Page 88 of The Wondrous Life and Loves of Nella Carter
I hugged her, her skin soft, her jasmine perfume wafting. Being in her arms felt like home.
“Speaking of certain,” she said as we broke apart, “I did want to talk with you about something I’ve been thinking about for a bit.”
I paused at the seriousness of her tone.
She swallowed, rubbing her hands together. “Perhaps it’s time for part two of my dream—that maybe we just do that full-time.”
“Does that mean what I think it means? Time for suitcases?”
She chuckled at my delight, the sound low in her throat. “I think so.” She glanced around the room at the posters and trophies, evidence of her success littering the walls: pictures with other stars and blown-upmovie stills. “As much as I love it, I can admit that perhaps it doesn’t feel like it used to. Three a.m. calls to set, weeks on location, always being camera ready ... I think I’ve done everything I wanted to do. I’m getting older,” she said, putting up a hand to stop my protests, “and we still have twenty cards to go. I’d like to see them all before—you know.”
“Well, we’re not going to think about that.”
“But we should. I’m not getting any younger. I just wanted to make plans—”
“Ihavea plan—taking care of you and Winston as long as there is breath in my body.”
Gabby’s eyes met mine in the mirror. “I think it’s time for our next act.”
“You don’t hear me complaining,” I said, kissing her curls. I hadn’t thought she’d ever give up her career. Her stepping back meant more one-on-one time, slowing down, and exploring. I went through the cards mentally. We hadn’t traveled much to South America. Maybe we’d start there. Perhaps we could find more that Death would be interested in. We could explore her retirement. As for what would happen later, we’d get there in time.
She stopped me, gently capturing my hand and searching my face. “Are you sure? We’re always doing things for me—so much so I feel guilty. You moved all the way here for me—took care of Winston. I want you to accomplish your dreams as well.”
“I have you, Winston, and our life together. What more could I want?”
“Well, it’s decided then,” she said decisively. “The final shot’s tonight, and I can tell my agent at the wrap party right after. If we plan it right, we can be off in a month.”
I stood beside her as she applied the blush. I loved her even more today than I had years ago. I knew every inch of her body, how she smelled after getting caught in the rain, and the micro frown lines that popped between her eyebrows when she read a new script. Our love had a depth that only time could bring.
I wondered what she’d be like, retired. It was easy to imagine long walks up the boulevards, using my gift to translate for us, or taking tours as we explored other places.
I glanced at my watch. “I need to get moving if I’m going to make it on time. I might be a smidge late to the wrap party, but I’ll see you there.”
“Oh?” she said, catching my eyes in the mirror. “What’ll be keeping you?”
“It’s a surprise.”
“For me?”
I leaned down and kissed her. “Who else would it be for?”
“Well, I know it’s not Winston. He was just here for Easter. So what else could it be?”
“You’ll just have to see,” I said, padding from the room. I hurried to finish dressing and gather my papers, sure the cab would arrive at any minute. I hadn’t wanted to tell her, especially since nothing had been finalized, but Sunset Publishing had reached out about writing her memoir. If she was going to retire, this might be the perfect time to tell her story—our story.
I read through the proposal in the back of the cab, nervous.
I’d written all those stories forThe Defender, but this was different and personal. I’d be recording her nomination for a Primetime Emmy, her work on the variety shows, and all her work in civil rights. Reading through the manuscript reminded me of how proud I was of her—how lucky I was to have her.
The traffic was surprisingly light, and we made fantastic time.
Maybe I can even get to the party early.
We pulled off the highway and were idling at a red light, almost there, when I felt a tingle of awareness so strong that I looked up from the papers.
It was only half a second, if even that.
One glimpse, and I was certain my life as I knew it was over.
