Mama Sees Stars

I remembered how Jesse had quizzed me about feelings, and said she used them in her acting. I could understand the terror on her face when she saw her “sister’’ crumpled and broken, and the grief when she realized she was dead.

What I didn’t understand was the dark place Jesse went to pull up that chilling flash of rage.

A crowd milled about base camp. I hurried over to find out what was going on, peering over the head of a vertically challenged woman from the wardrobe department.

Joh

Getting shot must have agreed with him. Or maybe it was surviving getting shot.

Greg Tilton stood beside the bench seat of a folding table on the fringes of the crowd, watching Joh

Paul Watkins stepped from the crowd to approach his first assistant director. Smiling warmly, he clasped Joh

Joh

“No cost is too great, buddy.’’ Paul put a tentative hand on the younger man’s back. “We’re just glad you’re okay. Right, everybody?’’

The crowd murmured in assent.

“You going to be up to working again, bud? I have plans for you to shoot some more action scenes. I was absolutely right about your talent in that area. I’ve been doing this long enough to know a budding genius when I see one.’’

Paul’s assessment seemed a bit excessive to me, but Joh

Paul, the affectionate smile still plastered on his face, seemed like he was going to continue on with the appreciation fest. But Barbara sidled up through the crowd to whisper something in his ear. His face immediately turned serious. She crooked her arm through his and whisked him away.

“Gotta go,’’ he called over his shoulder. “It’s always something, isn’t it? Good to have you back, buddy!’’

I had to wonder where Paul’s solicitous attitude was coming from. It wasn’t as if he’d shown a lot of concern for Joh

I worked my way to the i

“I was lucky.’’

“You sure were,’’ I agreed. “Listen, I’ve been wondering about something.’’

He raised his eyebrows, offered an inquisitive head bob.

“Where was the director that morning you shot the horse scene? I thought he was supposed to be in charge?’’

The arrogant mask fell back over his face. “The i

Someone in the crowd snorted a laugh. I was actually amused, too. He was such a ridiculous snob, it was fu

“My daughter is no dummy, Mister. Mace was valedictorian of her college class at University of Central Florida.’’

He leveled a cool look at my defender. “Isn’t that the school that has a special program to study Disney World? Never been there. I did graduate work at the American Film Institute. Maybe you’ve heard of it?’’

He sneered, waiting for Mama to answer. She held her tongue, surprisingly.

“Before that, I was at Princeton,’’ he added.

Mama crooked her wrist, fancy style: “Well, la-di-da-da. You know, I dated a boy from Princeton once. He had an impressive diploma, but no common sense. Couldn’t find his own butt with his hands in his back pockets.’’

A chuckle made its way around the crowd.

“Princeton doesn’t mean you’re any smarter than my middle girl, Mace.’’

As Joh

Toby, head down, looked like he’d rather be anywhere but at the center of that crowd. A loud whisper came from the rear: “Better duck. It’s Toby Take Aim.’’

“He’s got some nerve,’’ said someone else, not even bothering to whisper.

Some shushes circled around the crowd, but then another voice chimed in. “Yeah, Toby could have killed him.’’

Tilton held up his hands, cleared his throat. The crowd stilled.

“Listen up!’’ He sounded competent, take-charge. Just like in the movie where he was an anti-terrorism task force leader. “Toby has something he wants to say.’’

He nudged the young star forward. When Toby’s voice came out, it was barely audible. I was right next to him, and I couldn’t make out a word. Tilton poked him hard in the back.

“Speak up. Be a man.’’

“I’m sorry I shot you.’’ His voice grew louder, and he raised his eyes to meet Joh

Joh

I didn’t like Joh

“You can feel the bandages, right there. That’s where the bullet entered and exited.’’

Toby, face reddening, tried to pull his hand away. Joh

“All our actions have consequences.’’ Joh

Toby’s head snapped up. Glaring, he snatched his hand away. Did I remember reading something in People that Toby got his start modeling underwear?

“Not cool, dude!’’ the young star said.

“I’m not making fun of you, Toby. You stepped up and admitted what you did. I just wish you’d be as forthcoming about everything in your life.’’

Toby’s face was scarlet—whether from anger or embarrassment, I couldn’t tell. He turned and stomped into the woods. Joh

“Cue the ominous music,’’ some wisecracker said, and several people laughed.

I glanced toward Tilton, who had returned to the picnic table. He was unwrapping half of his sandwich, but his eyes were fixed on the retreating figures of Toby and Joh