Page 150 of Reel Love

To my surprise, both Stevens and Dustin say, “Yes, sir,” and walk through the living room.

“I’d love to helptoo,” I offer.

Stevens’ mom blanches. “Oh, no. No, dear. We can’t have you helping. You’re Alana …”

She’s obviously about to reiterate the fact of who I am to the world. I don’t mind. I’m used to this sort of initial reaction. But Stevens’ dad interrupts gently. “Alana, we’d be glad to have you help. Go straight through to the kitchen and they’ll put you to work. I’ll just be giving my wife an oxygen treatment and we’ll meet you momentarily unless we have to resort to smelling salts. That might take a few minutes longer.”

“Dennis! Really?” Stevens’ mom says to her husband.

I hear Mr. Reed’s next words as I make my way through the house toward the kitchen.

“I’m just taking precautions, dear. You are practically hyperventilating. Remember what Stevens said. She’s just Alana here. Let’s let her be the first girl he brought home since prom, okay?”

The three Reed siblings are taking food out of bags and scooping it onto platters and into bowls when I enter the kitchen. It’s like a sitcom come to life. Stevens catches my eye and smiles over at me.

“Mitzi, this is my girlfriend, Alana. Alana, this is my sister, Mitzi, the owner of your favorite taco place.”

“I love your tacos,” I tell her.

She walks over and gives me a hug. It’s not awkward or fangirlish at all. Just welcoming. “It’s so good to meet you. I love your movies.”

“Thanks. Stevens told me your mom is a fan.”

Dustin laughs. “A fan? She’s rabid. Like shrine-level …”

Stevens nudges his brother with an elbow and makes an exaggerated slicing motion across his throat.

“Did I say shrine? I meant to say, fine. Fine appreciation. She has a fine appreciation for your work.” Dustin laughs and then we all laugh.

Stevens’ parents walk into the kitchen.

“What’s left to do?” Mr. Reed asks.

“Nothing, Dad. We’ve got it,” Mitzi says. “Mom, are you over whatever that was out there?”

“One hundred percent. I’m golden. I’m not freaking out anymore. I’m not. I’m cool. Chillin’ like a villain.”

“And, that’s our mom,” Dustin says with an affectionate wink at his mother.

Mrs. Reed looks at me. “Sorry about that, Alana. I told myself all day you coming here was going to be no big deal. I even practiced in the mirror—the yeah-this-is-no-big-deal face. It was working for me then. But when I saw you? Well, it was a bit much.”

“Ya think?” Mitzi says, and then she blows an air kiss at her mom.

“I understand,” I say. “I was the exact same way when I met Katharine Hepburn.”

“Oh my lands! You met Katharine Hepburn?”

“I did. She was nearly ninety when I met her. It was one of the greatest honors of my life. I may have stuttered and then completely lost my train of thought. She was full of grace for me, though. She even said she was a fan. I think she was just being polite.”

“I think I would have fainted,” Stevens’ mom says. “No offense. It’s not like I didn’t almost faint for you. You are definitely worth fainting for.”

“Mahhhm,” Mitzi says with a smile. “Not an improvement.”

I chuckle. “No offense taken. And I fully agree. Katharine was one of the greats.”

We move into the dining room and set the platters of tacos on the table along with a bowl of chips, salsa and guacamole, and Spanish rice.

Once we’re all seated, Stevens’ dad says, “Well, Alana, we are glad you could join us for dinner. We try to do this once a week, but it gets more challenging as the kids age. Sometimes Stevens is away on a job, or Mitzi is needed at the restaurant, or Dustin is out fighting a fire or singing a gig. So, anytime we get to haveall our kids around the table, Judith and I consider ourselves fortunate. And to have you here with Stevens makes this night extra special.”

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