(Two weeks later)
Julie had spent two horrible weeks on the set, complete with sleepless nights crying her eyes out and the overwhelming sense that her marriage was really fucked.
Will had been looking at her with a great deal of concern as of late, especially after her breakdown the pervious week. Pretty much everyone had been looking at her funny. It was like they thought she was some psycho or something.
“Jules, love, how are you?” Both the makeup artist trying to cover the bags under her eyes and Julie gave Will a dirty look. He threw his hands up in defense while waiting for her response.
“Do I look okay?” Will sighed.
“Okay, bad question. I think you an’ I need to have a good talk. Outside, please.” Julie hopped out of the makeup chair and followed Will out of the trailer. The harsh morning light hurt her tired eyes.
“What is it, Will?”
“I’m worried about you, pet. Think you’re headed for a breakdown. I’m just worried is all.”
“I know,” Julie said. She sighed, so heavy she thought it would break her soul. “I know. Things have just been so wrong, Will. You just have absolutely no idea whatsoever.”
“The director has been telling me that you’ve been a bit, uh, off lately.” He gulped when he saw the dirty look she was shooting his way. “Meaning, your heart just doesn’t seem to be in it.”
“It isn’t.”
“That’s why I was thinking you should take a break.”
“I can’t--”
“Will you let me speak, love?” She wisely shut her mouth. “You’re no good when you’re upset an’ all. I think you need to get your arse back down to Florida and fix your marriage before you can make a good film.” Julie nodded.
“Okay, but the director--”
“He said it would be fine for you to take some time off. You need it, Jules. Your family needs it.” Julie looked at him, at the concern shining in his beautiful gray eyes. And then she sighed.
“I don’t know if I have a family to go home to,” Julie replied. Will shrugged.
“You have to try, love.” Julie stepped forward and gently hugged him. His lean arms squeezed her back and for a minute Julie thought she was going to cry.
“Thank you, Will.” He gave her one of his heart stopping grins.
“Any time, pet.” He gave her a small shove. “Now get back to Florida.”
Julie headed back to her trailer and packed some clothes. She said goodbye to her cast mates and her director. Her private plane was called to pick her up.
And then it was back to Florida.
****************
Josh was sitting in Mr. Morgan’s living room, playing with Scott. He was showing his son how to build things with his blocks, though his son was more interested in knocking things down than building them up. Julie had been gone two weeks.
Two long weeks.
Josh had never been so angry, so sullen. He’d been cranky, lashing out at everyone including Scott and Trinitie. The smallest thing could set him off, make him yell or want to cry. It was adolescent behavior. Things had not improved since Julie left.
The minute he had given Julie the ultimatum, he had known somewhere deep down that she would rebel and go to the set. Nobody gave Julie orders, without some consequences. That was just Julie. It was something he had learned to put up with in the years they had been married.
Problem was, that wasn’t Josh. The Josh he knew himself to be didn’t get angry, kick his wife out and threaten to end their marriage. He had always been the rational one, the one who wanted to talk things out. This wasn’t him.
Josh had just taken Scott to the kitchen for a snack when he heard the front door open. He ignored it for a moment, knowing the numerous people came and went in the Morgan household.
He chopped up a banana for his son and went to go see who had come inside. He wiped his hands on a dishtowel as he walked into the hallway. Josh didn’t see anyone at first, and stopped in the foyer.
He watched as Julie froze in the process of putting down her suitcases. They looked at each other for what seemed like an eternity. The Josh spoke, immediately hating the way he spoke to her.
“What the hell are you doing back?” Julie looked like he had slapped her.
“Things just--”
“Don’t care,” Josh snapped in a hostile tone. “I’ve heard all the tired excuses. Now, if you don’t mind, I have to go take care of our son.” She flinched at the emphasis on the word our.
“You know what, Joshua Ridgely,” Julie spat angrily. “You can’t just kick me out and keep me away from our children!”
“Like hell I can’t!”
“It’s not even your house!”
“Shut up!”
They continued to yell at each other in an escalating tone of anger, voices getting louder and carrying through the house. Neither one of them saw Trinitie come creeping down the stairs, nor the devastated look in the little girl’s eyes when she saw her parents arguing.
It was Josh who saw her, allowing the angry look on his face to soften. “Hey, pumpkin. Whatcha doin’ on the stairs?” Julie turned to look at her daughter.
“Watchin’ you two fight,” Trinitie said in a small voice. Julie looked away. “You and Mommy always fight now.” Josh sighed.
“Your mommy and I just have some stuff we need to work out, is all.” Josh said in his most soothing tone of voice. “I still love Mommy.”
“Then you shouldn’t yell at each other!” Trinitie exclaimed, and ran up the stairs. Josh turned to look at Julie.
“See what you caused?”
“What I caused? Reality check, Josh. You’re the one who is jealous of me and who is trying to kick me out of the house. You started all of this.”
“You stu--” Josh stopped himself before he insulted her. “How did it come to this, Julie? When we did we start to hate each other?”
“I don’t know.”
“What happened, Jules? Where did we go wrong?”
“It was my career,” Julie replied. “You never did deal well with the fact that I’m famous and you’re not.”
“I wasn’t--” He paused for a moment. “Yeah, I guess I was jealous.”
“I think we need to see a marriage counselor,” Julie said, fidgeting with the handle on one of her suitcases. “Down here in Florida, for now. Otherwise, I don’t know what’s going to happen, Josh. I don’t know how much longer I can deal with this.” Josh nodded.
“Okay.”
“Okay?”
“We’ll see a counselor while we’re here. And continue it when we get home.” He turned to go back to the kitchen. “I hope this works, Jules.”
“Me too.” Julie said. “It has to.”
*******************
Ryan had already known what Aimee was going to try to do and he was mighty pissed. She was sitting at the kitchen table, reading a trashy novel and barely looked up when he entered the room.
“I heard you called your lawyer.”
“Of course I did. I wanted to see what I could do about Garrett. Too bad my lawyer actually has principles.”
“Why would you want to take my son away from me?”
“Why wouldn’t I? You ditched me for Alyssa Morgan. Why shouldn’t you suffer?” She squinted at him.
“I didn’t mean to hurt you, Aimee. And it wasn’t just Alyssa. Things have been going wrong for a long time. But, yeah, I do still love her.”
“Of course you still love her,” Aimee said snidely. “Your precious Alyssa. You guys screwed up so badly before that I would be surprised if it managed to work.”
“It isn’t any of your business whether it works out or not. You and I tried, Aimee, and it just didn’t work. We’re too different, and we knew that from the start. It was doomed from the very beginning.
“Some marriage we had,” Aimee replied bitterly. “You never loved me.”
“I loved you,” Ryan protested. “And I’m thankful for my son. But you and I...we just don’t work, Aimee. And things have been wrong for a while.”
“Yeah.” She looked away. “So I guess that’s it. You filed the papers?”
“Yesterday. It should be final somewhere around Christmas.”
“Great. The sooner, the better.” She could pretend to be angry, to want it to be over, but in reality Aimee was sad. Ryan was a good guy; everyone, including Aimee knew that. She was actually sad to be losing her husband.
Ryan left without another word. He was passing by the living room when he spotted Alyssa and Garrett. The two of them were lying of the living room floor, coloring in a few coloring books.
“You color really pretty,” Garrett commented. “I wish I could color that pretty.”
“Thanks,” Alyssa replied. “Who are you coloring that for?” It was a picture of a house, with a group of puppies playing in the yard. It was, by far, Garrett’s best coloring thus far.
“You,” Garrett stated in an authoritative tone of voice. “Do you like it? I wanted to color it really pretty for you. Cause you’re really pretty.” Ryan loved to hear Garrett talk about Alyssa that way.
“I love it,” Alyssa told him. “I think it’s awesome.”
Ryan leaned against the doorframe and grinned. Images of a family with Alyssa flitted through his mind and he left the two of them alone. He could hear their laughter as he walked toward his room, and it warmed his heart.
Ryan’s entire future was in the room.
**********************
(One week later)
There were so many things that had gone wrong with the reunion and the time that the friends had spent together that one had to wonder if they could ever really rectify the damage that they’d caused during the trip.
Alyssa wasn’t quite sure.
On the other hand, Aimee was looking for other places to stay, meaning that she was going to be out of Alyssa’s hair for good. She bore no marks from her encounter with Aimee, but Alyssa had the feeling that if she and Aimee continued to be in the same house together, there was going to be some serious damage caused.
Trista and Alyssa had kind of started talking about some of the issues that had been holding them back. Alyssa was glad for her sister, glad that their mother was finally starting to treat Trista like a separate person and not an extension of Alyssa. It made it that much easier to understand why Trista hadn’t wanted to hear about Alyssa’s problems.
Alyssa hated what she and her sister had been reduced to.
Julie had finally come home, and Josh had agreed that they should get a head start on counseling while they were in Florida, before things got even worse than they had already gotten. If things could get any worse, that is. Things between them had gone to extremes and it had not been a very pretty place.
It hurt Alyssa to see that the one couple who had managed to make it through everything that the group had been through was managing to really fuck things up. Julie and Josh always had what it took to make a relationship work, to make it through whatever life threw at them. It didn’t make sense when they were the ones who were in danger of falling apart.
Cole had been back to visit Alyssa, the small cracks in his newfound calm demeanor starting to show when Alyssa turned his offer of reconciliation down yet again. Cole had always hated it when he hadn’t gotten his way. But the Cole that Alyssa knew, the one she was starting to see again, would be looking for another woman faster than she blink an eye. That was just Cole.
And Alyssa was done with him.
For the most part, she and Ryan had been pretty much avoiding each other. It seemed to be a lot better that way. There wasn’t the suppressed attraction in the air, the underlying hint of the desire that they still felt for each other. If they weren’t in the same room, they didn’t have to fight their attraction to one another.
On the other hand, she had been spending a lot of time with Garrett. Ryan’s son was amazing, an intelligent boy that just seemed to soak up knowledge as it was given to him. He had an amazing wealth of knowledge for someone of his young years, and he seemed to like hanging out with Alyssa as much as she liked hanging out with him. He was a smaller version of Ryan in all ways, and it brought a smile to her face every time he bounded into the room carrying a picture for her or wanting to sing a song with her. She loved everything about Ryan’s son.
Some of the best time that she spent at her dad’s house was when Garrett was in the room with her. Alyssa had always wished for a little brother or sister and as she got older she found herself wanting very much to become a mother. That dream never would have been realized had she stayed with Cole. He had never wanted kids, never felt even the slightest urge to become a father. It just wasn’t in Cole’s nature.
If Ryan had a problem with her hanging out with Garrett, he didn’t show it. Alyssa found herself growing incredibly close to him, and each moment, she wanted a life with Ryan a little more. She wanted to take her place as Ryan’s wife, as Garrett’s mother. If only.
Slowly, little by little, the group was starting to repair some of the damage that they had caused to their friendships over the years. They were talking more, interacting and getting to know each other all over again. And each time Alyssa felt like crying, her friends were the first ones she turned to.
Alyssa had gone and seen the family doctor she used to go to when she had lived in Florida. He too diagnosed her as being clinically depressed and promptly wrote her a prescription for Zoloft. It was the first time Alyssa had ever been on anti depressants, but she had to admit that she started to feel a lot happier.
One would think, even with her happy pills, she wouldn’t be able to be happy with all the crap that was going on in her life. But, on the other hand, things in Alyssa’s life were looking like they were going to be getting better. She was actually on the receiving end of something good.
Now that things with Cole had come to an end, Alyssa found that she was a freer in the things that she did. The old Alyssa was creeping back in, infused with the new, and she had to admit that it felt great to be free from Cole and everything he represented.
“Can you believe it?” Julie said, sitting by the pool. “Aimee isn’t even fully divorced from Ryan and she’s already dating Cole.”
“How do you know?” Trista replied. “Was it something that you heard? Or did you actually see it?”
“I actually saw it,” Julie said. “I was walking into Wal-Mart, down on Main Street and they were playing tonsil hockey right there. In front of everyone!”
“Well we knew Cole was sleazy,” Trista said, with a slight shrug of her shoulders. “I don’t know what my sister ever saw in him.”
“He’s hot. I’ll give him that.”
“Yeah, but that’s all he’s got going for him. I heard that he’s a good lawyer, that he’s someone that you don’t want to be messing with, but other than that, he’s…boring. He’s got no personality or anything of the sort.”
“I guess he was really romantic after he first met Alyssa,” Julie said, dipping her feet into the pool. “After that, who knows? Obviously, he became the huge prick that he is today.”
“It’s nice to know that my soon-to-be ex-husband is still a topic of conversation with my friends.” Alyssa said, sitting down beside her friends. She was wearing a pink bikini top and a pair of jean shorts. “I mean, I know he’s just oh so fascinating, but please.” Trista and Julie laughed.
“I just had to tell Trista about seeing Cole and Aimee down at Wal-Mart,” Julie said, moving her feet back and forth in the water.
“Well, Aimee’s a ho and Cole is about the sleaziest man I know, so it really doesn’t surprise me that the two of them hooked up.” She shrugged her shoulders. “It just means that I don’t have to deal with him anymore.”
“How are you doing?” Trista asked. “Is counseling going okay?”
“Yeah,” Alyssa replied. “Kristal seems to think the antidepressants are helping and that I seem to be working through some of my issues. I’m starting to actually enjoy going to my therapy sessions.”
“We’re all glad to see you happy again, Alyssa,” Julie said softly. Alyssa smiled, a genuine smile that seemed to be happening more often since she started going to therapy.
“Alyssa!”
Alyssa turned around in time to see her mother and step father heading toward the pool. It had been about a year since she had last since Jane and George, but they were looking well.
“Mom, what are you doing here?” Alyssa said, standing up and giving Jane and George a hug.
“Alyssa, honey, your father called to tell me that the you guys were in town for the reunion and that you weren’t getting along with him so well.”
“That’s an understatement,” Alyssa muttered.
“What was that, dear?” George asked.
“Well, we’re still here in Florida because practically everyone’s lives are falling apart and they have nothing to go back home to. Cole has been abusing me for the past five years and I’m going to divorce him. Daddy, now that I think about you too, didn’t listen at all when I tried to tell him why I was unhappy with Cole. That’s why we’ve been fighting so much.”
“Oh, Alyssa,” Jane said. “I am so sorry.”
“I’ve also started seeing a psychologist, I’m on antidepressants and I think things are finally going good for me.”
“I’m just glad that you’re doing what it takes to make yourself happy and safe,” George replied. “I’m proud of you Alyssa.”
“Thank you.”
“How was the reunion?” Jane asked.
“Because of everything going on, it sucked. It was good to see some of the people again and some of the teachers were there, but other than that, it really blew big chunks.”
Alyssa was amazed at where she was at with George. Her mother’s lover, the one who had been the cause of her parent’s divorce, was now an important part of Alyssa’s life. George was the calm one in the marriage, the antithesis to Jane’s outspoken and volatile manner. Alyssa had come to learn that she could count on him to always talk her mom into seeing her point of view.
The friends headed inside, where John Morgan was nowhere to be found. Alyssa thought it was convenient that he wasn’t around when his ex wife arrived with her second husband.
John hadn’t taken really well to Jane’s marriage. Deep down, Alyssa suspected he still loved Jane and that he was hurt that she was moving on. John dated, but nothing of the serious variety. The other reason that he tolerated George, the man who had broken up his marriage, was because George treated Alyssa and Trista like they were his own kids. As long as George was good to Alyssa and Trista, John was okay with him. But that didn’t mean he had to be in the house when they visited.
Michael came out of the room where several of the kids were asleep. Jane, after much discussing with Trista, had come to accept Michael. It had been hard, especially after she learned that he was the one who ditched Trista when she had been pregnant with Rachel. Eventually, she had come to accept Michael and knew deep down that he loved her daughter.
Ryan was sitting at the dining room table, typing on his laptop. Jane regarded him carefully, watching the look in Alyssa’s eyes when she noticed that he was in the room. So there is still feeling there, Jane thought to herself. Jane had always loved Ryan, was more than happy when Alyssa had been engaged to him. Maybe there was still hope yet.
It had come as a shock to her, the news of Cole’s abuse. Well, somewhat at least. There had been times when both she and John had seen bruises on Alyssa’s arms and had not thought to question it. But to learn that he had actually hit her, that she thought she had to live with the mental and physical abuse made Jane want to cry. Cole had become part of the family and always seemed like he was the perfect husband. Alyssa was always talking of diamonds, presents, and trips to places like Cancun and Hawaii.
“Mrs. Morgan,” Ryan said, standing up. He had always liked Alyssa’s mom, on her better days at least. She had always liked him and welcomed him into the Morgan home. “What are you doing here?”
“I had to come see my daughters,” Jane replied, pulling Ryan into a hug. “It’s good to see you. Alyssa told me you’re married as well.”
“I’m in the process of getting a divorce,” Ryan said. “I do have a son, Garrett, but my wife and I are getting divorced.”
Interesting, Jane said to herself. Alyssa was getting divorced, Ryan was getting divorced. Good things could come out of this. “I’m sorry, Ryan. Is anyone’s marriage around here not falling apart?” Trista raised her hand.
“Mine isn’t.” Jane smiled when Michael came up and put an arm around Trista’s waist.
“I think we’re the only ones,” Michael commented. Ryan was watching Alyssa, who was doing her best to not look at him. But everyone in the room could not help but watch as Garrett ran into the room...and straight into Alyssa’s arms.
“Lyssa!”
“Garrett,” Alyssa said, hoisting him to one hip. “This is my mommy, Jane. Mom, this is Ryan’s son Garrett.”
“I’m six!” Garrett proudly replied, holding up six fingers.
“Aren’t you just the cutest thing?” Jane cooed. She turned to Ryan. “He looks just like you. I mean, it’s uncanny.” Ryan reached over and took his son from Alyssa. Watching her hold Garrett, he almost wanted to marry her right there.
“He’s the one good thing that came out of my marriage.”
“Point me to the kitchen, Alyssa,” Jane said. “I’m famished.” Alyssa pointed to the kitchen and watched her mother go. George followed her.
The friends took the opportunity to vacate the room, leaving Ryan and Alyssa alone. Garrett was still in his arms and Ryan set him down. He immediately ran over to Alyssa and started tugging on her sleeve.
“Come color with me Alyssa,” Garrett said, pleadingly. Alyssa gave him a small smile before crouching down to talk to him.
“You know, Garrett, I’d love to. But I have to talk to your dad about some stuff, okay? Maybe later.” Garrett nodded, before running off, happy with her answer.
“You want to talk to me?” Ryan asked when his son was out of the room.
“I heard you’re getting a divorce.” Ryan nodded.
“Yep, it’s gonna be final somewhere around New Year’s Eve.” He paused. “Why?” Alyssa shrugged her slender shoulders.
“I seem to remember you telling me that you couldn’t divorce her,” Alyssa replied. “You told me that she would fight for custody of Garrett.”
“She called her lawyer and tried to talk to him about it, but he wouldn’t help her do it. I’m actually pretty good friends with him. I’m a little afraid that she still might try, but I had to take that risk. It wasn’t good for Garrett.”
“So where does that leave us?”
“I don’t know,” Ryan said honestly. “Cole is still making visits, isn’t he? What would he do if you started a relationship?”
“He’d come after me,” Alyssa said. “More than likely. It might be something he would do. Of course, he’s playing tonsil hockey with Aimee. He can’t even wait until he’s divorced to move on. Nothing new there; he cheated on me all throughout our marriage.”
“You seem to be getting along well with Garrett.” Ryan said, effectively changing the subject. Alyssa afforded him with a bright smile.
“I love your son.” Ryan looked at her tenderly. “I mean it. If I had a kid, I would want him to be just like Garrett. That kid is awesome. He’s so smart and funny, you can almost relate to him like an older child. I love being around him.” She paused. “You don’t have a problem with me hanging out with him, do you?” Ryan shook his head.
“No, not at all.” He smiled. “I’m more than okay with it. Because if you and I ever get another chance, you’ll have to be his mother. Aimee wasn’t ever much of a mother. And I have to say, I’ve never felt more comfortable with anything in my life.” Alyssa actually blushed, and Ryan thought she looked cute.
Jane and George had finished lunch in the kitchen and Alyssa flinched when she heard the front door open. It was her father and he had no idea that Jane had come to visit.
“John?” Jane called out. Alyssa sighed internally. Her mother had no qualms about going straight up to John.
“Jane, what are you doing here?”
“Well, John, you called to tell me that my daughters were in town and I just had to come see them. Now that they’re all famous and everything, they don’t have much time to come visit their old mom.”
“You didn’t have to come out here,” John replied. Jane crossed her arms over her chest. George looked at Alyssa, and both of them knew that Jane was going into one of her rants.
“You act like you don’t want me here.”
“To tell the truth, I really don’t.” Jane’s mouth dropped open and Alyssa sighed in frustration. “I just thought you should know that they were in town.”
“And I just thought that I should come visit them. They’re my daughters, John. I don’t care if my coming here tweaks you the wrong way.”
“Look--”
“Hey!” Alyssa said, stepping in between her parents. “I don’t need you two arguing twenty four hours a day. There’s been enough arguing around here.”
“We can’t stay long,” Jane said, appeasing to Alyssa request that the fighting stop. “We just had to come and see you while you were here Alyssa.”
Alyssa hugged both her mother and her step father and watched as the two of them left. Then she turned to her father. “Why couldn’t you just act civil?”
“Alyssa, this is my house. I have the option of acting however I would like. I don’t like that man.”
“Well, I do!” Alyssa said angrily. She hated the way her father always jumped to conclusions and never gave people chances. “Like it or not, he’s my step-father, and I love him. I didn’t like him at first either. But the next time we’re all in the same room together, I would appreciate it if you could just bite your tongue.”
“I don’t appreciate the way you’re talking to me, Alyssa.” Alyssa rolled her eyes. “I’m still your father.”
“Big duh there,” Alyssa replied. “Look, I love you to death but you have to lay off. George is a good man; I know it rubs you the wrong way that Mom got remarried, but he’s good to Trista and me.”
“I know,” John said softly. “And most of the time, she and I get along just fine. She just has a way of getting to me.”
“I’m sorry for the things I said to you,” Alyssa said, and sighed. “I don’t know what happened to our relationship. But you never listened when I tried to tell you what Cole was really like. I tried so many times to let you guys know how horrible he was and you didn’t listen.”
“I really didn’t,” John conceded, nodding his head.
“I know you guys just wanted to see me happy, but I wasn’t. Cole made my life hell for five years. And I’m finally going to get out of that. I’m finally going to forget that I ever married Cole Taylor and the abuse he put me through.”
“So you can be with Ryan?”
“Maybe,” Alyssa replied. “I would like that very much but there are a lot of things that he and I need to deal with before we can even think about dating again.”
“I’ve always liked Ryan,” John said, leaning against the counter. “He’s a good man, with good values and intentions. I just didn’t like the fact that he had hurt you. And I know he hurt you quite a bit.”
“He did,” Alyssa said. “It really hurt when he ended our friendship. More than I ever thought it could or would. But he did what he had to do. And I seem to remember someone saying ‘I told you so.’”
“I’m sorry, Alyssa. I should have realized just how much it had hurt you and how important Ryan was to you. Still is, actually. I know that he’s a major figure in your life and influences the way you think.”
“I love him very much,” Alyssa said softly.
“Then go for it, Alyssa. Don’t let anything get in your way.” He grabbed her shoulders. “If being with Ryan is what it takes for you to finally find happiness, then go for it.”
Alyssa smiled and hugged her father tightly. “Thank you, Daddy.” John smiled, before pulling away and leaving the room.
It was the first time that Alyssa had heard her father tell her to go for Ryan. In all the years she had tried to talk to her father about Ryan, he didn’t ever tell her to go for him. She had always been under the impression that her father had hated Ryan. Alyssa felt like something within her relationship with her father had changed.
It was at that moment that Alyssa realized just how big of a part Ryan had played in driving a wedge between Alyssa and her father. He had been the topic of tons of arguments and Alyssa was glad to know that John didn’t really hate Ryan. It lifted a huge weight off of Alyssa’s shoulders.
Alyssa grabbed one of her anti depressants ad popped it into her mouth. She felt so much better since the doctor has prescribed her medicine. The drugs helped Alyssa realize there had been a reason why she was always so sad and that she wasn’t as fucked up as she once thought she was.
Plus, things in her life were actually going pretty good. She was on good terms with her mother and step dad, she had gotten rid of Cole, and she had finally managed to fix some of the issues between her and her father. All in all, Alyssa’s life was finally starting to look up. It was about damn time too.
Maybe amends were really possible.
**************************
“So tell me why you’re here.” Julie fidgeted in her seat, while trying to look everywhere but the psychologist in front of her.
“Our friend Alyssa recommended you,” Josh replied. Kristal smiled and graed her notepad.
“I know,” She said, looking at Julie. “But why do you guys have to come and see me? From the way Alyssa talks, you’re an amazing couple.” Josh snorted and Julie shot him a dirty look.
“Far from it.”
“Because you’re jealous of my career!” Julie spat out angrily. “You have been nothing but a prick about it too. All you can think about is how you’re not the famous one.” Kristal held up her hand.
“Let’s keep things peaceful,” Kristal said, shifting in her chair. “Only one person is to speak at a time and there will be no interrupting. We have to be courteous around here.”
“Is this counseling or kindergarten?” Josh asked rudely.
“If you act like you’re in kindergarten, then I’m going to treat you as such, Josh.” Josh smirked. “Julie, what seems to be the main problem in your relationship?”
“Josh is jealous of my fame,” Julie replied. “He always has been. He’s angry at me for being famous.”
“Is that true, Josh?”
“Sort of,” Josh said. “I don’t like that she’s the one with the career and I get volunteered to stay home and take care of the kids. She doesn’t want me to work because then she couldn’t have her career.”
“Why can’t Josh have a job?” Julie brushed nonexistent lint off of her pink Gucci skirt.
“I don’t want to leave my kids with some stranger. I want either Josh or myself to take care of them. Obviously, that can’t happen when both of us are working. I just want them raised by one of us.”
“So Josh is the one that got picked?” Julie nodded.
“It’s not my fault that my career took off. I tried to take the kids to work on the sets with me but then they had to be given to a crew member when I had to film. It just didn’t work out.”
“Sure, I was jealous that she was famous,” Josh said. “But I really didn’t like the fact that she practically abandoned us. Suddenly, her work was more important than her family was.”
“I didn’t-”
“Tell me what your schedule is like, Julie.” Kristal interrupted. Julie blushed a light pink before responding.
“I go in early or late, depending on the day and I work twelve to eighteen hours a day. I’m always tired and cranky. I get home late...” Realization dawned on Julie. “I did abandon them.”
Julie could feel the tears welling up in her eyes as she looked at Josh. It was the first time in years that Josh hadn’t looked at her with anger and disappointment shining in his green eyes.
“Well,” Kristal said. “I think we’ve made some great improvements today.” She was smiling broadly, making Julie queasy.
“Yeah,” Julie echoed hollowly.
“Here’s what I’m thinking,” Kristal said. “I think you need to take a hiatus from films for awhile, Julie. It would do your relationship a lot of good if you could spend some time with your family.”
Josh was looking at her with imploring eyes, hope cautiously soaring within his heart. But all that Julie could see was the devastated look on their daughter’s face when she saw Julie and Josh fighting. She realized she hadn’t been there when Scott had taken his first steps. There were so many things that Julie had missed out on for the fame, the money and the prestige.
Yeah, Julie needed a break.
“I think that’s exactly what I need,” Julie replied. Josh’s surprise was evident on his face as he was surprised by her answer. Kristal was still smiling.
“Good. I’ll see you next week then.”
Neither Julie nor Josh quite knew what to say when they walked out of the office. Some of their issues had finally been revealed and Josh felt like a huge weight had been lifted off his shoulders. He had known that he was jealous of Julie; he just hadn’t wanted to admit it. And he knew that Julie consciously knew that she had practically abandoned the family. Both of them had issues that they had to deal with.
There was still silence as they got into the car. Julie was looking out the window, unable to look at Josh. “Are you really going to take a hiatus from the movie?” Josh finally asked. Julie looked at him.
“From it all,” She replied. “I’m going to drop out of the movie and take a long vacation.”
“For real?”
“For real.” Julie shrugged her shoulders. “The movie probably would have tanked my career anyway. Some dumb horror flick. My family is more important, Josh.”
“Yeah,” Josh agreed. “We are. I’m sorry for being such an ass, though. I should have talked to you about what was bothering me instead of just blowing up at you.”
“You shouldn’t have had anything to be jealous of, Josh.” Julie sighed. “I know it must have been hard for you when I got famous. But instead of being jealous, you should have supported me. I was so hurt when all you did was get mad at me because I followed my dreams.”
“I know, Jules. It’s just hard when your wife is the one making all the money and you’re the stay at home dad. I love being with Trinitie and Scott, but I want something of my own as well.”
“I was wrong to just stick you with the kids. I should have tried to work something out where we could both share the responsibility. Or, as a last resort, at least find a good nanny to help us out so you could work as well.” Julie’s pretty face was scrunched up in sadness. “I missed out on so many things, Josh. That’s what gets me. My kids are growing up and I’m not around to see it.”
“That’s true,” Josh said, turning onto Mr. Morgan’s street. “So here’s what I’m thinking. Since you’re going to be taking a break, we’ll get to spend a lot more time together.”
“Sounds good to me,” Julie replied. Josh parked the car and turned to look at his wife. “And then you can go to law school.”
“What?”
“C’mon, Josh. You’ve always wanted to be a lawyer. We know people in New York who would give you a job when you got out, so you wouldn’t have to spend years working your way up. Thirty two isn’t too old to be a lawyer.”
“You really think that I could pull off going to law school?” Josh asked. “If I did that, our dream of putting our family back together would go up in smoke. Law school is demanding, Julie, and being a lawyer is even more so. And you know what? I’m fine with just being at home with the kids. To me, that’s the most rewarding job I could have.”
“Really?”
“Of course. Julie, I love being with the kids. And yes, it would be nice to work, but with the money you’ve made and will be making, I don’t need to work. As long as you promise to help out more with the kids and not get so caught up in the movies, I won’t get a job.”
“Deal,” Julie said. “Long vacation, followed by shortened hours on sets and less demanding movies. So we can be a family again.”
Together, they walked into the house hand in hand. Their friends were scattered around the house, but the first thing Julie saw was the smile on Alyssa’s face. It was a beautiful smile, one that Julie had gotten used to not seeing. To see her friend happy after so many years of unhappiness made Julie smile.
They laughed together, their friends happy to see Julie and Josh somewhat reconciled. For the first time since they had arrived in Florida, it felt like they were the old group, the one without cares and worries, without the stresses of normal, everyday life.
They had truly made amends.
Back to Yesterday Index
Other Stories Index
Home