The Director's Cut

  My mind reeled. Did he really think I was getting married?

  “Tia, don’t look so surprised. I’ve been around awhile. I know the real deal when I see it.” Apparently the medicine had kicked in, because his words now sounded a little slurred.

  “O-oh?”

  He nodded, his eyes fluttering closed. “You and Jason are going to get married, and you’re going to have a houseful of babies.”

  “Whoa. Stop right there.” I put my hand up. “Married, maybe. A houseful of babies? We’ll have to talk about that.”

  My imagination began to run wild. How could I raise a houseful of babies and direct a show at the same time?

  “Deep breath, Tia.” My dad spoke from a near-slumber state.

  “Oh, I don’t get worked up. Not anymore. That’s the old Tia. The new and improved version is calm, cool, and collected, no matter what comes her way.”

  “I see.”

  Only, he didn’t. Because he was now snoring.

  I watched my father resting, completely overwhelmed by what he’d said. For the first time in years, I had complete peace that my parents’ marriage was on the right track. No doubt about it. And I also knew my father had enough fight left in him to get well and actually become the better man he’d promised to be.

  And then there was that part about him dancing with me at my wedding. I’d have to give that a little more thought. Someday. When things calmed down.

  Right now, I just needed to relax . . . and trust that God had all of this under control.

  The following morning, Daddy returned home from the hospital in time to celebrate Sunday dinner with the family. We all gathered at my parents’ place. Well, all of us but Angel, who’d been banished to her crate in my parents’ room. Thanks to my medication, I barely sneezed at all.

  Mama outdid herself with the meal, but the person who really impressed us was Benita. She made all of the desserts. Who knew the girl could bake? Bob beamed with delight as he told us all about it. Cooking really was more fun with two people involved, I had to admit. With Jason’s help, I’d provided a potato casserole. It was a little lumpy but oh so tasty.

  Spending the day with my family turned out to be a huge blessing, and by late afternoon Jason and I decided to stop by his parents’ place in Newport Beach for round two. Their luxurious home near the beach totally blew me away, but so did the relaxed ambience. I fell hard and fast for Jason’s mother, who seemed to love everything about me. The feeling was definitely mutual. In fact, I felt as if I’d somehow stumbled into a whole new world of family members I’d never known existed.

  The following Saturday, Jason and I switched houses. I’d never lived in an apartment before, but I loved his place right away. And he’d no sooner moved into my place than he started helping Carlos with the construction. Turned out the boy was amazing with a hammer and nails. And talk about fast! He helped my brothers stay on task but also kept everyone sane and cheerful.

  By late May we were both settled in, relaxed, and happy. Instead of me driving myself to work, Jason now stopped by to pick me up each morning. Interesting idea, riding to work with someone else, particularly someone you happened to be crazy about. Sure, it meant a missed call from Mama, but she understood. In fact, I had it on good authority that she and my father enjoyed watching the news together each morning.

  As Jason drove, I took the time to look out the window, to observe my surroundings. In the countless times I’d made the drive to the studio, I couldn’t remember actually seeing what was going on around me.

  “When did they finish that hotel?” I pointed to my right, mesmerized by the luxurious new hotel. “And what’s up with that dry cleaner? Has it always been there?”

  “For as long as I can remember.” Jason chuckled. “You’re like a kid in a candy shop today. Haven’t you ever actually looked at Hollywood before?”

  I shook my head. “Obviously not. I mean, I’ve seen it thousands of times, but never from the passenger seat.” For some reason, that statement gave me the giggles. My whole life had changed since I’d climbed into the passenger seat.

  I started humming, and before long, I was singing at the top of my lungs. “Oh, you can’t get to heaven on roller skates.”

  Jason echoed, “Oh, you can’t get to heaven on roller skates.”

  We sang together: “Oh, you can’t get to heaven on roller skates. You’ll roll right by those pearly gates. All my sins are washed away, I’ve been redeemed.”

  He harmonized with a rich bass on the last line, which got me tickled, so I started laughing again. “Hey, we sound pretty good together.”

  “Yes, we do.”

  “Maybe if this television gig doesn’t work out, we should think about hitting the road with that act.”

  “Never in a million years. I only sing in the car.” He paused. “And the shower.”

  “Same here.” I glanced out the window, noticing a sign ahead. “Ooo, can we stop for ice cream?”

  “Ice cream?” Jason looked at me like I’d gone crazy. “This early in the day?”

  I nodded. “Yeah. Just sounds good for some reason.”

  “Okay, ice cream it is. If you think we have time.”

  “Time?” I shrugged and pointed to the ice cream shop in the distance. “It’ll wait for us. Rocky Road sounds good, don’t you think?”

  “I think bacon and eggs sounds better, but that’s just me.” He laughed and pulled the car into the parking lot.

  Unfortunately, the ice cream shop wasn’t open yet, but I didn’t let that stress me out. Instead, I settled for a Frappuccino from Starbucks just a few blocks away. As we pulled away, I leaned back in my seat, took a swig of the ice-cold coffee, and sighed.

  “I feel like Dorothy about to leave Oz.”

  “Oh?” Jason grinned. “Should I put on my Tin Man costume?”

  “Nah.” I took another swig. “I’ve come such a long way over the past few weeks. I feel like someone should ask me, ‘What did you learn while you were here, Dorothy?’ ”

  “Okay, I’ll bite.” Jason waggled his brows, then said, “What did you learn, Dorothy?” in a voice that sounded like the Tin Man’s.

  I put on my best Dorothy voice. “Well, I think I’ve learned that a family isn’t something to be tolerated. I need to see each person as an individual, loved by God. Flawed, sure, but still loved by God.”

  “Anything else?” Jason took a sip of his coffee.

  “You can’t run away from where you’ve come from. Even if you change your wardrobe, your makeup, the way you speak—you’re still you. Embrace the fact that God is writing the script. Let him take the reins.”

  He chuckled as he put his coffee down. “Wow, this does sound like the script from The Wizard of Oz. But you left out one part.”

  “I did?”

  “Yep. There’s no place like home. There’s no place like home. There’s no place like home.”

  “Which home?” I asked. “The one I’m living in now, the one you’re renovating, or my parents’ place?”

  “All of the above.” He gave me a wink that sent my heart into a tailspin. I decided right then and there that home would be wherever he was.

  “Okay then.” I repeated the words “There’s no place like home,” suddenly believing it. Though my family drove me nuts at times, I had to admit there was no place like home. Home was where I went when the world was crumbling around me. A few laughs with my family members, along with some of Mama’s tamales, could make everything better.

  “Hey, you’re even wearing ruby slippers.” Jason pointed down at my feet and I gasped.

  “No way.” I’d put on my new pumps this morning. Perfect! I wiggled my feet and laughed. “I remember why now. The end-of-season party. I wanted to look festive.”

  “You look festive, all right. That blue blouse is . . .”

  “Reminiscent of Kat’s Easter Bunny suit?” I offered.

  He chuckled. “No. I was going to say beautiful, but it didn’t seem like the
right word.” He reached for my free hand and gave it a squeeze. “It’s a good thing you’re ready to go back to Kansas, Dorothy. I hear Oz is highly overrated. Besides, the party today just wouldn’t be the same without you.” He paused, his expression growing more serious. “In fact, nothing would be the same without you.”

  I managed an “Aw,” then turned my face to the window, hoping he wouldn’t see the shimmer of tears in my eyes. What had I done to deserve this amazing guy? I turned back to face him, tears and all. When he saw them, he squeezed my hand again. Unspoken words traveled between us.

  Well, unspoken for a while. After a couple minutes we dove back into the conversation, covering everything from my house to the upcoming end-of-season party.

  We arrived at the studio in short order. With yesterday’s filming behind us, we were free to take care of the one thing on the agenda today—the party. And what a party it was going to be! We’d spent all week planning. With Erin’s and Athena’s help, I got the soundstage prepped and ready.

  Kat arrived with the baby just as the festivities got under way. The children went crazy when they saw little Katherine for the first time. Lenora—God bless her—was completely discombobulated, though she did look rather dashing in her Tinkerbell costume.

  “Oh, is this the baby from the elevator?” she asked as Kat passed the baby into her outstretched arms. “He’s so cute!”

  Tears rose in Kat’s eyes, but she quickly brushed them away. “Yes, I have to admit, I have the cutest baby in town.”

  Lenora nodded and began to make silly faces. Before long, the kids were circled around them, doing the same. Rex looked on, a bittersweet look on his face. I could only imagine what must be going through his mind.

  As the children oohed and aahed over the baby, I watched them, my heart swelling with pride. For the first time, a new sensation arose. Genuine caring for a child. Motherly instincts. Weird. Who knew I had those?

  Candy took a few steps in my direction. “We have a special present for you, Miss Tia.”

  “You do?” She passed the gift my way and I smiled. “Do you want me to open it now?”

  “Yes, please, but let me get the other kids.” She hollered for the younger cast members to join us, and then I opened my gift. I gasped aloud when my eyes fell on the Prada handbag, identical to the one that had been destroyed.

  “We’re sorry about what happened to your purse, Tia,” she said. “I hope you like this one.”

  “Like it?” I stared at the expensive bag, completely overwhelmed. This had to have cost the kids a fortune.

  “Mama said you were worth every penny.” Candy offered the sweetest smile.

  What? The ultimate stage mother thought the director actually had value? If I hadn’t heard it from Candy’s lips, I wouldn’t have believed it. I turned to Bianca with tears in my eyes and mouthed, “Thank you.” She nodded and smiled.

  I turned my attention back to the children and clapped my hands. “I want to say something to all of you.”

  The kids looked up at me, likely curious about the ease in my voice as I spoke to them. They usually saw me only in director mode.

  “I just want you to know how proud I am of you. You’re all very talented.” My gaze lingered on Candy. Though she’d been a challenge at times, her talent was undeniable. “This show wouldn’t be the same without you, and I want you to know that. I’m grateful for all of you.”

  Just then the boys began to argue. I tried to speak above them but found it difficult.

  Joey punched Ethan in the arm. “Stop talking, stupid,” he hollered. “Tia’s trying to say something to us.”

  Ethan settled down, and I resisted the urge to say, “We don’t say ‘stupid.’ ” Instead, I settled on my rehearsed speech. “We wanted to make the end of this season very special for you, so we’ve got a little surprise.”

  I gestured down the hallway. Brock and Erin emerged, arms loaded down with gifts.

  Jason appeared at my side and gave me a little nudge. “Great call on your part. The kids won’t ever forget this end-of-season party. It’s like Christmas all over again.”

  “I won’t forget it either.” A contented sigh followed.

  Jason slipped his arm around my waist and planted a kiss in my hair. “Just one more reason why I love you. You’ve got the jolly gene.”

  For some reason, that got me tickled. I started laughing and couldn’t stop.

  In the middle of my giggle fest, Erin approached with a broad smile on her face. She grabbed my hand, her ruby-red lips curling upward. “Tia, I couldn’t wait to tell you.”

  “Tell me what?”

  “I got the best gift ever.”

  “You finished out your semester at film school? Passed your exams?”

  “That too.”

  Brock approached with a boyish grin.

  “Brock is coming back to Texas with me for a few weeks,” she said.

  “Oh?” I looked his way.

  “I’m going to meet her family,” he explained. “We’re spending the month of June together.”

  Wow. Things had clearly progressed.

  He slipped his arm around her waist and drew her close, and she released a sigh.

  “You once told me that you saw more for me than I saw for myself,” Erin said. “And you were right. I’ve learned a lot from being on the set, but most of all I’ve learned that the script of my life had more pages than I ever dared dream. The story I’d created in my head—about being a director someday, about working with famous directors like you—wasn’t big enough. I had no idea my real story would include falling in love with someone like Brock.” She looked over at him with an expression so sweet, I couldn’t help but be awed.

  I threw my arms around her neck, whispered half a dozen well wishes, and turned my attention to Brock. “Don’t steal her away from us.”

  “I wouldn’t dare. She’s fallen in love with everyone here.” He shrugged. “I have too, to be honest.”

  “The feeling is mutual. And we hope you stick around a long, long time.”

  “I’d like that. Might have to work out that whole Dancing with the Stars thing, though. You okay with that?”

  “Very. We’re family now, and family members always accommodate one another.”

  “We are family, aren’t we?” Erin shook her head. “I still can’t believe I’ve only been here a couple of months. It feels like forever. I can’t even remember what my life was like before Stars Collide.”

  “Funny you should say that,” Jason chimed in. “I can’t either.”

  “I guess that’s what it’s like when you’re with family. You lose all track of time.” Erin giggled, then gazed up at Brock, her eyes dancing with delight.

  They went back to the children, now singing silly songs and acting like kids. Oh, but she was right! We were family—every cast member, every tech person . . . all of us. One big, happy family.

  Thinking of family got me thinking about Benita. I noticed her standing off in the distance, gabbing with Bob. I walked toward her, seeing something in her eyes that I never had before. Peace. Tranquility. And as she gazed at Bob, I also saw something else. Innocent love. The kind that most people experienced when they were young.

  Her face lit with joy as she took several steps in my direction. “Tia, can you believe it?”

  “Believe what?”

  “I’m dating Bob.”

  “Bob . . . and only Bob?” I really couldn’t think of a better way to phrase the question.

  “Mm-hmm.” She nodded. “He actually wants me to be his steady girlfriend. Isn’t that awesome?”

  Now here was a strange turn of events. What could I say to her? “Why wouldn’t he? You’re an amazing woman.”

  She wrinkled her nose. “But he usually dates the smart girls. The ones who’ve been to college and have a degree.”

  “You have a degree.”

  “Oh yeah.” She giggled. “I guess I do. But cosmetology’s not exactly brain surgery.”
r />   “Doesn’t matter. You’re still brilliant at what you do. But even if you weren’t, he would still care for you.”

  “You think?”

  “I know. I see the way he looks at you.”

  She sighed. “I’m a lucky girl.”

  “Luck doesn’t have anything to do with it. I’m convinced that God brought you here—at least in part—so you could meet Bob.”

  “Funny.” She giggled again. “That’s exactly what I was going to say about you and Jason.”

  I couldn’t argue with that. The Lord had indeed brought the two of us together. And there was no turning back.

  “So, just out of curiosity, what do you suppose ever happened to Julio?” I asked.

  “Oh, him.” Benita shrugged. “If I had to guess, I’d say he’s gazing at his own reflection and talking about how beautiful he is.” She released a breath. “He is beautiful, there’s no denying it. On the outside, anyway. But there’s only so much a person can take of hearing someone go on and on about how gorgeous they think they are.” She rolled her eyes.

  “My guess is he’s talking to some poor, unsuspecting soul about her car insurance as we speak. She’s won over by his good looks, so she’s spending a lot more on her coverage than she would ordinarily.”

  “Blinded by his shocking good looks.” Benita sighed. “I was that woman once. But no more. Now I’ve given my heart to a man who’s beautiful all the way to the core.” She smiled. “And he thinks I’m pretty special too.”

  “You are special, Beni. More than you know.”

  She gave me a long hug, then sashayed over to Bob once again. Minutes later, they were hand in hand.

  The rest of the day was sheer bliss. Though Rex and I managed to sneak in a few minutes of work time with the writers, most of our day was filled with that bittersweet feeling that always accompanied end-of-season events. And when we dismissed the cast and crew, I realized just how much I would miss them over the summer months. They had truly become like family.

  I happened upon Bob just as he prepared to leave. He reached to grab my hand—an unusual gesture for him—and gazed at me with such a serious expression that I thought perhaps something had happened.