“We had some unexpected turns of event while filming, and . . .” Mr. Clarkson smiled. “Instead of giving you details, I thinkit will be more powerful to show you the clip.” He nodded toward the back, then took a seat.
Gus glanced over his shoulder again, but this time he smiled.
Esther’s chest grew tight as someone turned off the lights, and within seconds the big screen lit up. She tried to rememberthe last time she’d seen anything on a big screen, but all she could recall was walking through Walmart near the televisionsection.
“Why isn’t there any music?” Lizzie whispered when the inside of the cave became visible.
“I don’t know. Maybe because it’s an unedited clip.” Esther had picked up on some of the movie lingo. It was hard not to whenit was all they’d heard over the last two weeks.
“Do you think there will be any bad language?” Lizzie cringed.
“I don’t know.”
“What if there are naked people?” Lizzie put her hands over her eyes but peeked between her fingers.
“Lizzie, just be quiet and stop asking questions.”
Esther held her breath. Please let there be at least one shot of Gus’s face in the movie.
Then there he was. Gus. Larger than life and filling up the entire screen as he pushed people out of the way and dove intothe water. A woman dressed in a wetsuit standing on a boat near a low-hanging stalactite screamed, “She’s drowning!” Anotherlady next to her got down on her hands and knees and peered into the water, crying, “Help her! Help her!”
After a moment Gus’s head popped up from below the water, and he lifted Veronica up to others in the boat. They helped her on, and she began coughing up water and shivering. When she came to her senses, she turned to Gus, who was still in the water. With tears streaming down her face, she said, “You saved my life.” Then the screen went black, and the lights came on. Everyone clapped.
Esther glanced at Lizzie, whose mouth hung open. She saw Gus looking over his shoulder at her, smiling, just as his daughterput her arms around him.
“Obviously we have more to show you, about thirty minutes more, but I wanted to pause and celebrate the man in this clip.”Mr. Clarkson walked back up to the screen as someone switched on the lights. “Gus Owens, can you stand up, please?”
Gus hesitated but then rose to his feet. Esther’s hand was covering her mouth, and Lizzie couldn’t seem to lift her jaw.
Mostly speaking to the two gentlemen guests, Mr. Clarkson said, “Mr. Owens was originally slated to have a small part in thebackground.” Esther still wasn’t sure if that was true or not. “But in an unexpected moment, he turned out to be a hero andsaved someone we all love very much. We found a way to work this shot into the movie since it appeared to be brilliant acting,even though no one was acting.” His eyes found Veronica’s, and the man’s expression was tender. “Veronica would also liketo address the crowd.”
Gus started to lower himself back to his seat.
“Mr. Owens, can you please join Veronica at the front of the room?”
Esther’s heart beat so fast she hoped she didn’t pass out. Gus didn’t like crowds, and he certainly didn’t like being thecenter of attention. He slowly made his way up front, dragging his feet as if he were being led to a pirate’s plank.
Veronica waited for him to stand beside her. The woman looked stunning in a knee-length red dress, her long blonde hair cascading past her shoulders. Tearfully, she turned to Gus before looking back at the audience.
“A few days ago, I asked Gus how he felt about having this scene included in the movie, because I had mixed feelings at first,”Veronica said. “But in the end, we both agreed to let Brandon include it. I’ve never seen such bravery up close and personal.”She hugged Gus, who barely put his arm on her back. His face was redder than Veronica’s dress. When she withdrew from thehug, she reached for something on the table beside her and handed it to him. It was a plaque, and even though Esther was toofar away to see what it said, she saw the tears in Veronica’s eyes, and she knew in her heart the woman wasn’t acting.
Gus couldn’t even face the audience or her. He just nodded, eyes downcast, and said, “Thank you.”
Mr. Clarkson shook Gus’s hand. “Happy to have worked with you on this project.” Then he handed Gus an envelope.
Esther glanced at Gus’s daughter. Heather had a broad smile across her face. Was it because she was proud of her father? Orbecause of what might be in that envelope?
* * *
Seeing his father do the right thing by giving Gus the praise he deserved—Jayce hoped there was money in that envelope—andthe way his dad looked at Veronica . . . There was love inside the man. And now Jayce was confused.
“Wow,” he whispered to Evelyn. “I’m not sure who I’m more surprised by—my dad for being a decent human being or Gus for behaving so modestly and being so respectful.” He shook his head. “The stars must all be in perfect alignment.”
Evelyn nodded, but the look in her eyes told him something was wrong.
“Are you hungry?” He nodded over his shoulder toward the buffet. “Or do you want to sneak out of here?”
“I-I, um . . . whatever you want to do.” She smiled, but it wasn’t her real smile. She was definitely bothered about something.If her feelings were anything comparable to his, it was because he was leaving Tuesday.
“Let’s grab something to eat real quick, then we’ll sneak out and go somewhere to talk.” He started walking but slowed whenshe didn’t follow. He went back to her.
“I-I’m not feeling so well. Maybe I caught what mei mamm has. I think I’m just going to go home. Danki for inviting me to the screening, but I don’t think I can stay for the rest.”
