when she tried to correct me. This was all an act, mind you. I did it for my mother. Not because she asked me to but because I owed it to her. I wanted to cause these two as much misery as they had caused her. Liam would plead with me to behave. He would bribe me with anything my heart desired. I could feel the rebellion well up in me when I was with them. I did nothing to try and hold it back. I did not want them to be happy when I knew my mother was at home, sad and alone. I had hoped that my behavior would become so unbearable that they would forego our weekends and let me stay with my mom. That never happened. Instead, Liam decided that I needed to see a child psychologist. My mother refused. So he got a court order. Then I was forced to go and see Dr. Ryder every Thursday. Which meant more time away from my mother. I was informed by Dr. Ryder that I could tell him anything, and he had to keep it a secret. And that the time I spent in his office was just between the two of us. So I came clean.
“I just want to stay with my mom.”
“I see. So you prefer to be with your mother?”
“Yes. I only act bad so they won’t want me anymore.”
“So your father and Angela won’t want you?”
“Yes. That way, I can stay with my mom. I am just pretending when I throw fits and cry.”
“I see. Well that’s very clever, Juliet. But I don’t think it’s going to work.”
“Why?”
“Because your father has brought you here. Which means he cares enough about you to find out why you are unhappy. That means that he loves you.”
“I don’t care if he loves me. I love my mom.”
“It is okay to love your dad too. That doesn’t mean you love your mom less.”
“I don’t even know him.”
“I understand, Juliet. This is why it is good for you to spend time with him and Angela. Maybe you could just give them a chance.”
I continued to see Dr. Ryder every Thursday for the next six months. I decided to give up the act so that I could have my Thursdays back with my mom. I let up on Liam and Angela. Liam felt that my newfound good behavior was the result of my therapy sessions. He made a point of telling my mother that he had been right to seek professional help. I would later let my mother in on the whole conspiracy and reassure her that I never really had any emotional problems.
* * * * *
My mother was the live-in housekeeper/nanny to the Blumenfeld’s. They were both doctors. They had two children, both girls. Mother took care of their children, Rebekah and Rachel, and cleaned their home. In return, we were provided with the studio apartment over the old carriage house that now served as a garage for their classic car collection. My mother worked hard all day cleaning while the Blumenfeld’s children were at school. Then she would pick them up, help them with homework, and make dinner. We often ate dinner with them. The Blumenfeld’s were usually home by six o’clock. Then she would be off until seven the next morning. But the time in between belonged to us. She would read to me short stories she had written while she combed the tangles from my unruly hair. Then we would lie in our full-size bed, and she would hold me, telling me how much she loved me, and I would fall asleep in her arms.
I loved my mother. She was the best person I ever knew.
* * * * *
Liam decided that I would go to the school of his choice, since he was paying my tuition. So I was sent to an all-girls Catholic school, Holy Trinity, until I was in the eighth grade. Then I was transferred to a finishing school, St. Mary’s Sacred Heart. I hated it—the nuns, the uniforms, and all the religious dogma. Hated it. But I dealt with it for my mother’s sake. Liam blamed my mother for any poor behavior I displayed. So, for her sake, I was the model student.
My mother continued to work for the Blumenfeld’s and began taking night classes once I was in my senior year. I took an interest in the performing arts. Singing and theater became my passion. My first job was at a local café not far from our apartment. My coworkers pretty much consisted of other actors. We all looked out for one another and helped each other find auditions in the area. By the time I graduated high school, I had landed a few short roles in small stage productions. Liam and Angela bought me a powder-blue VW bug for my eighteenth birthday. I decided to stuff it with everything I owned and headed off to LA. My mother offered no resistance. She only pleaded that I be careful. Don’t trust anyone and don’t be naive. Liam was beside himself. He insisted that my mother stop me. But when it became clear to him that she would not, he and Angela presented me with a full ride to any college I could get in to. Plus, a large sum of money if I would reconsider. I refused and informed Liam that he did not have the right to keep me from pursuing my dreams. After all, I was eighteen, and he was a weekend father, at best. I guess this must have wounded him because he ended up giving me enough money to rent a small apartment in the city. For that, I was grateful.
My apartment was much smaller than the apartment I shared with my mother. But I loved it. It was my little piece of LA. My acting and singing career was slow going. So I took a job at a little coffee café about two blocks from the UCLA campus. I worked from six in the morning until two in the afternoon as many days as I could. I went to every audition I could find in between. Sundays were for hanging with friends and calling my mom.
* * * * *
“Stanley.”
“Excuse me?”
“My name is Stanley. I’m introducing myself.”
“Oh. Juliet, Juliet Foster.”
“Very pleased to meet you, Juliet.”
“What can I get you?”
“Well, I was hoping maybe that you might sit with me and have a cup of coffee. You see, I have just finished a very stressful week filled with finals and would really enjoy some conversation with a human instead of a book.”
“That’s a kind offer, Mister?”
“Epstein.”
“Mr. Epstein, but I am working, and sitting with you drinking coffee could cost me tips. So I must decline.”
“I understand. Maybe another time.”
“Maybe. What can I get for you, Mr. Epstein?”
“Please, call me Stanley. I think I will just have a black coffee and a bagel with cream cheese.”
He replied, looking somewhat wounded, “Okay, I will get that right out to you.”
“Thank you, Miss Foster.”
He remembered my name. Stanley Epstein sat alone drinking his coffee and eating his bagel. I intentionally neglected him. He got no refills and no second glances. I realize looking back how rude I was to him. Stanley would have never accused me of being rude. For this, I am sure. He would have assumed that my poor behavior was his fault. He thought the world of me. I was a very lucky woman…
My first big break came with the musical Cats. I landed a role as one of the strays. I sang background. My mother, Liam, and Angela all showed for opening night. Mom was so proud, and I felt like a star. Even though I was just one of many cats. We all attended the backstage celebrations of opening night. My mother on my right, Liam and Angela on my left. There he was. I left my parents at the buffet and made my way over to where he stood.
“Epstein. Right?”
“Miss Foster.”
“Impressive, you remembered my name.”
“I didn’t recognize you. You don’t quite look like yourself. It’s those green eyes of yours that gave you away.”
“Are you flirting with me, Mr. Epstein?”
Stanley’s face revealed his embarrassment.
“Not our boy Stanley,” said