Rosie's Diary

Gigolo

April 26, 2000 - 4:22 am

I had the strangest conversation with my parents today. My plan was to take Therapist Chick's advice and talk to them about moving away from acting in a positive way. I started with Daddy.

"Hey. Listen, I want to talk to you about my no longer studying to be an actor."

"I've been trying to reach you about this, Rosalee. Now, if you want to come home, it's fine by me," Daddy says.

"From college?"

"If that's what you want."

"Daddy, no, that's not . . . I only changed my focus. I am studying directing and—"

"I want you to do what you want to do," he huffs.

"I am."

"Then why are you giving up on being an actress?"

"I said I'm doing what I want to do," I answer.

"What I heard is you replaced your profession with a hobby. Directing school musicals for 5-year-olds isn't what you're made for."

"What are you talking about? You know those Broadway shows you want to come see me act in? People direct those," I say.

"But you have real talent."

"Oh my—Okay, trust me, it takes real talent to be a director."

"When you come home you should talk to Sister Tom's nephew. He is a talent manager, maybe he can get you some auditions or call around for you," he says like it's the best idea in the world.

"Uh . . . You don't seem to be . . . understanding what I'm saying to you."

"I understand just fine, Rosalee. You're a director halfway through your acting training, that's what you're saying isn't it?"

"I . . . yes . . . I mean everything, it all applies . . . you don't start over from the . . . uh, I'm going to change the subject." I hold back a groan and take a deep breath. "Daddy, how are youdoing?"

"Your mother is driving me up the wall," he says in a low voice. "She and Conny are always on me about something."

"Sorry to hear that."

"Yeah, well, hurry up and get home so it's a fair fight."

"Oh, I . . .um . . . I got a job...at the dorm front desk and if I work... Daddy, they let you stay for free in the dorm if you work over the summer." I shake my head to myself. I totally forgot that I hadn't told them this.

"The summer? You're not comin' home?"

"For your birthday I am, but then I'll come back here."

"You don't live there, Rosalee, you go to school there. This is gonna kill your mother."

"But this is what I want to do, I—"

"You have a boyfriend out there?" he huffs.

"Okay, for the last time, IF AND WHEN I have a boyfriend you all will know about it!"

"No need to raise your voice."

"Well, you guys keep asking me that question. Do you take me at my word or not?"

"Of course I do."

"Then pleeaaase stop asking!" I say.

"All right, your point's been made," Daddy says. "Do you want to tell your mother you aren't coming home?" I can tell he's pacing a hole into the living room floor.

"Do YOU want me to tell her I'm not coming home?"

"What do you think?" he grunts.

I laugh. "Give her the phone."

Mama says, "I already know what you're going to say."

"And?"

"I couldn't be happier. If you don't want to be an actress, fine by me, and you sure don't need to kick around here all summer, bored to death and driving me crazy."

"Wow. You're fine with it and he's upset."

"I told you he can't have everything he wants all the time. You have fun, baby, while you're young. When I was your age I was moving into this house getting ready to have you, but what I really wanted was to go to Europe."

"Say what now?"

"Oh yeah, my good friend Michelle, her father was a . . . what do you call them? A gigolo."

"WHAT!"

Mama chuckles. "Oh yes and apparently a good one. He made sinful money, but money nonetheless. He wasn't married to Michelle's mother anymore, but he kept a close relationship with his daughter and promised her when she turned 18 she would have the money to see the world. Well, she promised to take me with her as much as she could. I had it all planned out—I'd go with her for 3 months, then come home, start college and marry your father as soon as I got my diploma, but the Lord had different plans for me."

"Does Daddy know this?"

"Oh I wouldn't let him forget it. Told him all he had to do was keep his gorgeous eyes out of my face." She laughs at the thought. "But who needs Europe? I have you."

"Mama, why didn't you tell me this before? And why did you get so upset when I was leaving for school this year if you don't mind me staying now?"

"Can't I want you to leave and want you to stay at the same time?"

I smile. "Absolutely . . . you're absolutely right."

"I know I am. Now don't worry about your father. You comin' for his birthday?"

"Yep."

"Then trust me, he'll go on his fishing trip, spend his birthday with you and he'll be satisfied."

"I was gonna stay two weeks."

"Oh even better. Don't tell him, surprise him."

"Okay. Yeah, he'll like that . . . Hey, Mama?"

"Hm?"

"This conversation was mind-blowing. You said the word 'gigolo.'"

"I'm a woman of God, not a saint. Now let me get back to what I was doin'."

"Okay, love you."

"Not as much as I love you. Your hair growin' out?"

"Yeeesss, Mama."

"Good. Can't have you looking like no man."

"Bye, Mama."

"Bye. We'll be prayin' for you."

"Okay, bye."

xo Rosie

P.S. - GIGOLO.

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More to come... (〃‿〃✿)

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Rosie's Diary. Copyright © 2013 Jai//Em

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