Chapter 1
“I can’t go tonight,” Tanya said over the phone, her voice hard to hear, while her dog Brutus whined in the background and Miss Priss meowed. “There’s no way I’ll make the movie premiere. I hate to let you down, but it’s crazy here.”
“Oh, no,” Christie said, her stomach dropping to her toes. “What’s going on?”
Tanya is bailing?Dismayed, Christie glanced at her watch.They were supposed to meet in front of the theater in twenty minutes.
The movie premiere passes Christie had won last week from the radio station were only good for tonight’s premiere.
It’s too late to call someone else.Christie looked down at her dress.And I’m dressed forties style.The whole idea was she and Tanya were going to have a “girls’ night out” dressed in 1940s attire. A movie and then drinks afterward. They both enjoyed dressing in vintage fashions, and they’d bought new dresses to show off.
Tanya interrupted Christie’s thoughts. “Cole Kennick has to be the hottest man in Hollywood, and you know how much I wanted to go to the premiere with you. But Miss Priss just yakked all over my bedspread right after I finished cleaning up after Brutus. They’re both pretty sick. I’m thinking I need to call the vet.”
“I’m sorry. Are they gonna be all right?” Christie’s concern for the animals pushed aside her disappointment at her best friend bailing on her. “Do you want me to come over?”
“No, I can handle this. You go on to the movie. I don’t want to be the reason you miss the premiere.”
“What do you think it is? Did they both get into something? Maybe eat something bad?”
“They’ve eaten something I didn’t give them, that I do know. What it is, I can’t tell.”
“Oh my god.” Christie didn’t say her next thought.Poison.The nasty neighbor might’ve poisoned them. She was always complaining about Brutus and his barking. Brutus was a German Shepard and very protective of Tanya. Tanya’s crazy neighbor jumped at any excuse to call the police. On the other hand, Miss Priss was a beautiful white Persian cat who never bothered anyone, although she did shed white hair everywhere. “You’d better take a sample of the puke to the vet in case he needs to test what they got into.”
“Already thought of that. Go and enjoy the movie,” Tanya said, her tone reassuring. “Don’t worry. I don’t want to ruin your evening.”
“You’re not going to ruin it, but I will miss you.”
“Well, you’d better hurry or you’ll be late, and I don’t think they let you in late to premieres.”
Christie sighed. “All right, but I’m calling you just as soon as the movie is over.”
“Thanks, Christie. And again, I’m so sorry about this.”
“It’s okay, you just take care of those sweet fur babies.”
“Thanks for understanding.”
“Hey, that’s what best friends do.”
“Thanks bestie. Chat soon. Don’t let me make you late!”
“I won’t. Bye.”
“Bye.”
Worrying about Tanya’s fur babies, Christie grabbed the movie passes and hurried out the door to her car.
Fortunately, she made every streetlight by driving two miles under the speed limit and arrived just in time.
The line inside Riverton Cinema One was so long it filled the lobby. Christie stood at the end of line waiting to get in.
At least I only need one seat.
Two ticket takers stood at the entrance. One, a woman who held a basket and was collecting cell phones. She was explaining they’d get their phones back when they came out of the movie and that she’d be with the phones at all times. Taking the phones was to prevent anyone from sneaking to take a video of the movie. The woman reminded everyone that pirating was against federal law.
As Christie handed the man her pass and placed her phone into the basket the woman held. As she moved away, her gaze lingered on her phone reluctantly.I hope Tanya won’t need to reach me soon and that the vet tells Tanya her fur babies will be okay. She’s got to do something about that neighbor. That woman has gone too far. Poor Miss Priss and Brutus.
Inside, the theater was semi-dark and nearly full. Christie stood at the bottom of the theater’s stadium seating, letting her eyes adjust to the darkness and looking for one good seat.
