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"I'm disappointed, kiddo," he said. I was about to explain, but my uncle cut me off. "I was skeptical when I gave you the shot, honey, and I know now I should've listened to my gut. You're too soft for television, April. It's just… well, it's not going to work out." He paused, but I was too busy trying not to cry to get a word in. I’d known it was coming, but it still hurt. "I wanted to help out," he went on. "You and your mom have had a rough road. And you're family, so…"
I had just opened my mouth when he dove back in.
"But there's a point where business is business."
I waited, but it seemed that was the extent of Uncle Rob's 'you’re fired' speech. "Okay," I said.
"Okay?"
"I expected this call. It's fine." As I said the words, my tears dissolving somewhere inside me, unshed, I was surprised to find that it actually was fine.
He paused, and I suspected that a man like Rob, who thrived on confrontation, was somewhat let down by this. "Oh, well. All right then. Merry Christmas, April."
"You too," I said, hanging up.
I turned back around, and nearly jumped backward into the plate glass window. Helen was standing just behind me, looking interested, her light blue eyes fixed on my face. "Fired, are you?"
"Yes."
"Television?" Helen asked, looking weirdly interested. "Production, right?"
"Yes," I said, wondering where this particular line of questioning was going.
"Well, no one listens to old ladies, I know that. But Ryan's got a new production company, and he's been struggling to find anyone with any experience here in Maryland. I could introduce you. For a price."
A little trickle of shock worked its way through my system. "Um, what?"
Helen sighed as if barely tolerating my lack of understanding. "My soon to be grandson in law, Ryan McDonnell? Maybe you've heard of him?"
"Ryan McDonnell?" I parroted. "The movie star?"
"Helen, that's a great idea!" Lottie had rushed to her friend's side and was grinning from ear to ear. "And then you don't have to leave at all, dear," she told me.
It was like the town was trying to adopt me or something. It wasn't an altogether unpleasant feeling, actually. "Um, sure, I mean… I'd love to talk to him about it."
"Right." Helen whipped an iPhone from inside the pocket of her sweat suit and wandered away, barking into the phone.
"You should go ahead and cancel your flight, dear," Lottie told her.
I met Cormac's eyes over the older woman's head, and he smiled and shrugged. "Once you've been absorbed into Singletree, it's pretty hard to get out," he said. "That's how I ended up here."
Lottie went to his side and laid a hand on his shoulder. "And we're keeping you," she said. "Even if your brother is a moron."
"He's had a rough time, Lottie," Cormac said. "We all have."
Her face softened and she patted his shoulder. "I know, honey."
"Ryan's on his way!" Helen announced, seating herself next to Cormac's table again and giving me a meaningful look. "Now, about the price."
I felt like my world was spinning out of control. Hadn't I come in here to get a muffin? And now suddenly, I was supposed to cancel my flight and meet a movie star? "Oh, okay, well…" I reached for my purse.
"I don't want your money," Helen barked. "But Juliet and Ryan won't hook me up with any of the California-grade weed you've got out there. I don't suppose you have any connections, do you?"
I actually felt my jaw drop open.
"Oh for fuck's sake, everyone's a prude," Helen said, sliding off the high stool and shuffling back to the counter. "I need another brownie, Lottie. None of them have had pot in them so far, but I'm willing to keep looking."
Cormac began packing up his computer, shuffling things into his messenger bag. "Well, I need to go get the girls," he said. Then he fixed me with a stern look. "You're staying then, right? At least you're not leaving today?"
