he called her craziness about keeping her career from Jack. He was as careful as he had to be. He didn't want to screw up what she had. But the new director on the show had done that anyway.
Hi, Lou.
Enjoying your holiday? His voice sounded strange to her, but she figured he was under a lot of pressure. He was most of the time, working with a handful of stars, and an army of hungry actors desperate for work, and badgering him night and day.
I always love the break. It gives me a chance to be with the kids. Jane and her family. It was all she talked about. That and her house, and her cooking. Christ, it was just as well she didn't give interviews, he always thought. With that body of hers, no one would believe she was for real.
What's up?
He paused, searching for the words. He knew it was going to hurt. A lot. But he had to tell her before she found out on the set. Not such great news. He decided to plunge right in. He hated doing it to her. They're going to write you out after the break.
What? It was a joke. It had to be. Her face went white beneath the tan, and the big blue eyes filled with tears. Are you serious?
I'm afraid I am. The new director wants a new look for the show. He's writing out four of you in a car crash on the first day. They're giving you a gorgeous severance, of course, I saw to that, but it looks like ' He didn't have to say more, as tears coursed silently down her cheeks. It was the worst news she'd ever had. Sorrows was her whole life, that and Jack and the kids. She'd been on the show for almost eleven years ' eleven years' .
It's been ten years of my life and he's going to' It happened all the time, particularly on soaps. But it was devastating to her. They were like her family. Can't you change his mind?
I tried everything. He didn't tell her that they were bringing in a younger girl to take her place, and three of the director's gay friends. There was no point in telling her that. All that mattered was that she was out. They want you back for the first day after hiatus and then that's it.
My God! ' She sat crying openly at the kitchen table when her oldest daughter walked in and looked at her in surprise.
Something wrong, Mom?
She shook her head silently, smiling valiantly through her tears, and Alexandra shrugged and helped herself to a 7-Up before going outside again to rejoin her friends, with never a backward glance toward Jane, as she started to cry again.
I just can't believe it.
Neither can I. And personally, I think he's a damn fool, but there's nothing we can do. It's their right, and I guess you should be happy you were on for ten years. Yeah, but now what? She knew she'd never find anything like it again. No other soap would let her keep her anonymity, and she couldn't let Jack find out.
I feel as though someone died. She laughed sadly. Me, I guess.
Screw 'em, we'll get you something else.
She began to sob, and at his end, Lou cringed. I can't do something else ' you know that ' this was perfect for me' .
So we'll find you another daytime soap that needs a sex bomb in a black wig. She had twelve of them by now, in different styles and lengths from the last ten years. But she was inconsolable, as the tears flowed and she blew her nose in a paper towel she found near the sink. I don't know what else to say, babe. I'm sorry. I really am. And he was. He hated seeing her hurt. She didn't deserve a rotten break like that.
What am I going to do? She blew her nose again, as the tears dripped from her cheeks to her chest, and were absorbed by her bikini top.
Give in gracefully. There's nothing else you can do. Go to work for one day and say good-bye. He knew it would be a ghastly scene, and as he talked to her, he jotted a note down on his calendar. He wanted to send her flowers that day, anonymously, as he always did. And I'll see what else is around.
I can't do anything else, Lou.
Don't be so sure. Leave it to me. I'll call you in a day or two.
She hung up and blew her
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