proud of you.” She whispered the words in her empty room alone, and for a moment she thought about texting him, telling him she’d seen the story and she couldn’t be happier for the way God was using him. But then … her mom had told her that they’d sent cookies and a donation. Anything she might say now would only confuse both of them. Someday they might be far enough away from yesterday to be friends again.
But not anytime soon.
Bailey clicked the search box and typed in Brandon’s name. The first of seventy-three stories that came up made her smile too. “Brandon Paul Doesn’t Mind Risking Popularity for Faith.” A warmth spread through her, because a year ago she never could’ve seen this coming. It was one thing for an actor of Brandon’s stature to give his life to the Lord. It was another thing to live his faith out — day by day in a city and industry that most often had no use for God.
The question had been posed to Brandon yesterday, apparently, as to whether he would tone down his talk about his faith if his Christianity started to cause a drop in his popularity. The article said that a smiling Brandon Paul had merely responded by saying, “I act because I love it … but I love God more. The Bible says our lives here are like a mist that appears for a little while and then is gone. I guess it doesn’t matter so much how popular I am when you keep that in mind.” Again, Bailey was thrilled. Brandon’s statement might cost him his public popularity and something else — a lower paycheck. But he didn’t care.
She was about to close the computer, play her guitar for a little while, or write in her journal and jot down the thoughts clamoring for position in her heart. But before she could close it an instant message popped up. Bailey smiled. It was from Andi Ellison, her college roommate from the last few years.
Hey, Bailey, how are you! It’s been way too long!
Bailey typed her response. Andi, it’s so good to hear from you — lol. How are you? And how’s the movie business?
It’s amazing! I might read for a speaking part next week. My dad thinks I have a good chance. It’s a Christian film, different producers, but friends of my dad’s.
A tenderness spread through Bailey’s heart. Andi was another example of someone who had turned her life entirely over to Jesus. And in the process, God was blessing her, showing her that second chances existed for people who believed. She typed another reply. That’s great, Andi. I’m so happy for you. So you’re loving LA?
Absolutely. The sunshine and palm trees … the beach. What’s not to love? And the traffic gives me time to pray, so yeah … I love it.
They talked another five minutes about New York City and Hairspray and Bailey’s growing friendship with Brandon Paul. Andi thought the two of them were going to get married one day. I always thought it would be you and Cody, she wrote. But now I’ve changed my mind. Brandon adores you … I can see it in your pictures.
Bailey wanted to ask if Andi had plans to see her son, the one she gave up for adoption in January. The baby was thriving with his adoptive parents, Luke and Reagan Baxter. But there had been talk initially that every so often Andi might visit the baby, see how he was growing up. Still, the adoption seemed too recent to bring it up first.
As she and Andi were wrapping up, the Skype program popped up and a question appeared on her screen. Brandon Paul was inviting her to a video chat. Bailey uttered a quiet giggle. It was like he could read her mind, like he always knew exactly when to contact her. She said goodbye to Andi and agreed to Brandon’s request. Like that, they were together, face-to-face, if only virtually.
“Bailey … ahhh, good.” He was wearing a long sleeve gray buttoned-down shirt with a white T-shirt underneath. For a few seconds he put his hand on his throat and acted like he was only now able to catch his breath.
“What in the world are you doing?” She laughed, loving the way he could turn actor at any moment. “Don’t tell me you’re choking on an olive. One too many premiere parties.”
This time he laughed hard and dropped his hand back to his