Free The Director's Cut by Janice Thompson Page B

o’clock, my cast had arrived in full. Kat looked a little pale but claimed she was perfectly fine, just a little tired. Scott looked anxious, and Brock—well, he just looked distracted. Strange. I’d never seen him this way before.
    Seconds later, I noticed the object of his distraction. Benita’s familiar giggle rang out from the far side of the set. She’d somehow collected a group of guys around her—no big surprise there. Jason stood in the center of the group, just a few feet away from her. She’d said something funny, obviously. Jason, Brock, Bob, and Paul were all laughing. Why this bothered me so much, I couldn’t say. Probably had something to do with not feeling great. Well, that, and the comments the guys had made yesterday about Benita and me having different parents. That still bugged me.
    Kat approached, one hand on her belly, the other hand clutching a churro she nibbled on. “Looks like your sister’s quite a hit with the guys,” she said between bites.
    After a couple seconds of silence, I finally said, “There’s always so much drama going on around here.”
    â€œWell, of course.” Kat giggled. “That’s the point, isn’t it? We’re a television sitcom, after all.”
    â€œI just like to keep my drama on the stage, if you know what I mean. In bringing Benita in, I feel like I’ve had to direct more drama offstage than on. I should have known.”
    Athena joined us, offering a sympathetic look. “You’re worried about your sister?”
    I nodded. “You have no idea. She’s . . .” I wanted to say, “following in our father’s footsteps,” but held back.
    â€œShe’s flirtatious with the guys. I’ve noticed that much,” Kat said. She took another bite of her churro and a contented look came over her. “Yum.”
    â€œAnd she’s a raving beauty,” Athena threw in. “You can’t blame them for being interested.”
    â€œYeah, she’s pretty, all right.”
    On the outside.
    The words had no sooner flitted through my brain than I felt like slapping myself. Really, who did I think I was, cutting my sister down because of her physical beauty? Only God could see the heart, right? Besides, how would I ever know my sister’s potential for inner beauty if I didn’t slow down long enough to get to know her—really know her?
    â€œLooks like she’s got Brock right where she wants him.” Athena’s eyes narrowed to slits. “Yep. She’s caught him on her hook and is reelin’ him in.” She chuckled. “He’d be quite a catch. Can you even imagine, Tia? If she snags him for life, that would make him your brother-in-law.”
    Ugh. Why did that idea suddenly make me feel nauseous?
    Okay, time to get to work. I blew my nose one last time, then clapped my hands together and called the room to order. Seconds later, a roomful of cast and crew members faced me. The words of Kieren Willingham, my director at LAFS, ran through my head. Look confident. Confident, Tia. Make them think you know what you’re doing. They’re going to follow your lead. I squared my shoulders, ready to take control.
    â€œI know we had a rough day yesterday, but today is going to be different. We’ll get through this episode top to bottom and clean up the rough spots.”
    Everyone on that set is going to be taking their cues from you. Kieren’s words again. If you fall apart, they fall apart. If you look lost, they will feel lost. It’s your responsibility to keep the ship from sinking. Or at least to keep it from looking like it’s sinking.
    But how did one go about that with a true sinking feeling in her gut?
    Everyone stared at me in complete silence. After a minute, someone coughed.
    Oh, right. Better get this ball rolling. I smiled and dove right in. Somehow we managed to make it through the episode, scene