Take Two (15 page)

“That’s right.” Stephanie nodded. “I knew he’d pulled out of the Hollywood scene. I wasn’t sure where he’d settled.”

“Chase and I had dinner with him and his family while we were there. He’s got a lot of wisdom about handling fame. You know
about his car accident right?”

“The whole world knew.” Kendall frowned. “Paparazzi will kill someone before something’s done about the insanity.”

“He might be a help to Brandon at some point.” Chase exchanged a look with Keith. “He’s a great guy. Strong in his faith.
Not many other people know what Brandon’s going through.”

“That’s important.” Kendall exchanged a look with Stephanie. “We’ll keep that in mind as we move into this project.”

Stephanie pulled another copy of the option from her purse and slid both across the table. “Take these. I don’t expect you
to sign them here, but read them over. Have your attorney take a look.”

The waitress brought their food, and while they ate they talked about the book Stephanie was working on and a few of the stories
she was planning for the future.

“How do you keep it all straight?” Chase took a long swig of his iced tea. “Don’t the characters get mixed up in your mind?”

“Never.” Stephanie laughed again. “My books are like movies in my mind. Very separate and distinct from each other. When I
sit down to write, I see the film, like I’m in it somehow. I never feel like I’m making the stuff up. It’s more like taking
dictation, trying to capture everything I’m seeing and hearing and feeling.”

“Amazing.” Keith always marveled at the vastly differing ways God dished out talent. Back in college, he’d struggled to write
his fifteen-page senior paper. A whole novel? It would’ve been an impossibility. “What made you write
Unlocked
?”

The question seemed to hit a painful nerve. The subtle way she dropped her gaze to her plate for a few seconds told them that
much. “My sister, Jasmine. She was autistic.”

Keith noted the way Stephanie used the past tense, but he didn’t want to ask.

“Steph’s sister was hit by a car when she was nineteen.” Kendall’s voice softened appropriately. “She and their mom were shopping,
and something frightened Jasmine. She panicked and ran straight into traffic before her mom could stop her. She died at the
hospital that night.”

Stephanie’s eyes teared up. “Twenty-two years ago. Doesn’t get any easier.”

“I’m sorry.” Keith reached across the table and covered the author’s hand with his own for a moment. As he withdrew it he
looked at Chase. “We saw the dedication to Jasmine and wondered.”

“We shared a room.” Stephanie’s eyes were bright again, dimmed only by the strength of the memory. “The doctors used to tell
us she was unreachable, that she lived alone in her own little world.” She shook her head. “But I knew otherwise. When we
were alone, I’d put on music … Diana Ross or the Temptations. Lionel Richie, even Elvis. I would start dancing, and after
a minute, she’d smile at me and join in. Music gave us a bridge. We danced across it often.”

Keith was breathless from the word picture. “The same way it happens in
Unlocked
.”

“Yes.” A love both bright and intense burned in her eyes. “We need to rethink the way we view autistic people. They can be
reached if we try.”

Kendall gave her friend a sad smile. “Steph and I have talked about it. In some ways — until we find that life-saving faith
in Christ — we’re all autistic. Living in our own world, trapped by the smallness of our existence and needing something,
anything, to pierce the silence and open our eyes to the reality around us. Music can be that for us too. Music can introduce
people to God.”

Suddenly the passion Keith felt for this future project magnified a hundred times. This was what they’d asked for, right?
Films that could touch and change the world. He tried to imagine the power in a picture like
Unlocked.
The power in the movie’s soundtrack. A chill ran down his arms and he swapped a look with Chase. His friend was feeling the
same way, he was sure. “I have a feeling God’s going to use this movie in amazing ways.”

Stephanie smiled, and again her eyes grew watery. “That’s why I’m here.” She studied Keith and then Chase. “I believe you
two can touch the world with this movie. The way Jasmine’s life, her joy and light, so deeply touched me.”

The woman was both beautiful and poetic. Keith hoped they had lots of time together during the process — even with her busy
schedule.

They talked a little while longer, and then Stephanie had to get going. “My honey’s waiting up for me.” She held out her hand
toward Keith and then laughed at herself. “What am I doing? Come around here and give me a hug. We’re already family — we
have the same Father.”

Keith and Chase moved out from behind the table and took turns hugging Stephanie good-bye. She was still smiling when she
left, her steps light and full of the same energy that had come from her throughout the meeting.

When she was gone, Keith and Chase sat back down with Kendall. Keith felt breathless from the brilliance of all that lay ahead.
“She’s wonderful.”

“Isn’t she?” Kendall grinned. “I knew you’d love her.”

“She’s mesmerizing.” Chase leaned forward on his forearms. “Something very special’s happening here.”

“And getting there will be the ride of a lifetime.” She pulled out a notebook. “Okay, we have a lot to cover in a short time.”
She started by bringing up the idea of the three of them forming an official production team. “I wanted to talk about that
sooner, but there wasn’t time.”

“Chase and I love your enthusiasm and vision. The people you’re bringing into this.”

“Absolutely.” Chase finished his iced tea, his eyes never leaving Kendall’s. “God put us together for a reason.”

“I think we need a new name, at least for this film. Oak River is good — but we need something that shows the world your vision.”

Keith appreciated how she called it their vision. She wasn’t taking over, just coming alongside them — helping out in whatever
way she could. “We haven’t thought about a new name. But I’m open to the idea.”

Chase was too, and after a few minutes they came up with a name they all liked better: Jeremiah Productions. The name came
from the Scripture from Jeremiah 29:11:
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you
.
“

“The goal,” Keith said, “has always been that the world would find hope in Christ as a result of the movies we make. So the
name is perfect.”

Once they had that detail established, Kendall flipped open her planner and tapped her pen on one of the squares. “I’ve set
up a meeting with Brandon Paul for this Monday morning. Ten o’clock, here at the diner. It’s an easy meeting place, and they
serve a great breakfast. Legend in this town. Then I’d like you to meet his agent in Studio City the next day around four.
My dad wants to catch up with you too.”

Keith winced. They had planned to drive home in the morning, and then he and Lisa had tickets to fly to Indiana on Monday.
They’d planned to spend the week with Andi and see several performances of
Scrooge
.

“You’re busy?” Kendall picked up on his hesitation.

“We aren’t, are we?” Chase turned to him. He seemed anxious to make the meetings work.

Keith understood. In this business, a month could easily go by before everyone had a clear date on their calendars again.
“We have Andi’s play this week.” He studied the calendar page. “I guess we could head out at the end of the week instead.
Catch the weekend shows.”

“Right.” Chase nodded. “That would work.”

“You’re sure?” She looked cautious. “Family commitments are a priority. I understand that.”

“No. It’s okay, really.” Keith was already imagining how he’d tell Lisa, and then Andi. Chase would have to talk to Kelly
too. But she would understand. Everything would work out. The meetings were crucial if they were going to push ahead with
the production of
Unlocked
. “Let’s plan it.”

Kendall wrapped up their meeting telling them that she had a feeling things were going to get pretty crazy for them and their
families. “You’ve got the film festivals and the screenings for
The Last Letter
. Everyone’s going to be talking about you, your vision and talent, and the fact that you snared a coup with the acquisition
of
Unlocked
.” She paused, her expression more sober than it had been all night. “We need to pray for your families, for your faith and
your sanity. For all of us, that we’ll keep our feet on the ground.”

Agreement came from Keith and Chase, and before they parted ways, they held hands and thanked God for the amazing situation
He’d placed them in, begging Him to go before them, to protect them and their families, and to keep them grounded in His truth
along the way.

As they left the restaurant, Keith stopped cold and stared at Chase. “Did that just happen?” He uttered a disbelieving chuckle.
“I mean, really? Did it seriously just happen?”

Chase laughed too. “I have a feeling we’ll be reminding each other often — that this is really happening.”

They talked about all that had transpired in the past hour. The meeting with Stephanie Fitzgerald and her passion for this
project. Kendall’s enthusiasm, the vision she had for the future. The involvement of Brandon Paul. They decided to wait until
tomorrow to call their wives, and as they reached the Georgian Hotel Keith thought again how grateful he was for the prayer
at the end — that they stay grounded throughout the process.

Because even now he could barely feel the street beneath his feet.

T
HE
S
ATURDAY MATINEE WAS OVER, ANOTHER
memorable performance by the
Scrooge
cast, and Andi was about to head into the lobby to meet the audience when she saw noticed a voice-mail message from her parents.
She pushed a few buttons and listened.

“Hey, Andi, it’s Dad. We’re stuck at the Denver airport. They’re clearing ice off the runway.” He paused. “I’m sorry, baby.
We’ll get there as soon as we can. Sometime tonight for sure.”

Andi snapped her phone shut and tried not to feel hurt. Her parents could do nothing about an ice storm, but still … they
were supposed to be here all week. Her dad’s LA meetings had made that impossible, so now they only had this weekend to see
her show. As it was they were going to miss tonight’s performance, which meant they’d only see tomorrow’s matinee, since the
night show was sold out.

Fine, Andi thought. If her dad could make filmmaking a priority, so could she. The offer from Taz looked better all the time.

She had a text waiting too, and she checked it. Cody’s name popped onto the screen.

HEY, ANDI. I TOLD YOU I MIGHT BE THERE TODAY, BUT I HAVE TOO MUCH HOMEWORK. I’M SURE YOU’LL DO GREAT. SEE YOU LATER.

Disappointment painted heavy brush strokes across her heart. Cody was pulling away, she could feel it, and she didn’t know
why or what she’d done. He didn’t have to want her to be his girlfriend, but still it was nice talking to him. This past week
they’d barely even done that. And now he was too busy to show up.

“Everything okay?” Bailey sat next to her, checking her makeup.

“My parents.” Andi slipped her phone back in her bag. “They’re stuck in an ice storm.”

“Oh. I’m sorry.” Bailey looked like she understood. “My parents’ll be here tonight. If yours don’t make it, come over afterwards.
We’re playing Pictionary.”

“Okay.” Andi smiled. Bailey’s invitation took the edge off her loneliness. She really wanted her parents to be here, but at
least she didn’t have to be by herself. She hugged her friend. “Thanks. That’d be great.”

They walked out to the lobby with several other cast members. The director liked them to mingle with the audience for fifteen
minutes before changing out of their costumes and taking their dinner break. Andi loved this part of performing, hearing the
praise from complete strangers, realizing how deeply they’d been touched by the show. Mixing with the public was one of the
most fun parts of being in the show.

The local newspaper had run a review on the musical in Monday’s paper, and the writer singled her out. “Andi Ellison is a
breath of fresh air in this old, often stodgy, story of a grouchy man and his transformation. If Scrooge could walk away from
the beautiful, talented Ellison, then he must need a serious fix.” She hadn’t told her parents about the review because she
wanted them to see it in person. But they’d had one delay after another.

Out in the lobby, people noticed them immediately. Bailey was called over by a group of kids from Cru, and Andi was called
in another direction by people waving programs. She smiled and walked toward them, and for the next ten minutes she signed
autographs, answered questions about the stage process, and smiled for two dozen pictures. Only then did she recognize Taz
and his friend — the one she’d met on opening night. From the corner of her eye she watched the two guys discuss something,
and then the friend smiled and waved and walked away, leaving Taz by himself.

As soon as he was alone, Taz turned toward her. He hung back, watching her, aware of the people still gathered around her.
When her eyes met his, he smiled at her, and the connection between them was almost physical. Andi looked back at the little
girl holding out a program for her to sign. She hoped no one could see the sudden heat in her cheeks.

What was she feeling? An attraction to Taz? She blinked, fighting a sudden weakness in her knees. Taz’s offer of a starring
role had caught her attention, of course. She was anxious to talk to him about the dates for shooting his independent film.
But until now she hadn’t felt a connection between them. She tried to focus, but it was impossible. From twenty feet away,
she could feel his eyes on her as strongly as if he were touching her.

When the audience goers had moved on, Taz slowly walked up, his confidence a tangible force around him. He smiled, and again
she felt his eyes looking deep into her soul. “Can we talk?”