Tabloid Teacher. Dominique Butler

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СКАЧАТЬ They were more interested in giving him a hard time than asking questions and getting information. After calling the “guys” he called a gal pal whose friendship went back to his first film. The conversation was difficult as he was trying to lie within the truth.

      “Becky?” he asked when the female voice answered the phone.

      “Jake! Congratulations!” she shrieked. “What is going on? I was so surprised when I saw you on T.V.” Jake laughed nervously as Becky continued. “I want to know everything. How did the two of you meet? What’s she like? Everything.” If anyone could test how well Jake could lie, it would be Becky. He met Becky on the set of his first film. She had been his make-up artist. She was able to give him helpful tips on how to fit in, in Hollywood and had endeared herself as a true friend. Every film he had worked on since, he tried to bring her on as his make-up artist. Sometimes he was successful and sometimes he wasn’t, but he felt his performance was improved when Becky was around. She was very down to earth, never shy to offer an opinion, and not at all attracted to him. He always felt comfortable sharing the most intimate details of his life with her. He had even gotten some tips on proper bedroom behavior to satisfy the most demanding partner. Now, after fifteen years of friendship he couldn’t bear to tell her the truth. For one thing, Becky was too well connected in Hollywood; if she let the secret slip accidentally it would spread like wildfire. Another reason was just the sheer embarrassment of admitting his stupidity. The final reason was that if he could lie to her it would be good practice for the conversation with his mother.

      “I don’t know where to begin.” He admitted honestly.

      “Well, where did you meet her?”

      “My aunt introduced us.” Technically that was the truth. He decided to keep his answers short and stay as close to the truth as possible.

      “Okay, that was informative.” Becky said slowly. “How long have you known her?”

      “Oh, we go way back, but mostly it’s been a long distance thing.” He felt proud of himself for getting this far.

      “What are you hiding Jake?” Becky asked bluntly.

      “Nothing, why do you ask?” His pride quickly faded into defeat. Becky could always see right through him even over the phone. There was no way he could succeed with his mother.

      “I know you well enough by now Jake. Something’s going on. Who is she? Is she pregnant?” Becky’s accusing tone tore through him.

      “She’s not pregnant.” He retorted. At least I hope not. He thought.

      “Then why aren’t you talking? You’re not being yourself. You’re a celebrity, Jake; whatever you’re hiding is going to come out in the open sooner or later.”

      Jake sighed. “I know, Becky. It’s just she’s not a celebrity. She’s a schoolteacher. She has two girls and she just floats along as if no one can see her. I’m about to change all that.” The words tumbled out of his mouth and he repeated them again softly. “I’m about to change all of that.” That was the reality of it. Real or make belief everyone was about to meet Sam whether she wanted that or not.

      “I didn’t mean to jump down your throat.” Becky said. “It’s not easy. You managed to keep her secret for quite some time. Now everything is going to change. Are you afraid of how she’ll react?”

      “A little.” He was once again being honest. So far he had managed to have a completely honest conversation based on a fabrication.

      “If she said yes then she must be aware of the consequences also. Right?”

      “You know it’s not that easy. We all think being a celebrity is going to be wonderful. It sets us aside from everyone else. We travel, make money, go to parties, yadda, yadda. Then you start seeing your life documented in the grocery stores, on TV, and on the Internet. It gets to be disconcerting.” It was so easy talking about his feelings with Becky.

      “So you’re worried about it going to her head?” Becky asked.

      “No, not really.” Even from the little he knew about Sam he found it hard to imagine her ever becoming diva-like. “I’m more afraid of her getting hurt.”

      “Sounds like you really are in love, Jake. I’m happy for you.” Becky had been happily married ever since he’d known her. She married her high school sweetheart. They were the kind of couple that kept others believing in true love.

      “Thanks.” He mumbled.

      “I have to go, but we’ll talk more later. I can’t wait to meet her.” The two friends exchanged good-byes and hung up.

      Jake sat back and thought about what he had said. He truly was afraid of Sam getting hurt and the girls as well. He was surprised of himself. He had not thought of how this affected him all morning. All he could worry about was Sam and the girls. She didn’t ask for this. She didn’t even hit on me like other women probably would have in her position. She seems perfectly content living her quiet life. I should definitely get her a real ring that she can keep when this is all over. It’s the least I can do after causing this trouble. He made up his mind and went shopping right away.

      ***

      Sam could hear her cell phone vibrating in her desk, but with administrators spot-checking classrooms today she didn’t dare reach for it. So far she had not told anyone about Jake. To begin with, she didn’t want to come across as a lunatic. Secondly, she was still trying not to get her hopes up and third she didn’t really have anyone to tell. Her mom would be suspicious, her brother already knew, and her friends were not only scarce, but would think she was pathetic to hope anything could come of this. Another reason was because Jake was a celebrity anyone who knew the truth might be too willing to sell the story. So it was her little secret for now.

      By lunchtime she had missed five calls all from Jake. He obviously rethought the situation she thought and wants to call it off. She quickly dropped her class off in the cafeteria and literally ran back to her room to return the calls. As she reached for the phone it vibrated again.

      “Hello.” She answered breathlessly.

      “Sam?” Jake asked.

      “Uh yeah, hi.” Sam quickly took her chicken sandwich out of her lunch bag and took a bite. She only had 15 minutes to eat so she tried to do so while on the phone.

      “Hi, I’ve been trying to call you.”

      “Well, I can’t answer the phone while I’m teaching.” She took a bite of her sandwich.

      “Right, I forgot you’re a teacher.” Jake admitted sheepishly. He had convinced himself that she was avoiding his calls that led to a brief period of obsession where he had come up with five reasons why she wasn’t answering. Number one, she freaked out and changed her mind. Number two, she forgot her phone at home. Number three, she didn’t hear it. (This one led him to call multiple times.) Number four, she thinks he was joking again. Number five, something happened to her like a car accident. (This fueled his desire to continue calling her.) He never once remembered she was a teacher.

      “I don’t think I ever mentioned it.” Sam took another bite.

      “Right. Anyway, I wanted to talk to you, because I need to know your ring size.”

      “Huh?” Sam mumbled as she СКАЧАТЬ