“I suppose I do owe your mother quite a bit when it comes to my career.” Trent admitted grudgingly. “We worked together often and she was the one that initially suggested me for the role of Captain Hero in the first place. However, the more I worked with Dagmar I began to realize she was an extremely troubled human being to put it nicely. Fame was ( Read more... )

“Perhaps we should sit at the dining room table while we eat.” Uncle Remington suggested. I think we should also concentrate on eating first and then talk when we have all been satisfied.”

I was pleased to see he loaded down his small plate with snacks and was already pouring out coffee for the rest of us. I had already dumped a packet of cocoa ( Read more... )

“Mom cheated on you too?” Bert exclaimed. “Oh my God! I bet she’s been fooling around this whole time with her plastic surgeon! She’s been claiming to anyone that will listen that you were the only one that cheated during your marriage! Why I’m I always surprised by what that woman says or does anymore? I’ve been such an idiot to ever believe ( Read more... )

While Bert told Trent about her stepfather’s sudden visit to school, I followed Uncle Remington into the kitchen. I was still trying to put all of the pieces together myself. It was shocking to learn that Bert was not Trent’s biological child. I was glad that it looked like she was going to forgive Trent from keeping such a secret from her.

“I ( Read more... )

“Wait! What?” Bert exclaimed. “That’s how you first met Mom? For real? She always told me that you two met on the set of your first Captain Hero picture. She even told me that you two were crushing on each other at the time, but never acted on it because she was married to someone else.”

I couldn’t picture Dagmar routing through a dumpster either. ( Read more... )

“When I was fifteen I decided I was a man and quit my job at the theater. I packed my bags, well my pillowcase with my meager belongings, and headed to Studio Town. I kept any cash on my person in case someone snatched the bag from my hands. I quickly learned that Studio Town can be a big and frightening place if you don’t know anyone.” Trent ( Read more... )

(My note: Through the years some of my readers would ask about Trent's backstory. Over the next few chapters he'll be telling Bert his side of the story.)

“I know I’ve told you about the way I was raised.” Trent told Bert. “I know I also told you about the circumstances that led me to run away from home. The only goal I had was to make my way to ( Read more... )

Trent carried Bert in his arms as if she were only seven years old instead of seventeen. He finally deposited her onto the nearest couch and sat down next to her. He kept her in his embrace.

“I know I should have told you the truth, but I could just never find the words.” Trent explained, while he reached out to stroke back Bert’s unruly tangle of ( Read more... )

I ran into Uncle Remington right outside the bathroom door.

“Knock, knock!” he called out cheerfully. “I found some things that might fit…somewhat anyway. I’ll just leave them right outside the door. Give me a moment to get back downstairs. I also have coffee brewing. I can have Lanie bring you up another mocha latte if you’d like.”

Bert opened the ( Read more... )

“Lanie, show Bert where all the bath items are in the guest bath.” Uncle Remington instructed. “You might also get a few more clean towels and a washcloth from the linen closet.”

My uncle reached out to help the blanket clad Bert to her feet.

“Let’s help Bert out of these blankets first. We have you wrapped pretty tight.”

I assisted Uncle Remington ( Read more... )