Cuts Read Online Free PDF

a while
     and you stay on your horse, going around and around, and they’re gone.”
    She gazed for a long time into her drink. “All the golden rings, Mr. Collins, are only brass. And the merry-go-round turns out, after all, not to be so very merry.” She laughed sadly. “That rhymes, doesn’t it? Very merry.”
    “Have you thought of climbing off the horse?” Ian asked.
    “And what would I do then?” Suddenly, her smile became less sad. “I have a daughter. Did you know that? I have a very fine,
     beautiful, talented daughter. She’s on the stage, did you know that? Quite a fine little actress. May Beth Bonner? Perhaps
     you’ve seen her performance as Laura…”
    Laura!
    The name, a blow to his heart, sent a jolt of pain and longing through Ian.
    “… Glass Menagerie at the Stage Door?”
    “I’m afraid not,” he said, forcing a smile. “But I’d like to see her perform sometime.”
    “I would like that, too. I would love for everyone to see her perform. Unfortunately, she ended her run last week. If you wish to see her as Laura…”
    Again, the name tore at his heart.
    His mind flashed an image of Laura’s face above his own, smiling at him, her soft auburn hair flowing straight down like curtains
     enclosing her face and his, hiding them from the rest of the world.
    Get over it, he told himself.
    I can’t. There’s never been anyone else and never will be. You only get one chance at love, and she was mine .
    Not necessarily, he thought. You never know. I might meet someone tomorrow…
    Not like Laura .
    Knock it off.
    Emily Jean opened her purse, took out her wallet, and flipped through several photos under frosted plastic. “Isn’t she lovely?”
    Ian looked at the snapshot. It showed a slim, attractive redhead in her early twenties. “She is beautiful,” he said. “She
     looks a lot like you.”
    Emily Jean chuckled softly. “Oh, Mr. Collins. And who said chivalry is dead? Though I must say, in all honesty, I did look almost exactly like May Beth when I was much younger. We might’ve been twin sisters. But that was long ago.”
    “Well, you’re both striking women.”
    “May Beth certainly is, at any rate. This picture, of course, does her no justice. Don’t you think she would look splendid on the big screen?”
    “She would.”
    “Some day, I’ll see her on the big screen. We all will.”
    “Does she have any film projects coming up?”
    “Oh, not that I’m aware of. It’s terribly difficult to break in, I understand. Terribly difficult.”
    “I’ve heard that, too,” Ian said.
    “But she’ll get into films one day. I know she will.”
    “I’m sure she will.”
    “And I shall be very proud, shan’t I? Shall I not?”
    “Very.” He frowned into his drink.
    “Is something the matter?”
    “I’m…just thinking. I know a few people in the movie business. If you’d like to give me May Beth’s phone number…”
    Smiling, Emily Jean reached out and squeezed his arm. “Why, Mr. Collins! No need to prevaricate. I would find it absolutely lovely if you wish to call on May Beth.”
    “Prevarication and I are sworn ememies,” he said.
    “Ha! I do despise mendacity, myself.”
    “I really do know people who might be able to help your daughter break into films. I’ll see what I can do. It’s possible nothing will come of my efforts, but…” He shrugged.
    “Any efforts along those lines, Mr. Collins, would be most appreciated.”
    “I’ll do what I can,” he said. He pulled a note pad and pen out of his shirt pocket. “Do you know her phone number?” he asked.
    “Why, yes, I certainly do. She lives at home with me. I suppose I know my own phone number.” She giggled softly. “Unless my mind has grown too befuddled by demon gin.”
    She recited the phone number. Ian wrote it down.
    “That’s May Beth Bonner?” he asked.
    “Indeed, it is. She is. Shall we drink a toast to her success?”
    “Let us,” said Ian.
    They raised their glasses.
    “To May