Part 10 (1/2)
”Different than what you expected? I'm a little surprised, too. I guess knowing that I'm not here much longer has helped. You know, 'not my problem, got my orders,' that type of thing.”
”Oh. Too bad you couldn't have done that sooner.” The words were out before she could edit them. ”I'm sorry, I didn't mean-”
”Yes, you did. I've wondered why Dash hasn't said something. I find you refres.h.i.+ng, Kate. You aren't at all like any of your publicity says.”
Stung just a bit, Kate studied her. ”I think I could say the same about you.”
Smiling into her lap, Mimi said, ”Now, you were looking for Dasher. Surely you have her cell number. What happened that you need her?”
Kate sighed. ”I guess I just wanted someone to talk to. Dasher and I have agreed to be friends, and I needed a friend.” She felt so pathetic.
”Agreed? Dasher is a good and true friend, if that's all you want. Why don't you try me out? I've never had many friends, either.”
At that moment an understanding pa.s.sed between them.
”Well, it's not much. Just agent problems. He thinks I'm only good for a paycheck and I want to actually act. Maybe I'm making it all up. Maybe he's right.”
Suddenly quite serious, Mimi said, ”Dasher believes you're a wonderful actor, and she knows a few things about talent. I happen to think you're wasted in those films, too. People are drawn to your beauty, yes, but there's more to you and they sense it.”
”She does? You do?”
Her brown eyes held conviction when she said, ”Yes. Dash and I agree on that subject.”
”That really means a lot to me. Thank you.” These two women were definitely not just complimenting her to get something from her. Or, if they were, she had no idea what it would be.
Lupe appeared at the door with several bags of food. They enjoyed the chalupas while discussing the joys of not eating in a hospital cafeteria more often than necessary.
As Lupe was cleaning up, Kate stood to excuse herself.
Mimi asked, ”Where are you off to now, Kate?”
”Well, Joe saddled me with six scripts to go through. I'm going to my house to read them.”
”You know, Lupe's desperate to clean my condominium for when I go home. Would you mind staying here to read them? We have at least one semi-comfortable chair you could use. I get nervous with strangers.”
For the first time Kate saw for herself the fear that Dasher had described. How crippling to be so shy. She also felt honored to be included in the not-a-stranger category. She felt at ease with Mimi, too. So here she was again, doing something that wasn't her habit at all.
Kate glanced at Lupe and was met with a hopeful smile. ”I don't see why not. I'll go get the ma.n.u.scripts. But only if you'll read some of them, too, and tell me what you think. That could cut the time down by a lot.”
”Wonderful. Dasher always has me read scripts for her. She says I can pick 'em.”
Kate was delighted. Dasher's clients raved about her help in finding vehicles for them that challenged their skills. To have Mimi's advice would be a plus. The fact that Dasher would be there later, well, that was an added bonus.
After two hours pa.s.sed they traded stacks. Kate asked, ”Did you find one you liked?”
Mimi shook her head. ”How many times can you make the same movie, Kate?”
Throwing her new stack onto the chair, she took the ones she'd just given to Mimi to toss on top. ”That b.a.s.t.a.r.d. The truth is he'd rather subst.i.tute one of his cardboard blondes with fake everything. I'd bet their true talent is giving blow-er, sorry.”
”b.l.o.w. .j.o.bs? I may not like Hollywood, but I've certainly been around for a while. I agree with you. Can't you dump him and sign with Dasher?”
”Don't think I haven't thought about it. When I signed with him I was so young and stupid, he got me into a straightjacket of a contract. I don't think I could ever get out without him agreeing to release me. Besides, Dasher has never tried to poach, as Joe would so nicely put it. I doubt she's even interested.”
Mimi was staring at the doorway. ”Why don't you ask her?”
Kate whirled to see Dasher, a stunned look on her face, eyes dancing between the two of them.
”Mom? Kate?”
Dasher was still in shock when Kate left an hour later, promising to return the next day so Lupe could have a break. Kate and her mother had chatted away like old friends. She'd never seen her mother become so friendly so quickly with another person.
”Dasher? You seem in another world. Is it Kate? She's lovely.”
”Who are you and what have you done with my mother?”
Chuckling, Mimi said, ”I guess I asked for that one. I don't know, but there's something about her I can't help but like. Maybe it's just the right circ.u.mstances. I suppose I don't have anything to be afraid of anymore. Or maybe it really is Kate. Are you sure you can't date her? I'd feel much better about leaving this earth if I knew you had someone.”
”It's complicated.” Dasher studied her new PDA. She'd just bought it and was planning to set it up during her time with her mother. They usually didn't talk much, but that seemed to have changed. Kate had groused because her mother was always trying to fix her up. Now Dasher's mother was taking an interest. Was this a ”mom” thing?
”Her agent sounds awful. What do you think of him?”
”He's lower than pond sc.u.m, and I'd rather have Kate with almost anyone but him.”
”So, you'd like to have her as a client, then.”
”You could say that.” Dasher was trying to be vague but evidently failing.
”I knew it. You're in love with her.”
Reaching the point of exasperation, Dasher said, ”Mom! This isn't...I can't... Kate and I are friends. She's straight and I'm not. See the difference there?”
Looking perplexed, Mimi countered. ”What I see, young lady, is a lonely woman who gets by on bravado and beauty and needs a friend. I never had her bravado, but for a while there I was sought after, and I understand her need. I've also seen the way she looks at you. Dash, have you ever been in love?”
The suddenly feisty Mimi Pate looked determined to get an answer. The truth popped out of Dasher's mouth without her permission. ”Yes, five years ago.”
After a moment, Mimi said, ”I remember. You were so excited about signing a new actress. Then a month later you never mentioned another word about her. I noticed, Dasher, despite what you might think. What was her name?”
Giving up the charade, Dash admitted the truth. ”Kate Hoffman.”
”Oh, Dash. I'm sorry. Maybe this time things will be different.”
”Mom, I'm not holding my breath. Some things just aren't meant to be.”
Nodding, she said, ”And some things are fated to be. No matter how hard you try, you can't outrun them. Don't give up on her, Dash. Maybe she just has to find her way to you.”
Dasher grumbled, ”I'm still wondering what you did with my mother.” But she was enjoying listening to her. What she didn't say was that dying seemed to agree with Mimi Pate.