Chapter Text
Seated in the exact center of the IMAX theatre, I wait patiently as Joliver makes his way down the aisles, passing each of us our theatre treats: popcorn and drinks for all. He also accurately remembers everyone’s candy preference, right on target. After he delivers me my Milk Duds, Ryan takes my hand and holds it tightly against the armrest, his palm clammy and trembling. I look over and see his usual happy-go-lucky smile, but his eyes betray concern.
“Are you having a hot flash or something?” I whisper.
He chuckles anxiously, keeps his voice low. “Madam, I am just… genuinely nervous about your take on this movie.”
“Ryan, please,” I say, “I won’t be mean. And I’m sure I won’t have to be.”
“But also, the entire Manse is here…” he says, waving his hand around us. Denis sits on Ryan’s other side, while Stevezie sits on mine, and indeed, every other husband, child, and boyfriend who was interested is taking up seats in our immediate vicinity.
I sigh, lean over and kiss his cheek. “I didn’t twist any arms, sweetie,” I whisper, giving him a wink. “They all wanted to come. They’re all excited. It looks like it’ll be a fun ride.”
He nods, still smiling. “That’s very sweet of them, I appreciate it. But still… knowing just how seriously you all take movies, I can’t help feeling on the spot. I mean, I’ve disappointed you in the past—”
I frown a little, cup his cheek in my palm. “Every husband has disappointed me at some point, you know. I tend not to hold it against them for very long because it’s usually not that bad and they always make up for it in so many other ways. I know I am very opinionated and judgmental when it comes to film, so I understand where you’re coming from, but please take this family excursion as a vote of confidence.”
Ryan’s smile morphs into a grin and he takes my hand and kisses it. “You’re right when you’re right, Madam.”
Just then, Ryan’s high seatback gets jarred. I peek over the top of mine, see all three kiddos giggling and moving about as if playing musical chairs. “Hey, all of you find a seat and keep your butts in place,” I say, making them all freeze, then climb into their respective chairs. I give them a soft death stare in turn. “Did y’all go to the bathroom? Because you’re not moving an inch until this movie’s over.”
“Yes, Mumma,” Perdita says. “We did.”
Joliver, his job finished, carries his own popcorn and drink up the row, takes his seat beside William, then fishes a box of Skittles out of his jacket pocket. “Here you go, buddy. It was the last one they had.”
“Thank you, Jolly!”
“Yes, thank you, Uncle Joliver,” I say as I stare at the girls, who already have their Nerds and Mike ‘n Ikes.
They take their cue and simultaneously say “Thank you, Uncle Jolly.”
Stevezie taps my shoulder, pulls my attention as he glances at Ryan and whispers: “Everything OK?”
I turn to him, reach for the popcorn bucket in his lap. “Just a touch of nerves, is all,” I say, then kiss his cheek. “I think Ryan thinks I’ll tear him a new one if this doesn’t make the grade.”
Stevezie chuckles, nods as he grabs a handful of popcorn for himself. “It’s hard being seated beside the resident film queen.”
I roll my eyes, still smiling. “Yes, thanks, I try.” Then I turn, lean forward to spy Denis and Ryan, who are whispering to each other conspiratorially. Denis glances at me and winks, and I grin, give him a thumbs-up, knowing exactly what’s coming. When the lights begin to dim, our kiddos let out a muted “Woohoo!” and then dutifully shut up.
Soon enough, the teaser trailer we’ve all been waiting for finally rolls, and I my heart begins to race. As if I couldn’t get more excited about Dune: Part 3, the (rather lengthy for a teaser) sneak peek just makes me more impatient for the next nine months to fly by.
When it finishes, Ryan leans back toward me, whispers: “That was what you were really here for, wasn’t it?”
I wink at him, kiss his cheek. “Not the only thing, sweetie.”