Wildest Dreams

26. Pierre

PIERRE

T he next day we’re filming downtown on Main Street again. I was planning to go into Kendall’s office to talk to Patsy, but I see her outside with her sons at craft services, so I walk over to meet her.

“Hi, Pierre!” she says with a huge grin.

“Patsy, I have a massive favor to ask.”

“Sure, what’s up?”

“I want to redecorate Kendall’s house. She gave me permission, but I don’t have time with all the filming and everything.”

“I think that’s a great idea!”

“I need your help. Can you find a place where we can donate the old furniture, then I’ll give you my credit card to go shopping for new…well…everything? You’ll do a much better job than me anyway.”

Her face lights up. “Absolutely! It’ll be fun!”

I sigh in relief. “I can’t thank you enough.”

“Anything for Kendall. Thank you for taking care of my friend. You’ve been wonderful for her.”

We hug, and she squeezes me so tight I don’t think she’ll ever let go.

“How was the boat ride?”

I sigh. “The best day I’ve ever had.”

“I’m glad to hear it. We’ll pick it up this afternoon once Garion gets off work.”

“Watch out for the alligator.”

“Oh, has Bertha been coming around a lot?”

I tell her the whole story from the day before, and she laughs loud enough that people around us stare, including Marina. I assume she knows we’re talking about her.

“I said it once and I’ll say it again: God bless Bertha!”

I laugh. “When did you say it before?”

“When y’all met. It was Bertha who brought you together, right?”

“You know, you’re right.” I nod my head, smiling. “God bless Bertha!”

* * *

T hat week, I talk to Kendall every day, and while we’re filming downtown I take her lunch, which we share in her office. Everything with her feels comfortable and normal, like this is my regular routine.

Patsy arranged for a women’s shelter in Montgomery to come pick up all the furniture. When I get home Friday, there is nothing in the house except the television on the floor and Kendall’s pictures on the walls. In the kitchen, there’s a brand-new air mattress boxed up on the counter with a note from Patsy.

Didn’t want you to sleep on the floor. -P

Luckily, she left some blankets and pillows in one of the closets. I pull those down and set up in the living room in front of the TV. The new stuff is all being delivered next week, so I don’t have long to wait.

Patsy enlists the help of her husband to do a lot of the heavy lifting, and texts me every day to tell me how much fun she’s having redecorating the house. She’s able to get everything locally, including some unique pieces from their friend Micah’s antique shop. My bank calls no fewer than four times because of how much she’s spending.

For the best part, I order prints of some of the pictures Kendall and I took at her apartment and the selfies we took on the boat. I pay for rush delivery, and when they come in, I give them to Patsy to have them framed. Hopefully that’ll add a personal touch to make the place feel more like home.

I can’t wait to see the finished product.

* * *

S aturday, I meet Kendall for lunch at Big Ol’ Butts BBQ. My neck is sore from sleeping on the air mattress, but it’ll be worth it to see Kendall’s face when she returns to her refurbished house.

“Are you okay?” she asks after the thousandth time I roll and rub my neck.

“Yeah, I just slept on the air mattress last night. Patsy had the house emptied yesterday and I had nowhere else to sleep.”

“Pierre! You should’ve told me. You could’ve stayed at my place.”

“Are you sure? Don’t get me wrong—I loved staying with you last time, but I didn’t know how you’d feel about people seeing me leave the next morning.”

“It’s fine,” she says. “I’m trying to do a better job of letting things go.”

After lunch, I walk her back to her place, then head to the house to pack an overnight bag and grab my laptop. I go straight back to her apartment and don’t leave until I have to report to set Monday morning.