Innocent Little Crimes (26 page)

“Can I get you some cake?”

Dick turned back to Millie. His expression
softened. “Sure, hey, that’d be nice.”

“Be right back. Come on, Li.” Millie tugged
at Lila’s sleeve and dragged her to the food table.

“He certainly notices you now, Mil.”

“Yeah,” Millie said. “But he can’t take his
eyes off Della.”

“Neither can anyone else. Do you believe what
she’s wearing? You can see right through that dress, even in this
light. I could never wear anything like that.”

Millie sighed. “Me neither. But, if I had her
body I’d sure be tempted to.” Millie cut two slices of cake. “Want
some?”

Lila shook her head.

“Oh come on, Li. No, dieting tonight. Time to
party. Let’s go off our diet just this once. twenty-four hours—I
swear.”

“All right.” She took a slice from Millie’s
hand. “But I really have to get back to work.” She started for the
props room.

Millie yelled after her. “Party pooper!”

At the desk, she marked off her list:
ashtray, small pocket comb, box of Band-Aids, three drinking
glasses, one pot holder. She rummaged behind some boxes, and when
she lifted her head, she nearly bumped into Davis’s face.

“Hi,” he said. Lila caught her breath. Davis
had never spoken to her before, or even looked at her for that
matter. And now he was in her face, smelling of alcohol. She took a
step back and tripped over a stack of boxes.

“Hey, careful.” Davis grabbed her by the arm
and helped her stand. “I’m Davis.”

“Lila. Carmichael.” Lila searched for
something else to say. Davis was smiling at her, his eyes glazed
over. He gave her a sly look.

“Yeah. I’ve seen you around the set. Working
in stagecraft this semester?”

Lila nodded. She had watched him from a
distance as he rehearsed the play, and admired his talent. But
being this close unnerved her. Lila fumbled. She smoothed out her
clothes.

“Listen darling, by any chance have you seen
my stage copy of the play? I thought I left it out yesterday . .
.”

Lila reached into the desk drawer and pulled
it out. “I cleared the set this morning.”

“Oh, you’re a love. I’ve got some phone
numbers in there—” Davis hesitated, then smiled. “It’s good to know
someone’s got it together around here.” He pocketed the playbook.
“Hey, Merry Christmas, Lila Carmichael.” He leaned over and kissed
her on the cheek. She felt her cheeks grow hot.

Later that night, Lila asked Millie, “What’s
the story with Davis and Della? Are they serious about each other?”
Lila was familiar with the couple’s backstage fondling, but unsure
how to read it.

“Are you kidding? They both go through
partners like it’s nothing. You watch—after vacation Della will be
buzzing around some other victim. And Davis will be necking with
someone else in the corner.”

Lila’s heart sunk. How could someone be
that popular—and that promiscuous? Della, she could believe, but
Davis? He seemed so sincere. Her mind rejected the idea that Davis
could be so insensitive, flitting from one woman to another. But,
then, what did she know about the “real world”? Her father would
describe it as a hotbed of sin—all these students sleeping around.
She tried to imagine men swarming around her; the thought terrified
more than excited her. But who was she kidding? She was the
proverbial beautiful soul locked in a frumpy, fat body. She thought
about Davis kissing her cheek, remembering the warmth of his skin
radiating close to hers. Her heart raced. How ridiculous, thinking
about Davis. Yet, she couldn’t get him out of her mind.
Yeah, you and fifty other girls.
She
reached into her backpack and pulled out a thin Samuel French
booklet. She didn’t see Millie come in.

“What’s that?” asked Millie.

Lila showed her the cover. “Picnic.”

“Are you going to try out this time?”

“No, Mil. We’re starting on backdrop
design.”

“Over break?”

“Well, no one’s going home for vacation.
Certainly not me. So, why not?”

“Let’s go skiing instead. You ever tried
it?”

“No thanks, Mil. I’m too much of a klutz, or
haven’t you noticed? I’d break my leg.”

“You’re no fun.”

“Take Dick. You could cuddle up by a cozy
fire and drink hot chocolate. Sounds romantic to me.”

“Forget it. He’s spending the break with his
mother. In fact, I’m going to her house for Christmas Eve dinner,
can you believe it?”

“That sounds serious, Millie. Going home to
meet Mom.”

“I know. I’m scared to death.”

“Don’t worry, she’ll love you. You can think
of me while you eat turkey—slaving away at Jo Mama’s and scarfing
on cold pizza.”

“I’ll bring you some leftovers.”

“Oh, thanks a lot.” Lila opened to the back
of the play and scanned the page. “Get this: one milk bottle,
chocolate cake, mixing bowl with deviled eggs. I’m getting hungry
just reading the props list.”

“It’s a picnic, what do you expect? And I
love the way you study a play—from the back first.”

“Yeah. I’m sure this great talent will get me
far in life. Reciting cereal boxes backwards. Now, there’s a job
description aching to be filled. Come on Mil, let’s get to bed.
Tomorrow’s the performance. I need my beauty rest to count
props.”

The show played to a full audience. Millie
stood offstage with Lila, helping her direct props. Dozens of items
had to be moved on and off, but the show progressed smoothly. When
they got to the scene where Della kissed Davis, Lila’s eyes riveted
on the pair. She imagined herself on the stage instead of Della,
wrapped up in Davis’s arms. Millie nudged Lila.

“You could do better than Della. Everyone
says she’s so great, but all her characters come out the same.
Besides, she’s got such an attitude.”

“She’s never said anything to me.”

“Exactly. You’re a nothing. I’m a nothing
too. All she talks about is going to Hollywood to be a star.”

“Maybe she will.”

“I doubt it. You have to work hard to make it
in Hollywood. I don’t get the impression that that Della knows the
meaning of hard work.”

“I thought all you had to do is sleep with
some producer.”

“Well, if that’s the case, then, by golly,
there’s hope for her.” The two girls laughed, then covered their
mouths. Jon, directing the play from the opposite wing, shot them a
stern look.

After the final curtain, Lila began clearing
the stage amid the celebrating actors. Della radiated, surrounded
by admiring fans. Lila noticed Jon never left her side. Davis broke
away from his admirers and put on his coat. He yelled over to the
cast and crew.

“You guys coming?”

“Be right there,” Della answered.

Davis waited by the door, and caught Lila’s
attention. “Hi, Lila Carmichael. Once again, you kept it together.
Everything ran smooth as silk.”

“Thanks,” Lila managed to say. “You did a
great job. I was impressed.”

Davis took a theatrical bow. “You wanna join
us at the Rainbow? We’re going to do a little partying.”

Lila’s stomach tied in knots. “I think I’ll
pass. I’m really beat.”

Davis winked at her. “Well, if you change
your mind . . .”

“Thanks. I-I better finish cleaning up.” She
took a step backward and bumped into Della.

“Yes, you don’t want to lose any of those
precious props.” Della entwined her arm around Davis’s arm.
“Ready?” she asked him.

“Is everyone coming?”

“They’re right behind us, love.”

Lila felt like Cinderella, left behind while
everyone attended the ball. Millie was nowhere in sight. Probably
tagging along with Dick.

Outside, Della and Davis walked to his sporty
car. Della talked nonstop, pausing only to light a cigarette.
“Wasn’t that great? I loved the effect on the audience when you
smashed the binoculars. And did you feel the tension at the end of
the first act? It was great! There’s nothing like being on stage.
You were really fantastic tonight, Davis. How can you even think of
giving up acting?”

Davis pulled her close and kissed her. He
pressed her against his car and reached up her blouse.

“Davis, it’s sprinkling. Let’s get in the
car.”

“How ’bout the back seat?” His hand roamed
down her skirt and he found her mouth with his. Della nodded her
head and opened the door. The party could wait.

At the Rainbow, Jon, Dick, Millie, and a half
dozen cast and crew members started in on their third pitcher of
Oly dark. The tavern was packed as usual for a Saturday night. Jon
kept glancing at the door, wondering what was taking Della so long.
When he saw her enter with Davis, her flushed face and rumpled
clothes told all. A wave of jealousy engulfed him. It drove him
crazy, the way Della teased him. At rehearsals she gave him looks
that literally made him shudder. He scowled and drank his beer.

“Hey, there you guys are. Hope you don’t mind
we started without you,” Dick said.

Davis and Della slid into the bench. “Was
that a show, or what?” said Davis, pouring a round of drinks. “I’m
glad we’re moving into a different direction, though. ‘Picnic’ is
going to be great.”

“Yeah, and some of us will even get to act
for a change,” Dick said. Dick was trying out for the role of Alan,
the lead’s boyfriend, and he’d already memorized all his lines.

“
Picnic” abounded in female roles and
auditions were opening right after break. Millie hoped to land the
role of the younger sister. Then she’d be in rehearsals with Dick
night and day.

“So, what’s this about open auditions?” Greg,
the stage manager, asked.

Davis grunted. “That’s the word. We’re
supposed to give up at least one of the lead parts. Administration
says there’ve been complaints that we’re hogging all the shows.
There are students outside of Thespians who want a chance to
audition. It doesn’t mean we have to pick anyone, though.”

“Wrong, pal,” Jonathan said. “I talked
with Professor Russel today. We
do
have to pick outsiders and not only that—Russel has to
consult two other teachers for a consensus.”

“Oh, great,” Dick said. “So what’s the point
of being in a drama group if you’re gonna get pushed out?”

“Calm down, Ferrol,” Jonathan said. “You’ll
see how few people will turn up for the tryouts. Most students are
too busy with their core programs to have time for all the
rehearsals. I say don’t sweat it.”

Della sat smoking cigarette after cigarette.
What did she care about playing some dumb lead part again? The end
of school was creeping up on her faster than she liked. Each day
brought greater agitation. She had a sudden need to get out of that
claustrophobic room and relieve some tension.

She looked at Jon, who caught her glance. The
opportunity was ripe. Jon was the only one in their group going to
Hollywood and he might be her ticket out. In fact, Jon had already
been accepted into film school at USC. Della looked him over. He
was attractive, if a little soft around the waist. But she could
envision herself in bed with him and even liking it. His egotistic
ravings annoyed her, but what did you have to talk about during
sex?

After closing the bar at two a.m., Della
ditched Davis and caught up with Jonathan as he walked home. He
lived uphill on West Adams, a few blocks from the Rainbow. Jon was
surprised to see Della sprinting along the sidewalk after him.

After weeks of unspoken messages between
them, Della didn’t have to say a word. On the sidewalk, under the
dull illumination of a street lamp, Jonathan gathered Della in his
arms and kissed her. Della had clearly tired of Davis, the
all-American bore, and was ready for a change. He’d show her a time
she’d never forget. As he walked up his steps with his arms around
her, he gloated. She had taken her time coming around, but his
charisma and talent were too strong to resist. He couldn’t wait to
see the look on Davis’s face when he found out.

Chapter 25

“Hey, over there.” Dick shone his flashlight
at a thick grove of trees. “See, I told you there was a house.”

“More like a shed.” Della gasped for air.
“And it’s dark. Forget it.” She felt so tired and unbearably sick
of the whole stupid chase. Davis was probably back at the castle by
now, snoring away. She looked over her shoulder. No sign of Millie,
but Della didn’t expect her to keep up.

Images of the warm tropics permeated
her thoughts as she wrapped her coat tighter against the assailing
wind. She couldn’t bear living hand to mouth anymore. Lila was
right—she would probably kill herself rather than succumb to a life
of poverty and failure. As she stopped to catch her breath, Della
tried hard to remember what it felt like to be on stage, under the
lights with the audience cheering wildly.
Lila could do it, even make me a star.
The
yearning was so intense, she thought her heart would crack. Her
fists tightened involuntarily. Even though the idea was crazy, she
wanted to believe Davis would make good his promise to Lila. He
just had to.

Jon elbowed Dick out of the way as he neared
the cabin. “I’ll take care of him.”

Jon stumbled, colliding into the cabin
siding.

“Cut it out, Levin. We’re all in this
together.” Dick was close enough to get a good look at the
structure. “Hey, check this out.” He aimed his flashlight on the
broken window.

“Got him!” Jon yelled.

Della and Dick hurried after Jon, who twisted
the door handle. “He must’ve smashed the glass to get in.” Jon
reached through the shards to the inside latch and the door swung
open. “Quit hiding, Gregory. We know you’re here.”

Jonathan shone his light into every crack.
“I’ll find you . . .”