Los Angeles, California

Gypsy Monroe looked at her face in the mirror. She had dark circles under her eyes with bags that made her face look like that droopy dog from those Saturday morning cartoons she used to watch as a kid. Gypsy moved her face side to side, then leaned her forehead onto the mirror sighing. She felt and probably looked older than her twenty-six years of age. Sitting down in the chair at a vanity table in her bedroom, Gypsy started getting ready for her day by fixing her hair and her makeup.

“Get it together, Gyps. You’re starting to look old before your time,” Gypsy said to herself as she finished her morning routine and got dressed for her day. Thirty minutes later, Gypsy left for work, locking up her apartment, heading downstairs, and waving to the front desk security guard as she left her building. She had chosen this complex five years ago because of the security features. For the first time in her life, she had felt safe. The few friends she allowed close always teased her when they came to visit for the extent she went to feel safe in her home.

Half an hour later, Gypsy arrived on set of the latest movie she had been working on as a celebrity makeup artist. She had been requested by none other than her good friend and the star of the movie, Sadie McClain-Patterson. She and Sadie became fast friends when they met at a party she attended one night with her former roommate five years ago. To this day, they were great friends who kept in touch despite Sadie moving back to Montana. Gypsy owed her career to Sadie. Thanks to her, she had a client list a mile long of A-list celebrities who demanded her assistance on movie sets around the world. Gypsy only chose to work in the United States, usually having to turn down jobs. Gypsy had only agreed to work out of country

twice, and both times had been to work with Sadie when her former-SEAL husband Hank Patterson traveled with her. She had told Sadie of her huge fear of traveling abroad as her reason for turning down jobs. Being an amazing friend and not wanting her to miss an opportunity, Sadie approached Hank about Gypsy’s fear and asked him to accompany them. He agreed and even brought another friend along to assuage her fears, all on the company’s time, of course.

Gypsy smiled and waved at Sadie as she walked into the trailer that was being used on-site as Sadie’s dressing room. “Morning Sadie, how was the flight? Did Hank come with you this week?” Gypsy asked as she went about unpacking her makeup bag.

“Good morning, Gypsy. No, he had two new guys coming in this week who just processed out of the military so he’s getting them set up. He’ll probably fly out in a couple of days if he’s able to. How was your weekend?”

“That’s good, hopefully you two won’t have to be separated much longer. Glad we got our weekend off here. Only two more weeks then we’re done filming.” Gypsy smiled quietly.

“These two weeks can’t fly by fast enough. You look exhausted.” Sadie studied Gypsy closely.

“I’m good. Still trying to catch up on sleep after the last film I had worked on. That actress was a nightmare, but she came highly recommended from the studios,” Gypsy laughed.

“That bad, huh?” Sadie sat back in her chair after putting her hair up so Gypsy could work her magic.

“You don’t know the half of it. Nothing was good enough and she claimed I was out to destroy her career by ruining her makeup. My favorite was her claim that you had me hired so she couldn’t become bigger than you. Obviously she didn’t know how I was so highly experienced or recommended. That woman was a demon in hells. The devil has nothing on her,” Gypsy relayed, shaking her head at the memory. Both Gypsy and Sadie chuckled at the story.

“I’m sorry. Hopefully this was a vacation for you. I’m glad you were available. I would have hated to break in a new makeup artist.” Sadie smiled a Gypsy through the mirror. “Are you sure you’re ok?”

“Yeah, I’m good. You’re the reason I am where I am, so of course I’ll always make time for you, crazy. I was thinking of taking a small vacation once we’re done with this film. Just haven’t decided where yet.” Gypsy shrugged.

“Why don’t you come to Montana? You can stay at the ranch. It’s peaceful there. It’ll just be myself, baby Emily, and Hank there. His sister, Allie, and her husband, Swede, come to visit now and then. Usually Swede’s there during the day since he works for Hank. The men who work for Hank’s business come and go, but for the most part you’ll have peace and quiet. Plus we have horses on the ranch if you want to go riding,” Sadie informed Gypsy with hope in her voice.

“Sure, why not. Not like I really desire the tropics or anything. Somewhere I’ve never been sounds good to me,” Gypsy shrugged in response.

The decision made, Gypsy smiled at Sadie in the mirror as she got busy getting her ready for the cameras. An hour later, Gypsy stood back with satisfaction as she took in her work, nodding to the hair guru letting her know she was up.

“You’re good to go. Just need your hair finished, then wardrobe, and you’ll be set for the scene. I’ll be on standby.” Gypsy walked away to start putting her stuff away and cleaning up the mess that was made getting Sadie ready for her scene. She could tell the restless night of sleep was catching up to her. Thank God today was a short day since they were getting close to the end of the film. Gypsy decided once they were done today, she was going to invest in some sleeping pills and take a nice long, hot shower before heading to bed.

After eight hours of “action” for several scenes, everyone was released for the rest of the day to relax and get ready for tomorrow. Gypsy went back to the trailer to wait for Sadie so she could help her remove the makeup before they headed home. Gypsy was setting up the ‘degunker’ when here was a knock at the trailer door.

“Sheesh Sadie, it’s your own trailer. Why are you knocking on the door?” Gypsy said laughing as she answered the door. “Oh Hank! Hi I thought you were still in Montana. Why are you knocking?” Sadie asked.

“Hi Gypsy. I wasn’t sure if Sadie was in here or not and didn’t want to scare anyone if she had allowed someone else to use her trailer. How are you?” Hank smiled at Gypsy.

“Geesus, do I look that bad? Everyone has asked me all day if I’m ok,” Gypsy laughed. “I’m good, Hank. Just really tired, three movies back to back, with the one Cruella in the mix didn’t help. But I’m good. I thought you had to take care of some new recruits?”

Hank laughed at Gypsy’s description of work. “Yes, I had two new guys come on board. Got them taken care of and Swede is working the office for me while I’m here with Sadie. Can’t leave my girls for too long, Emily still with her sitter?”

“Yeah. Sadie is so ready for this film to finish so she can have Emily all to herself. I have to admit I was surprised she took this film only a few months after having the baby. But I can say the movie is going to be awesomesauce.” Gypsy smiled at Hank. “I’m just waiting for her now to get the makeup off before we head home for the night. Only two more weeks and this film is done.”

“And then you’re coming with us to Montana,” Sadie said happily as she entered the trailer. “Hi, handsome! I didn’t know you were coming in.” Sadie kissed Hank as she walked over to the makeup chair. “Ok, get this stuff off me. It’s annoying.”

Gypsy and Hank laughed as Gypsy got to work. Suddenly there was a knock on the door. Hank went and answered the door to the studio errand boy.

“Hi sir, I’m looking for Ms. Gypsy Monroe. The director said that she would be here. Is she here?”

“Sure, come on in. Gypsy, there’s a gentleman here to see you.” Hank stepped out of the way of the door.

“Hi, I’m over here. What can I do for you?”

“Sorry ma’am, I meant to get this to you earlier but things got busy on set. This came in the mail for you today.” The errand boy handed Gypsy an envelope and left.

“Hmmm that’s strange. I never get mail on set.” Gypsy opened the package and became quiet.

“What did you get?” Sadie looked at Gypsy.

“Doesn’t make sense. Just a note that says ‘I know what you are.’ There’s no name, or anything to tell me who it is,” Gypsy stated confused.

“Didn’t you say you had problems with an actress on the last film that you worked? Think it could be her wanting to spook you because she was upset with you?” Sadie mused.

“Yeah, that is probably what it is. She said she was going to make my life miserable. If this is the best that she can do, I’m scared. Ok, not really.” Gypsy laughed as she got back to work on removing the rest of Sadie’s makeup.

“Well, we only have two more weeks of filming then you’re coming back to Eagle Rock with Hank and me. You’ll be away from drama queens like her and be able to relax. Hank and I will make sure of it. You’ll even have Emily to play with to your heart’s content,” Sadie said with conviction, looking at her husband in the mirror.

“Sadie’s right, Ms. Gypsy. You come on back to Montana with us after all this is done, and I’ll make sure you get some peace and quiet and enjoy yourself.” Hank smiled.

The next two weeks were busy for Sadie and Gypsy. Hank hung out on set with little Emily in tow. Gypsy loved being around Hank and Sadie. They always kept her on her toes and made her feel like part of the family. She loved little Emily and being able to play with her. Gypsy had felt lost for so long, but she was finally finding herself after all these years.