TODAY IN BEARS

AFTER SELLING HIS SCREENPLAY EDGAR MOVED TO A NICE PLACE IN THE VALLEY. THIS WAS HIS CHANCE. HIS GATSBY MOMENT. AFTER A SUMMER OF PARTIES IT WAS CLEAR WHICH OF HIS FRIENDS DESERVED CHAMPAGNE AND WHICH WERE SHAM FRIENDS. OR WAS IT?

STAR WAS AT THE FIRST PARTY, AND EVERY ONE AFTER. WHAT SHE LACKED IN HAVING A NOT-RIDICULOUS NAME SHE MADE UP FOR WITH WARMTH AND GRACE. EDGAR DIDN’T WANT TO ADMIT IT, BUT HE WAS FALLING FOR HER. SHE WAS THE FIRST ONE HE’D LOOK FOR ACROSS THE LAWN. AND SHE’D ALWAYS BE THERE, SMILING.

AS TIME WENT ON IT SEEMED LIKE THE FLIRTATION WAS GOING NOWHERE. SHE’D SING A LOVE SONG ON THE KARAOKE MACHINE AND NEVER BREAK EYE CONTACT WITH EDGAR. SHE’D STAY LATE AFTER EVERYONE LEFT. SHE EVEN DROPPED HER AMERICAN FLAG BIKINI ON THE 4TH OF JULY WHEN IT WAS JUST HER AND HIM TO TAKE A NUDE DIP. IF EDGAR EVER TRIED TO MAKE A MOVE SHE’D JUST GIGGLE AND SWIM AWAY. IF HE PULLED BACK IT ONLY BROUGHT HER CLOSER. NOW THAT THE SEASON IS OVER HE DOESN’T KNOW WHAT TO DO. HIBERNATION IS COMING. WILL THINGS BE DIFFERENT WHEN THEY WAKE UP IN THE SPRING?

HE KNOWS IT’S A GOOD PROBLEM TO HAVE, BUT THAT DOESN’T MAKE IT ANY EASIER. EDGAR ALWAYS HEARD THE CLICHE THAT ONCE YOU’VE GOT MONEY YOU CAN’T BE SURE IF BEARS LIKE YOU FOR YOU OR THE PAPER BUT HE NEVER THOUGHT IT’D BE THIS HARD.