And the Winner is…

‘Hi, you must be Tara’s date. I have to remark, you look and smell great!’

‘Well, thanks. I am her Uncle Mike. And my I ask who you are?’

‘Oh, Belinda. I am Tara’s stylist. You know makeup, hair, accessories.’

That makes sense, I didn’t see Belinda the night of the Golden Globe Awards, but I did get there late.

‘Come on in. You two will make a stunning couple on the red carpet. Don’t forget to do a shout out to me as her stylist. I think I outdid myself. Just wait!’

‘Tara, your stud uncle is here!’ she shouted out.

‘Oh my God! Belinda you were right!’ I acknowledged.

Tara was the epitome of elegance. She wore a black chiffon gown with a plunging lace V-neck tastefully displaying her cleavage. Not at all slutty, more of a sophisticated look. Her waist surrounded by a satin sash. The skirt tightly hugged her hips down to the floor culminating in a small train. Diamond necklace, bracelets and earrings adorned her. Her hair was up with an ornate diamond tiara. Such a transition from my last sight of her in a t-shirt and short shorts.

I presented my dozen roses to her. With her free hand, she draped it on my shoulder. She leaned in to kiss me on the lips, just a quicky. Belinda was right there.

‘I hope you two have a great night. Before I leave, can I take a picture?’

Sure, I stood next to Tara, placing my arm around her, hand on waist. Belinda took several photos from different angle, Tara always flashing a dazzling smile.

‘Could you take our picture? Belinda asked of me.

‘Sure!’

Belinda took up next to Tara. They were about the same height.

‘Put your arms around each other’s waist. Come on, act like you are friends.’

They complied. I took several photos. I handed the camera back to her but she didn’t take it.

‘Just one more.’

Belinda kissed Tara on the cheek. Maybe there is more to the business relationship.

‘Good luck kiss!’

‘You two have a great time tonight. Tara, you’re going to win tonight! I feel it.’

Belinda grabbed her stuff, she stopped in the doorway.

‘Hey, there is stretch limo parked out there with a driver in a tux! Riding in style!’

***

We were alone, finally. God, she looked gorgeous. She looked so comfortable in such an elegant outfit. Far cry from the t-shirt and shorts she was in this morning. I had an urge to kiss her. I fought it. We had to go.

‘A limo. I am impressed.’

‘Nothing but the best for my niece.’

‘Shall we? Your chariot awaits to take you to the ball.’

The driver introduced himself as Kellen. He opened the door for Tara offering a hand to help her into the limo. She needed it with that tight dress. I hope it doesn’t split.

‘I might be out of line, but I am going to say it anyway. You two make a stunning couple!’

Underway, Kellen asked, ‘I was told to drop you by the red carpet. Is that true?’

‘Yes sir. Tara is nominated for Best Supporting Actress tonight. She is obligated to walk the carpet.’

He looked into his rearview mirror.

‘Oh my God. How could I not recognize you! You are one of my faves. You deserved to win the Golden Globe. I watched all the movies, you were the best. I would be honored if I can take a photo with you, my wife is a huge fan as well. She won’t believe me if I just tell her.’

He shifted his gaze to me, ‘Wow, and you are Tom Selleck!’

‘Thank you, Kellen. Yes of course. Pull over in that park coming up. We won’t have a chance at the red carpet. And even though he looks like Tom Selleck, in reality he is my Uncle Mike.’

She was so gracious. It was a beautiful park adjacent to a Malibu beach. A great backdrop for photos. He directed the photo shoot. First Tara by herself in different poses, then she and I in different poses. The final one he had specific instructions.

‘I know you are going to win tonight. I will not be driver leaving the event. So, could you pretend like you won, and you hug in joy?’

We did it, I think it jinxed her, but I didn’t need to spoil his moment. Plus, I loved the hug. She said she could cry to make the photo better, but it would ruin her makeup.

‘I see one of you have an iPhone, I am Airdropping the photos.’

On the road again, incoming call. I checked the caller ID. For a change it was not ‘Unknown’ or some number not in my contacts. It was my brother! I switched to FaceTime.

‘Hello George. We are heading to the awards ceremony.’

‘Tara, you look stunning, Why are you taking such an ugly duckling with you to the awards.’

He was laughing so hard.

‘Dad, come on. He is my James Bond to my Cinderella. I am thankful he could join me tonight. Plus, I am glad you sent him to check on me. That was sweet. He is not only a great uncle, but a great man.’

I now felt really bad and dirty. I can’t have sex with my brother’s adopted daughter. What is wrong with me.

‘I agree, Mike is great. So successful. Maybe someday he can find the right woman to share that greatness with.’

He knew that my current relationship would not blossom. He knew me too well. History does repeat itself.

***

My second red carpet. I hope I don’t get more of the Tom Selleck references. Tara had to fight that off in social media sharing who I was after the Golden Globes, she shared classic head shot from our Board photos. That helped.

I felt more comfortable this time. Tara, well, she was born to do this. So elegant, so witty in the short interviews, great on deflecting out of bounds questions. I was impressed and so proud of her. We worked the line, Tara gave everyone equal time. Extra, Access Hollywood, Entertainment Tonight, ABC, CBS, NBC, even Guillermo from the Jimmy Kimmel show. We did the requisite shots of Tequila with him. We cleared the photo shoots. Once again, Tara just dazzled with her smile.

We bumped into the director of her film. She looked stunning in a white gown.

‘Well, who is your handsome date? What award are you nominated for?’ she asked of Tara.

‘This is my Uncle Mike, he was nice enough to be my plus one.’

‘Does that mean you are available? Can the both of you attend my after party at my place? I would like to get to know Uncle Michael.’

She is hitting on me. Interesting.

‘I will leave that up to Tara.’

‘If you haven’t already, you should do a screen test. I could arrange a private one. I am casting the next movie and there are several holes I have that need to be filled.’

I blushed. How blatant but flattering.

An Access Hollywood reporter tapped her on the shoulder.

‘Liz, come on, the crew is waiting for you.’

As she walked away, she said, ‘Think about it. I think you have something that would be a big help to me.’

She glanced down at my package, gave me a smile, and walked away.

‘Wow, Uncle Mike. I knew she was straight forward but nothing like that. She is married, but it is on the rocks because of her many affairs. She told me she liked to have more than one ball in the air and …, you know, in her mouth. The things she talks about, crazy.’

‘Are you part of the variety?’

‘Oh no, she is straight. Plus having an affair with my more or less boss is too complicated. She is directing my next movie.’

She smiled that smile, I am pretty sure she was thinking of her new lover, my employee Lindsey.

We were second row on the aisle. Thank you for more leg room. Maybe the next film where Tara is starring as lead will move her up one row next year. If released on time. She will do it, I can feel it. It might not be me as the plus one next year, might be Lindsey.

I had to make a restroom trip. I waited for a commercial break. As I moved up the aisle, I guy in tux ran down and sat next to Tara. Fill in for TV shots.

I had to wait till the next break to return. The fill in stopped as he passed me.

‘Lucky guy. She is hot! Hope she wins!’

I laughed but he was right on all counts.

***

The Best Supporting Actress awards are made early on in the program. Last year’s winners were tonight’s announcers. The Actress and Actor awards back to back. Actress first. Same nominees as the Golden Globe’s. Nominees announced in alphabetical order. I could picture the TV coverage. Short clips of the nominees in their movie. Tara was last. Cut to a tiled view of all five waiting for the announcement. Tara standing out, looking gorgeous and calm. The voters I understood shared a core with the Golden Globe’s, augmented by a different segment. I am praying for a different result. If she lost, it would be a long limo ride home.

Jamie Lee Curtis, who won for her awesome performance in Everything, Everywhere All at Once last year opened the envelope.

‘And the winner is and, in my opinion, deserving of the other award … Tara Wilson for Cicero!’

The world stood still for a moment, then accelerated. She won! She won! The cameras were all over her. The applause was deafening. She just stood up but didn’t move. I gave her a hug.

‘Tara, you won! Dazzle them with your smile and a thank you speech.’

‘I didn’t … I didn’t prepare anything. I thought I wouldn’t win.’

‘Be honest. Speak from your heart. Be gracious. I am so glad you won! So proud of you Tara. Go, go!’

Of course, she was the best example of grace and honesty. Thanking the producers, director, fellow cast, movie crew, stylists, writers and then family. She missed nobody. She embarrassed me though.

‘A big thanks to my Uncle Mike. He was with me at the other awards show supporting me when it was rough. Accompanying me to support whatever outcome tonight. He might look like Tom Selleck, but he is more than that. I love you Uncle Mike.’

Lots of applause. Cameras on me, tears flowing down my cheeks. I blew her a kiss. She was whisked away by Jamie Lee and others off stage. It must be a commercial break, there was a gorgeous couple, almost look alikes to Tara and me.

The lady whispered to me, ‘Go to the back, they will lead you backstage to be with Tara. Congratulations.’

***

Tara was surrounded with the red carpet crews. Charming, gracious, witty with an offset of true sincerity for winning.

‘Are you disappointed that the Golden Globe’s didn’t recognize you?’

‘My fellow actors are brilliant in their trade. I am honored to even be mentioned in the same breath. I was happy just to be nominated.’

So good, so classy. So different from the person who asked me to leave so that she could have sex with my employee. What a 24 hours!