Reunion Beach by Elin Hilderbrand (english novels for students .TXT) 📕

details of the filming, and the tension over the baby is gone. At one point during Bram’s narrative Jocasta interrupts with a joyful clap of her hands. “Oh, Bram—you didn’t tell me that Steve will be directing! Nothing could please me more. I always loved watching him at work. Such a dedicated professional.”

Bram agrees. “Yeah, I insisted on Steve. You remember his partner Rick?”

“Of course I do.” Jocasta smiles up at him, eyes shining. “Who could forget Rick, the best-looking man I’ve ever seen.”

“Oh, thanks a lot, Mom,” Michael jokes, and Jocasta throws her head back to laugh.

“Except for you and your father, of course.” She turns her adoring gaze to Bram, and Nellie Bee again nudges me with her foot. “I hope Rick’s coming, too?” Jocasta says.

“I forgot to ask,” Bram admits, and Jocasta lays a hand on his arm with a groan.

“Some things never change,” she purrs. “Remember the time you forgot Michael and left him at the studio?”

“No way, Dad!” Michael cries, laughing. “Did you hear that, Missy? Bet your parents never forgot you.”

“Of course not,” Missy giggles. Evidently she’s forgiven her father-in-law for embarrassing her, and she joins in their reminiscences. Nellie Bee leans toward me to whisper, “If they keep this up much longer, I’ll puke.” Oblivious, the four of them—Bram, Jocasta, Michael, and Missy—laugh and talk together, seeming to forget everything else: not just the other picnickers but also the sea, the sand, and the sun hanging high overhead. Finally Nellie Bee can take no more, and she stands abruptly to say, “I hate to break up this happy family reunion, but I’ve got to go.”

Bram flushes as he stumbles to his feet to bid his sister good-bye. He glances at me apologetically, and I give back a look of reassurance. I expected some reminiscing and had braced myself for it. But I hope my look also conveys another message: I’ll tolerate a little, but don’t push your luck, buster.

* * *

The big day of filming is on us, and I find myself surprisingly nervous. I’m anxious about being on TV, too, after assuring Bram I wouldn’t be. But that was before the lights and cameras were set up in our house, and before the production crew arrived. What had been an upcoming event is suddenly real in a way it hasn’t been before. As we dress for breakfast, I sink down on the bed, clad in my bra and panties, and tell Bram I don’t think I can do this.

Frowning, he comes out of the bathroom smelling of aftershave and looking spiffier than usual, his wet hair slicked back. He sits beside me on the bed and takes my hand. “Sweetheart, listen to me, I’m an old hand at this, and I can help you.”

I look up at him expectantly and he says, “It’s only natural to be scared your first time on camera. But this surefire tip works like a charm.” Leaning close, he whispers, “Put some clothes on.”

I punch his arm, smiling, and realize that his joking around is just what I need to get through this. It’s been lacking these past few days. Instead we’ve all been on edge. Tempers have flared and harsh words spoken. I adored the producer Steve on sight, but he’s a tough taskmaster. Although he’s walked us through everything several times, the show will be filmed live, he tells us. An audience doesn’t respond as well to a staged performance. Although Steve makes sure we know what’s going to happen when, he refuses to allow any rehearsing of the scenes, saying it kills the spontaneity. Hearing this yesterday, I’d gone to Bram in a panic. Although I knew his shows were filmed live, it hadn’t occurred to me this one would be. I’d assumed we’d be put in place and told what to say. If we messed up, they’d film it over until we got it right. Bram laughed at my naivety.

What we’ve done the past two days has been more tedious than nerve-racking. The crew had to determine what time of day the light’s right for the beach walk. The biggest scene, which would be filmed in the house, isn’t as crucial, lighting-wise. As if we were mannikins, they put us in place then peered through the cameras at us. After this went on for hours, I realized why Jocasta had brought Nanny, and felt guilty (though only a tad) for assuming it’d been to show off. After much conferring, Steve decided to include Adeline on the beach walk but not the dinner. Too risky that she’d be sleepy and cranky. I’d breathed a sigh of relief. Tension was again running high between Bram and Missy, with Michael torn between them. Another fight could be a disaster.

To avoid so much running back and forth, a shifting of quarters took place that I didn’t know about until afterward. Nanny moved into the bunkbed room next to Michael and Missy. No problem there; what takes me by surprise is finding Jocasta in the guest room across from Bram’s office. After taking his advice and putting my clothes on, I’m heading to breakfast when I hear a noise in the guest room. Curious, I stick my head in. To my surprise, Jocasta sits at the vanity applying makeup. I see her suitcase open and clothes strewn across the bed. Turning her head, she eyes me smugly. “Bram thought it’d be easier for me to be here,” she purrs. “Surely he told you.” I mutter something inane and scurry out.

Midday, cast and crew gather in the dining room before the filming of the beach walk. Bram has laid out sandwiches and various finger food, but everyone’s too geared up to eat much. Thankfully there’s a kitchen crew, who’ll clean up and prep for the evening meal. Between bites of a fish sandwich, Steve gathers us together and goes through everything once again. Late afternoon, we’ll all head to the beach for the sunset walk, where Nellie Bee and Charlie will