Starbright (36 page)

“A diaphragm is a thin, silicone, rubber dome with a flexible rim. It folds at two hinged points, forming an arc for insertion. Have you ever seen one before?”

Beth shook her head.

“Once I determine your size, my nurse, Harriet, will instruct you on how to use it. It is inserted into the vagina. If fitted properly,
the posterior rim rests comfortably against
your posterior fornix, and the anterior rim rests snugly behind the pubic bone. In this position, the cervix can be felt through the dome of the device.”

Beth’s eyes grew wide.

“Oh, goodness, there I go with the medical mumbo jumbo.” Dr. Goldberg gave a hearty laugh. “In laymen’s terms, the diaphragm fits over the cervix, held in place by the vaginal muscles. If inserted correctly, it physically prevents sperm, which are present in a male’s ejaculation fluid, from entering the uterus after intercourse by forming a seal on the vaginal wall, thus preventing pregnancy.”

As Dr. Goldberg continued explaining the procedure, using such phrases as dorsal lithotomy position and vaginal lubricating gel, Beth listened intently. When he finished, he placed the fitting ring back on the table and smiled.

“There, that doesn’t sound so bad, does it?”

“No, it doesn’t,” Beth replied. Although she didn’t completely understand everything, she had a much better idea of what to expect.

“Excellent. Now I will begin.”

Beth rested her head back down on the examination table as Dr. Goldberg wheeled between her legs again. She separated her knees and clutched the mattress on either side of her.

“Miss Sutton, I’m going to insert the lubricating gel first.”

Dr. Goldberg talked her through the entire procedure. Although at times she felt uncomfortable pressure, as he told her previously, it was not painful. She slipped her feet out of the stirrups as soon as he removed his gloves and stood from his stool.

“I will venture into the other room to obtain your contraception. Please remain in the gown. Harriet will join you shortly and teach you how to insert the diaphragm properly.”

Dr. Goldberg left the room and returned several minutes later with a white plastic container in hand. Beth opened the lid and peered inside. The diaphragm didn’t look as intimidating as she assumed it would.

Following an assurance that insertion came easy with practice, Dr. Goldberg supplied her with written instructions to refer to at home. After he left the room again, Harriet entered and talked Beth through the insertion of her diaphragm. It took a few tries, but she finally inserted it correctly, as confirmed by Dr. Goldberg when he returned. Beth washed her hands and the diaphragm, and placed the device in her purse while he wrote in her chart.

“It was a pleasure meeting you, Miss Sutton.” Dr. Goldberg shook her hand upon conclusion of his notes. “If you need anything else, give my secretary a call and the matter will be taken care of quickly and discreetly.”

“You’ve been wonderful, Dr. Goldberg. Thank you.”

Beth changed back into her own clothes, discarded the gown in the designated receptacle, and met Connie and Olivia in the reception room.

“How did it go?” Olivia asked on their way out of the office.

Beth secured her scarf on her head. “It went well, actually.”

“See, I told you it would be fine.” Olivia gave a proud smile. “I was nervous, too, but Dr. Goldberg is very professional and made the process extremely easy.”

Beth removed her sunglasses from her purse and put them on.

Connie put on her own accessories and pushed the button for the elevator. “He’s the best, isn’t he? Very tactful, too. You don’t have to worry about him saying a thing to anyone.”

Olivia giggled. “Of course not. Not with the amount she paid him!”

Their conversation was put on hold on in the elevator, in the presence of the operator.

“I think it’s the best money I’ve ever spent,” Olivia said as they exited the building.

“I don’t mind the money,” Beth replied. “It will be worth it.”

Martin opened the back door of the limousine. Once the women were safely inside, they removed their headscarves and sunglasses.

As they drove off, Connie nudged Beth playfully. “So, Aidan must’ve been excited to learn you were obtaining birth control today.”

Beth blushed. “Actually, he doesn’t know about my appointment.”

Olivia and Connie lifted their eyebrows.

“It’s not that I don’t want him to know,” she explained. “I just didn’t know how to broach the subject tastefully. And if I do tell him, I worry he might get the wrong impression of me.”

“What, like you want to make love?” Connie rolled her eyes.

“I can’t bring it up out of the blue! It’s inappropriate to discuss such things outright. The way I figure it is if I keep the diaphragm on me and our intimacy leads to making love, then I’ll be prepared.”

“But maybe Aidan won’t let it lead to that because he doesn’t
know
you’re protected,” Olivia countered. “Then it will be up to you to tell him anyway.”

On their drive along Sunset, Beth contemplated her friend’s comments. How could she discuss the diaphragm with Aidan without coming across as improper? Her musings were set aside when she remembered she still had another item to cross off her to-do list today.

“Connie, can we stop by Sunset Plaza? I need to visit Schwab’s.”

Connie’s brow wrinkled in puzzlement. “Didn’t you used to work there?”

Beth nodded. “I won’t be long. I promise.”

“If you want to pick up something, I can get Martin to run in for you,” Connie said. “That way you don’t have to get out of the car and risk being spotted by fans or your old colleagues.”

“Actually, this is something I need to take care of personally.”

Connie sighed. “Well, all right, but I’m staying in the car. Schwab’s is crawling with too many people looking for movie stars, or people who wish they were movie stars.” She cranked a lever mounted on the door next to her, lowering the partition between them and the driver. “Martin, would you mind parking in front of Schwab’s Pharmacy?”

“Not at all, Miss Murphy.” Martin smiled into the rearview mirror and pulled up alongside the curb minutes later.

“I’ll come with you,” Olivia said as Beth reached for the door handle. “I want a Coca-Cola.”

Connie stuck out her left hand and admired her engagement ring. “Have fun, you two.”

Beth and Olivia entered Schwab’s to the sound of the chimes hanging above the door. Although Beth hadn’t returned since handing in her resignation, she didn’t feel like a stranger and was excited to visit.

The drugstore wasn’t busy, since the common lunch hour had passed. A few patrons sat at the counter while others stood and socialized. Whispers broke out across the room as Beth and Olivia made their way to the counter. Schwab’s regular patrons and employees were used to movie stars dropping in. However, there were still those awed by anyone even remotely connected to the business.

Beth and Olivia sat on two stools and placed their purses on the counter. Beth didn’t recognize any of the employees on duty until Wade Henley exited the back room, wearing an apron and his usual affable grin. He wiped the countertop with a rag, oblivious to her presence. He looked the same as when she last saw him: tanned and lean, with round, honey-colored eyes and black pompadour-styled hair.

“Excuse me,” Beth called. “May I have a chocolate malt?”

“Yes, one second, please.” Wade’s eyes landed on her and widened. “Marie! Or should I say Elizabeth?”

“It’s so wonderful to see you.” Beth’s enthusiasm was as sincere as her broad smile. “And, please, Marie is fine.”

“Golly, what brings you here?” Wade flipped the rag over his shoulder and placed both hands on the counter. “I saw
Sparkling Meadow
. You were phenomenal. I wanted to congratulate you, but I didn’t know how to get a hold of you. I’m glad you’re so successful. You deserve it. You really do.”

Beth was moved by his words. He was always so friendly toward her, which made the reason for her visit even more special.

“I’ve come here with my friend to talk to you, actually.”

Wade focused his grin on Olivia. “I apologize. I didn’t mean to ignore you. Can I get you anything?”

“A Coke, please.”

Wade studied Olivia for a moment. “Do you work at the studio as well? I’m sorry, I don’t recognize you.”

“I do work at the studio, but behind the scenes as a designer. Actually, I was Beth’s—I mean, Marie’s—roommate before she signed her contract. We’re still roommates, in fact.” Olivia tossed Beth a fond smile. “Gosh, I haven’t called you Marie in so long.”

“Olivia?
The
Olivia,” Wade chuckled. “Marie talked about you all the time when she worked here. That’s great you’re still good friends and you both work at the studio.” His expression remained buoyant as he looked back at Beth. “You haven’t changed a bit. You’re still the sweet girl I remember.”

Beth’s blushed. “Thank you, Wade.”

“One malt and one Coke coming up.” Wade walked away and returned shortly after with their orders.

“Here you go, ladies.” He placed their drinks on the counter. “So, Marie, what brings you back to your humble beginnings? You said it has something to do with me?”

Beth took a sip of her shake. “Well, I wanted to—”

“Hey, Wade!”

Wade’s gaze moved down the counter to the scowling heavyset man who called to his name.

“You workin’ today or just socializing?” the man said gruffly.

“Sorry, Steve.” Wade lifted his hand in acknowledgement and leaned toward Beth. “That’s the new counter boss.”

“How about I order a ham sandwich, and we can talk while you work? That way you don’t get in trouble.”

“Great idea. Thanks, Marie.” Wade gathered the required ingredients and began preparing the sandwich in front of her. “So, you were saying?”

Olivia rested her elbows on the countertop and sipped her soda. Beth could tell she was interested in learning why they stopped by Schwab’s as well.

Beth kept her voice low. “This stays between us, all right?”

Wade nodded.

“I’m here to see if you would be interested in auditioning for Elia Kazan for a supporting role in a new film he’s directing starring me and Aidan Evans. It’s called
Golden Gloves
.”

Wade’s eyes widened. “But Elia Kazan is one of the best directors in the business and an Oscar winner! The only thing I’ve ever won is my grade four spelling bee.” His voice grew louder. “What if I don’t measure up?”

Beth placed her forefinger to her lips, reminding him to be discreet.

Wade’s cheeked reddened. “Sorry, I’m just shocked. I mean, why me? Not that I’m ungrateful, but there must be tons of guys vying for the part.”

“Mr. Kazan hasn’t found anyone he deems suitable yet. I can’t guarantee anything, but after I mentioned I had someone in mind for the role, he agreed to give you an audition. Whether or not he believes you’re the right man for the part remains to be seen.”

Wade nodded. “Okay, I’ll do it.”

Beth giggled. “Don’t you want to know what the role is first?”

Wade shrugged. “Sure. Not that it matters, though. I’d play anything, especially if Kazan is tied to the project.”

“The role is Salvatore Lucci, the best friend of Aidan Evans’ character, Joe Oliver, who is a retired boxer. Sal is Joe’s moral support when he decides to make a comeback in the ring, along with my character, Mary, Joe’s wife.”

Wade cut her sandwich in half with a knife. “Sounds like a great part.”

“Unfortunately, because this is such an important project for Mr. Kazan, as well as Mr. Mertz, scripts have been distributed to confirmed cast members only. We even had to sign confidentiality agreements as well as non-reproduction clauses before receiving them. That means Mr. Kazan will present you with your lines when you visit him. You’ll have some time to look over one selected scene and then act it out.”

Wade slid the sandwich toward her on a plate. “I’m so nervous. What if I make a mistake?”

“You have years of acting classes and auditions under your belt. You’ll do fine.”

Wade frowned. “Still, I’m not a professional.”

“Trust me. There are some”—Olivia made air quotes with her fingers—“professional actors signed to Starlight Studios, who have no business being in any film. If they can make it, you can, too.” She took one half of Beth’s sandwich and bit into it with a satisfied moan. Beth moved the plate in front of her so she could eat the rest.

Wade slapped his thigh. “Heck, you’re right. I have to think positively. So when can I see Mr. Kazan?”

“He’s going to be on the studio lot every day this week in his temporary office,” Beth replied. “Friday is the principle cast’s first read-through of the script, so tomorrow would be ideal.”

“I work the day shift tomorrow, but I’ll call in sick.” Wade perched his forearms on the counter. “Marie, I remember when you left here to work at the studio, you told Diane and me you’d come back when you were successful and help us get into the business in any way you could. Thank you for keeping your promise.”

“It was my pleasure. Like I said, I have faith in your abilities, but I cannot guarantee Mr. Kazan will hire you. That’s up to you.”

“Are you referring to Elia Kazan, the famous director?” Diane Merritt approached the counter from the back room. She was still the same young woman Beth remembered with her Ava Gardner hairstyle, thick eye makeup and foundation, and a curvy figure concealed today by a low-cut, skintight wool sweater and pencil skirt.

Wade made a grand gesture toward Beth. “Diane, look who’s here.”

Diane gave a curt nod. “Hello, Marie.”

She didn’t sound nearly as welcoming as Wade did.

Beth smiled anyway. “It’s lovely to see you again.”

Diane focused a cold stare on Wade. “Do you have an audition lined up with Mr. Kazan?”

Wade looked at Beth for permission to disclose their secret. She nodded in consent. Diane already heard part of their conversation anyway.

“Yes, it’s true. Marie got me an audition with him.” Wade kept his voice low, but his excitement wasn’t dampened.

“Oh, really?” Diane raised her eyebrow at Beth. “How wonderful of you to drop by after all this time and give Wade an audition and not me.” Her red lips curled into a sneer. “It’s nice to know you haven’t forgotten about your
friends
.”