Soap Dreams. Stephanie Haefner

be somewhat weird.”

      “So how’s baby Amelia today?”

      “Nice change in topic. She’s good–slept six hours last night.”

      “Only two months old. That’s really great.”

      “I’m hoping by three months she’ll double that.”

      Anna’s baby girl began wailing.

      “I better go. Smells like we have a problem here.”

      “Okay. I’ll talk to you later.”

      Robyn set the phone down and watched the last scene of the show–Derek’s character took a gold wedding band out of his pocket and threw it into the trash. She’d love to know what would happen next. Should she record it? Probably wasn’t a great idea to watch her ex half-naked on a regular basis. But it wasn’t really Derek she was watching. It was Cameron Calder, a random guy from Cedar Valley.

      Before shutting off the TV, she set it to record each day indefinitely.

      * * * *

      “Robyn, dear?” her mother called to her while setting the table for their traditional Sunday dinner. She placed the last fork in its proper spot, then walked to the kitchen expecting to be handed a stack of plates. Instead, her mother gave her a full-color flyer. “I saw this tacked up on the community board at the market.”

      In big bold letters it stated:

       Welcome home, Derek Woodsen!

      Underneath was Derek’s head shot, complete with blinding white teeth and those piercing blue eyes that bore into her soul. She suddenly felt a little wobbly.

      “Remember when you kids were boyfriend and girlfriend?” Robyn’s mother asked. “He practically lived here! But I didn’t mind. Such a little cutie he was! And so sweet. He was always sending you flowers and writing poems.” She reached for a stack of linen napkins and handed them to Robyn. “I was even smitten by him, but your father sure wasn’t as trusting.” She gave a hearty laugh. “Remember that one day–he’d dragged Derek over to his antique Civil War pistol collection, displayed on the living room wall. The poor boy shook in his sneakers when he asked if they still worked. I can still picture that devilish grin on your father’s face when he answered, ‘Yes!’”

      Robyn finished setting the table and returned to the kitchen, hoping the Derek conversation had ended.

      “Did you know he’s on that show?” No such luck. “The one you used to watch.” Her mother paused to stir a pot on the stovetop. “I just found out the other day. Gloria down at the Beauty Stop told me Derek’s mother has been coming in regularly and having her nails done and even having her whole face waxed. I can’t understand why anyone would pay someone to do that, but I suppose when your son’s an actor. I hear all she does now is brag about him being on TV and how much money he gives her.”

      Robyn thought of Mrs. Woodsen and the devastation on her face the day of her husband’s funeral. She and Derek had been long broken up by that point. But as painful as it was to face him–the memory of their horrible breakup smacking her in the face–she’d pushed it aside and supported the woman who had treated her like a daughter. With her soon-to-be husband on her arm, she had given her condolences to Derek, but not another word after. He’d moved back to Springville after the funeral, giving up his big football scholarship. His mother needed her only boy to take care of her.

      She had seen Derek on occasion, in the pharmacy or somewhere else around town, never speaking and usually avoiding eye contact.

      “Did you read here?” Robyn’s mother poked her finger at the flyer, jolting her back to reality. “There’s going to be a big party at the Legion celebrating Derek’s Soap Opera Award.”

      “He won an award already?”

      “Yeah. Best New Man or something like that.” She hurried back to the oven to check her roast chicken. While she basted the bird, she added, “You should go to that party.”

      “No, I couldn’t. I haven’t talked to him in years.” And aside from a soft “I’m sorry” at his father’s funeral, her last words to him included, “I hate you!” and “You ruined my life!” As far as her parents knew, the teen lovebirds had simply grown apart after going away to separate colleges.

      “So what! I’m sure he’d love to see you.”

      “Who would love to see you?” Robyn’s husband, Grant, entered the room behind her, eyes fixed on his Blackberry.

      “Oh, no one. It’s nothing,” she answered. His gaze still focused on the tiny screen. She handed him a beer, most likely the reason for his trip into the kitchen. Little else would pull him away from the football game on TV.

      “Robyn’s boyfriend from high school is a big-time TV actor now. There’s going to be a party for him next weekend.”

      Grant thumbed around on his phone, then looked up briefly. “You going?” Nothing kept him from his Blackberry.

      “No. There’s no reason for me to go.” Robyn immediately left the room as her heart starting beating a bit erratically. She didn’t want to see Derek. She saw him each day on TV. That was enough. She didn’t need to see him in person.