Dolly (Part three-Max Mitchell series)

NINE

"Are you feeling alright? What can I get for you?"
"Mom. I'm fine. I'm only going to be gone a few hours."
"Are you sure? How's your bandage?"
"I'm going along too, you know." Tab added.
That seemed to satisfy my worrying mother, so she quit hovering and went to the kitchen to busy herself with cleaning and fussing. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree I suppose.
"I don't think she realizes that the theater is only like, eight blocks away." I said, quietly.
"She's your mother, and she worries. That's life." Tab said, as she zipped up the back of my strapless, cobalt blue, silk taffeta ball gown. Wendy had selected a dress that was fitted at the bust, and had an empire waist. It was nice and loose around my bandages and really, it was just as comfortable as the pajamas I'd recently been living in. My dear stylist curled my hair into soft ringlets and pinned it up in an elegant updo. To be honest, as nervous as I was, it felt good to resemble a normal human being for the first time in weeks.

"Here. Take these." my sister handed me an antibiotic, a pain pill and a glass of water. "That should get you through."
Tabatha Mitchell, my beloved sister was a younger, nearly mirror image of me. Wendy had tied her hair back, into a sleek and low chignon and given her a soft and glowy face of makeup. She'd rummaged through my closet, and found a steel grey, strapless chiffon gown to wear and she looked stunning.

"Thank you for taking such good care of me, Tab."
"Oh, stop it. You know I'd do anything for you."
I started towards the stairs, but Tom had already made his way down to meet me. He was a vision in his standby, classic black tuxedo. It didn't matter how many times I'd seen him wear it; it affected me every time.
"Dolly. You look ravishing." He took my hand and pulled me to him, wrapping me in a gentle hug.
"Thank you, Sugar. Don't forget about Tab." I gestured to my sister.
"Tabatha, you look beautiful as well. I couldn't ask for two lovelier women to accompany me."
"Stop it, now. Are we ready?" Tab gave me an exasperated look, and I knew deep down she was as nervous as I was.

***

We pulled up in our car, and as always, I was nervous as hell. Tom must have been able to sense it, because he reached over and gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

"Dolly, you can stay as long as you like. If you feel like you're in pain, and you need to leave, let me know, and we'll go."

"Tab just medicated me, so I should be good for a few hours."

"I've got more where that came from." Tab winked, gave her wristlet a shake, and the pills made a little rattle sound. That made us all laugh, and I felt a little less freaked out.

"Ready?"

Tab and I both nodded and he opened the door to step out into the crowd. I don't think I will ever get used to all of the fanfare that goes along with being on the red carpet. It's an all-sensories-involved experience. Flash bulbs, people yelling, and a large crowd is a lot to take in.

"Let's go find Chris and the rest of the crew, yeah?" Tom suggested, and took my hand to lead us through the crowd. We didn't have to look very far, as everyone was standing in a huddle just this side of the gated off crowd and press area. Elsa was the first one to run over to me.

"Max! My god. What are you doing here?" She held me at arm's length and gave me a once over.

"I felt like I needed to get out. Being a recluse isn't as nice as I'd imagined."

"But how are you feeling? Aren't you hurting?" She asked.

"I'm feeling pretty good. My sister is a nurse, and she's been taking care of me. Tab, this is Elsa. Elsa, Tab."

"Nice to meet you, Tab. How wonderful that you're able to take care of your sister."

"It works out well for all of us." She said, and gave my hand a little squeeze. Then, Tom appeared at my side with a group of his co-stars, and I prepared myself mentally for the introduction game.