Lights, Cameras, Outsiders!

Chapter 47

LCO 47

"Still a hundred and three," I said, shaking the thermometer and going to rinse it off in the bathroom.

"What does that mean?" Tommy said.

"Well, it's not a cold. So it's either Strep or flu. Lift you neck up a little," I said, going to sit back down next to the bed and felt around his throat.

"It's not Strep, so it must be the flu," I said, putting my hand on his forehead.

"Yeah, you're burning up."

"I can't be sick. I got a movie to shoot."

"I swear, Tommy, if you say it again."

"How would I get the flu?"

"You were being dunked in the cold into more cold water and struggling to breathe. Pretty logical that you're sick," I said.

"Why isn't Ralph sick?"

"Because Ralph wasn't being dunked in cold water. Get some sleep, Tommy."

"I'm not really all that tired."

"You need some rest. Just go to sleep, and I'll bring some soup and some medicine soon, okay?"

"Okay." I got up, walked out and shut the door behind me.

"How's the kid?" Ralph asked.

"Flu. He'll be over it in a couple days," I said.

"He won't be able to be on set," Ralph Said.

"No he won't."

"Hey, Cruise called. He said he was flying in from LA early this morning and wanted me to tell you to go pick him up now."

"He's at the airport?"

"He said his plane would get in right about now."

"Well come with me," I said.

"Fine. We'll take my car."

*****

"How was New York?" Ralph asked, lighting a cigarette and sitting back on the airport chairs.

"Great," I said.

"Did you meet Matt's parents?"

"Yes," I said stone face and leaned back.

"And how'd that go?"

"Horrible. Worst night of my life. His dad thought I was lying about my cardiac arrest and I got anxious and it was just a mess."

"How was his mom?"

"Fine. She liked me. Look, there he is," I said, pointing to the boy clad in a orange polo shirt and white pants and sunglasses. I got up and speed walked over to him and he picked me up into a gigantic hug.

"See I would run to you but my heart's not doing too well right now," I said.

"It's alright. Hey, man," Cruise hugged Ralph.

"How was your audition?" I said as he put one arm around me and one on his luggage.

"Fine. Fine. They like me. In fact they like me so much they want me to come back this weekend," he said with a smile.

"That's great!"

"Yeah, man, congrats."

"And you should come with me," Cruise said to me.

"Why?" I asked.

"Because I just want you to come out there with me. I told the writer about some of the scripts you've written and she'd like to talk to you," he said.

"NO! Are you serious?"

"Yes."

"Oh my gosh, Tom, thank you so much," I hugged him and kissed his cheek. We started towards the baggage claim.

"Do you think you could make it this weekend?"

"I think. If Tommy recovers by then."

"What's the matter with Tommy?"

"Flu," Ralph said.

"Well that sucks. If he does recover by Friday, will you come with me?"

"Yes."

"What about Matt?" Ralph said. I groaned.

"He's not gonna like that!" I exclaimed.

"Well just go. It's not like he doesn't know Tom and he can call you," Ralph said.

"But he's very protective."

"So what? Just go. If he had this opportunity would you let him?"

"Of course."

"Then go," Ralph said.

"I'll talk to Matt and see what I can do, but it's most likely yes with Matt saying he wants a phone call everyday."

"That's fine," Cruise said, "now my bag's the blue one with the seahorse logo."

****

"No!" Matt said.

"Oh come on, Matt! I never get this opportunity!"

"Yes you do. I don't like you and Cruise going to Los Angeles for three days alone in a hotel room."

"You trust Cruise!"

"Not after he asked you to go to LA with him!" Matt threw the pillow on the hotel bed.

"Come on, Matt. If anything happens, I'll tell you."

"Oh yeah like you told me you were pregnant?"

"Don't you start with that!" I snapped. He rolled into bed and yanked the covers up.

"Essie, I'm not comfortable with it, end of story," he said, turning over. I got into bed too and stared at his back.

"Don't go to bed angry."

"I'm not angry!"

"Come on, Matt, reason with me," I said. He was silent and didn't turn over. He reached up and yanked the lamp light off.

"What if I went anyway?"

"Then we'd need to take a break for a while." I moved closer and slid my arm under his and over his bare torso.

"I won't go, but will you tell me why?"

"Essie if I lost you to him..."

"You're not gonna lose me."

"I'll think about it," he said. I kissed his cheek and rolled back over.

"Just please don't leave me," he whispered.