Part Two - Chapter Fourteen

Sunday, March 31, 2019

Jack's Note: I fly to Detroit to see Ceci and her movie premiere. As the sun goes down, I pick up our close friend Eileen who is smart, charming, and stunning in black. We drive to the Detroit Institute of Arts.

The Institute is a white marble palace built at the height of Detroit's industrial dominance and houses one of the finest collections of art in the United States. Eileen and I walk into the main entrance and join a lavish celebration reveling throughout the galleries, courtyards, and porticos.

Ceci's movie is a documentary about William Davidson (1922-2009), a billionaire industrialist, owner of the Detroit Pistons, generous philanthropist, and mensch. Hundreds of guests were expected. More than a thousand arrive sparkling in suits, gowns, and Pistons' uniforms. Many of the former world champion Pistons appear in Ceci's movie and they have also flown in for the premiere.

Endless trays of champagne and hors d'oeuvres circulate through the guests. It is all delicious. I am eating and drinking everything I can get my hands on.

At the center of the crowd, surrounded by well-wishers, we find Ceci. Her dress is a midnight-red silk sheath with an open neckline that plunges to her waist. She is heaven, dreams, and beautiful. Seeing her in this dress makes it hard for me to breathe and my vital signs race. Ceci steadies me with a hug and a big smile.

Eileen excuses herself for a moment, and Ceci leads me through the crowd, the museum, and into a courtyard. With guests buzzing around her, we are not able to talk much, but she mentions something about giving me the "low down" later. When the show starts, Ceci is rushed off to go on stage and introduce the movie with Mr. Davidson's son, and NBA All-Star Isiah Thomas.

The movie "Call Me Bill" is a finely-crafted tribute to William Davidson. Warm, funny, heartfelt, and inspirational. The audience loves it. When it ends, we stand cheering, and shouting for more. On our way out, Eileen and I see Ceci briefly. She is a mix of happiness and exhaustion. We wish her well. In the morning, I fly back to Colorado, and Ceci drives to Washington D.C. as part of her son's class trip.

Weeks later, Ceci's movie will headline a film festival to a sold-out crowd that will include the Mayor of Detroit and the Governor of Michigan.

The trailer for "Call Me Bill":

Monday, April 1, 2019

Jack

Congratulations!!

Loved it!

Get some sleep.

❤️

Incidentally, your dress was intoxicating -- I think I could see your belly button.

Tuesday, April 2, 2019

Ceci

❤️

Jack

You're awake?

Are you on a beach?

Ceci

Ha! Awake yes, beach no. Going to the Lincoln memorial today.

Jack

Tell me it's warm.

Ceci

Sunny. Warm tomorrow, going to check out the cherry blossoms in bloom.

Jack

Your son's class?

At the Premier, I closely observed his dancing and physical prowess. And last time in Detroit, I saw his kindness, and smooth way with the ladies, including his straight up kissing technique. I'm wondering, where's the problem? On all the important stuff, he's doing better than most of us.

Ceci

❤️

Thursday, April 4, 2019

Jack

Now that I'm recovering from the fever of your dress, what is the "Low Down" you were going to tell me?

Ceci

Oh yeah, I think I was referring to the VIP room.

But maybe not...what were we talking about?

Jack

Eileen mentioned your husband. You stopped, flashed me the serious eyeballs, and said, "I'll call you with the low down."

Anyway, I had a blast!

You AND champagne!

Sunday, April 7, 2019

Jack

Yesterday I was splitting logs, doing chores, fixing stuff around the house, and realized that in two years, I will be OLD. Undeniably OLD. Seriously OLD.

I took a look at myself. And you know what? I still like what I see. I look ok. But I wonder if it's a steady plunge from here ("PLUNGE", that makes me think of your dress....). I decided to take a picture of myself. Not porn. Not a nude. Not even sexy. Demure. A picture before the decline. Aged Beefcake.

I took it, and it looks okay. I thought of posting it on Facebook, but no, that would be wildly immodest. I'm proud of it, and want to show it off to somebody, but I don't have anyone to share it with. Not the wife. No. Not my parents. Definitely not the kids.

I want to send it to you, but only if you are okay with it. And, to some degree, it's to show off to you. That's always part of everything I do. But at least half the reason is so I can say to somebody, somewhere, "Check this out! That's me! Is that cool or what?"

It's safe. I'm wearing pants for God's sake. And I beheaded myself to make it difficult to identify the body.

Ceci

😂

Let's see!! I know you're not shy!

Jack

Jack

Well?!

And the dogs look good, right?

Ceci

It's COOL!!!!

Take that old age!

Jack

Yeah. I'm thinking to myself, "Dude! Are you seeing this?!! Just take a minute. Soak it in. Cause it's all downhill from here. A one-way rollercoaster drop to decay, doddering, tottering, and a full load in my man-diaper." After you put on that dress, did you have the same conversation?

When I saw that dress, my inner conversation was, "I want to do a swan dive!  DON'T STARE!! DON'T DROOL!! STOP STARING!!"

Ceci

Thank you and Eileen for being there. It really was a big night for me. Still riding the wave. Yesterday's Detroit News wrote an article about the night. It was cool. There's a picture of me on stage. Names listed and spelled correctly.... Isiah Thomas and Ceci Trevain. 😂😂😂

Jack

Do you mean this one:

https://RollingStone//Call-Me-Bill-movie-totally-rocks-your-ass/

Or this one:

https://NewYorkTimes//Call-Me-Bill-movie-is-deeply-satisfying-cinematic-orgasm/

Or this one:

https://LosAngelesTimes//Ceci-nominated-for-Oscar-and-her-dress-blinds-old-man/

Ceci

Hahahahaha!

Nope. This one in the Detroit News yesterday.

Jack

Look how cute you are!

I read the article. Added what you shared over the last three years: All your hard work, herding divas, the ego-swallowing stewardship, the long hours, years of creative vision, and grace under fire. I'm so proud of you!

And I know we talked about the front of your dress, but did we discuss how fine you looked on the walk-away?

Ceci

Hahahaha!!

❤️

My week of local fame. I'll take it, and like me and Mike Clark always say, When you're on the cover of the Metro Times, you better go out that week or it didn't happen. 👈🏼😂

Jack

Damn Straight!

Ride that wave!!

Wednesday, April 10, 2019

Jack

Worked till 2am. Back up at 5. Witnesses at 9. Restraining order trial at 10. We go against a lunatic with a history of arrests for murder, kidnapping, menacing, child abuse, and "bomb making".

BOMB MAKING?! The dude actually has a criminal history for "Bomb Making".

Go to trial. Deliver my opening statement. The other side folds. Drops their whole case in open court. Head-over-ass retreat!! We never even had to call a witness.

Celebrating. Eating lunch with beer, and mussels, and everything. Then I fall asleep on the office loveseat. Blizzard all night.

Tomorrow, into the mountains. Into the snow. Ride the storm!!

Sometimes, I wish you could come along.

Tuesday, April 16, 2019

Jack

Sienna is pushing me to do a Law Firm pedicure appointment. Mostly because I think she wants a free pedicure. She's telling me not to be chicken shit, and I'll "love it!" I said I would seek your advice. I'm considering it, but mostly because it's easy to trick me into stupid shit on a dare.

Ceci

It's strange for the workplace. Sounds like some good pot talking.

That reminds me, Eileen gave me a joint!!!

Jack

A joint sealed in a plastic tube. She said it was, "beyond organic".

Do the office pedicure?

Ceci

No.

Jack

OK.

No pedicure.

Five minutes after I broke Siena's heart with the news, a lawyer I know walks into Court in shorts, flip-flops, and painted toenails. I ask, and sure enough, he just had a pedicure. The color of his polish, "Burnt Titanium". Since it's the Holy Week, this is obviously an omen from The Blessed Virgin Mary. But what is she trying to tell me?

The Facts: I sought your guidance on a pedicure. You rejected it. I accepted your wisdom, and smited it down. The next day on the phone, you reminded me it was forbidden. Why?

Because you're jealous.

Yeah. You've got a thing for me, man! That's ok. We're even. It's cool. Nothing to be ashamed of.

Thursday, April 25, 2019

Jack

SPRINGTIME!!

SPRINGTIME!!

Ceci

👍

Monday, April 29, 2019

Ceci

I just made garlic soup.

Jack

Garlic soup? Let's see it!

Ceci

Turned out good. Trying to chase away a sore throat.

Jack

Chicken base?

Ceci

Yes

Doesn't look like much.

It's beige.

Jack

I want some.

Potatoes?

Ceci

No because I wanted to keep it more like medicinal broth.

Sautéed onions, roasted garlic, chicken broth in the blender to create a lovely beige.

Jack

Crusty bread, cold butter, and wine?

Ceci

Ceci

Yes totally. I do have some good bread and actually Mexican garlic soup is kinda bread soup, per the internet. I added fresh lemon juice. Parsley would be perfect. Wish I had some.

Jack

Just eat it! It looks delicious. Probably smells even better.

Ceci

👍

Saturday, May 4, 2019

Jack

It's so awesome! I'm in love again (not with just you)!! This band. Pinkshinyultrablast. And It's springtime!!

Wednesday, May 8, 2019

Jack

Ceci, when I was in Detroit for your premier, Eileen mentioned that your husband wanted to date. What does that mean? Actually, I don't even care what he's thinking, but I would like to know if that means I can fly you into Colorado for a night, or a weekend, or for an afternoon cup of tea.

Ceci

What does that mean?

Is it something he said to her, or is that a conversation between me and Eileen.

Jack

I just listened. If I had to guess, maybe something you said to her.

She loves both of us (you about a hundred times more than me). She wasn't gossiping or being mean. I'm pretty sure she thought I already knew. I just nodded. Later, when you said you had to give me the "Low Down", I figured, here it comes.

Thursday, May 9, 2019

Ceci, is everything OK? Do I need to apologize? Your marriage is your business. If you are working hard on it, that's great. I will support you. But you are the finest thing I have known, and if things are changing, that's my business.

You can't blame me for asking, can you? Asking from time to time? Or when things appear to be changing? I mean we're talking about love and kissing, important stuff.

Ceci

You're OK. I just didn't feel like talking about stuff.

Jack

Got it.

I wont pry, but would be happy to listen....or fly you out.

[Note: Ceci and Jack have a long talk on the phone.]

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Photos 1-6: Taken and owned by the authors, 2019.