Page 24 of Revisions

“Jameson, he asked me to watch some crazy movie with a talking raccoon—in space.”

Cooper lovesGuardians of the Galaxy. “It could be worse,” I offer.

Pearl stares at me and I burst out laughing.

“Sorry,” I apologize. “What do you have in mind?”

“Old disaster films.”

“I’m in—If you rustle up popcorn and soda,” I agree.

“Okay. We’re starting withThe Towering Inferno.The real one,” Pearl says.

“Hoping to burn something down?” I tease.

“Well, it was that orThe Poseidon Adventure.I’d rather see Robert Wagner fall out a window on fire than watch Shelly Winters drown. I’m old, Jameson. I need to hold out a little hope.”

I shake my head and chuckle as Pearl walks out of the room. Before Candace ran for governor, we sometimes had impromptu movie nights with Pearl. They both love disaster movies, likely because there is always a hero at the end—not necessarily ahappyending. There’s triumph but also loss. As much as people make fun of the over-the-top drama in disaster movies, they reflect the truth of the human condition. How do people react in a crisis? I think that for Candace, these movies make her believe that even when everything is on fire or underwater, she can make a difference. And Pearl? She enjoys the drama. They’ve both spent their lives to holding everyone together. Sometimes, it’s fun to watch things burn down—things where no one can get hurt. Time to place an unlikely call.

“Hello?”

“Hi, Jess.”

“JD?”

“I think so. Some days, I wonder who that is, though,” I reply.

Jessica laughs. “Don’t tell me you’re adopting another child.”

Now, I laugh. “I think we’re done in that department.”

“Mm. Okay. Who got arrested?”

“If anyone did, they haven’t called yet,” I reply.

“Well, that leaves only two possibilities for this call. Either someone is getting divorced, or you’re worried about Candy. I’ll make a wild guess it’s the latter.”

“I don’t know if worried is the right word.”

“How’s Jonathan?” Jessica asks.

“For the moment, he’s doing well—for the moment.”

Jessica sighs. “It’ll hit her hard—harder than she’ll let on.”

“I know. Jess, she wants to bring Grant back.”

“Good.”

“Are you sure?”

“He needs to help. It’s not easy watching people tear her apart.”

“Believe me, I know.”

“I'm sure you do. But you’re there to support her. Grant?—”

“She needs you right now, too,” I say.

---