Page 51 of Nora Goes Off Script
I raise my glass. “Hear, hear.”
We sit and look at the tree. My mom has texted Penny twice to remind her to bring snow pants and boots for the boys so that they can play outside after lunch. She thinks we don’t notice, but it is her mission to loosen them up every time she sees them, to wrinkle their starched shirts at a minimum. My mom believes that it’s a kid’s job to get as dirty as possible for bath time every day. I am overwhelmed by how much I love my parents.
I may be tipsy because instead of responding to that, I pull out my phone. “Can I show you guys something?”
I squeeze between them on the couch so we can all look at my phone. “Leo texted me last month.” I pull up the conversation and wish they didn’t have to see theI love you. I miss youfrom May. Not to mention mylove you tooand the danglingHey.
My mom catches her breath. “You loved him? He loved you?”
“I guess,” I say and proceed to read them the conversation. I explain thatSunriseis loosely based on our relationship. They ask me to read the conversation again.
I return to my chair because I’m feeling too constrained between the two of them. They’re looking too closely at my life and I’m sure they can read my mind. My dad has his hands folded on his belly, and he’s staring out the window at the tea house. “You’re missing something.”
“Yes,” my mom agrees.
“The ability to hang on to a man?” I ask.
“I don’t know what it is, and I wouldn’t make yourself crazy trying to figure it out,” he says. Which, too late. “But there’s a missing link out there. I wish he had the balls to tell you what it is.”
We are quiet. My mom asks, “He’s not going to star in the movie, is he?”
“No, he turned it down. They cast Peter Harper.”
My mom claps her hands. “Peter Harper! Darling, you must have an affair with him too!”
“Marilyn, honestly,” my dadsays.
CHAPTER 20
It’s January and my phone rings while I’m watching the sunrise. I’m wearing a coat and a wool hat and two sweaters over my pajamas. The January sunrise is lower than the others, a quieter drama but a drama nonetheless.
“Holy shit,” says Jackie. “Are you sitting down?”
“Why do people ask that?”
“The Tea Househas been nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Original Screenplay.”
I’m silent.
“That’s you. You’ve been nominated for an Academy Award.”
“What about Leo?”
“He’s nominated for Best Actor. Naomi was snubbed. Martin is nominated, as well as Best Original Score, which, to be honest I don’t even remember.”
“Wow.”
“Yeah, this is really huge for us, Nora. Huge. You’d better start writing.”
“Can I call you back?” I ask, already hanging up. The sun’s coming up and I want to focus on it. Same sunrise, slightly different because I’ve been nominated for an Oscar.
My hands are texting Leo.Congratulations.
You too, I get back immediately.Sun up yet?
Halfway.
Send me a photo?So I do.
