Syncopated Rhythm (9 page)

I nervously pushed my glasses further back on my nose and I whispered,  “Can we change the subject please?”

We all kicked back and started talking about all sorts of topics.  Work and music seemed like taboo topics amongst the women so I made sure to steer clear of that too.  I caught myself on more than one occasion forgetting they were famous people and was drawn into their personal world and marveled at how “real” they really were.  They were so easy to talk to especially Amber. 
Damn, her spectacular grey eyes are killing me!

Sammie and I played some muti-player online games with each other, I learned that her pink lock of hair was inspired by her fist meeting with Amber when Sam was three.  Then she had me show her the application I used for sketching on my iPad and also the animation program that automatically animated my sketches.  All I had to do was sketch two pictures for every second of animation and map the “hard points” and the program drew the twenty eight other frames in between for me.  Kimi was looking over our shoulders with great interest at that point.

We slipped back into conversations about embarrassing times of our lives.  Skylar had disconnected her prosthetic foot and curled into Kimi on one of the couches.  Kimi absently massaged her stump for her, I swear to Cthulhu that Skylar was purring.  I caught myself more than once sneaking a peek at the colorful tattoos covering all of her scars on the right side of her body, beautiful is not a strong enough word for them.  They seemed almost organic, like they were a part of her.

At some point Amber had wound up laying down on the couch with her legs over Sam's lap and her head in my lap.  I found myself absently stroking my fingers through her hair as we spoke and laughed at everyone's stories.  I froze up when I realized what I was doing, but Amber cutely pushed her head into my fingers to get me to continue. 
Gawd she is gorgeous!
  I wish that one day some guy or gal as hawt as her would notice me; her scent was driving me crazy.

Before I knew it, it was six and Kimi switched on the TV for the news. No, not Kimi, Kim since... “For the love of God Ky, call me Kim!”  I giggled at my inner monologue and Amber tilted her head up to look at me.  I just rolled my eyes and she grinned and we turned our attention to the news. 
Her hair is so soft!

After the national news and weather, the local stories began and I almost spewed the soda I was sipping.  There was some “breaking news”.

On the screen was our group surrounded by people entering the Cafe on the Corner.  I watched as I and the other keepers were making a shield around our artists.  Then Amber reached out the door and grabbed my hand and dragged me in.  I remember how the heat was spreading up from our contact when she didn't let go until we all went to sit.

The news anchor was saying.  “In breaking news today, some of the most recognizable names in music, congregated at Cafe on the Corner in what was apparently an impromptu meeting with screenwriter Babette Stevenson about casting for the upcoming film, Heartsong Warriors.  The big questions are, who is Babette Stevenson and how did she get such big name talent for her production?  Conrad Chase was able to shed some light on these questions and more.”

They cut to the outside of the cafe where Conrad, Max, and Elise squeezed out the door into the crowd and waiting paparazzi.  One asked Conrad, “Is it true you are all going to star in Heartsong Warriors?”

Conrad was smooth as silk, smiling for the cameras.  “Yes.  When I read the screenplay by Babette, I was almost brought to tears.  It was so poignantly written.  The emotions just built through the entire story.”

One reporter asked over all the others clamoring around with questions, “What part will you play?  And why are you working with an unknown like Babette?”

He looked taken aback.  “Well I'll be Lieutenant Fischer.  Armed with my music and my love.  But Babette and unknown?  Come on, you've got to be kidding me.  Surely you know there are few recent blockbusters that don't have her ghostwriting hands all over them.  The woman is a genius.”

We were all laughing so hard it actually hurt.  Amber was in uncontrollable giggle mode, it was cute as hell.

A question was shouted to Elise.  “Elise, will you be playing the female lead?”

The camera swung to her, and she had a mischievous grin on her face and she didn't hesitate and said, “No, I don't have the emotional depth to properly portray Captain Amelia Masters.  Babette is going to be hard pressed to find the perfect actress to cast for the role.  The story deserves the best.” Max was beside her nodding thoughtfully in agreement.

How the hell were they keeping such straight faces?
  I was actually gasping for air now and Amber was crying, I don't think she could breathe either.  She shot me a smile as the story continued.  I realized I was still running my fingers through her hair.

They cut back to the newsroom and the anchor.  He was nodding in thought.  “There you have it, an KGDM exclusive.  With Babette Stevenson at the helm this will undoubtedly be a blockbuster.  We will try to get in contact with Ms. Stevenson to find out who she has in mind for the role of  Captain Amelia Masters.”

We all started wiping our eyes and slowing down to a simple giggle-fest again.  Samantha was looking at the four of us like we were crazy or something.

Then two pictures were put up behind him.  First a picture of Amber pulling me into the Cafe then a closeup of our hands together with our fingers laced from that same frame.  The female anchor spoke now.  “We will also investigate allegations that Babette is Amber LaLanie's new love interest.  They have been seen arm in arm in the lobby of the Seattle Royal and now at the Cafe on the Corner though none of the staff at the cafe would comment on whether they appeared to be together or not.”

Love interest?

All of our laughing stopped.  Amber was looking up at me, I looked around and all eyes were on me as Amber spoke,  “Oh God.  I'm sorry Ky.  You don't need to get dragged into stupid scandals like this.  Why the hell do they always have to pry into our personal lives?”  She sat up and away from me a bit, looking... afraid?

I shrugged and said with confidence I didn't have.  “At least they have me shacking up with someone hot.”  I grinned shyly.

Amber seemed to exhale a breath she was holding, the fear seemed to leave her eyes and she laid back down and snuggled her head back into my lap with an impish grin.  “That comment goes both ways.”

Kim and Skylar grinned at the two of us then Kim deadpanned with her stoic expression, “Well damn.  Looks like we'll have to let the kids into the veteran's club after that performance.”

We all started laughing again while Sammie just shook her head at us.  “Somebody is going to have to explain all of this to me.”

Amber grabbed one of my hands and comically put it on top of her head then grabbed my other with both hands and started playing with my fingers as she laid it all out to Samantha while Skylar got on the phone and ordered pizza. 
OMG... doesn't Amber know what she is doing to me?  Can a person die from blushing too much?

When the well exaggerated and hilariously acted out story, with input from the rest of us, was completed, Sam grinned.  “That is pretty funny.  I thought you all were going bloody mad for a minute.  Isn't anyone going to call them and set them straight.”

I snorted at the chuckles from the other ladies.  Amber said cutely, “Not so much.  Let them expend time and effort chasing a ghost.  We think of it as payback to the paparazzi and news stations who can't be bothered to check the facts before they report.  The only downside is the fans will be disappointed when it finally comes to light.  I swear Miranda is an evil genius at times.”

We all nodded at that.  These women were positively wicked, and fun, we mustn’t forget the fun.
I'm curling my toes now while Amber plays with my hand, tracing the lines on my palm.  If I don't move, maybe she won't stop.  Why the hell am I so scared right now?

“
Earth to Babette.”  Sammie was calling.

Oh!  “Huh?”

Sam snickered and Skylar and Kim were grinning.  Sammie said, “We lost you there again.  I was asking what your goals in life were.”

I looked down at Amber who looked like a satisfied cat as I ran my fingers through her white streaked locks.  I tried hard not to grin.  Then I looked back up.  “Well as you probably guessed.  I want to make my own films or videos one day.  That has been my dream my entire life and my mother has supported my dream.  I want to make something of myself for her...”  I trailed off and looked at the floor.

Amber glanced up then her face creased in concern.  “What is it Ky?  You always drift off when you mention your mom.  She sounds like a wonderful woman.”

I looked around.  Why did I feel so panicky?  I shrugged but wouldn't meet anyone's eyes.  “She is. She's been my biggest supporter and best friend my entire life.  She always used to encourage me to embrace my dreams and make a name for myself in the world.  It always felt possible when she said it to me.”

Skylar spoke first, “Used to?”

I took a deep shuddering breath then looked around with a weak smile.  “Yeah.  Fucking Alzheimers took her away from me.  It chipped away at her, one memory at a time.”  I looked at the window and saw the lights of Issaquah below in the valley in the darkness.  “It is the worst feeling of hopelessness watching someone you love lose themselves and be powerless to help them.”

Amber was looking at me with sad eyes and she kissed the back of my hand.  I looked down at her and took another breath.  “I try to go back home and visit her every weekend until I have the money to move her out here.”  I smiled a little.  “She has good days sometimes when she remembers me.  Where she is lucid.  Though she's confused as to where she is.  I live for days like that.”

I looked around again at the sad smiles. 
Shit.  I ruined the night.  I wish I could open a time/space vortex and escape.
  Kim's stoic expression cracked into a soft smile.  “She sounds like a wonderful person.”

I nodded and Skylar skillfully moved the topic away from me.  “So, Amber, you silly bird.  You still haven't let us know if you are planning to have Thanksgiving with us after this music video stuff is behind us.  We love having you around.”

Amber grinned.  “You're just bored livin' the retired life.”  She winked at them then continued. “Well I was planning on singing at a children's hospital in Maine, but I haven't heard back from them yet.”

Sammie chimed in.  “You're not getting out of it that easily Auntie Amber.  I can have Sandra on speed dial and have you singing at a bloody local ward faster than your head can spin.  I missed you last Christmas.  We want to steal you away for all the rest of the holidays this year.”

Amber giggled then looked at the other two women in the room.  “Shame on you for using a child to guilt me into it.  Then, pulling the Sandra card on top of it?”

Sam stuck her tongue out at Amber.  “It's settled then.  We win.  I'll call Sandra in the morning and get it all situated.”

Amber looked up at me with a look of mock helplessness.  “A lot of good you are.  I was outnumbered three to one just now.  Where were you?”

I grinned down at her and slapped her shoulder playfully.  “You deserve what you get for trying to ditch your friends on the holidays.”

She squinted an eye cutely.  “Evil woman.  You're on their side aren't you?”

I nodded with a grin and she just sighed and snuggled her head into my hand.  I got the hint and started running my fingers through her hair again. 
I don't know why I feel so friggin' happy right now.

The pizza came and Kim paid and brought it down to the seating area and we all dug in.  How do they stay so thin with the way they eat?  This is how I eat all the time.  The three Roth's fought over the remote and Sammie cued up a chick flick and we just sat in a comfortable camaraderie, almost like family, and watched as we munched.

The movie was almost over when I excused myself to the restroom.  On the way back, the spectacular view through the windows sidetracked me.  Skylar had put her foot back on and was cleaning up the pizza-y evidence and throwing away the box in the trash in the kitchen area.  She wandered over and bumped hips with me and quietly said,  “It's a right beautiful view.”

I nodded and she tilted her head.  “I can't quite figure you out yet Ky.  It took seven years for Amber to trust us enough to reveal her vitiligo to us.  She is so paranoid about it, I still don't know why she hides it, I think it is brill.  But she just met you and she let you in.  You are good for her.”

I looked quickly over at her, she was just looking out the window.  I whispered, “I'm just her keeper.  She is way out of my league.”

She turned to me.  “You don't really believe that do you?  You've met her, she is just Amber Lee from Iowa, not Amber LaLanie... and give yourself some credit.  She is one of the most frightened and insecure women I have ever met.  She is one of my oldest friends and I love her like a sister.  She thinks the fun she projects comes from the Amber LaLanie persona.  It doesn't... she doesn't realize that
SHE
is that fun.”

I glanced at her then the window again.  “She's not insecure.  She's like the most put together woman I have ever met.”  A small smile flirted with the corners of my mouth.