Lights, Cameras, Outsiders!

Chapter 36

LCO 36

"You know I really don't see why I have to be always surrounded by people. Don't you think in the long run it'll give me anxiety?" I said to Emilio. He had his arm around my shoulder and we were circling the Admiral Twin drive In at sunset. Everyone was getting in hair and costume. Emilio was already ready, all he needed to do was get warm.

I had a blanket draped across both our shoulders and we huddled together for warmth.

"Naw, doll. We're just trying to make sure you're healthy and safe," he said, kissing the top of my head. Christine rushed up to me with Diane Lane next to her. I didn't talk to Diane. She was sort of known as untouchable because she's professional at this point and she's beautiful and could get any guy she wanted. And so I thought I was insignificant next to her.

"Hey, Essie, I just wanted to properly introduce Diane to you because she said it hadn't been done so Diane, Essie, Essie, Diane."

"Hi," I said. She smiled with a wide grin and white teeth.

"Hi, it's so nice to meet you. I hear about you all the time," she said, holding out her hand. I shook it.

"Really? With who?"

"Well just the boys in general don't shut up about you and Christine."

"Oh does Matt?"

"I don't talk to Matt. No offense, but he's been extremely rude and unrpofesinal and immature around me and I really hope I never work with him again," she said. I smiled.

"It's not that I'm insulting you because I'm not but I just don't know what you see in him."

"I don't either, it's fine."

"Diane, Michelle, and I are gonna grab some dessert after dinner. You wanna come?" Christine asked.

"Sure," I said.

"Okay, we'll see you after dinner. Bye, Milly," Christine called over her shoulder as she dragged Diane away.

"You like her?" Emilio asked.

"Yeah."

"How's doll face?!" Cruise ran up in a big overcoat and jeans and socks. I let Emilio have the blanket and hung onto Cruise for warmth.

"I'm fine, Cruise, thanks for asking," Emilio started laughing at his own joke.

"Good to know. How you been?" Cruise asked me. I swear to God, I felt like a blood leech against his coat.

"Tired."

"Wait did you tell him what Howell asked Matt?" Emilio said.

"What did Howell ask Dillon?" I explained the whole thing.

"Oh my gosh, you can't ask Matt Dillon those questions," he said.

"Why do you think he's untouchable?"

"I don't know. The way he talks, the way he handles you, the way he-" Cruise started.

"How exactly does he handle me?"

"So confident. And he has this tough guy image and all and we all want to look cool with our girlfriends, but he's got 'it'. Like there's two ways to have your girl in public; you're kissing on her every minute and it's like you're having sex in the middle of Pizza Hut or you don't even know she's there, she's there to pass the salt and pepper, understand? He's in the middle. He'll act sly but once you say something to make him react, he reacts."

"Oh. Like when I almost put that cigarette in my mouth and he was trying to be the slyest guy in town and he popped his shit."

"Exactly. He cares a lot about you, Essie, and I'm not saying this just because of what you just went though."

"There's my special girl! Come here!" I felt someone pick me up from behind and felt hot breathe twinkle down my neck.

"Matt!"

"Wait, wait, wait! I gotta- stop squirming!" He put me down in front of his car in the parking lot and opened the passenger door.

"I have a surprise for you," he said.

"What is it?"

"Get in the damn car and maybe I'll show you," he said walking to the drivers door as I got in and

Closed mine.

"Now, look, I know we don't usually celebrate anniversaries and all, but happy anniversary," he said, handing me two beige envelopes.

"I'm scared, is it a parking ticket?" I said.

"No, no, no, just open them."

"Which one first?"

"I don't know, the smaller one," he said. I ripped the smaller one open and pulled out a key.

"That... Is a copy of a key to our new apartment down in New Rochelle, New York!" He said. I screeched and

Gave him a big kiss.

"Oh, you got the sale?!"

"Yep. I even negotiated to about seven hundred a month. Cheap in New York," he said.

"Matt, is it gonna be big like I wished

To be?"

"Yes, it's as big as you want. It's got lots of rooms, a kitchen. It's nearly a house," he said. I rubbed my thumb against the key. I seriously couldn't believe it was really happening. I was gonna actually move in with him. I kissed him again and looked down at the other envelope.

"Open the other one." I tore it open and pulled a copy of a check out.

"Matt...what's this for?"

"Susie talked to me about the finical struggle with your recent incident in the hospital and so I talked with

My family and Emilio talked to his dad and that's a copy of the check we sent in to pay for your hospital bills," he said. I sat in awe, staring at the zeros and the handwriting.

"Matt, I couldn't possibly take this much money," I said.

"Well, it's already paid. It's done with," he said. I sincerely started to cry and smiled.

"Come here," he said, pulling me in for a hug. I laid my cheek on his shoulder for a while as he rubbed my back in circles. I cried and grabbed his shoulders. He pulled back.

"Are you upset?" He said, wiping tears off with his thumbs.

"No... I just can't believe y'all would do this for me," I said.

"It's worth it to see you healthy and happy," he said. I gave him a nice long kiss and hugged him one more before I went to go hug And kiss Emilio.