“Pfft.” Her lips rumble together, blowing a raspberry. “Ask me somethinghard.”
“Okay, who’s the President of the United States?”
“Reagan.” She holds her finger up in the air, wagging it with each word. “Ronald. Wilson. Reagan.”
It’s a Christmas miracle.
“She came up with Reagan’s middle name,” Lacee whispers, barely moving her mouth like some kind of ventriloquist. “Impressive.”
“She’s a diehard supporter of the former President,” I lie.
“Peter!” She yells, causing us both to jerk with surprise.
“No, it’s Park.” Maybe if I keep repeating my name, she’ll memorize that too.
“No,” she grunts. “I don’t know who Park is. I have a son named Peter.”
I crouch down to one knee. I really need to sell this.
I place my hand on Mary’s arm. “That’s me.”
Her eyes squint, and she purses her lips. “You’re not Peter. He’s dead,” she grunts.
Out of all the things Mary can remember, it’s too bad that she remembers her son being dead.
She looks up at Lacee. “And who are you?”
“I’m Park’s friend.”
“Did they tell you that I’m an actress?”
“Uh, no.” Lacee glances over at me with a playful smile. “What type of actress are you?”
“I do it all—musicals, Broadway, television.” She lifts her chin in a proud way. “And last year, I played Darby Shultz inThe Mafia King.Did you see that one in the theater?”
I remember reading about this in Mary’s profile that Derek sent me. The movie came out in 1980 and was mildly successful. Definitely the crowning moment in Mary’s career.
“I haven’t seen it yet.” Lacee shakes her head. “What’s it about?”
“It’s a mystery,” I jump in, trying to prove to both Mary and Lacee that I belong in this conversation. “Everyone thinks the mafia king is a man, but really it’s Darby Shultz running the mafia the entire time.”
“Pfft.” Mary swats me away. “You just gave away the ending of the movie.”
“That’s okay.” Lacee smiles. “I still want to see it.”
Mary turns her attention to Lacee, lighting up brighter than the Christmas tree in the corner of the room. It’s 1981, and Mary’s reliving her glory days. “I play a smart, strong woman who fools all the men around her.” She sits back in her seat, pleased with herself. “No one sees Darby Shultz coming.”
Lacee’s smile grows. “I love twists like that, but when it comes from a strong female, that’s even better. I’m sure you’re amazing in it. I’ll watch it for sure.”
“I am amazing.” Mary brushes her hair back. “I almost won an Academy Award for my role.”
“Yes, you did.” I give Mary a light punch on the shoulder, then realize that’s the completely wrong thing for a son to do, so I pull my hand back.
Her eyes glaze over, and she blinks back at me.
“Mary?” I incline my head. “Are you okay?”
Her gaze shifts back and forth across my face in fast movements. “Who are you?”
