I saw you’re making new friends too. Or maybe, she’s already a “friend” of yours?
She typed friend. In quotations.
Well, this is too good to let go.
Me: Sweetheart, is this your roundabout way of asking if Tawny Rose and I are fuck buddies?
When I hit send on the message, I move my gaze over to her table and watch the shocked expression that consumes her face when she reads it. Her response comes in moments later.
Firecracker: HAHAHAHAHA. That’s hilarious that you’d think I even care about something like that. I’ve never even seen American Sniper.
American Sniper? What the hell is she talking about? I shake my head and ignore the random reference in the interest of concentrating on the part of these messages I really care about anyway.
Me: Are you sure, though? Because there was a lot of insinuation swirling around inside that message of yours about “friends.”
Firecracker: Don’t flatter yourself. When it comes to you, I give zero fucks about who your little soldier has or hasn’t laid siege to.
My little soldier?
Me: If you give zero fucks, then why are you texting me about it?
She meets my eyes from across the room and glares.
Firecracker: Pretty sure you’re the one who started texting me. And now, if you don’t mind, I’m going to finish eating my lunch and chatting with someone who isn’t an asshole.
Me: Enjoy your lunch, Birdie. And good luck shooting your next scene. Hell, maybe I’ll stop by and watch you and your new buddy on set. You know, just in case you need any acting tips or guidance.
Firecracker: Pretty sure you’re going to be a little busy, you know, doing your fucking job on set.
She’s right. I’m scheduled to shoot some of Cal’s flashback scenes with Serena Koontz and the AD running the ship. But it’s also highly interesting that she’s aware of that fact.
Me: Aw, are you keeping track of my schedule?
Firecracker: Considering everyone’s schedule is on my schedule, it’s kind of hard to miss.
Yeah, but I don’t take the time to memorize everyone’s schedule.
You mean, you only take the time to memorize hers.
Me: Well, I think you and I both know I’ll be done shooting way before you are. It always takes you some time to get over your nerves and find your rhythm. Not to mention, without me there helping to guide you…it’s probably going to take you a bit longer.
What can I say? I can’t stop myself from saying shit to get a rise out of her.
Once Birdie reads my last message, she pointedly rolls her eyes and flips her phone screen-side down onto the table. A universal signal of I’m done with this conversation.
It makes me grin.
And I’m not actually going to go watch her and her new friend film their next scene. But I have a feeling she’s going to have her eyes out for me the entire time.
Game on, sweetheart.
Birdie
I’d rather get a root canal than film Scene 33.
A week and a half into my LA shooting schedule and I’m starting to find my stride.
I’ve set my mind free from the fear of messing up and focused my nervous energy on voicing my concerns or worries to my director. And Howie has proven to be a dream to work with.
He’s patient and kind, yet knows when to push me and challenge me.
He uses kid gloves when I’m straddling the line of vulnerability and doesn’t hesitate to offer me constructive criticism in key moments that help propel me forward. And, surprisingly, when it comes to the scenes that include me singing onstage with my band, he is open to my input and suggestions.
Yesterday, for example, in a scene that involved Arizona playing for a crowd of thousands, he agreed with my desire to change the set list so that the most powerful song—“Heavy Hearts,” a song I had the amazing opportunity to co-write—would be the last song we played since it was the one the crowd responded to the most.
“I’m really digging the Ari vibe today,” Samantha comments as we head out of the hair and makeup trailer and toward the craft services tent to grab a quick bite to eat. It’s so nice having her out here with me finally. “Maureen did a kick-ass job on your hair.”
“I wish we could bring Maureen back to Nashville with us,” I agree and pull out a few M&M’s from the bag of trail mix I’m snacking on and pop them into my mouth.
“Girl, tell me about it!” Sam exclaims through a laugh.