Page 91 of Take It Till You Make It
My head hits the wall behind me with a hollow thunk. “But to some people, there is. I’ve seen it on the set as well as in the comments on my site. Sometimes, when people see evidence that I’m still grieving, they say the cruelest stuff. It hasn’t even been a year yet.”
“I’m sorry, Ari. Some people are very insensitive. It’s none of their dang business if you grieve for the rest of your life!”
“Of course I’m going to grieve for the rest of my life. I’ll never stop missing him. If he lived until he was one hundred and two, I still would have missed him after he left. Forever. That’s a part of loving someone.”
“Yes, of course. Now I’m being insensitive.” Glory snuggles closer and squeezes my hand.
“Not at all. I would never describe you as insensitive. You have been there for me through all of it. Your way may not be super conventional at times, but you’ve always had my best interests at heart. Glory, you’ve been a major lifeline this year.”
“I’m glad. Sometimes I felt pretty helpless. I’m so glad you had Sally and Chandra, too. They’ve really helped, haven’t they?”
“Oh my goodness, so much. Chandra feels like she’s my aunt too. And the support and care she’s shown Mom.” I shake my head. “And sometimes I think Sally and I really are sisters separated at birth.”
“Do you wish I wasn’t here so you could still be sucking face with Crispin?”
“While I now know that sucking face with him is, indeed, a favorite activity of mine, I’m beyond ecstatic to have you here to see the movie wrap. I can’t believe we’re finishing up this week. I’m feeling a little emotional.”
“Will you do another?”
“Movie?” At her nod, I scoff. “Who says I’ll be offered another role?”
“You could get an agent. You could audition for parts. You could do this, Ari. You’re good at it.”
I pull away so that I can look at her, my eyes wide with wonder. “I’ve literally never considered trying.”
She sits up, rolling her eyes. “You’ll just wait for parts to be handed to you since you were discovered.”
“Well, I didn’t really think that was likely to happen either, but what an idiot I am to not realize I could actively try to make a career out of this.”
“Do you want to?” Glory pulls her knees up and wraps her arms around them.
I shake my head. “I really don’t know. I love to make people laugh, and it would be amazing to be able to do that for a living. But this industry is so cutthroat.”
“You have Crispin and Sally to help you navigate it. And if you keep your expectations realistic and your feet firmly planted on the ground, I think you could do it without losing yourself.” She tips her head at me. “You’re a very practical person.”
“I’ll give it some thought. I’ll start school shortly after the film wraps.” I rub my forehead. “I’m not looking forward to going to a new school my senior year. But at least it’s only for one year.”
“You’ll make tons of new friends and forget about me.”
“Never!”
“Good,” Glory grins. “Because I’m moving out here with you next summer.”
“Are you serious? Don’t get my hopes up just to tell me you’re kidding.”
“Sally says there are tons of great colleges out here. I’m going to make a list and apply to every one of them. But I’m going to end up out here with you no matter what. So, remember that when you get super famous. You still have to live with me.”
I laugh. “Not likely to happen, but deal.”
Glory yawns.
“Oh my gosh, you must be exhausted. It’s like two in the morning for you.”
We scoot down in the bed so that we’re lying on our sides facing each other.
“Ari, I’m so proud of you. Not just for making it through, but for blazing a new path and finding your own way.”
“Thanks, Glory.”
