Love Me to Death (2 page)

The smell of coffee hits my nose as soon as I walk through the doors of Gigi’s. This is by far my favorite coffee shop. It’s pretty modern, and the vibe is nice. I search the room for a head of auburn locks and smile when I see that she really showed up.

That’s Layla for you. She never lets me down, no matter how much I’ve screwed up.

“Hey.” I smile as I slip into the seat opposite her. “Thanks,” I say, pulling the cup of black coffee toward me.
My favorite.

“What’s this about, Brennan?” Straight to the point then.

“Sis, why do you have to assume it’s about something? Don’t you think that sometimes I just want to see you?” It’s partially true.

She scoffs. “You don’t
see
me; that’s just it; only when you want something.”

“That’s not true, Layla.”

“Really? Then when is the last time you’ve seen your niece and nephew?” That silences me. “Great, now that we’ve got past all the BS, can you just get to the point of why you called me here? I’ve got two young children to get back to.” A wave of guilt passes over me.

“How are Alex and Sophie?”

“They’re fine, they’re with their
dad
.” Her face softens. “Brennan, are you in some sort of trouble?”

And there it is … the heartstrings; only I don’t feel much like pulling at them, I feel guilty. I sit back in my chair and let out a long breath.

“I’m behind on my rent.”

I see her tense up. “Again? Jamie and I bailed you out three times. How can you be behind again?” The reminder that my sister and her husband had to save me from being evicted makes me feel like less of a man already.

“I don’t know. Things are just a little rough right now. If you could just help me out this one time, I promise it won’t happen again, and I’ll pay you back.”

“How much do you owe?”

“What?”

“You heard what I said, Brennan. How much?”

I hesitate. “Fifteen hundred dollars.”

She laughs to herself and then shakes her head.

“No way. You’ve missed another three months?”

“Things just got a little out of hand.”

“They always do where you’re concerned. Do you honestly think I just have fifteen hundred dollars lying around? I have two small kids, a husband, and a home to pay for. I can’t keep putting my family out to save your ass, Brennan. Life doesn’t work that way.”

“I know, and I promise I won’t ask you again.”

“You’re damn right you won’t. My answer is no.”

“What?” I’m in shock. Layla
never
says no.

“You heard me. You’re my brother, and I love you but this has got to stop.” Her face softens again. “I know things have been hard for you but you’re an adult, and it’s time for you to grow up. I don’t have anyone to bail me out of situations, I have to save myself. You have to learn to figure things out yourself, too.”

“I am trying but I just got a little behind. It won’t happen again, I promise.”

“You said that last time. You say it all the time with every problem that comes your way but it never changes with you, does it?” She looks sad.

I feel pathetic as the words leave my mouth. “I wouldn’t ask if I wasn’t desperate, Layla.”

“And I told you that if I can help you I will but I have to draw the line. I don’t have that kind of money to spare, and I’ll be damned if I put my family at risk because you still want to live irresponsibly.”

“You sound like Dad,” I grunt.

“Yeah, well maybe he’s right, Brennan. Perhaps you need to give up on this dream of being an actor and go and find a job that pays the bills.”

“No, Dad said that because he doesn’t believe in me not because he cares and you know it.”

“Either way, he’s right. I’m sorry but I can’t help you this time. If you’re that desperate then maybe you should ask him to help you out.”

“No way,” I say angrily.
I wouldn’t ask that man for air if I was dying.

“Then I’m sorry but I can’t help you.” She stands slowly to her feet. I can see that it hurts her to say “no” to me. “I love you,” she whispers against my forehead after she leans down to kiss it. Then she turns around and walks out of Gigi’s without even glancing back.

I pick up my coffee. It’s cold. I beckon over a server with my hand and order a large black coffee to go. I hand over the money and sit in silence while I wait.

I know that some of what Layla said was true but I can’t give up, not now. I’ve worked too damn hard, and I’m not about to give my dad the satisfaction of being able to say, “I told you so.”

“Excuse me.” I turn around. The voice belongs to an old man sitting at the table across from me. I hadn’t noticed him up until now, but when I look over I see a walking stick propped up on the chair next to him. His head is completely bald and he has a bushy white beard. I am pretty sure he was once a part of some kind of motorcycle club in his younger days. He just has that look. Even though he’s old, I still wouldn’t want to get into any trouble with him. Then I look back at the walking stick and wonder if he had to give up his dreams one day because fate suddenly turned against him. I push the thought to the back of my mind.

“Hi,” I say, smiling at him.

“I don’t mean to pry but I couldn’t help but hear your conversation before.” I believe him. I nod my head. “You’re an actor then?”

“Sort of,” I mumble.

“Sort of? You either are or you aren’t, my boy.”

“Well, I don’t currently get paid to do any acting so I guess I’m not.”

“That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.”

“Excuse me?”

“You don’t simply become an actor because you get paid to do an acting job. You become an actor — or anything for that matter — when even in the moments when you don’t get paid you still want to do it. Passion validates you, not money.”

His words penetrate me deep and it reminds me of everything I’ve been through. Every struggle, even when my dad beat me down over the years. The server interrupts us as she hands me my cup of coffee. I nod my head and smile before turning my attention back to the old guy.

“Nigel,” he offers, stretching out his hand. I shake it.

“Brennan.”

“Nice to meet you, Brennan.”

“You too.”

“Anyway, like I said, I didn’t mean to pry but I couldn’t help but overhear that you were in need of some work.” I nod. “Well I don’t know how reliable that board is up there but if my eyes aren’t deceiving me, I’m pretty sure one of those notes up there is advertising an acting job.”

I swing my head in the direction his eyes are staring and find myself looking up at a wooden board attached to an orange wall in Gigi’s. As my eyes scan the board, I see a mass of yellow notes all stuck to it with different colored pins. My eyes are instantly drawn to the one Nigel mentioned. It’s in the middle of the board and in bold, red letters it says:

I turn back around to face Nigel who is sipping his drink, with a peaceful expression on his face.

“Thank you.”

He nods his head at me before I rise to my feet with my coffee cup in hand. I walk over to the wooden board. As I get closer, I can read the note clearly:

It’s like it was written for me. I rip the note from the board, stick it onto my coffee cup and search inside my jeans’ pocket for my phone. When I retrieve it, I dial the number on the note and stand outside, patiently waiting for somebody to pick up.

“Ned Waters, how can I help you?” It’s a woman. I expect to hear the name of a company so I am a little surprised.

“Hello?”

“Ned Waters, can I help you with something, sir?”

“I’m not sure … do I have the right number?” I ask.

“It depends on who you’re trying to reach.” I can hear the slight smirk in her voice.

“Yeah, sorry. It’s about the acting job. I found the ad on a note in a coffee shop called Gigi’s.” I feel ridiculous.
Is this some kind of prank?

“Oh yes, gosh I’m sorry, I’ve had so many calls today, I completely forgot about the ad.”

“So the role is still available?” I ask nervously.

“Yes … sorry … of course it is. Are you calling for yourself?”

I nod before I remember that she can’t see me. “Yes, I’m calling for myself.”

“Ok, that’s great. Can I please take your name?”

“Sure, it’s Brennan Cole.”

“Brennan?” she asks curiously.

“Yeah, would you like me to spell it for you?”

“Nope, I’ve got it.”
Weird.

“Ok.”

“Just give me a minute.” The phone goes silent and I wait for a moment. I briefly worry that we have been disconnected but then her voice returns loud and clear. “Right, Mr. Cole, I can see you today.”

“Today?” I ask in surprise.

“Yes, is that going to be a problem for you?”

“No, no today is great. I can do today.”

“Good, are you still at Gigi’s?” she asks which I find strange.

“Yes.”

“Great, then I expect to see you in forty-five minutes. I will send the address to the number you are calling from.”

“Ok, do I need to prepare anything? A monologue?”

“No, just bring yourself, Mr. Cole. That is all. And if you are going to be late then please let me know as I have several meetings today.”

“I won’t be late.”

“Good. Then I shall see you soon.” She hangs up. That seemed strange but I don’t let it bother me. My phone alerts me of a message. I recognize it as the number I just rang and find the address as promised. I flag down a taxi, tell him the address, and sit nervously in the back of the car as I wonder what I am about to get myself into.

I arrive at the location with ten minutes to spare. I hand the taxi driver some money, thank him, and jump out. I look up at the building and can honestly say I was not expecting this. It’s nice.
Very swanky.
It looks like the kind of place that would house a movie star. There’s got to be over twenty floors.

I walk through the automatic doors and am instantly met with the aroma of a newly decorated building. There’s a small seating area directly in front of me, a black coffee table on my right, and a rounded desk to the left. Behind the desk is a short man with dark brown hair. He appears to be in his late sixties and looks at me as though he has been anticipating my arrival.