Through Love’s Eternity
They were celebrating five successful years of their half-reality, half-sitcom version of life, or at least he was. The two of them had also managed to invite nearly everyone who had played a part in helping catapult the show to the heights of success. The guest list might have made a younger version of Levi starstruck.
As usual, he was mentally preparing for the next two seasons and attempting to dismiss himself from an ill-conceived elevator pitch. He placed a reassuring hand on the young man’s shoulder, “I’m sure it’s great…send it to my office, and I’ll give it a look. Really, I will this time. Go enjoy yourself.”
Jen practically ran into him as she tried to dodge socialites, “I wanted to come track you down, and tell you congrats on five years. Your show really is so good. I hear there’s some awards buzz too, so that’s exciting.”
He smiled, “Thank you, but it’s really down to our writing team. They’re the ones doing all the heavy lifting, I just show up.”
She nodded, “Oh I bet. You’ve never given yourself enough credit, though. You are the most sought-after director currently working, you know that right?”
He looked down, stifling a smile, “Well, I’m happy where I’m at, and I don’t plan on going anywhere for at least 3 more seasons. Contracts and all.”
She shrugged, “I’m just repeating what I’ve heard, not trying to recruit you. But… I do think your skills would be better suited for a larger budget. I won’t push the issue, though.” They stood in silence for a few moments, “Where’s Sarah, is she not here?”
He pretended to scan the room, “I guess not. Probably passed out in her apartment, honestly.”
Jen raised an eyebrow, “That doesn’t make any sense. She’s your co-star.”
Levi tapped his glass, subconsciously typing out a message to the rest of the room. “Right.” He hesitated, before saying: “I’m going to get a drink. Do you want anything?” He smiled at her, “Lovely talking to you as always.”
He turned to exit the conversation, but she stopped him, “Levi, I’m assuming you’ve heard the rumor.”
He sighed, “I read it this morning in the Hollywood Reporter. They’re fast, huh?”
She cleared her throat, “I hope I’m not overstepping my bounds here, and please stop if I am, but is it accurate?”
He looked past her, “I really don’t know, she hasn’t said anything about it to me directly, and considering we’re renewing contracts next month… I suppose it’s not unlikely, especially given some of our conversations recently.”
Truly, he knew she was unhappy since they began the previous season. As expected, the focus had shifted from the initial premise into something resembling an ensemble — critics deemed it as a “brave reinvention,” while she personally saw it as a betrayal of their original idea.
Jen sighed loudly, “I’m sorry, Levi. Things like this do happen though, but your show will be fine. And she’ll do great in this industry. They love her.”
He shook his head, “It’s not that. Like really it’s not… Just complicated, her and I always have been.” Momentarily, he was eclipsed by memories of the two of them drafting the initial episode: a full twenty-two minute, Odd-Couple-styled homage to classic sitcoms. Unfortunately, as the show gained traction among the public, it seemed as though their relationship seemed to do the opposite. Even as their on-screen personas experienced critically-acclaimed moments of bliss, their private moments often felt stilted and unnatural. Fame, for all of its benefits, had not been kind to the version of them they liked the best.
Just then, his phone buzzed and interrupted his concentration. Sarah’s name was emblazoned across the background, and he quickly typed out a message in reply. He looked back at Jen, “I have to go — it’s Sarah. I’m not sure, but she said she needed to see me.”
Jen tilted her head forward, “I’ll just hang out here. Keep me updated on everything, and if you need anything-”
He shoved his phone into his back pocket, “I’ll text you,” he noted, finishing the thought.
Then, he pushed his way through the crowd and slipped through the rear door to where his vehicle was parked.
He shook his head, “It’s not that. Like really it’s… Just complicated, her and I always have been.” Momentarily, he was eclipsed by memories of the two of them drafting the initial episode: a full twenty-two minute, Odd-Couple-styled homage to classic sitcoms. Unfortunately, as the show gained traction among the public, it seemed as though their relationship seemed to do the opposite. Even as their on-screen personas experienced critically-acclaimed moments of bliss, their private moments often felt stilted and unnatural. Fame, for all of its benefits, had not been kind to the version of them they liked the best. Just then, his phone buzzed and interrupted his concentration. Sarah’s name was emblazoned across the background, and he quickly typed out a message in reply. He looked back at Jen, “I have to go — it’s Sarah. I’m not sure, but she said she needed to see me.” Jen tilted her head forward, “I’ll just hang out here. Keep me updated on everything, and if you need anything-”
He shoved his phone into his back pocket, “I’ll text you,” he noted, finishing the thought. He pushed his way through the crowd and slipped through the rear door to where his vehicle was parked.
He banged on her bedroom door and found, to his dismay, that he heard the tap in the guest bedroom running. He turned his head and confirmed his theory; he noticed her sitting against the back of the tub. She casually waved at him, as though he had just spotted her on set. He smiled and raised the spare key as if to indicate how he had arrived — he had only had to use it a few times in the two years since they separated. She motioned for him, and accordingly, he wandered over to where she was sitting and, instantly, he was assaulted by the surreal nature of the entire scene. He cleared his throat, “You mind if I sit down?”
She looked up at him and squinted, “Maybe. You’re not pitching another sitcom, are you?”
He lifted his hands mockingly, “Not this time. I think I’m done with that for a while.” Wordlessly, she gave him the authority to join her in the paralyzing artificial light. He caressed her hand affectionately like he needed to wash away years of misunderstanding and infamously bad fights. “I don’t tell you I’m sorry enough, you know that?”
She placed her other hand on top of his, “I know, Levi… trust me. I know.” He leaned forward, kissed her forehead, and seemed to remember why they first fell in love so many years prior. She smiled up at him, “You’re gonna miss the party: you need to be over there, doing what you do best.”
She half-expected him to listen, but he refused to move this time, “Hey listen to me: the world’s always spinning. Sometimes, you have to just exist in it.” And, for one glorious moment, they did exactly that — through love’s eternity.
