Second Chances – Chapter 55 July 21, 2010
“You really do look beautiful tonight,” Rob told her when they were about a block away from their entrance.
“Thanks. I’ve never dressed up so much before in my life. I was lucky if I got dressed up once a year for New Year’s. This has been so much fun.”
“I’m glad you are enjoying yourself.”
“How can I not? I know, it’s not always going to be as perfectly wonderful as it has been. I just feel so lucky.”
“I’m the lucky one, Beth,” he said as he took her hand in his and looked into her eyes.
“Rob, do you think we will be here this time next year? On our way to the Oscars?”
“I certainly hope so,” Rob said but really hoped he’d be sitting next to her, as close as he was regardless of any award nomination.
The car eventually came to a stop in front of the masses of spectators that had been waiting hours just for a glimpse of the arriving stars. Emerging from the car and taking Rob’s hand, she saw the grandstands packed with screaming fans. It humbled her to see the sea of faces, people who were just like her a year ago.
“Something the matter?” Rob asked.
“No, not at all.” She turned from the crowd to look at him. “I know they are not cheering for me, but I was just like them not too long ago and now here I am on the other side of the barriers, standing on the red carpet.”
Rob smiled back at her and placed his hand on the small of her back as they began to walk down the carpet. Among the flashes from the cameras and every reporter wanting to talk to them, it was a sea of chaos. Beth stopped at almost every one, which only made their journey last that much longer. Rob admired her for her perspective and the fact the she did seem to genuinely care about anyone who tried to talk to her. The whole conversation would usually consist of the designer of her gown, any details of the movie and how she liked being a movie star. Even to the less than subtle reporters, Beth tried her best to be polite and curious to all of them but kept a strict level of privacy about her personal and family life.
Finally, after an exhausting walk, they arrived at the front door of the auditorium, where their names were checked off a list and were shown to their seats. The show began ten minutes later. It seemed like the cameramen were always in their faces, trying to get their reactions. Beth thought it very interesting, but tedious due to all the commercial breaks.
Backstage, before they presented, Beth was trying her best to play it cool with all the celebrities around. It was a lot like the SAG party they had gone to for the New Year’s celebration.
“Okay, Ms. Edwards, Mr. Cobb. You’re up next. Please stand here,” the stage manager told them. “And here is the envelope.” He handed ‘the envelope’ to Beth.
“Rob, I’m so nervous,” she told him after the stage manager left and pure stage fright began to sink in.
“Don’t worry. It will be fine.”
“You don’t understand, this is live international television.”
“So, as long as you don’t trip, no one will even remember that we presented at all.”
“But what if I do trip?” Beth said, starting to sound terrified.
“I won’t let that happen,” he said as he kissed her on the cheek and wrapped her arm around his.
On stage, the host, Billy Crystal, introduced them. “Our next presenters are the writer, producer, actors, singer and dancers of Aria’s Song. Practically a one woman show and the man that every red-blooded male wishes to be, please welcome Elizabeth Edwards and Robert Cobb.” The music swelled and the applause crested as the two made their entrance.
At the podium, Rob began, “They’re bossy, egomaniacs who think they know everything.”
“But they challenge us to give the best performances and in turn they make us look good,” Beth said.
“They are the directors.”
“And the nominees are…” Beth said and the film clips ran of the five directors and their films.
The camera came back to them as Rob gently placed his hand on the small of her back. “And the award goes to,” he said as Beth opened the envelop and pulled out the card. She smiled as she read the name to herself and they quickly showed it to Rob.
“Harrison Walburg for We’re Only Mortal,” Beth said, extremely happy for Harry as he made the trip from the second row up to the microphone. Beth gave him a big hug as did Rob. They took a few steps back so Harry could give his acceptance speech and then they walked off the stage with the winner.
Beth and Rob finished up the party circuit at the Eastman party, very early that morning. She shed her shadow when she handed her jewels back to Mathew around three o’clock. It felt weird to her to not have the jewels on but at that hour most of the ladies had also shed their jewels.
Rob pulled her onto the dance floor and held her tightly. They moved together, slowly as the music pounded around them. Beth placed her head on his shoulder, a bit sad that Rob was leaving that night but she knew that actors had to go where the work was and she kept telling herself that he would come back. It wasn’t like she was going to be sitting at home waiting for him especially since she had her own work to do on Mac Beth.
“Uugh, how am I going to survive without you by my side, my darling Elizabeth,” Rob said as he held her tighter.
“We’ll work and then be rewarded by our patience,” she replied.
“How can you be so wise and why am I so lucky to be able to hold you in my arms?”
“I am going to miss you so much Rob. At least we have tonight.” Beth gently kissed Rob.
“Beautiful Beth, three months is so long for us to be apart,” he said as he stroked her cheek.
“But you will return and you will have a phone and e-mail. You can call me anytime,” Beth replied as a tear fell from her eye and ran down her cheek.
“Don’t cry, darling. Don’t be sad.”
“I’m not sad. It’s just bittersweet. I am amazed that the movie is done and will be released to the world in a few months. I am living a life that most only dream of not to mention the attention of a very handsome man,” Beth said quietly.
“Let’s get out of her. No one should see you with tears in your eyes.” Rob told her as he kissed her forehead and led her out of the party.
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