Unfinished Symphony (Logan 3)

"Of course you would. The more men looking at you, the more important you are," she told me. "Take your time giving any one of them your individual attention. You've got years and years to go before you do what I did, chain yourself to one man."

"Is that what it was like for you, Mammy? You felt trapped all the time?"

"Yes," she confessed easily. "And please, remember, don't call me Mommy," she whispered.

Richard came out of the kitchen.

"You bought quite a bit," he said. "There's actually some real food in this house for once."

"Well, we don't have to worry about it tonight. We're going to Sandy's party," Mommy reminded him.

"I can't go, Sis. Not after what happened this afternoon."

"Nonsense, Melody."

"What happened this afternoon?" Richard asked. Mommy told him and he laughed. Then he looked at me seriously.

"I think I got you a job. I described you to this producer and he wants to see you tomorrow. After I drop Gina off at the mall, I'll take you to the studio."

"Oh Melody, that's terrific, and so fast, too. Now the girls around here will really be dying with jealousy."

"The green-eyed monster," I said nodding, recalling Mel's words.

"What?"

"Nothing. What kind of a job is it?" I asked Richard. "What do I demonstrate?"

"Don't be so smart. It happens to be an acting job," he said, "in an independent movie."

I looked at Mommy, who beamed.

"But I've never acted," I said.

"So you'll learn," Richard said. He looked around and nodded. "She did a good job with the place, didn't she, Gina?"

"Yes. Thank you, honey."

"Maybe, maybe this will work out after all," Richard said, smiling like a Cheshire cat. It was a smile that sent chills down my spine. Suddenly, I was feeling like a cornered mouse.

My little incident at the pool made me the star at Sandy's party. The moment the three of us came through the door, there was a cheer. I was

embarrassed by the attention, but thought everyone was very friendly. The party was already in full swing by the time we arrived since Mommy had taken forever to put on her makeup and decide on how she wanted to wear her hair.

"Besides," she'd told me, "in Hollywood, being on time is a sign of weakness. Always be fashionably late."

Mel had helped Sandy with the food, bringing her things that were ready-made at, the supermarket. They started with recorded music, but Bobby Dee and his band began to play as more guests arrived. The apartment wasn't much bigger than ours and it seemed to me everyone who lived in the complex was there, and it wasn't long before everyone was dancing. Even people standing and talking were moving to the rhythm of the music as they spoke. If ever fun was infectious, it was infectious here, I thought, unable to keep myself from swinging and moving to the music and laughter around me.

Almost all the conversations I heard were about auditions, parts, agents and producers. What amazed me the most was how easily everyone accepted Mommy as about their age. In her micro mini and her black tank top with her hair pulled back into a ponytail, she did look more like my sister than my mother. I understood why the lie was so easily accepted.

My thoughts were interrupted when Mel asked me to dance with him. As we spun around the room I noticed Richard had moved off to talk to two pretty women while Mommy danced with someone who called himself Stingo. He had hair as long as mine and wore two silver earrings. Mommy's laughter was soon heard over the music. Every once in a while, she glanced my way and beamed a smile. She looked happy, like someone who had been rejuvenated. Was it possible to really turn back time, to be young again?

Suddenly, Bobby's band stopped playing and he announced to the crowd that there was a new talent in their midst, a fresh, innocent voice. I had no idea who he was talking about until he produced the fiddle and called out my name. Mommy looked as surprised as I was.

"No," I said shaking. "I told you I wasn't that good."

"We'll be the judge of that," Bobby declared. "Come on, we're all bitter friends here," he added with a smile.

"Go ahead," Mel urged.