Stardust (The Starlight Trilogy #3) (17 page)

Emma collected her belongings. “I’m sorry I have to leave. I just don’t want Neil to worry.”

Beth gathered her purse. “It’s no problem. I’m glad we had this time together.”

After saying good-bye to Mr. Kent and promising she would stop in again soon, Beth left the drugstore with Emma. As they drove to her parents’ house, she smiled at the passing scenery instead of tearing up like she did when she arrived in town. Tomorrow, she would call Olivia to discuss their return to Los Angeles. They had careers to revive and beaux to find, and she hoped they could make the journey together. As much as she loved Clarkson, she had to move on. She would visit more frequently, but it was no longer her home.

When they parked in the driveway, Emma shifted her gaze across the car. “Marie, I wish you all the best in California.”

Beth’s eyebrows rose “How did you know I was leaving?”

A fond smile overtook Emma’s lips. “As soon as I saw you in the checkout line, I was convinced your rightful place was in the movies. There’s no definitive explanation as to why or how I know this. It’s just a given.”

“I’m going to miss you.” Beth hugged her tightly.

Emma returned the embrace with much love and encouragement. “Me, too. Let’s keep in touch this time, all right?”

“Yes, definitely.” Beth took down her address.

Once Emma drove off, Beth ascended the steps to the front porch. This time, she walked right into the house instead of ringing the doorbell and met her parents in the kitchen.

Her mother smiled. “Did you have a nice time with Emma?”

“Yes, very much so.” Beth cleared her throat. “Mama, Papa, I’ve made up my mind. I’m going back to Los Angeles.”

At the appearance of her parents’ frowns, Beth felt a twinge of regret. She shouldn’t have revealed the truth so bluntly after all she had put them though, but skirting around her decision would provide false hope, which wasn’t fair to them, either.

“When?” Her father set down his coffee cup.

Beth maintained eye contact to convey her commitment. “Friday, depending on the available flights out of Portland. If it’s all right, I’d like to spend some more time with the two of you before I depart.”

“Are you sure it’s wise to return so soon?” her mother asked.

Beth nodded. “I can’t avoid the issues I need to sort out in my life. It’s time to face them head on.”

Disapproval toughened her father’s gaze. “What will you do for money if you can’t get your contract reinstated?”

“Oh, I’m not asking for my contract to be renewed.”

His eyes widened. “That’s absurd! How will you act without one?”

Beth shrugged with a lighthearted ease that surprised but also delighted her. “I’m not sure. What I am certain about, however, is that something else awaits me in my acting future. I want to find a way to have more creative control over my career, and the studio system restricts artistic freedom. I have no place at Starlight Studios anymore.”

Her father scowled. “Aidan planted those crazy ideas in your head. I will tell you the same thing I told him—there is no security in that way of living. I suggest you apologize to your boss and beg for your job back, if necessary.”

Beth shook her head. If her father were aware of what had transpired between her and Mr. Mertz, he would change his tune. While she appreciated his advice, she had to figure out everything on her own. “Please trust me, Papa. I suffered a setback, but I’m all right now.”

Her parents traded hesitant glances. In the silence that followed, Beth was convinced they would dispute her position.

In a rather shocking turn of events, her father’s expression softened with acceptance. “If you ever need to return to Clarkson, we will always welcome you. No matter what.”

Beth flung her arms around his neck. “Thank you, Papa.”

He rubbed her back. “It’s wonderful to see you happy again, Marie.”

Beth smiled so widely her cheeks hurt. It had been so long since this had happened. Goodness. She truly was happy, wasn’t she?

The following afternoon, Beth spoke to Olivia over the telephone and they arranged their departures for Friday morning. After Beth hung up, her father offered to drive her to the airport, and the rest of her plans came together nicely. Over the next few days, she helped her mother around the house and spent time with her father in his shoe repair shop and in front of the television, watching his favorite evening programs.

On the eve of her flight, as Beth lay on her bed, her mother entered the room, holding two scrapbooks. Beth sat up and made space for her mother to sit next to her.

“Before you leave tomorrow, I wanted to show you a few things.” Her mother opened the first album. Newspaper and magazine clippings labeled with the names and dates of the publications filled many of the pages. “I’ve saved mementos from your career since the beginning and I want you to have them.”

Tears flooded Beth’s eyes, not out of sorrow, but gratitude. “I don’t know what to say except this means the world to me.”

Beth perused the album. When she came across the
Life
magazine article from Aidan’s race in Santa Barbara, she lingered on the photograph she took with him and her friends. The image had initiated the fiasco with Mr. Mertz but also proved that life could be perfect.

Her mother flipped through the blank pages at the end of the album. “These are for when you reestablish your career.”

Beth threw her arms around her mother. “I’m going to do it. I’m going to act again.”

“I know you will, sweetie.” Her mother held her tighter. “I never had any doubt that this town wasn’t for you and you were destined for bigger things. It was confirmed when I saw your films. You’ve found your calling, and as I said earlier in the week, I’m so proud of you.”

Beth pulled back to stare at her, to memorize her face again. Her fair complexion, smooth skin, and large brown eyes radiated youth preserved by a life full of purpose, passion, and unconditional love from her husband and daughter.

Remorse squeezed Beth’s heart. Even though it had only been a few months since they had last seen each other, there were details she had forgotten, like the sprinkles of gold in her mother’s brown eyes, the softness of her hair. Beth couldn’t bear to lose them forever. The same fear occupied Aidan—only he would never have the opportunity to see his mother again, to reclaim the memories that had drifted away over the years.

It was important not to stay away from Clarkson for too long. Visiting her parents would allow her to ensure she always held on to Marie Bates, regardless of what happened in her career. It was just as important as reclaiming her identity as Elizabeth Sutton.

Beth wiped the tears from her eyes. “What’s in the other album?”

Her mother set the second scrapbook on her lap. “Pictures to remind you of where you came from if you’re ever feeling lost again.”

On the first page was a photograph of Beth in her infancy, dressed in her baptismal gown. Photographs followed of her with her parents and friends. One photograph in particular, of her and Emma standing in the schoolyard and grinning for the camera, produced a giggle from her lips. From then on, she couldn’t stop beaming as they looked at the rest of the album and reminisced about her childhood.

“Thank you so much, Mama.”

Her mother stood from the bed. “I’ll leave you so you can look at the rest in private.”

“Before you go, I need to give you something.” Beth reached for her checkbook on her nightstand and filled out the top check.

Her mother took the check and read it. “For Emma Russell?”

“Yes. Can you please give it to her after I leave? She’s much too humble to accept it from me personally.”

Her mother nodded. “What should I say?”

“Tell her…” Beth smiled at a photograph of them on Halloween dressed as a pair of dice. “It’s for a second honeymoon for her and Neil.”

Her mother kissed her forehead. “Will do. Good night, Marie.”

Beth pored over the albums again, revisiting the memories accompanying every page. She ended up lying on her bed with the first album opened to the Santa Barbara article and clutched to her chest. She stayed that way long after the sun set and the moon appeared, blanketing her bedroom in a silver glow. There were many blank pages left, and she was determined to fill all of them, starting with the photograph of her and Aidan in New York City, which she had left behind in L.A.

Mrs. Foster was right about her compromising on her dignity, but it had nothing to do with her character’s kiss in
Sparkling Meadow
. Luckily, she still had a chance at redemption. But it would not come from Reverend Redmond. It would come from hard work and Aidan’s love as well as the support of their friends.

Beth would make Aidan accept that they belonged together, even if she had to beg him until she lost her voice. This was not the act of a weak and desperate young woman. Taking a proactive stance exhibited strength and courage. She would not allow Mr. Mertz’s evil to destroy their relationship—something so pure, so real, amongst his immoral, illusory world.

The shrill cry of the telephone blasted throughout the house. Her father grumbled about it being too late for calls as he left his bedroom and walked downstairs. Beth placed the album aside and followed him into the living room. He tightened the belt on his flannel robe and lifted the receiver.

“Hello.” His eyebrows knitted together. “No, I—” He sighed. “Well, all right. I’ll accept the long distance charges.”

Beth rushed to her father’s side.

“Yes, this is John Bates. Who’s this?” He directed his puzzled gaze at Beth. “One moment.”

Beth grabbed the receiver from her father, forgoing the ladylike manners she was taught as a child. “Aidan? Aidan, is that you?”

“Beth, it’s Nathan calling from Los Angeles.”

A stitch of disappointment surfaced in her chest. At the same time, she was glad he’d called. “Nathan, it’s lovely to hear from you. Have you spoken to Olivia in Portland?”

“She’s in Portland?” The sudden hopefulness in his tone didn’t last. “No, we haven’t spoken.”

“I’ll give you her parents’ telephone number—”

“Beth—”

“Don’t worry. Once you two talk, everything will be all right.”

Nathan cleared his throat. “Beth, are you sitting down?”

The color drained from her face. “No, why?”

“Perhaps you should—”

“Nathan, what is it? Tell me.” She gripped the receiver tighter.

“Beth…it’s Aidan.” Nathan’s voice shook. “There’s been an accident. He’s…he’s…”

“No. Please, no!” Beth’s knees buckled and she dropped the receiver. Her father caught her before she fell to the floor.

“What’s going on?” Her mother rushed downstairs. “Marie! John! What’s wrong?”

It was as if Beth was watching a movie and the projector went haywire. Her surroundings spun, blurred. No longer did she stand on an even plane–like the universe had shifted and split wide open, determined to suck her into a black hole of grief and despair.

Wails, fraught and high pitched, like dialogue on fast-forward, burrowed into her brain. It was the most awful sound.

“Marie!” Mrs. Bates peered at her husband with wild, wet eyes. “John, help her!”

“Marie, stop it!” Her father shook her madly. “Get a hold of yourself this instant and tell us what’s the matter!”

Tears poured down Beth’s face. Her throat burned and her stomach roiled, threatening to expel its contents. Oh, God. The wailing…it was coming from her.

“I’m getting to the bottom of this right now.” Her father handed her over to her mother and picked up the dangling receiver. By the time he finished questioning Nathan and hung up, his complexion was ashen, his gaze detained by devastation.

Locked in her mother’s embrace, Beth cried until she was unable to catch her breath. No, it couldn’t be. Her father could fix anything. She’d turned to him in her youth whenever she needed help, and he’d never let her down. He could fix this, too. He had to.

“Papa, please!” She stumbled over to him and latched on to his housecoat. “I love Aidan, Papa. Please do something. I love him!”

Her father yanked her close. As his arms came around her, a sob rattled his sturdy form. “There’s nothing that can be done, Marie. I’m sorry. I’m so very sorry.”

Had the
Golden Gloves
company made it to Chicago to complete the film, Beth would have loved it here. The Neo-Gothic and High Renaissance churches, quaint residential streets, and Art Deco skyscrapers were an eclectic mix of enchantment and mystery. The sophistication of the metropolis’s neighborhoods resonated from every city block, and the harbor provided awe-inspiring views of the sun’s rays skipping across Lake Michigan. Unfortunately, the circumstances under which she and Olivia made their trip cast a shadow over everything.

As their taxicab drove through downtown, Beth’s heart squeezed. The overnight airplane ride from Portland was spent much the same way as her voyage now—grieving to the point of numbness and exhaustion, transforming her from the woman with newfound positivity she all-too-briefly became before receiving Nathan’s telephone call two nights ago.

After Nathan called back to provide her with her travel information, she contacted Olivia. Thankfully, her friend insisted on accompanying her. They secured transportation from the airport to the hospital without stopping by the hotel to check in and drop off their luggage. Beth didn’t want to waste any more time away from her ailing beau.

Men and women wearing chic urban attire strolled along crowded streets, past fashionable storefronts, creating a bustle of action reminiscent of New York City. Beth longed to amble through Central Park with Aidan like they did on their first date, with the suburban feel of L.A., its steady climate, and unauthentic charisma nothing but a distant memory. Sadly, those days were far behind her now. The horrors awaiting her at the hospital were her reality.

When the taxi pulled up in front of Chicago Memorial Hospital, Beth was unprepared for the group of reporters huddled near the entrance, minded by security. How did they find out Aidan was here? Nathan never would’ve alerted the press.