Bailey’s house,
then no wonder she wanted to come home for the weekend. Andi couldn’t understand why she ever would’ve wanted to live on campus
if she had the option of living here.

She turned into the driveway and came slowly past a series of manicured trees and bushes to the circular drive in front of
a long covered porch. Three porch swings dotted the stretch on the right side of the front door, and Andi could imagine sitting
out here on summer nights watching the sunset. She parked and came to the door.

Bailey answered it, her eyes sparkling. “You’re in time! Dad made his famous pancakes!” Bailey’s father coached the Indianapolis
Colts, but the team was home this weekend and next. “The whole family loves when Dad’s here for the weekend. Come on in.”

“Wow.” Andi walked through the door and stopped, taking in the chandelier and sweeping staircase. “You didn’t tell me you
lived in a resort.”

“It’s just a house.” Bailey laughed as she took hold of Andi’s hand and led her down a short hallway into the largest kitchen
ever. “Come meet everyone else.”

Sitting around the kitchen bar were Bailey’s brothers—Connor, who was at least six-foot-two, Shawn, BJ, Justin, and Ricky.
Three of the boys—Shawn, BJ, and Justin—were adopted from Haiti. Andi already knew that about Bailey’s family from pictures
she had in the dorm. But it was great meeting all the boys in person. In no time Andi and the Flanigans were caught up in
conversations about college life, the movie Andi’s dad was shooting, and the boys’ football season.

“Justin scored five touchdowns last week,” said Ricky. He was the youngest, with light blond hair and big blue eyes. “You
shoulda’ seen him, Andi.” He tried to squeeze in between Andi and Bailey, anxious for her to hear the details. “It was the
middle school championship game and on the second play Justin gets an interception and runs it all the way back.” Ricky held
up three fingers. “Three rushing touchdowns, and two interceptions run back for scores. Unbelievable, huh?”

Andi raised her eyebrows at thirteen-year-old Justin. “I wish I could’ve seen it.”

He shrugged, embarrassed over the big deal his little brother had made. “That’s okay. It’s just middle school.”

Ricky pumped his fist in the air. “Yeah, but wait till next year. You have to come to a game, okay?”

The boys continued to share stories and questions, and after Bailey’s parents came down, Andi understood even better why Bailey
wanted to be home over the weekends. Her family was amazing, her parents kind and strong in their faith, and clearly in love
with each other. Bailey had said that her mother was her best friend, and after sitting near her at breakfast, Andi could
see the bond the two of them had. The size of the house was long forgotten.

Andi was happy for her friend, for the life she had here with her family. But being with the Flanigans underlined Andi’s restlessness,
her desire to be something other than a missionary’s daughter. If her parents had held normal jobs, they might’ve had other
kids and Andi would’ve had siblings—a big family like this, even. Instead she’d missed out on every kind of traditional family
time they might’ve had. It was one more reason she wanted to find her own way now, so that she could branch out and maybe
discover aspects of life that she’d missed out on.

“You want to be an actress, is that right?” Jenny Flanigan’s smile was warm and understanding, and it drew her from her wandering
thoughts.

“Yes, ma’am. I’d like that.” Andi remembered what Jake had said about her reading for the part of his girlfriend. “There might
be an opportunity for me to have an actual role in my dad’s film.” She flashed excited eyes at Bailey. “We’ll find out this
weekend.”

“Katy Hart lived here when she was an actress.” BJ had just taken a full bite of pancakes and his words weren’t close to clear.

“Finish your food first.” Jim Flanigan was flipping another batch, but he looked over his shoulder at his son. “This isn’t
men’s town.”

“Sorry.” BJ covered his mouth and kept chewing.

Andi giggled and gave Bailey a curious look. “Men’s town?”

“That’s when mom and I are gone.” Bailey plugged her nose. “You don’t want to know what goes on in men’s town.”

The boys all chuckled and Ricky giggled until his cheeks turned red. “Men’s town isn’t for girls.”

“No.” Andi grinned at Jenny. “Be sure to let me know when it’s men’s town around here. I’ll stay at the dorm.”

“Anyway,” BJ’s mouth was empty now, “Katy Hart lived here when she was an actress.”

Andi was still putting the pieces of Bailey’s life together. “Katy Hart, the one who’s married to Dayne Matthews?”

“Right.” Bailey smiled.

“I watched a lot of it play out in the tabloids. Not that I read them, but in the supermarket, you know, the headlines tell
you a lot.”

“A lot of lies for the most part.” Jenny exchanged a look with Jim. “It’s a miracle Katy and Dayne survived the way the press
treated them.”

The breakfast continued, with so much laughter and conversation, Andi again found herself wishing for a family like this one.
Her parents were wonderful, but being an only child had never felt so lonely. By the time they moved into the living room
to do their homework, Andi was sure of one thing. After this she was going to spend as much time at Bailey’s house on the
weekends as she could.

They set up in front of an oversized fireplace in a room that had floor-to-ceiling windows along one entire wall. Bailey flipped
a switch that brought the gas flames to life, and then settled into the corner of a cushy-looking sofa. Andi sat on the floor
so she could spread out her history notes. She and Bailey were the only two freshmen in the class, and they needed to put
in a few hours to catch up.

Before they started, Andi looked around. “I can’t believe this is where Dayne Matthews fell in love with Katy Hart. That’s
so cool.”

Bailey shrugged. “They’re just normal people like you and me.”

“Still … I mean, how great that Katy was just this small-town drama director and next thing you know she’s married to America’s
most popular actor.” She lowered her voice, the excitement in her heart building. “It’d be like me marrying Jake Olson.”

“Except Dayne was a changed guy by the time he started dating Katy.” She gave Andi a wary look. “Jake … he seems a little
wild for you, don’t you think?”

“Not at all. He was nice yesterday. I mean, Bailey, like you said, you can’t believe everything you read.” She wanted her
friend to feel good about her attraction to Jake. “Anyway, I think I could fall for him. I guess we’ll see if he calls.”

Bailey was scouring her history book, but she nodded absently. “The test is on all of chapter 5, right?”

“And part of 6.” Andi had her book too, and she found the same section Bailey was opened to.

“Hey, so have you seen Cody again? Since Thursday’s Cru meeting?”

“Nope.” Andi hadn’t thought much about Cody since meeting Jake, but now that Bailey brought him up she wanted to get to the
bottom of her friend’s feelings for the guy. Andi leaned her elbow on the edge of the sofa and peered at Bailey. “Why do you
ask?”

“Just wondered. You two seemed like you were getting along pretty well when I showed up.”

Andi tried to discern even a little jealousy in Bailey’s tone, but there was none. She let her guard down some. “He’s very
good looking, I’ll give him that.” Andi looked off into the fire. “I sort of thought maybe you liked him.”

“I’m dating Tim.” Bailey’s answer was quick. She lifted smiling eyes toward Andi. “Cody and I are only friends. That’s all
we’ll ever be.”

“Really? I mean, you and Tim are doing that great?”

Bailey’s eyes danced in the light of the fire. The rain was coming down harder outside, and the sky was so dark with clouds,
it almost felt like nightfall. “We had an intense talk yesterday. If things keep going this way, then I’ll have to say yes.”

“Yes?” Andi kept her voice low, despite the thrill in her tone. “Yes to what?”

“To your question, goofy.” Bailey giggled. “You know, the one about how Tim and I are doing. And maybe yes to your other question.”
Bailey raised her brow. “You know, the one about being in love.”

“Oh, that.” Andi made an exaggerated wipe of her hand across her forehead. “I thought you were making some sort of announcement.”

“Not hardly. That’s forever away.” Bailey tapped her open book. “Okay, we better get serious here.”

They were fifteen minutes into outlining chapter 5 when Andi’s phone rang. She pulled it from her pocket and flashed a quick
look at the caller ID. Her dad! “Okay, here goes.” She sat up on her knees and fought the nervousness that had suddenly come
over her. “My parents have been in a meeting all morning deciding if I can read for the part of Jake’s girlfriend.” She took
a quick breath and snapped open her phone. “Hi, Dad … so what’s the verdict? Can I have a shot?”

Her father’s hesitation told her that whatever they’d decided, the news couldn’t be good. “Listen, honey, Chase and I talked
it over last night and again this morning. Your mom was in on today’s talk, and all of us agree with our decision.” He paused.

“Which is what?” Andi lowered her head close to her knees, desperate for the news.

“Well, we watched the dailies from yesterday. A dozen times at least, and we’ve decided we’re going to let Bailey read for
the part.”

Slowly Andi rose up onto her knees again. Her eyes found Bailey’s and she shook her head, clearly conveying that she wasn’t
going to read for the part. Bailey shot her a quick look of sympathy, and Andi appreciated the genuine way she cared. Not
for a minute did Bailey think the reason Andi wasn’t going to read for the part was because the producers wanted her instead.
Her reaction was that of a true friend, and Andi had never cared more for her than she did right now.

Her father was going on, trying to explain himself. “God has great plans for you, Andi. We all know that. You have something
very special, and that will come across on the big screen someday if that’s God’s will for your life. There’ll be other opportunities.
But right now … I don’t know honey, I can only tell you to keep God first. That way He’ll open those doors when the time is
right.”

“Okay.”

“You’re disappointed, I know. But try to understand. We had to think of the movie first, and Bailey … she has something we’re
looking for in this character.”

“It’s all right.” Andi could hear in her father’s voice that this was as hard for him as it was for her. She didn’t want him
to feel bad, so she kept her tone as understanding as she could. “Don’t worry about it, Daddy. It’s just one part. Like you
said, there’ll be others.”

Again her father hesitated. “Are you at the Flanigans’ house right now?”

“I am.” She gave Bailey another sad smile. “Her dad made us pancakes and we’re about to study history.”

“Would you mind too much, honey, if I talked with Bailey for a minute? We’d like to see her later today, so that if she’s
going to work out we can film her scenes Monday afternoon.”

Andi fought hard against the urge to be jealous of Bailey. She had that beautiful confidence, that strong sense of knowing
who she was, a wonderful family, and connections in the movie industry, and now this—the part Andi had dreamed of having.
Even so, she couldn’t be mad at Bailey. None of this was her fault, and anyway, they were already too close for that. Andi
thanked her dad for trying. She told him she loved him and asked him to hold on.

Then she looked at Bailey and tried to feel happy for her. “Here. My dad wants to talk to you.” And as she passed the phone
over, Andi felt the beginning of real happiness for Bailey. Because Bailey was her new best friend, and best friends didn’t
get jealous of each other or begrudge the other for finding success. They celebrated every victory together.

And this was only the first of many Andi hoped they shared.

Fifteen

C
HASE COULD FEEL
G
OD
’
S COVERING
, His protection as they breezed through the first two days of the next week. Bailey’s reading went brilliantly, and Chase
and Keith marveled at how natural she was in front of a camera. Not that they were completely surprised. She’d been trained
by Katy Hart, after all—another very natural acting talent. Bailey would do her scenes Friday, and possibly one or two days
the following week. Chase and Keith had shuffled the order of the scenes to streamline their production some. So far the move
was working. They were only a day behind now, instead of two or more. Every day cost tens of thousands of dollars, and though
Keith kept working his contact list, especially trying to contact investor Ben Adams, nothing had come through yet. It was
imperative that they get as much done every day as possible.

They were just wrapping up a scene between Rita and Jake, and a few of the grips were whispering close to Chase, agreeing
that there was something special happening with this movie. The takes they were getting were the sort of stuff that showed
up at big-time award shows. Chase couldn’t think about the possibility. All he could ask for was that God would get them through
the filming before they ran out of money.

The scenes today were at a restaurant and across the street at a park. Chase watched the scene underway, and when his assistant
director yelled, “Cut,” Chase was the first to clap. “Beautiful work, guys. Check the gate.”

Rita and Jake came out of the restaurant, laughing with each other and looking slightly worn out. Someone handed Rita a hand
towel and she ran it along the back of her neck. “It’s like a sauna in there,” she announced to the crew standing around.
She winked at Jake. “Either that, or Mr. Olson here’s a little too hot.”

He chuckled again and patted her back. “You were amazing.” He nodded toward the snack table across the street. “I’ll get you
a bottle of water.”

Chase watched the two of them and concern bubbled to the surface. Rita was in her mid-thirties. Certainly she wasn’t interested
in her twenty-four-year-old co-star. He made a mental note to talk to Keith about the two of them, just to make sure everyone
stayed above board. He smiled to himself. Above the line, the way he and Keith were determined things on their shoot would
be.

Rita caught his eye as she walked by. Her eyes flirted with him and mocked him at the same time. “You missed your chance,
Chase.”

“Come on, Rita. Leave Jake alone. He’s a kid.” Chase kept his tone easygoing. He had no authority to tell Rita who she could
and couldn’t be interested in. “Let’s keep character a priority, okay?”

She stopped and positioned herself as close to him as she could. “I’m a professional, don’t worry.” She started to walk away,
but she tossed a final eyebrow raise at Chase. “I’ll say this. Jake’s definitely not a kid.” She laughed as she walked toward
the snack table. Chase released an exasperated sigh and tried not to let her attitude bother him. As long as she didn’t create
a scandal, she was right—her decisions were her own.

Keith came up beside him, talking low so that only Chase could hear him. “She’s hitting on Jake now, huh?”

“I don’t know. If she steps out of line, maybe you could talk to her. With me, she thinks it’s personal.”

“I’ll take care of it if things get out of hand.”

“Thanks.” Chase was about to ask whether Keith thought they could get one or two more scenes shot before lunch, when around
the corner a caravan of three shiny black Suburbans pulled into view and came to a screeching stop on the road in front of
the restaurant. “What’s this?” Chase moved a few steps closer to the vehicles. Panic quickly closed in around him as he stared
at the Suburbans. “They’ve got picket signs.”

“I don’t like the looks of it.” Keith crossed his arms, stationed right next to Chase. Neither of them mentioned the below-the-line
union, and whether this could be their representatives coming to attack their filming. But as two dozen men spilled out of
the Suburbans, shouting about unfair working conditions and waving a variety of different-sized picket signs, there was no
need to guess what was happening. This was their worst nightmare come true.

The union had come to shut them down.

A stunned sense of shock came over the set, but as the below-the-line guys realized what was happening, they gathered grumbling
around Chase and Keith. One of the more outspoken cameramen turned to his co-workers and pointed at picketers, anger flashing
in his eyes. “Who called them? Don’t be a coward, step forward so we can all see who did it.”

No one came forward.

The twenty-some men from the union marched like a group of bullies toward the front of the restaurant and made a line that
blocked the doorway. Chase couldn’t believe what was happening. “They can’t do this,” he hissed at Keith, who was still at
his side, still just as disbelieving.

“It looks like they already have.” Keith seemed to know more about the union. But before he could share any information with
Chase, a guy who must’ve been the leader came forward.

He was a thin guy, not how Chase would’ve pictured him. But what he lacked in stature, he made up for in attitude. “I assume
you’re the producers?”

Keith reached out to shake the man’s hand. “I’m Keith Ellison. This is my co-producer, Chase Ryan.”

The guy stared at Keith’s hand and chuckled. “Save your handshake.” He crossed his arms. “I’m Larry Fields, president of the
Indiana chapter of the below-the-line union. It’s come to our attention that you’re making a movie here, paying our below-the-line
guys less than union wages.”

“This is an independent film with a very limited budget.” Keith waved at the group of crew members gathered around him. “These
men agreed to work for a fair wage, if slightly less than what union work would usually pay.”

“Working conditions here are great,” one of the grips yelled at the union boss. “Get lost and let us work!”

A chorus of shouts followed, with a number of the crew reiterating the sentiment, telling the union guy he wasn’t wanted or
needed. “Go resolve Hollywood’s problems if you want something to do. We need work,” an electrician yelled.

“Yeah, leave us alone!”

“This isn’t about us!”

“Get out of here.”

The ruckus grew, the crew practically ready to force the picket ers back to their vehicles. Chase felt his emotions swell.
They were in trouble this time, big trouble. But at least the crew was on their side. He studied the group and wondered which
of them had made the call. It had to be someone, otherwise the union wouldn’t have found out about the film in the first place.

Larry Fields sneered at them and waited for the crowd to quiet. “You might want to check your union handbooks, friends. When
you join, you agree to let us handle the working conditions.” He chuckled, and the sound was just short of sinister. “That’s
what we’re about to do here. Handle the working conditions.”

Chase started to say something, but Keith held his hand up, stopping him. Instead he directed a kind, quieter voice to the
union boss. “This isn’t a union job. The crew knew that when they signed on.” He smiled as if maybe that might be all it would
take to clear up the problem and send the union reps back to wherever they’d come from.

Again Larry chuckled. “Well then, my friend, you’ve got yourself a problem. Because the crew you picked for your little low-budget
picture is a union crew. Every one of them.” He raised his voice and directed this next part to the grumbling crew members.
“Let me make one thing very clear. We’ve set up a picket line against any further production of this movie. If you choose
to cross the picket line and work, you’ll lose your union cards.” He pointed harshly at them. “And I’ll personally see to
it that you don’t work another day in this business.”

Chase was horrified. This wasn’t representation. It was blackmail. Strong-armed bullying tactics designed entirely to benefit
the union—not the workers. As long as the job was non-union, the leaders couldn’t take a cut of the crew’s wages. If it became
a union film, these men would benefit financially. That had to be the only reason they were here. That, and because one crew
member had felt the need to place a phone call to the union.

The cast had joined the group gathered around Keith and Chase, and Jake Olson shouted at the union leader. “No one’s unhappy,
go away!”

“You’re happy.” Larry volleyed right back. “You’re making union wages.”

“Below-the-line’s on strike because of you clowns.” Jake thrust out his chest, not willing to back down. “How’re they supposed
to eat if you won’t let them work?”

Larry laughed again. “Throw a fit, Mr. Movie Star. We’re not going anywhere.” His smile was proud and arrogant as he turned
and crossed the parking lot toward the restaurant to join the others. The place had been closed down for the day because Keith
and Chase had paid for the privilege to have it all to themselves. Now it wasn’t quite noon and the union had given them an
ultimatum they couldn’t do anything about.

Chase started walking toward the picket line, but Keith grabbed hold of his arm. “Be careful. If we get through this, it’ll
be because we reach common ground. Remember that.”

“Thank you.” Chase wanted to scream at his friend. Of course he knew they needed to find common ground, but he refused to
let a bunch of union thugs intimidate him. “Come with me. So I don’t lose it.” He held his head high, and together with Keith,
they walked to the middle of the picket line where Larry Fields was now holding a sign of his own. The sign read, “Producers
of
The Last Letter
use unfair work conditions!” Chase was blown away by the thoroughness of their attack. When had they had time to make up
signs specific to this movie set? He glanced at a few of the other signs. Two read, “Unfair Conditions,” and several said
simply, “STRIKE!”

Chase stood facing Larry, hating everything about this. “What do you want, Fields? What’re your demands?”

“Like we said,” Keith added. “We’re a low-budget production. If it weren’t for strikes in Hollywood, we couldn’t have offered
this job to these guys. But you heard them. They want to work. They’re very happy and they’re getting paid.”

Larry ignored that. Instead he directed his words to Chase. “We want every below-the-line guy at union pay starting today,
and we want back wages paid by Friday. On top of that, we want you to increase your medical insurance in case of an accident.”

Chase might as well have run straight into a tree. He struggled to take a full breath, because what Larry was telling them
was better said this way: The movie was finished. Paying the crew union wages and back pay would reach a six-figure number
in no time, money they didn’t have and couldn’t raise. They’d already proved that this past week with every closed door Keith
ran into. No one was investing in their film, and unless they continued to make up time, they would run out of money before
they finished shooting.

The union boss was waiting, but there wasn’t anything Chase or Keith could say in response to the demands. Chase worked to
keep a wrap on his temper. “Very well then, you’ll be hearing from our attorney.” It was some way to save face in the sense
that, like it or not, negotiations for the ransom of their film had already begun. But as Chase and Keith walked back to the
nervous-looking cast and crew, neither of them had a clue what sort of announcement to make. Chase nodded to Keith. If anyone
could keep panic from breaking out, it was him. He’d already proved that once on this set.

“Okay, listen up.” Keith cupped his hands around his mouth. “The union doesn’t have a right to shut us down like this, but
we’re going to need a lawyer to get things back on track.” The only sign that he was nervous was the pace of his words. Of
course no one could blame him for talking fast. The minutes were ticking away with the entire production at a sudden and sickening
stand-still. “Everyone go to lunch and we’ll update you as soon as we know something.”

The faces among the cast and crew reflected the emotions exploding inside Chase. Anger and fear, sorrow and frustration. All
of them seemed grateful for a reason to turn their backs on the picketers and head across the parking lot to their base camp.
Chase kept his pace even with Keith’s. “Okay, so what lawyer? The last time we talked to a lawyer we were writing up contracts.”

“I have an idea.” He was sorting through his wallet, looking for a business card. “I’m calling Dr. Baxter.”

“The guy who treated Jake?” Chase wanted a solution immediately. He didn’t see where this would get them.

“Yeah, and Dayne Matthews’ father.” Keith stopped and motioned for Chase to stay close. The cast and crew passed by them,
talking in small groups of three and four, their anger over the incident evident in their tone and body language. When they
had more privacy, Keith pulled out his cell phone and dialed a number from the back of the business card. A quick conversation
and explanation ensued, and Keith was making a second call, this one to Dayne. Again the call didn’t last long, but when Keith
hung up he was smiling. “Dayne’s on his way down. He wants to encourage the cast and crew.”

“What else?” Chase tapped his foot on the asphalt. The sun was out, and he squinted at his friend. “Did he know of an attorney?”

“Yes.” Keith was already making the call. “His brother Luke’s an entertainment attorney. Dayne said he’ll cover his fee, whatever
it is.”

Chase paced a few feet away and stared into the clear blue. He drew his first full breath since the Suburbans pulled up.
God … You’re with us … we can feel You. Please, get us through this nightmare. We’re in way over our heads.

I am with you, my son … I know the plans I have for you … plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope
and a future.

God’s mercy so overcame him that he nearly fell to his knees. Tears filled his eyes and he blinked them back. This was their
key Scripture verse, the one that the movie was supposed to illustrate. God had good plans for His people. But here, with
the insanity that was playing out across the street, Chase had all but forgotten the truth. He breathed another thank-you
toward heaven and turned to see Keith in a serious conversation.