reminiscing about the goofy plans we always had, and where we'd move to in the city if we had kids. Noah knows practically every neighborhood in the Bay Area. I catch myself laughing.
I'd forgotten how funny Noah is. His wit and humor always made up for his other not-so-desirable traits, such as his obstinacy and impatience.
It's getting late now. The waiter comes back and sets the bill down on the table.
"Feels like old times, huh?" I smile, looking into his eyes just above the flickering flame of the candle.
"Yeah." Noah shifts a little bit in his seat. He's become increasingly tense as the evening has worn on, like there is something on his mind. I’d be lying if I didn’t admit to being slightly suspicious of him having another relationship while in LA. I mean, why else wouldn’t he call or text or write? It’s not like him to be so distant. Oh well, here goes nothing—the moment we’ve all been waiting for—let’s get this over with.
"Honey, what's wrong?"
"Katie, I have to come clean about something."
“Yeah?” I knew it!
"It's about my break. Did you see my last indie movie? Delicate Cornelia ?"
Not what I was expecting. "Uh, no." I feel guilty. He never let me see the rough cuts, and it came out when I was too busy with my father and work and our separation. “I, I just didn’t have time.”
"Well, anyway, that was my big break. It's the reason I was given a chance to direct the second installment of the Roses on the Vine . But that's not the whole story. If we watch Cornelia tonight, I can explain what happened."
"Okay."
I feel bad. Here I am thinking about all these negative things he might be doing, when in reality he really probably was just working his tail off. Regardless, whatever he's worried about concerning his movie, I'm sure it's not as bad as he thinks; Noah always was a little too sensitive.
We sit quietly and sip on our wine for a few moments.
Finally it's Noah who breaks the silence. "I want to still make time for the two of us. I don't know if I can, with my career and everything that’s going on, but I want to try to make it work."
"Oh Noah, so do I! You have no idea how I’ve longed to hear those words." I've been nostalgic about our relationship this whole evening. The entire night went well, I had a great time, the way we used to be. I feel positive for the future once more.
"I swear to God, I want to make it work. But I can't commit unless I know I can be there one hundred percent for you. I want to give you the time you deserve."
"Aww, that's so sweet."
"Katie, what I'm asking for is more time." Noah is intent, looking straight at me. "I just need more time to figure this out and get my feet underneath me. Please tell me I haven't lost you."
"No, baby, no you haven't lost me. Take your time. I know you’re working hard."
When we get back to my place we immediately cuddle up in bed and watch Delicate Cornelia on his laptop. By the time it's all over, I'm wiping away tears.
"That was beautiful, Noah. I can't believe you directed that."
"Well,” he gulps. “That’s what I was trying to say back at the restaurant—I didn’t. It was a French exchange student, Pierre Baguette. He died in a car wreck three days after production ended."
"Oh my God," I cried. “That’s terrible.”
"The movie's dedicated to him."
"Oh Jesus. I’m stunned. I don’t what to say. I love the scene where he teaches her to skateboard. It was just so beautiful, so moving the way it was shot."
"That wasn't me either. That was our cinematographer, Boog."
"Oh. Then why did they give you a job, out of everyone?"
Noah's quiet. I realize this is why he was so bothered over dinner. "Because I lied. Not just me, but two others from our crew. Long story short, Hollywood loved it and came calling, and we took credit for everything."
"Noah...that’s…that’s not right,” I sigh heavily, staring at him. He looks sincerely pained.
"Dammit, this is how the world works. It was an
I'd forgotten how funny Noah is. His wit and humor always made up for his other not-so-desirable traits, such as his obstinacy and impatience.
It's getting late now. The waiter comes back and sets the bill down on the table.
"Feels like old times, huh?" I smile, looking into his eyes just above the flickering flame of the candle.
"Yeah." Noah shifts a little bit in his seat. He's become increasingly tense as the evening has worn on, like there is something on his mind. I’d be lying if I didn’t admit to being slightly suspicious of him having another relationship while in LA. I mean, why else wouldn’t he call or text or write? It’s not like him to be so distant. Oh well, here goes nothing—the moment we’ve all been waiting for—let’s get this over with.
"Honey, what's wrong?"
"Katie, I have to come clean about something."
“Yeah?” I knew it!
"It's about my break. Did you see my last indie movie? Delicate Cornelia ?"
Not what I was expecting. "Uh, no." I feel guilty. He never let me see the rough cuts, and it came out when I was too busy with my father and work and our separation. “I, I just didn’t have time.”
"Well, anyway, that was my big break. It's the reason I was given a chance to direct the second installment of the Roses on the Vine . But that's not the whole story. If we watch Cornelia tonight, I can explain what happened."
"Okay."
I feel bad. Here I am thinking about all these negative things he might be doing, when in reality he really probably was just working his tail off. Regardless, whatever he's worried about concerning his movie, I'm sure it's not as bad as he thinks; Noah always was a little too sensitive.
We sit quietly and sip on our wine for a few moments.
Finally it's Noah who breaks the silence. "I want to still make time for the two of us. I don't know if I can, with my career and everything that’s going on, but I want to try to make it work."
"Oh Noah, so do I! You have no idea how I’ve longed to hear those words." I've been nostalgic about our relationship this whole evening. The entire night went well, I had a great time, the way we used to be. I feel positive for the future once more.
"I swear to God, I want to make it work. But I can't commit unless I know I can be there one hundred percent for you. I want to give you the time you deserve."
"Aww, that's so sweet."
"Katie, what I'm asking for is more time." Noah is intent, looking straight at me. "I just need more time to figure this out and get my feet underneath me. Please tell me I haven't lost you."
"No, baby, no you haven't lost me. Take your time. I know you’re working hard."
When we get back to my place we immediately cuddle up in bed and watch Delicate Cornelia on his laptop. By the time it's all over, I'm wiping away tears.
"That was beautiful, Noah. I can't believe you directed that."
"Well,” he gulps. “That’s what I was trying to say back at the restaurant—I didn’t. It was a French exchange student, Pierre Baguette. He died in a car wreck three days after production ended."
"Oh my God," I cried. “That’s terrible.”
"The movie's dedicated to him."
"Oh Jesus. I’m stunned. I don’t what to say. I love the scene where he teaches her to skateboard. It was just so beautiful, so moving the way it was shot."
"That wasn't me either. That was our cinematographer, Boog."
"Oh. Then why did they give you a job, out of everyone?"
Noah's quiet. I realize this is why he was so bothered over dinner. "Because I lied. Not just me, but two others from our crew. Long story short, Hollywood loved it and came calling, and we took credit for everything."
"Noah...that’s…that’s not right,” I sigh heavily, staring at him. He looks sincerely pained.
"Dammit, this is how the world works. It was an
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