Page 22 of Catch Me
“Ivy, you made it,” Lillian greets with her usual bright smile.
I want to ask how she’s so cheery at seven in the morning, but the five cups of coffee I’m balancing in my arms has me more preoccupied.
“What’s this?” she asks, pointing to the cups.
I nod at the cup in the front right square of the holder. “That one’s yours,” I tell her. “Stopped byThe Coffee Shopthis morning. Did you know they open at five a.m.?”
She laughs. “Of course. I can’t count how many times I’ve stopped there early in the morning on my way to a set for some much-needed caffeine.”
“Right, well, I knew you guys would be here, so I stopped to get everyone’s coffee orders this morning.”
I wasn’t asked to do this task, for once, but I thought it would be a good way to start our first day of filming. My first day, anyway. Many of the design staff who’re also working today have been at this for years.
“That’s sweet of you,” Lillian says, taking her cup and then the second holder to help lighten my load. “Not necessary at all, though, since?—”
“Craft services have already been here this morning,” Rebecca’s voice sounds behind Lillian.
I peek over Lillian’s shoulder with a wide smile. “Yes, butThe Coffee Shopis an office favorite, and since I know everyone’s order, I figured …” I hold out the coffee in my hands to finish the sentence.
Rebecca looks me up and down silently, but she plucks the cup that has her name written on it in black marker, before spinning on her heels and walking away. I look at Lillian.
She shrugs and then laughs. “Come on, Drake’s in the back in steaming hell.”
“He hates steaming clothes,” I say.
“Tell me about it, I’ve been listening to him complain for the past thirty minutes. He’s going to hand the steamer over to you as soon as you walk in the door.”
I don’t mind that one bit. Steaming clothes for dozens of on-set extras might not sound like a glamorous job, but given that this is my first day on a real movie set, and I get to be a part of the team responsible for the clothing on said film, it doesn’t matter how minuscule my job is.
I’m up for the task.
Butterflies flit in my belly as I wonder if my Aunt Gloria, felt this excited when she worked as a seamstress on Broadway.
A smile touches my lips as I think of my aunt, who was the one person I could share my love of fashion with as a kid.
Would she be proud of me?
An hour later, after steaming countless pairs of pants, shirts, socks, and even underwear, I emerge from the back room to help some of the extras for the film get dressed, ensuring they’re wearing the right size and fit.
The hours pass like a bit of a whirlwind as extras and crew come in and out of the closet space where my team and I are set up, asking for one thing or another. By the time my stomach starts growling, it’s nearly two o’clock in the afternoon.
I haven’t eaten since the night before.
“Let’s grab lunch while the actors are on break.” Lillian doesn’t even wait as she takes my hand and tugs me out of the room.
I’m starving, so I don’t put up a protest.
“Oh yes, they brought in the good stuff today,” Lillian says as she eyes the various hot plates and salad serving dishes. “I think they ordered from Miguel’s Taco Truck. The studio often splurges on the first day of a movie shoot. Kind of a ‘good luck’ type of gesture. Eat up,” she encourages.
Contemplating what it is I want, I stare at the display for a while. The lack of actors around us means that they’ve already gotten their food and have retreated to their trailers for the break.
This knowledge relieves any guilt I might have about taking too much. I decide to load my plate up with the pulled pork, rice and beans, tortilla chips, and a healthy portion of guacamole. After squeezing a little lime on everything, I dive in, using a chip to scoop some rice, chicken, and guac on it before taking my first bite.
The rich, smoky flavors from the paprika, cilantro, and other seasonings burst on my tongue. The lime juice adds the right amount of tartiness to enhance the flavors of everything else.
Lillian was right, Miguel’s Taco Truck is deceptively delicious. I know there are a few locations around the city.
I’ll have to get Mya to come with me sometime to visit one. Or maybe even Ari when she comes into town next month.
