Page 38 of Happily Ever Laughter

Tanis: Sorry. I’d love to, but I have a massive amount of work to get done so I don’t have to work late tomorrow night.

Me: I totally understand. How massive are we talking?

Tanis: Picture a giant dragon perched on top of a house. The dragon is the workload.

Felix: And you’re the house?

Tanis: No, I’m the squished cola can on the sidewalk in front of the house.

Felix: Ha ha haa

Felix: I’m sorry you’re dealing with that, but at least now I have a very clear visual. Anything I can do to help?

Tanis: I’m good, thanks. Just have to get ’er done.

Felix: All right. Can’t wait to see you tomorrow night.

Tanis: Talk to you then.

I make a mental note to send her a picture of kittens or something later this afternoon, then open my email and start running my eye down my address book.

The next thing I know, I’m blinking at the notepad in front of me. At least ten minutes have passed. The paper in front of me is titled, “Possible video art contacts for Tanis” followed by a list of eight names and companies.

Grinning to myself, I drain my coffee. Tonight, I’m going to get more sleep. But I kind of love that even my subconscious mind wants to do absolutely everything in my power to help my beautiful girl advance her career and become a professional video artist.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

~ Tanis ~

I’m extremely relieved that my friends are so punctual. Claire and Becca are already in the lobby of the small movie theatre when I arrive, and I barely have a chance to hug them both hello before Diana and Elizabeth show up.

“You must be so excited,” Becca chirps, smoothing down her dark pink dress and fluffing her long, blonde hair. “There’ll probably be a lot of guys here, right?”

“Settle down,” Elizabeth laughs. “We have to meet her new boyfriend first before we can go shopping for ourselves.”

I look around at the old-fashioned, art deco decor. It’s unbelievable that I’ve never been to this theatre before. It’s a slightly crumbling classic, perfectly sized at a three hundred person capacity.

Gauging numbers has never been a strong suit with me, but it feels like there are a lot more than a hundred people here.

The concession counter is unmanned, but there are complimentary bottles of water and soda set out, along with displays of brochures for the new television show.

Bite Sized Laughs is a weird title, but it does sort of encapsulate the vibe of the show. At least, what I’m expecting. Felix had also said something about them chopping it into shorts for easy distribution through social media.

“There’s my girl.”

I turn around and spin directly into the wall of Felix’s chest as he hugs me close. “I can feel how nervous you are,” he whispers in my ear. “Everything is going to be great. Try to relax, baby.”

Instantly I feel a bit better, inhaling his warmth. Quickly introducing him to Diana, Becca, Claire, and Elizabeth, he seems delighted to meet my friends. I wave hello to Dan, then shake Oliver’s hand as we’re introduced. “How’s the writing going?” I ask.

“Pretty good, thanks,” he says with a shy smile. “Your coffee is just as good as Felix’s. Thanks.”

I almost blush as Becca gives me a pointed look, since that comment clearly says that I’ve been spending a fair bit of time in their home. As I turn back to Felix, I get the distinct impression that Becca and Oliver are already making eyes at each other.

They can’t be more different, but then, who knows how these things work?

“Gretchen is so pleased with the way it turned out,” Felix says, spinning me to the side. “Apparently we used up the last of their grant budget perfectly, so they’re bound to get ten percent more next year.”

“Is everyone happy with the videos?” I ask nervously.

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