Maxie Duncan Box Set: Maxie Duncan Series

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It’s Not The Great Pumpkin, Maxie Duncan

(Maxie Duncan, Book 1.5)

A novelette

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A Very Maxie Christmas

(A Maxie Duncan short story)

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Bell, Book, and Sandals

Melissa L. Webb

Copyright 2012 Melissa L. Webb

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All rights reserved.

License Notes

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This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share the ebook with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you're reading this ebook and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Disclaimer:

This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance of characters to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. The Author holds exclusive rights to this work. Unauthorized duplication is prohibited.

To everyone who brings the magic to my life, this one's for you. 

One

Was I really destined to be alone?  Was I meant to walk this life a spinster in a great set of heels?  Is that really what the fates had in store for me?  That’s the way it was starting to look.  My fiancé had gone and shattered my perfectly manicured world.  He dumped me.  Like last week’s trends.  And before you say those things happen, let me tell you, no, they don’t.  Not to me.

Things like that just don’t happen to Maxine Marie Duncan.

There are two reasons why that is.  Number one: I’m tall, blonde, and have the most amazing green eyes.  (At least that’s what all the guys tell me.)  I have a killer body.  (I’m only 23, so I’m young enough to be shallow.  I can always earn extra Karma points later on in life.)  And I’m rich.  We’re talking I’ll-never-have-to-worry-about-a-thing rich.  These things alone should be enough to keep me from the pain of rejection.  But usually I don’t have to just rely on them.  Which brings me to...

Number two: I can sense things.  I know that sounds silly, but it’s true.  I have never been surprised by anything in my life, not once; until this happened. 

Now don’t get me wrong.  I’m not one of those people who should be on a street corner proclaiming the end of the world or even working for the Psychic Friends Network.  Though, btw, Dionne Warwick is amazing.  She is the U.S. Ambassador of health, you know.  So she totally knows what’s what.

Anyway, I don’t see the future; I just get hunches, which usually turn out to be right.  And before you ask, no, that is not why Stephen broke up with me.  I’m not a freak or anything.

So there I was, planning a wedding, riding a high I never thought I’d come down from.  I was going to be Mrs. Stephen Hawthorne.  Which is a real honor in itself.  He’s going to be the youngest partner at Jennings and McAlister.  And I would have been the perfect housewife, too. Throwing parties and socializing with all the other Elite wives.  Helping to boost Stephen’s career anyway I could.  It’s what I was born to do.

I never even knew anything was wrong.  Why was I so unprepared for this?  He texted me, and asked if I could meet him at La Cruz for dinner.  Apparently he had something to discuss with me.

I was so excited.  Usually that meant some kind of adventure was in store for us.  (Last time he said that, he proposed.)  Plus, La Cruz was our place.  We had been going there since high school.  So I bought a new dress, got a mani-pedi, and met him at seven o’clock sharp.  I was hoping he found us a house.  We were going to be married in three months.  I didn’t want to start out homeless, or anything.

I was waiting in the foyer when he walked in.  With her.  Some redhead on his arm wearing a miniskirt so short I could almost see all of France.  He had the nerve to walk right up and introduce her.  Can you believe that? 

Oh hi, honey.  This is Sunday, and I’m leaving you for her.

Okay, maybe he didn’t say it just like that, but he didn’t have to.  I can take a hint.  I was out and Sunday was in.  What kind of name was that anyway?  Did he have a girl for every day of the week?  I wouldn’t have been surprised.  Not after this.

So here I was.  The laughing stock of New Haven, Maine.  I had been tossed away like yesterday’s garbage and everyone knew it.  I needed to get away.  I couldn’t stay here, not with the looks and the whispers.  It was way too much for me to handle.  But I didn’t have anywhere else to go.  I couldn’t do anything.  All I had ever wanted to be was a rich man’s wife.  It’s what I had planned on from the very start.  I couldn’t get a job.  I couldn’t make something of myself.  I just wasn’t that girl.

All I had now was my looks.  And you couldn’t make a living off that.  Or could you? 

Two

I paced the living room of my childhood home as I tried to find the right words.  My heels clicked against the hardwood floor, adding to the anxiety I was already feeling.  It wasn’t every day you had to shake up your mother’s world; but what choice did I have?  I needed to do something, and right now, it seemed like my only option.

My mother watched me from her chair, a frown plastered across her face.  She knew something big was coming.  Something she wasn’t going to like very much.  Sometimes I wondered if I didn’t get my gift from her.

I took a deep breath and stopped pacing.  If I was going to do this, I needed to start now.  I’m leaving, Mom.

She sat there, not saying anything, waiting for me to explain myself.

I’m moving to L.A.  I’ve decided to become an actress, I said with a flourish.

My mother’s frown disappeared.  I knew she was waiting for the punch line.

I folded my arms over my chest, cocking my hip out.  I knew it was the pose she hated, but it was my not-backing-down look and I needed it right now.  I’ve made up my mind, Mom.  This is what I’m doing.

She sighed when she realized how serious I was.  Maxie, darling, she said, getting up from the chair.  Is this because of Stephen?  I know this is difficult for you, but you still have a lot of options here.

I stood there, glaring.  I had finally decided to do something by myself and she writes it off as a side effect of being dumped.  That was just great.

You’re young, she continued, you’re beautiful.  You’re rich.  There are a lot of guys out there who would love to take Stephen’s place.  She stopped for a moment, the gears in her head turning so fast, I could almost hear them.  How about that Jefferson boy?  He always had a thing for you.

Yuck.  Is that what my life had come to?  I am not dating Henry, Mother.  He’s a complete idiot.  It’s a wonder he can even tie his own shoes.

He’s a very sweet boy, Maxine.  He has a guaranteed career with his grandfather’s company, and besides, he’s got people who can tie his shoes for him.

This is all a big joke to you, isn’t it? I demanded.

Well, what am I supposed to think?  You tell me that you’re going to Hollywood to be an actress.  She looked at me with her own hands on her hips.  Obviously, I knew where I got it.  It has to be some kind of a joke.  You haven’t even acted once in your whole life.  Now, she said, dragging me over to the high-backed davenport.  Let’s both take a deep breath and calmly discuss what this is really about.

I knew it was pointless to fight her on this.  She needed to understand what my motives were.  It’s not as if I had ever remotely considered any of this before.  My mother always had my best intentions at heart, even if she had a strange way of showing it.  I owed it to her to explain.  I sat down next to her, taking her hand in mine.  I’m sorry you think this is just about Stephen.  Some of it is.  I thought I was going to spend the rest of my life with him.  I thought everything was planned out.

This happens to the best of us, dear.  We just have to pick up the pieces and move on, she said, giving my hand a squeeze.

I nodded.  That’s what I’m trying to do.  All my life I tried to be what others wanted.  It’s what I thought I wanted as well.  But now that I’m free to stop and look at my life, I realize I want more.  I don’t want to be just a rich man’s wife.  I want people to know me for me.

That is the best thing I have ever heard you say, my mother said, dabbing at her eyes.  But can’t you find your place here?

Here I have the painful reminder of what I was.  I need a change.  To go some place I can reinvent myself.  I can’t do that here.

Mom thought that over for a second.  I knew she was beginning to understand.  Why an actress?  Can’t we find you something a little more stable?

I sighed.  I knew this part was going to be a hard sell.  Face it, Mom.  We both know there’s not a whole lot of options for someone like me.  Can you really see me flipping burgers?

She shook her head.  You won’t have to do that.  Money will never be an issue for you.

That’s not the point.  I want to do something.  I want to be someone.  I want to say I can stand on my own two feet if I had to.  My looks are my best option.  I can feel it.  This is the path I’m meant to take.

She studied me for a moment.  You really feel it?  Your instincts tell you this is the right choice?

I nodded, hope growing inside of me.  Maybe my mother wouldn’t disown me after all.

You know I’ve always had faith in your instincts.  Okay.  It looks like you’re going to have to start making arrangements.  And don’t worry.  Daddy and I will support you through all of this.

I squealed as I threw my arms around her.  Did I have the best mother in the world or what?  Thank you, I said as I let her go.  I’ve got to make some calls.  I couldn’t believe this.  It was really going to happen.  I hurried to my room.  There was so much to do.  I was going to Hollywood!

Three

Loading the last of my luggage on the cart, I headed for the airport exit.  Excitement bubbled through me as I made my way around the lingering people.  I was here.  I was in the Land of Hopes and Dreams.  I was going to take this place by storm.

Do you need some help with that? someone asked from behind me.

I turned to see a bronze god in an attendant’s uniform.  He was pointing at the cart I was pushing.  He must have noticed heels were not the best things to wear when pushing a loaded down luggage cart.  Oh, well.  You live and you learn.

Sure, I said, flashing him my million dollar smile.

He immediately took over my cart, pushing it straight out the door in no time.  Wow, not more than five minutes here, and I was already making new friends.

Where am I taking these things? he asked me as we wheeled past the flow of people, coming from or going to some far off exotic place.

Oh, I said, looking around.  I’m supposed to have a car waiting for me somewhere around here.

I’ll find it, he said, eagerly disappearing into the sea of people.

I stood there, waiting, watching the people flit around me.  How exciting was this?  It was the start of my new life.  Here I was, Maxie Duncan, ready to conquer Hollywood.  I was so proud of myself.  I’d gone from being the soon-to-be housewife to Californian transplant in no time flat.  This was going to be awesome.

The airport guy came back, ushering me over to a big black limo.  The driver loaded my bags and I started to get in.

Wait, the bronze god called, stopping me.  I know you don’t know me, but...  He handed me a piece of paper.  Here’s my number.  I’d love to show you around.  Give you all the inside scoop on living in So. Cal.

I grinned as he waved, heading back into the building.  Stepping into the back of the limo, I closed my eyes, letting everything soak in.  I was Hollywood bound and had already been asked on a date.  My instincts were in overdrive and they were all telling me the same thing.  This was going to be an adventure of a lifetime.

Four 

I checked myself in the mirror one last time before coming out of the suite’s bathroom.  I was as ready as I would ever be.  This was it.  Today was my first audition.  I could feel fate pulling at me, urging me forward.

I couldn’t let destiny sit and wait, so I quickly grabbed my purse; heading down to the lobby of my hotel.  My driver was waiting for me as usual.  I read him the address, checking the text from Mom again.  Her hairdresser had mentioned that the daughter of one of her clients had a big audition today out here in LaLa Land.  My mother had insisted I check it out. 

I did as I was told, and it was a good thing, too.  I would have regretted missing this one.  It was an open cattle call for the girl next door in the new Zand Taylor Romantic Comedy.  I was created for that part.  Maxie Duncan, Girl Next Door.  That described me perfectly.  I sat back and relaxed.  This was going to be the greatest (and easiest) day of my life.

My limo pulled up into the parking lot of the hotel hosting the auditions.  The Hotel DenMark.  I had never heard of it before, but as I eyed the place, I realized I should have.  It was even bigger than the place I was staying.  And trust me, that was saying a lot.  Eat your heart out, Paris.

I got out of the car, staring up at the darkly romantic structure in front of me and made a mental note.  If it was as beautiful on the inside as it was outside, I was switching hotels.

I walked in with my head held high, my six-inch heels announcing my arrival.

The desk clerk looked up at me and smiled.  Let me guess, you’re here for the cattle call, right?

I nodded.  She had recognized me for what I was.  A future star.

It’s in the ballroom.  Just turn left and go to the end of the hall, she said, pointing to a corridor off to the side.

Thank you, I said, flashing my patented smile and headed where her finger indicated.  As I walked along the plush carpet, taking in the gilded walls, I couldn’t help wondering how old this place was.  You couldn’t get this kind of glamor these days.  Not even with all the money in the world.  Trust me, I know.

Hurrying along the hall, I came to a stop in front of huge golden doors.  Cherubs stared down at me from each one, their wings unfurled in a state of flight.  They seemed to look at me with such intensity, I ducked my head to avoid their gaze.  It was almost as if they were judging me.  I hoped I passed their test because my future lay behind those ever-staring sentinels. 

Taking a deep breath, I let it out slowly.  This was what I came here to do.  And nothing was going to stop me.  With my head held high and a huge smile plastered across my face, I pushed the doors open, making an entrance no one would ever forget.

Unfortunately, no one noticed.  The thousands of girls seated around the large ballroom were too busy dealing with their own impending stardom.  I couldn’t believe how many there were, and worse yet, they all looked like me.  Tall, blonde, and beautiful.  How was I ever going to stand out in this crowd?

Moving farther into the room, I sized up my competition.  This was going to be tough.  I would just have to dazzle them with who I was.  I would have to be Maxie to the nth power.  That’s all there was to it.

Excuse me, miss? a voice called from behind me.  You need to sign in before you can take a seat.

I turned around.  Two women sat behind a table, staring at me.  You need to check in, dear, the older one told me, tapping a clipboard. 

And we’ll assign you a number, the other chimed in.

Oh, of course, I said quickly, coming over to the table.  I hoped they couldn’t tell I’d never done this before.

The motherly one looked me up and down as I signed the paper, then leaned forward, as if to share a secret.  You’re new to this, aren’t you?  So much for pretending.

I nodded, embarrassment creeping into my cheeks.  Was it that obvious?  Yes.  I only got to California four days ago.

She smiled brightly, looking like she had just won the lottery.  I knew it.  I can always spot fresh meat a mile away.

Fresh meat? I repeated, swallowing the lump invading my throat.  She sure wasn’t making this sound like a pleasant experience.

Yes.  Fresh meat, she said, standing up and pinning a number to me.  Good luck.  Handing me a script, she sent me out into the sea of chairs.

I looked around, trying to find an empty chair.  I found one in a back corner, next to a younger version of me.  Hi, I said, sitting down.  It sure is crowded in here.

She looked at me for a moment, then back down at her script.

I’m Maxie, I offered, trying once again to start a conversation.

She looked up at me with a scowl on her lips.  "Look, Maxie, I’m not here to make friends.  I have no desire to be nice to you.  All you are is competition.  And I eat fresh meat like you for breakfast.  Now...if you'll excuse me, she said, standing up.  I have lines to learn."

I watched her walk away, sick to my stomach.  What had I done to be treated like that?  And what was so wrong with being fresh meat anyway?  I preferred my steaks to be as fresh as they possibly could be.  Most people did.

I stared down at the script in my lap through blurry eyes.  I had to get this part.  I just had to.  I had to show everyone I was someone.  That I mattered in this world.  Picking up the pages, I leafed through them, scanning the highlighted words.  Wow.  There sure were a lot of them.  I read them repeatedly until my eyes couldn’t focus from the strain.

I looked up, glancing around me.  The room was almost empty.  I glanced at the clock on my cell phone.  I had been reading my lines for over four hours.  Where had all that time gone?

Maxie Duncan? someone called from a doorway.

I stood up quickly.  That’s me, I called.

You’re up.  Follow me, the guy said, heading back where he came from.

I hurried after him.  I hoped the last four hours proved well spent because it was now or never.  I was racing for my destiny.

The guy led me down a hallway into some kind of conference room.  Two men and a woman sat behind a table.  I stood there, smiling as brightly as I could, hoping they couldn’t hear how loudly my heart was pounding.

So, Maxine, one of the men spoke.

Please, I said, interrupting him, call me Maxie.

He rolled his eyes and started again.  "So, Maxie, where is your headshot?"

I stared at him, a blank look on my face.  What the heck was that?  Headshot?

Yes, Ms. Duncan.  Where is your photo and resume? the woman asked harshly.

Oh, I said, feeling very, very awkward standing there.  I don’t have one.  This is my first time doing anything like this.

Great, the man said, shutting the notebook in front of him.  He turned and looked at the guy who brought me in.  Please, show the next one in, Gary.  We’re done here.

I froze.  That was it?  It was over just like that?  Please, I begged, I can do this.

The other guy looked at him and shrugged.  She’s here.  We might as well see how she does.  He looked me up and down.  She certainly has the look.

I felt hope beginning to grow in me.  Maybe my destiny hadn’t been squashed yet.

Fine, the rude man said.  You’ve got two minutes, kid.  You better dazzle us.

I smiled.  Thank you.  I glanced down at the script in my hand.  Where do you want me to start?

The woman looked down at the notebook in front of her.  Why don’t you read the scene where Mitch and Audrey break up.  Jonathan here will start it for you, she said, motioning to the nice guy next to her.

I’m sorry, Audrey.  But we’re just not the same as we use to be, Jonathan read to me.  Our lives have taken two different paths.  It’s over.

The lines he read brought images of Stephen to my mind.  The words he spoken to me were still there, raw as the day he said them.  Tears filled my eyes.  I took a deep breath.  It was time to do this.  No, Mitch.  Don’t say that, I spoke, letting emotion fill my words.  You still love me.  I see it in your eyes.  And as long as we have love...  I stopped, my mind going blank.  This couldn’t be happening.  Not now.  What was the next line?

I started again, repeating the words I just said, trying desperately to recall what I had studied for hours.  I hit a wall as I came to the same spot.  It was no use.  I couldn’t remember what I was supposed to say next.

Okay, time’s up, the unknown man spoke, smugness in his voice.  Unfortunately, you failed to dazzle me.

No.  This couldn’t happen to me.  This was my destiny.  I’m sorry.  I’m just a little nervous.  I could try again, I said, flipping through my script.  I can do this.

The man shook his head and turned towards the door.  Next.

My heart sank at that word.  I had just erased my future.

Five

I sat with my