Page 14 of And They Had a Great Fall

J: You don’t have to respond.

J: I just wanted you to know.

As they wound through Tivoli, Jake realized Kat was right. He had not had fun in a long time. He’d blown off steam occasionally over the past eighteen months, but that usually meant losing himself in his work, doing a whole lot of drugs, or finding someone to share his bed. He hadn’t had this kind of pure, silly fun for as long as he could remember. They jumped from roller coaster to roller coaster, even riding the Rutschebanen, a wooden rollercoaster from the early 1900s. They skipped the drop rides, but Kat insisted they ride the weird Danish kiddie rides.

Following Kat’s rules, they did not sit together, which made Jake roll his eyes every single time she took the seat behind him. Instead, Jake had fun with his fans, who were delighted to share a roller coaster ride with their favorite celebrity. He enjoyed the game of sliding in next to a single rider and waiting to see the look on their face when they realized who was next to them. Or bumping someone in a bumper car and seeing the initial reaction: “Who just hit me?” He would smile at them and wait for the scream of delight. He knew there would be shared videos and photos over the next few days on his fan accounts. His PR team would be delighted. He really did owe them something positive after the last few months.

Kat seemed very happy to let the fans be front and center while she assumed the role of photographer, making sure the angles were good for both Jake and his young fans. She also pointed out a few shy girls holding back, clearly wanting to meet him. He took extra care to engage them in conversation. He overheard a group of young girls ask Kat who she was, and she always read from the same script: “Oh, I’m a friend of Jake’s parents. Visiting here on business and checking in on their favorite son.”

After they had ridden everything he could stomach and the evening was winding down, they stood across from the Pantomime Theatre. It was a gorgeous open-air stage facing a lush, grassy courtyard. On the stage was a glimmering blue, aqua, and green backdrop, reminiscent of a peacock. With its distinctly Chinese design, it should have looked out of place against the vintage aesthetic, but the eclectic design fit in perfectly. Tivoli Gardens was full of wonder, fantasy, and beauty. It was as if you could step through the gates and be immersed in a different time, a different world—one that was free of anything not built with the express purpose of enchantment. It was a world Jake wanted to live in. One without worry or ugliness.

He studied the outdoor theater, overwhelmed by its stunningdesign and the way his soul connected to the empty stage. The plaque nearby gave a construction date of 1874. He was humbled by the decades of productions, actors, and performers who had stood on that stage and given all of themselves to their audience. He felt a kinship to those ghosts and could feel their presence.

He didn’t know how to be anything other than an actor. He only knew how to perform with all his emotions on the surface, allowing the audience to feel him through the screen. He was beginning to understand how he could lose a bit of himself each time he embodied the spirit of someone else. He wanted to use his performance to push people out of the numbness of life. It was his reason for being, but he didn’t know how to do it without fracturing his own psyche in the process.

“This place is pure magic,” he whispered, almost to himself.

“I love it here,” Kat said, spinning around slowly. An easy smile came to his lips as he watched her take in all of Tivoli. As the lights started to flicker on, it became a beguiling place. He took a minute to take in the playful ambience of the twinkling lights and vintage buildings. The entire vibe was inviting, and he felt a comfort in the growing quiet. The park was nearly closed, and crowds were dissipating. Only a few screams of laughter remained in the distance.

He watched her, the shimmering lights dancing in her eyes. They weren’t standing too close (rule number two), but he could feel her wonderment as he watched her spin with open arms, looking as if she was trying to embrace the magic and history all around them. She stopped spinning and looked over at him. Her face was full of awe, and he thought he saw a hint of sadness.This place overwhelms her, too, he thought. Her sparkling eyes and her cheeks, red from the cool September air, made him want to kiss her right there, but he was forced to practice a restraint unfamiliar to him.

They locked eyes for a moment before she snapped themboth out of their Tivoli-induced trance. “I’m so hungry!” she blurted. “Popcorn is not a meal. I found a sushi place near here. Please let’s have a proper dinner!”

His stomach was growling, and he was beginning to get a headache. As much as he loved it here, he loved the idea of sushi even more. He nodded his head and gestured toward the exit before following behind her. Once again, she decided their next move. Another choice he didn’t have to make. Spending time in her presence, where he didn’t need to think of anything, made his mind feel clear and open for the first time in weeks.

Kat enjoyed leading Jake around Copenhagen, and she could see he was finally relaxing. She was giving him the gift of relinquishing control so he could get out of his head. If he could just enjoy, just be, she thought he might snap out of the dark space he inhabited inside his mind. She was acutely aware that everyone in his life needed something from him. She wanted to be the one person that didn’t take from him and just let him be. To her, he wasn’t a star or an object. He was just a human, and she wanted him to be him.

When they arrived at the sushi place, Kat was relieved to see it wasn’t crowded. The hostess did a double take when they walked in. Kat stood off to the side while the hostess took photos and a short video with Jake. She pinched the bridge of her nose, trying to stop the pounding in her head. She just wanted to sit down, but he was determined to let his fan have her moment.

The hostess leaned over and whispered, “Mr. Laurent, I don’t want you to get interrupted constantly during your dinner. We have a table in the corner, partially blocked by that pillar. It’s not the best table, but you can be hidden. Do you want that?”

Jake did an exaggerated nod. “Thank you, that would be wonderful.”

She winked at him and led them to their seats. Kat saw thehostess slip Jake her card with her name and number “in case you need someone to show you around town.”

Kat felt anger bubble up in the back of her throat. Even though she declared that she needed to be a nobody, it still stung to actually be one.It’s best if people don’t notice me, she reminded herself. Still, she would at least prefer women not flirt with him right in front of her. The hostess probably thought she worked for Jake. As she followed behind the two of them, she felt her irritability come to the surface.

Once they sat, she blurted, “You think she’s cute?” Kat tried to sound light, but her tone betrayed her jealousy.

Jake looked at her, pausing for a moment. “No, Kat,” he said shaking his head and holding her in his gaze. A slow smile came to his lips. “But I think you’re cute.”

His answer hung in the air and momentarily silenced her.

She knew part of her jealousy was her stomach talking, and the other, her ego. “Sorry. I’m hangry. Forgive me for anything else I say in the next ten minutes.”

He laughed and replied, “Me too. If I don’t get food soon, I might have one of those tantrums that show up on Twitter.”

At that moment, the waiter arrived, and they placed a very large order, without even looking at a menu. Jake looked at him with a serious face and said, “We’re so hungry, we might disappear. Like just dry up right here. Wither away.”

He was being dramatic, and the waiter was clearly charmed—so much so, he walked straight to the kitchen and returned with edamame and shrimp shumai. He winked as he set down the food. “This is on me. I can’t have you dying on my shift,” he said.

Jake replied, “You’re my hero.” The waiter beamed as he walked away.

Kat took a few bites of food and sipped on some sake that Jake had ordered. She felt warmth flush her cheeks. It was the perfect drink after an evening outside in the fall air. She leanedback in her seat and returned his smile. “Did you have a good day?” she asked. At Tivoli she was reminded of his language of physicality, and she could see his relaxation. She adored seeing him at ease, with her and with himself.

“The best day,” he said, returning her smile. “Thank you again. That was amazing. You were right. I did need to let loose for a sec. I hopeyouhad a little fun too.” He raised his sake cup for a silent toast, and they clinked their small cups together. They both took a sip, and Jake asked, “So, what’s next on the itinerary of the best day ever?”

She loved that he put it all in her hands. She was emboldened by their day together, the warmth of the sake, and the look he had in his eyes. Kat held his gaze and gave him a sly smile. They were going to finish what they started. She lowered her voice and said, “Next activity? We go back to your apartment and fuck until dawn.”

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