Mama Sees Stars

“It’s not that old-fashioned.’’

Sava

Sava

I saw on Mama’s face that she was weighing whether to argue that point. But since it would involve her having to state her own age, I knew she’d decide against it.

“Whatever you say, Sugar.’’

That “sugar’’ didn’t fool me. The temperature in the air between Mama and the normally sweet Sava

Jesse smirked as she shredded more bread. The birds were returning, cautiously. “Wise decision not to challenge her, Rosalee. Sava

“Yes, I do. Especially when my way is the right way.’’

“Oh, I forgot: Sava

“About some things I am. Yes.’’

“About some things, oh yes!’’ Jesse cupped her hands under her chin and put on a mocking drawl.

Mama’s head swung back and forth between Sava

Sava

“Don’t, Jesse … Please.’’ Sava

“Don’t beg, Sava

Getting up, Jesse folded the hat brim to shield her face from view. “I’m going inside. I need to rest, and I don’t want to be bothered.’’ The three of us watched as she flounced up the steps to her trailer.

“Thanks for the autograph,’’ Mama called after her. “Does that mean our rehearsal is over?’’

The door slammed shut behind Jesse. The birds took flight.

“Guess so,’’ I said to Mama.

“Well, that was rude,’’ she said.

“What did you expect?’’ Sava

Mama looked like she’d been slapped by one of her fellow teachers at Sunday School. Then she got peeved.

“For your information, Jesse offered to help me with my lines. And I don’t recall her getting all ticked off until you arrived on the scene.’’

Sava

“My goodness, who licked the red off of Sava

I shrugged, keeping my eyes on Jesse’s trailer. “There’s no figuring out these Hollywood people, Mama. They’re like aliens from another planet. I’m not even sure they breathe oxygen.’’

Now, I was sure I detected the blinds move. A moment later, the door inched open. Jesse’s smooth cheek and upturned nose appeared around the edge.

“Is she gone?’’

Mama and I nodded.

“Thank God!’’ She came back out, clutching the sun hat to her breast, her red hair pulled back in a casual ponytail. She looked like the teen-aged girl she’d so recently been.

“What was that all about?’’ I asked.

“You don’t have to say, if it’s private,’’ Mama added. “We’re not gossips.’’

Well, I thought, at least one of us isn’t a gossip.

Jesse sighed. “I stopped caring about gossip a long time ago, Rosalee.’’

I didn’t believe that for an instant. Jesse, and the rest of this Hollywood pack, seemed to thrive on drama. And gossip was a big part of that. Still, I wanted to know what had just happened.

“Well, then?’’ Mama prodded.

“Sava

“With her husband?’’ Mama’s brows V-ed into a frown.

“Not even close.’’ Jesse winked at me.

Things were becoming clear, but Mama wasn’t seeing.

“How long?’’ I asked.

“Not long,’’ Jesse said. “We hooked up right before I got the part.’’

“Don’t tell me: Sava

Another wink.

“Would one of you please tell me what’s going on?’’ Mama asked.

“Sava

I saw the satisfaction on Jesse’s face, as she watched Mama pick up her jaw from the ground. If shock was what she’d wanted, that was what she got.

“Buh … buh … but you’re both women,’’ Mama sputtered. “And Sava

Jesse waved the sun hat. “Your daughter and I already had this conversation about sexuality in Hollywood. It’s fluid, right Mace?’’

“What’s that supposed to mean?’’ Mama asked.

I wasn’t about to go there. Mama would start reciting Bible verses right and left.

“Hollywood is a different world, that’s for sure,’’ I said. “My attitude is you can live your life however you want, as long as no one gets hurt. Fact is, Sava

Jesse shrugged. “Don’t be so sure about that. The reason I backed off wasn’t because Sava

With that, Jesse looked toward the sky. Clouds were rolling in, but there was still sunshine enough to give Jesse a bad burn. She stuck the hat back on her head, and settled herself again in her camp chair.

“Now,’’ she pointed at Mama. “Time to rehearse!’’

I hurried away, with the aspiring actress’s umpteenth line reading echoing in my ears.

The wind moaned. Sheets of rain slanted down sideways from a dark gray sky. With each furious gust, the plastic panels of the catering tent flapped and shuddered.

“Are we having a hurricane?’’ Paul Watkins peered out nervously at the storm-tossed sabal palms. Fronds were shaking loose, blowing end over end across a sodden landscape.

I added a couple of packets of sugar to the cup of coffee in front of me. “This is nothing; just a little thundershower,’’ I said. “They’re as common this time of year as the splat of love bugs on windshields in springtime.’’

When the storm kicked up, most of the stars had sought shelter in their trailers. I’d found refuge in the food tent, where I spotted Paul. He was alone, for a change. I decided to take advantage of that fact, and invited myself to sit down. Talking about the weather was a good way to work up the nerve to ask him what I really wanted to know.

“Say, Paul …’’

“Hmmm?’’ He was still focused on the fury outside.

“Something’s been bothering me.’’

“There’s nothing wrong with the livestock, is there?’’

“No, the horses and cattle are fine.’’

Turning, he raised an eyebrow. I forged ahead. “Where were you the morning that Norman Sydney was murdered? Why was Joh

I knew what Sava

“Do you work for the police in addition to being an animal wrangler?’’ he finally asked.

I shook my head.

“Has the studio hired you to look into the case?’’

“No.’’

“Then it’s really none of your business, is it?’’

“But …”

He grabbed my wrist. His grip was surprisingly strong for such a ski