from the editing
trips overflowing with excitement about the movie. What did he know about her life these days? The lawn mower was sputtering
along on its last leg, and the vacuum needed replacing. Most of the time, Kelly felt like just one more broken-down machine,
completely cut off from Chase’s work and his exciting movie life.
When he was home, Kelly had a dozen questions, but the one that rose to the surface most often lately was about the movie’s
theatrical release. She had believed from the beginning that if they actually finished the film, if they found enough investor
money to complete the project, then it would take only a matter of months before the picture hit the big screen. Especially
now that the guys had connected with glamorous Kendall Adams and her father. Because of them, money for their film projects
was much less of a concern.
But Keith and Chase had an attorney now — Dayne Matthews’ brother, Luke Baxter. Luke had read Chase and Keith’s contract and
warned them that a theatrical release wasn’t a guarantee — even with the right funding.
According to Luke, the contract with the studio was ironclad. Either the studio executives would view the final cut of the
movie and give the okay for a theatrical release, or they wouldn’t. The problem was this: even with the P&A budget covered,
the studio would face a financial risk by putting the film in theaters. Very simply, it was a risk the execs might not want
to take.
And if the film didn’t make it to theaters, the guys would likely not make back their money.
Kelly had been horrified when she first understood the situation Chase and Keith faced. She talked to Keith’s wife, Lisa,
and the two agreed they needed to pray. Without a theatrical release, Keith and Chase could face bankruptcy and a complete
loss of credibility as filmmakers. All their efforts could amount to little more than nothing.
Kelly filled the kettle with water, slipped it onto the front burner, and turned the flame up high. Laurie loved tea at their
twice-monthly get-togethers. It would be the healthiest thing Kelly had placed in her mouth since Chase left for LA four days
ago.
She leaned against the counter and stared at the dull linoleum floor.
Remember the fireflies
, she told herself.
Don’t forget about the fireflies.
Years ago when Chase learned fireflies really existed, he determined anything was possible. It was a mantra they lived by.
But Kelly was lonely and depressed. Money was tight, and there was no end in sight to the long days without her husband. She
still wanted to believe in his movie career, but week after week without him had sapped her of every bit of excitement and
enthusiasm.
“Stay positive,” Chase told her two days ago, the last time they talked. “God’s brought us this far. He’ll work out the details.”
Kelly wanted to believe him.
There was a light knock from the front room. She slid the bowl of M&Ms to the back edge of the counter and hurried to get
the door.
An unusual rain had hit San Jose that morning, and the storm was blowing hard outside. Laurie shook the water from her windbreaker
and stepped quickly inside. “It’s nasty out there.” She was breathless as Kelly shut the door behind them. “Feels like it
could snow.”
“Another ten degrees and it could.”
The water had begun to boil in the other room. Kelly led the two of them into the kitchen, where she poured the tea. Apple-cinnamon,
a reminder of the holidays right around the corner.
They sat at the table and Laurie caught her breath talking about her kids. Audrey wanted to take another mission trip, and
Lucas was switching his major at San Jose State. Sam had won senior honors on his football team, and life was good. Good and
fast and full.
A comfortable quiet filled in the spaces between them, and they sipped their tea, listening to the wind howl through the trees
outside.
Laurie put her cup down. “Chase is
trips overflowing with excitement about the movie. What did he know about her life these days? The lawn mower was sputtering
along on its last leg, and the vacuum needed replacing. Most of the time, Kelly felt like just one more broken-down machine,
completely cut off from Chase’s work and his exciting movie life.
When he was home, Kelly had a dozen questions, but the one that rose to the surface most often lately was about the movie’s
theatrical release. She had believed from the beginning that if they actually finished the film, if they found enough investor
money to complete the project, then it would take only a matter of months before the picture hit the big screen. Especially
now that the guys had connected with glamorous Kendall Adams and her father. Because of them, money for their film projects
was much less of a concern.
But Keith and Chase had an attorney now — Dayne Matthews’ brother, Luke Baxter. Luke had read Chase and Keith’s contract and
warned them that a theatrical release wasn’t a guarantee — even with the right funding.
According to Luke, the contract with the studio was ironclad. Either the studio executives would view the final cut of the
movie and give the okay for a theatrical release, or they wouldn’t. The problem was this: even with the P&A budget covered,
the studio would face a financial risk by putting the film in theaters. Very simply, it was a risk the execs might not want
to take.
And if the film didn’t make it to theaters, the guys would likely not make back their money.
Kelly had been horrified when she first understood the situation Chase and Keith faced. She talked to Keith’s wife, Lisa,
and the two agreed they needed to pray. Without a theatrical release, Keith and Chase could face bankruptcy and a complete
loss of credibility as filmmakers. All their efforts could amount to little more than nothing.
Kelly filled the kettle with water, slipped it onto the front burner, and turned the flame up high. Laurie loved tea at their
twice-monthly get-togethers. It would be the healthiest thing Kelly had placed in her mouth since Chase left for LA four days
ago.
She leaned against the counter and stared at the dull linoleum floor.
Remember the fireflies
, she told herself.
Don’t forget about the fireflies.
Years ago when Chase learned fireflies really existed, he determined anything was possible. It was a mantra they lived by.
But Kelly was lonely and depressed. Money was tight, and there was no end in sight to the long days without her husband. She
still wanted to believe in his movie career, but week after week without him had sapped her of every bit of excitement and
enthusiasm.
“Stay positive,” Chase told her two days ago, the last time they talked. “God’s brought us this far. He’ll work out the details.”
Kelly wanted to believe him.
There was a light knock from the front room. She slid the bowl of M&Ms to the back edge of the counter and hurried to get
the door.
An unusual rain had hit San Jose that morning, and the storm was blowing hard outside. Laurie shook the water from her windbreaker
and stepped quickly inside. “It’s nasty out there.” She was breathless as Kelly shut the door behind them. “Feels like it
could snow.”
“Another ten degrees and it could.”
The water had begun to boil in the other room. Kelly led the two of them into the kitchen, where she poured the tea. Apple-cinnamon,
a reminder of the holidays right around the corner.
They sat at the table and Laurie caught her breath talking about her kids. Audrey wanted to take another mission trip, and
Lucas was switching his major at San Jose State. Sam had won senior honors on his football team, and life was good. Good and
fast and full.
A comfortable quiet filled in the spaces between them, and they sipped their tea, listening to the wind howl through the trees
outside.
Laurie put her cup down. “Chase is
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