‘How is Jami doing?’ Helen wanted to know. ‘Did you ever get her out of the bathroom?’
‘Picking the lock was easy. Getting her to calm down was another story. Last I saw her she was still crying on Trent’s shoulder. Inez told me she’d bring Trent home once they could get Jami to decide what she wants to do.’
My Uncle focused his attention back on Reginald.
‘I am glad that your around, Rodney, because I’d like a word with you.’
‘Would you like to come inside?’


‘That won’t be necessary.’ my Uncle’s tone was cool. ‘I really need to get my daughter home and to bed since it’s a school night. I just wanted to tell you that I don’t appreciate all the trouble you’re giving Trent. If I’d have known you’d show up late for jobs, argue over scripts and poke fun at the roles you are given, I’d never have put in a good word for you. I thought you were serious about getting bit parts. I’m not just trying to be hateful, but I don’t think you have what it takes to be a star. I don’t know what your true talent is, but I know it isn’t acting.’
Reginald flushed.
‘I know, Mansfield. I’m lucky to get the roles that do come to me, but as for giving Thorton trouble, what about the way he treats me? He can’t just let me go to any job he gets me. He insists on going along and standing over me the entire time. He’s just waiting for me to screw up so he can pounce on me. He lectures non stop. He treats me like I’m dirt under his nails.’
‘Did it ever occur to you that Trent is actually trying to help you out by giving you advice and so much of his valuable time? Trent doesn’t trouble himself for just anyone.’


‘I really wish I could believe that, Mansfield, but it’s obvious the man hates my guts. You know he never calls to me when he wants me, he whistles to me like I’m a dog. I hate that! It’s really humiliating.’
‘Don’t be such a big baby, Rodney.’ my Uncle scoffed. ‘I’m sure Trent doesn’t mean anything by it.’ his lips twitched a little then. ‘It’s probably one of those man things.’
‘Well, what ever it is.’ Reginald sulked. ‘I don’t appreciate it. I still haven’t forgotten that Thorton tried to have me blacklisted in the first place. I also have reliable information that Thorton is still turning down roles and job offers without consulting Helen first.’
‘Reg.’ Helen’s tone held a warning note.
‘If you mean your friend Newman,’ my Uncle told him. ‘reliable isn’t quite the right term to describe him. The man couldn’t tell the truth even if someone wrote it down for him. He may claim to be so fond of Trent, but the fact is he’d do anything to discredit him. He’s been jealous of Trent since they both started out as actors. It really has to burn that Trent has a better reputation as a talent agent as well.’
I always felt a bit sick to my stomach when Newman was discussed.


‘I’m not a total dipstick, Mansfield. I’m well aware that Dex Newman isn’t a saint...far from it. However unlike everyone else, Dex at least treats me like an equal.’
‘I also notice that he hasn’t been getting you much work either. Some how Rodney, I doubt you really like playing gopher to Newman and working in his office...if that’s what he has you doing.’
‘Whatever he has me doing Mansfield, it’s much better than playing a seven foot pink gorilla!’
Noting my Uncle’s startled expression, Reginald complained about how Trent had tricked him into signing a two year contract for The Capt’N Billy Show.
My Uncle had no sympathy for him.
‘Did you or did you not tell Trent to find you a regular part on a series? It’s foolish not to read the fine print in any contract you sign. I’ll agree that it doesn’t sound like a dream job to me either, but you can’t beat the benefits and the pay. If Trent really wanted to make your life miserable he wouldn’t have bothered to find you such a sweet deal. All you have to do is make children happy. My advice would be to make the best of it. If you just apply yourself and quit whining, other opportunities may result from it.’
‘Yeah right,’ Reginald grumbled. ‘I’ll be typecast!’
‘Good grief!’ my Uncle exclaimed. ‘How can you be typecast if you’re hidden inside a gorilla costume? First you complain that your sick of being the being the guy that get’s killed off, then I hear you won’t do any more commercials...’
‘That’s because they always want me to be the guy that smells or has the dandruff.’
I giggled remembering a few of them. I liked the one where the girls keep slapping Reginald when he tried to talk to them.
‘Mansfield I know I’ll never be a star, but sometimes being the butt of everyone’s jokes really gets me down.’
Did I see a flicker of compassion in my Uncle’s eyes?
‘Listen to me, Rodney and this time pay attention. You’re actually a very lucky man. You don’t punch a clock everyday and you can’t say your work is boring. You’re married to a wonderful woman who’s crazy about you. Helen also tells me you are a gifted writer. My advice would be to pursue a writing career and have fun with the acting jobs while they last.’


Reginald shot Helen a cold look.
‘You told him?’
Helen blushed a little, but she didn’t apologize.
‘Yes, I did. You are a talented writer. You need to share all those stories with the world and not let them go to waste in that old desk drawer.’
‘Helen is a smart girl.’ my Uncle told him. ‘If she says you can write, then I believe her. (Though honestly Rodney, I didn’t know you could read.) I also urge you to listen when Helen tells you that your friend Newman is no good. You certainly didn’t listen to me. I wouldn’t show Newman any finished manuscripts or tell him about any of your story ideas either. If they are any good, you can be sure that it will be his smiling face that peers out from the book store shelves. The man is a liar, thief, con artist, and cheat. He’s only using you to get to Helen. He’s the one that keeps whispering in your ear that Trent is mishandling her career. It’s Newman that’s been stirring the sh*t behind the scenes the entire time. I’m going to advise you once more to stop being such a hard head and use that thick skull of yours. Cut Newman out of your life. You and Helen have everything you need. Stop listening to his promises of more. You should certainly stop doing his dirty work wether it’s answering phones, scheduling his appointments, or making deliveries. You don’t need him.’
‘It’s hard, Mansfield, when everyone else treats me like I’m trash. Since you and Thorton dredged up my past, Helen’s brothers can’t see beyond that.’ I’ll never forget the expression on Reg’s face then. I felt myself feeling a bit sorry for him. ‘Though Tony’s been kind to me, I doubt he’ll ever see me as a son. I know he keeps hoping that I’ll just fall off the face of the earth. Thorton must call him right after every argument we have because then I get a double lecture.’
‘I won’t apologize for giving Helen the facts about you before the two of you got married. However; I’m man enough to admit that I may have judged you too harshly. I formed my opinion of you by the company you kept. I was also concerned about that temper of yours.’
‘Mansfield, I may do stupid things like hit walls, but you have to believe me, I’d never hurt Helen.’
‘Like I wouldn’t hit him back.’ Helen joked trying to lighten the mood.


‘I never thought you’d ever be on my side.’ Reginald told him. ‘I do appreciate everything you’ve done for both Helen and I. You’re the only one that doesn’t treat my wife like a child.’
‘If you want to show that appreciation you stop giving Trent such a hard time and do right by my former fiancé here. You would also be wise to sever all ties to Newman. You don’t need him.’
‘I can do right by Helen no problem. For you I’ll try harder not to let Thorton get to me and make peace with him. If he’ll even let me. As for Dex, the man has been a true friend. I can’t just cut him loose...it will take time.’
‘Don’t you be afraid of him, Rodney.’ my Uncle told him. ‘If Newman gives you any trouble you come to me.’
‘I’m not afraid, Mansfield.’ Reginald insisted quickly. ‘I just can’t turn my back on a friend. Dex doesn’t lie about the things he’s done. He told me that if he could turn back time he’d never have left your sister. He admits he wasn’t a good husband. He also truly wants to make amends with you.’
My insides got all squishy and I felt like I was going to be sick. I was glad Newman and Mommy had broken up. I don’t think I could have endured being raised by him.
‘I’m going to tell you one more time. Newman doesn’t mean you any good. The day we ever become friends will be the day hell freezes over. The man has only befriended you to get to your wife. Wise up, Rodney and cut Newman out of your life. Even if Helen isn’t his motive, he still won’t do you any good. He’ll only drag you down with him. As for my sister, she left Newman. I don’t think I can stand to see Newman ruin the life of one more person I care about.’
‘Wow, it’s nice to know Mansfield that you like me more than you let on.’
You would have thought that someone had just handed Reginald a million dollars the way his face lit up.
‘I meant Helen, you dolt!’
However; Reginald continued to grin.


‘I really should get going.’ my Uncle gave Helen a quick hug and kiss. ‘I hope you have a rolling pin handy with Rodney’s name on it. Nothing we say seems to trickle through that thick skull of his. You may have to whip some sense into him.’
‘Mom gave me a really heavy cast iron skillet. I’ll use that on him if I have to.’


COMING NEXT: Roberta returns.