This is a sequel to my last story Homecoming. My Bridge to Terabithia stories follow the movie. I've read the book but like many others the movie had a strong emotional impact that somehow inspires me to keep writing these stories. As always I own no rights to either the book or movie Bridge to Terabithia.
Chapter 1
Leslie hated running late. She prided herself on punctuality, being dependable. Yet, the past year had been a whirlwind. Never in her had she been pulled in so many directions at once. Success had a price and she was learning the hard way. Early morning interviews, crisscrossing the country for book signings, even a return to her old stomping grounds in Hollywood. Not that she didn't appreciate the good fortune after all the years of long nights toiling away on her books; it was every writers dream to have the success she was now enjoying. Most aspiring writers never even get published let alone gain public recognition. In fact life had gone beyond her dreams in so many ways. Still, what she wouldn't give for one day to just relax, sleep in her own bed, make her own meal and just feel somewhat…normal.
"Jess have you seen my phone?" she asked rushing from the bathroom to the closet.
"Don't you remember we had it surgically implanted into your brain." Leslie's patience was in no mood for her husband's wisecracks.
"Jess," she knew to use her stern, yet not angry voice. It was kind of like a warning shot; get his attention without causing any damage. Within a minute he appeared behind her as she furiously got dressed.
"Here you go," he said handing her the phone. "It was in that little bag you took to that party thing or whatever it was." That party thing was a current sore spot for the couple. Leslie's attendance sparked a fight they were still reeling from.
"Thanks," was all she could manage before returning to her frantic pace. She wanted to talk about it; she wanted to spend a day with her husband, with no distractions. They needed the time together if for no other reason than to work on dealing with the changes the last year brought; a vacation would be ideal but she couldn't see it happening, not now anyway. Leslie's meeting with her agent took precedence. Business before pleasure after all. At the moment she was definitely going to be late if she didn't get moving. She quickly grabbed her attaché case then cursed up a storm looking for her car keys. Why did her keys always disappear? Where could they possibly go and why did they choose to now to vanish?
"Leslie," Jess called out to her from the kitchen.
"Not now Jess," she yelled back. As she tore the cushions off the couch she heard the familiar jingle of a set of keys. Looking up she saw her husband holding her keys.
"You left them in the refrigerator." Leslie felt all the irritation drain from her as she looked at his face. There were times when those sad eyes she first noticed as an eleven year old reappeared. They were the soulful eyes of a puppy and they still cut through her like a knife through butter. She walked over to him, took the keys and hugged him.
"I'm sorry Jess," she said not wanting to let go. "I'm being impossible I know and I'm taking it out on you." She felt his strong arms wrap around her as he gently rocked her.
"Just promise me an evening with just us. No calls, no friends, no work, just you and me." It sounded like heaven and Leslie wanted it as much as Jess.
"I promise," she only hoped she could keep the promise. She gave her husband a kiss and hurried out the door.
"Are you serious?" Leslie wondered if she heard Kerri correctly. "A movie?"
"That's right," the pixie cut brunette replied sipping on a latte. "Hollywood is knocking Leslie. Your book is going to be made into a movie." Leslie still couldn't believe it. The success of the book was overwhelming enough but this was beyond belief. Every writer dreams of this moment but its more fantasy than reality. The percentage of successful writers that have their work brought to the big screen is microscopic. She was about to become one of those few.
"I'm…I don't know what to say,"
"Well, let me give you some more good news while you think about what to say," Kerri put on her black rimmed glasses and pulled out a hefty set of documents. "In this stack of legal speak is a contract. A contract Mrs. Aarons for you to write the screenplay and serve as consultant." Leslie felt her body go weak. If she weren't sitting down she would've fallen over. It was more than she could process. A movie? A screenplay? Actually being on set.
"They want me to write the screenplay? Why wouldn't they just get an established screenwriter?"
"Executive Producer personally requested you," Leslie had no idea who the producer was but apparently she impressed whoever it was. "He wants you on the set. Oh, he just happens to be the director as well."
"I've never even written a screenplay, well not officially. Who is the director anyway? Did they just really like the book?"
"Darren Roth" the name gave Leslie a jolt. Not only was Darren Roth an up and coming director in Hollywood she actually met the man. "If I'm not mistaken you worked on one of his earlier movies?"
"I was an extra," Leslie said brushing aside the idea she was somehow an actor. "You know I worked as an extra during college."
"Yes, and you made an impression on Mr. Roth," Kerri said with a mischievous smile. "Didn't you actually get a few lines in that movie?"
"Well, yeah," she said blushing a bit. "It was fun but that has nothing to do with this book."
"It has everything to do with it Leslie," Kerri said pushing her latte aside. "You made a big impression in a short amount of time. Now with the success of your book that acting gig is giving you the opportunity of a lifetime." Leslie was speechless. Is this what it feels like to win the lottery? For a moment she thought it must be a joke. Stuff like this just didn't happen; maybe on TV it did but not in real life. Kerri, however, wasn't a prankster. She was all business. As an agent Leslie couldn't have asked for better. Kerri Doyle was a fierce and fearless go getter when it came to her clients. She had connections and could spot talent like a hawk flying high in the sky looking for prey. Leslie used to think of herself as an energetic person until meeting Kerri. This woman kept a pace more in common with a tornado.
"This is incredible," Leslie finally managed to say.
"I know and believe me it doesn't happen every day. Now, I want you take this monster of a contract home, read through it, I've also emailed it to you but I know how you are about hard copies. Don't worry I've already had legal take a look and it's a good deal. The compensation…fantastic! After this you won't have to teach anymore." Leslie was ready to explode with excitement. She couldn't wait to tell Jess. This was going to be so good for them. Jess worried about money excessively. If what Kerri said was true they were going to finally get their head above water. "Oh, by the way book signing this Saturday. You've got the details and the car will be by early to pick you up. Be ready to dazzle Leslie this is only the beginning."
Jess sat at his desk sifting through a mountain of files. The paperwork never seemed to end. For a company that was supposedly going "paperless" Jess saw more and more of it every day. He didn't see how they could possibly scan all the documents, enter them into the woefully inadequate database and file the hard copies all while trying to automate the process. It didn't make sense and Jess decided it was healthier to stop trying to understand it. He pushed the stack of files to the far edge of his desk and headed to the break room. Luckily there was a fresh pot of coffee ready and waiting. He poured a cup, mixed in the non-dairy creamer and sugar and headed out to the patio. The patio area overlooked one of the numerous canyons that dotted the southern California landscape. Generally only the smokers came out here but Jess enjoyed the view. Every so often a coyote or deer could be seen making its way through the brush. It was an odd sight considering on the other side of the canyon rested another set of office buildings. One company after another occupied every inch of space they could squeeze out of the area.
As beautiful as southern California was Jess felt they long ago lost their way. While not the urban nightmare of New York City it was still vastly overcrowded, increasingly expensive and the traffic was downright evil. He was convinced the sheer frustration of his daily commute had taken a year or two off his life. He wouldn't be surprised if he started going gray from traffic stress alone. He found he often missed his hometown of Lark Creek. For so much of his life he wanted out of that small town. Los Angeles was about as far away as he could get without leaving the country. At first it was exciting. The sheer size of the city, the tropical weather and endless amount of activities was overwhelming. For a time Jess even found he enjoyed surfing. After the honeymoon ended Jess began to feel resentment towards the city. It wasn't just California that bothered him. He couldn't figure out how he ended up doing what he did for a living. Documentation, database entry, filing and a number of other mind numbing tasks occupied most of his week. He never envisioned sitting at a desk working for some faceless corporation. His Bachelor of Fine Arts meant nothing in the real world. Securing a job with that kind of education and no experience was next to impossible. His dream of being an artist, of drawing and painting, creating something from nothing was all but dead. Bills had to be paid; he couldn't chase foolish dreams when the reality of life beat him down every day. His wife disagreed, rather vehemently. She often accused him of sounding too much like his father. Ironically, Jess finally started to understand what his father was talking about all those years ago. He understood why his dad was the way he was. Life wasn't about fulfilling dreams it was about surviving. You did whatever was necessary to put food on the table. At least that's what he told himself. Sometimes he believed it. Leslie was still a dreamer. She wasn't going to change and he loved her for it even if it frustrated him. Of course she was actually a writer. Her dreams were actually reality; not a very profitable reality but work she loved and that was more than he could say. Jess glanced at his watch and sighed. He finished his coffee and slowly walked back inside.
A/N: For those that stop by and take a gander I appreciate it.
