assignment 3

The Tear

"Sometimes I think it must be hard being an actor and then I see a movie like this," Robert said, ruefully shaking his head. As Ashley reach over to grab the television remote the bed creaked beneath her butt and the blankets crumpled. 

She laughed and breathlessly commented, “It wasn’t exactly Academy Award material, you know.  That makes a difference.”

‘Come on, Ashley, anybody could have played that role, even me.  He was just a plain ordinary guy, doing plain ordinary things in a plane ordinary way.  You call that acting?” he said derisively.

“You just wish you could make out with that not-so-plain-and-ordinary sweet young thing, whatever her name was,” she retorted gleefully.  “I know kissing doesn’t take much acting skill if you like your partner.”

‘She was good.  She had a much tougher job with her role.  She had to cry and all that.  She had lots to do.  They guy was.... just there,” he insisted as he reach over to his oak night table to pick up this mornings paper.

“Oh please!  Crying is nothing.  Any girl should be able to cry at the drop of a hat.  I can,” she told him smugly.

He cast a skeptical glance at her and laughed.  “Sure you can Ashley.”

“You doubting me, Robert?” she said smiling playfully up at him.

“No, I’m sure you can do it when you’re PMS-ing.  Kidding, kidding, just kidding!” he said quickly before she could smack him.  Ashley rolled over on her side and Robert saw her lip tremble and her eyes flood with tears.

“Ashley, what’s wrong?” he asked apprehensively.

He sat there in stunned silence as big fat teardrops ran down her cheeks, her nose turned red and she started sobbing, as if she just lost her mother.  “Ashley!” Hey, I’m sorry.  I didn’t mean it.    I’m sorry.  Don’t cry.  Please, don’t cry, Ashley!” he shouted anxiously.  He tentatively put his arms around her and patted her back soothingly.  He never did quite know what to do when girls cried.

Just as quickly as she started she stopped and looked up at him with a triumphant grin.  “Now do you believe me?” she said as she pulled out of his arms and grabbed a tissue from the bathroom.  She wiped at her eyes then blew her nose while he stared at her with his mouth hanging open.

“You...”