❛ The vulnerability of precious things is beautiful because vulnerability is a mark of existence. ❜
Full name: Renata Bessón
Nicknames: Ren, RenBen
Age: 31
Birthplace: Key West, FL
Currently residing: Harrison West, Heartsdale for the last 2 years
Occupation: Documentary filmmaker
Relationship status: Single
Sexuality: Bisexual
slow evenings basking in the sunset with a glass of wine, postcards signed with an xoxo from far away places, fresh flowers and softly scented candles, summer dresses and sandals, classic movie posters and black & white photography
heart disease tw, congenial heart defect tw
Born first generation American to immigrant parents from Cuba in Key West, Florida. She still has extended family in Havana, although they are distant. Her father worked at a cigar factory and her mother was a housekeeper.
Activism was born into her, something she inherited from her parent who were always active voices in the community, driven and motivated by their passion for cultural progress.
Growing up in a tropical climate, while mindful of hurricane season, Renata could swim like a fish.
When she was 12 and aiding her mother in preparing for dinner, Renata collapsed and was rushed to the hospital. It was then the found out she had a congenial heart defect that had gone undetected since birth. Poor health care and coverage meant that visits to doctors and hospitals were a luxury unaffordable unless deemed an emergency.
Renata needed surgery yet the family couldn’t afford it and the prognosis was that she would need constant monitoring and precautions taken for the rest of her life.
Her life was changed from then on. Instead of running and swimming, Renata developed a talent for painting. Something also became an outlet for her during her teen years.
While attending the University of Miami she really got involved in activism, finding her voice beyond her parents influence. She never hesitated getting involved in demonstrations, rallies, and protests. Feminism hit her hard during this time, gender bias and inequalities prompted her to make decisions on her own life and how it could be viewed and what could be done to take a sort of stand.
Equality across the board was the most important right to Renata. Whether it was gender, race, or class she spent her entire university career fighting for change and progress. Her volunteering lead to an internship with Amnesty International which eventually turned to full employment with the organization.
She traveled the world documenting and writing and painting for the causes, and for the organization.
At age 21, while at a rally, she collapsed again and that time a pacemaker was implanted.
Over time, with her films winning awards and gaining notoriety, Renata was put under an intense microscope. Both and her family were attacked over issues of nationality and immigration. Her health issues were brought up as part of opposing forces smear campaign against her, along with her gender (she was just a woman) and attractiveness.
Eventually the stress and anxiety became a bit too much for her and Renata had a heart attack in Geneva, and was sent to Heartsdale to live with her widowed mother. It helped that the small town had a formidable hospital like Grant General. She sees a cardiology specialist there regularly.
The documentary films on her directorial filmography, often in combination with credit as a producer, were winning awards and Renata was tapped for a feature film directorial debut.
In efforts to slow down and give her weary heart a rest from stressful situations, Renata settled into writing a book detailing her experiences and an inside look at projects she had taken part of when she was with Amnesty International. With the book selling so well, she has begun to work on a follow up.
He couldn’t find his words at first so he cleared his throat and shook his head. “Thank you for letting me vent…I’ve not really had an opportunity to process everything that’s happened much less talk about it,” he said, letting his hand rest on hers for a moment before giving it a squeeze. Nik tried his best to not labor in his grief, afterall, he did get to enjoy a lot of years with his mother before her sudden demise. He supposed everyone thought. of their parents as special or unique but he lived an entire experience with his mom that had proved it. Enduring all she had to protect him from his father taught him all he need to know about courage and sacrifice and well..her loss was deeply felt.
He nodded quietly at Renata’s words. They were comforting and he felt a little less alone in his grief, honestly. “It’s great that you were able to give your father one last tribute. Would it be strange if I asked how you felt about the whole process? I mean the logistics of it all. I have to admit I was a bit unnerved by it at first…I had a hard time disconnecting from the physical part of it, if that makes sense.” He shook his head again, wondering where this train of thought came from. Other than his own fascination with death and odd need to understand what happens when one crosses to the other side. “Sorry, don’t mean to go all morbid on you. This probably isn’t the best fodder for light dinner conversation, yea?” Noticing her expression as Renata pulled her hand way, Nik reached for it again, and gave a reflexive squeeze before letting her go. “Sorry, hope I didn’t upset you, Ren.” He had a knack for upsetting people he care about lately, it seemed.
“I’m sure the wait will be worth it…I’m very excited for the big reveal. What’s your new film about? I didn’t realize your were working. Another documentary?” His eyes went wide with amusement, watching her cheeks go rosy. “Thank you. I feel good, I really do. It’s been kind of a weird transition, almost feels like culture shock after being away so long, you know?” He had to give a moment o thought to her question. “Moving back permanently would be difficult. Everything is hinged on the job. Although one of the companies I represent has an odd interest attaining some land here, so who knows…how bout you? What are you plans when you finish filming?”
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With a gentle smile caressing her lips, Renata returned the squeeze of his hand with her own. “You don’t owe me any thanks, Nik. Any time you need an ear or a shoulder, well, I’m here for you. I know your story more personally than you make think.” Decidedly, the blonde held onto her friend’s hand a bit longer, using her other to tuck some strands behind her ear. “My parents were immigrants too, they struggled to give me a good life and to live well themselves, and — I lost my father a few years ago as well.” The heaviness of that remembrance brought Renata’s gaze down, settling her green eyes on the table between them as her father’s image flashed through her mind. She missed him so much, and found it challenging to deal with with her mother’s grief. Not due to Ren not wanting to support her mother through the pain, mostly for the reason that her own wasn’t settled on the matter. Maybe she had a friend here she could lean on.
“I think I understand...” Or, in the least, Renata was trying her best to discern his meaning of the physical part of it. “I was numb through most of it, to be completely honest. And, in a way, that made it easier. I was wracked with sobs and grief once it settled that he was gone. Meaning...” Taking in a slow and steadying breath, Renata took a moment to deal with the rising emotions the memories returned to her. “Once it really clicked that I wouldn’t be able to walk into a room and see him smile at me, or that I’d never feel the warmth of his hug again.” Once more, the blonde trailed off, her lashes were growing wet with tears as she blinked. “Releasing his ashes though,” Ren began, with some strain in her voice, “felt good, felt like we were returning him to the wind. It’s important to set the spirit free, to let them move on.” Worried that she was saying something he didn’t really want to hear, she quieted. Then she smiled when Nik made an attempt to smooth over the depth the conversation had taken. “I don’t mind really. We all need to be able to talk about these things, otherwise we just add to the destruction of self. Caging and burying everything you think and feel is never the way it was all intended to be.” When he reached for his hand once more, a soft chuckle fell from her lips. The squeeze of course was returned. “You could hug me.”
Shrugging, “I’m not sure. The production companies in Los Angeles are sending me scripts almost daily. They want me to do a feature film, and...” In many ways Renata figured she might be running out of time to tackle that, so perhaps she should get on with it. “Well, if the Socarras family agrees, my next documentary would be on the farm and the horse racing world. You’re close with them, right? Or, Lucía at least?” Although Renata knew it likely wasn’t wise, there was a thought that Nik could help her convince the family. Ricardo wasn’t on-board yet and Lucía wanted complete creative control. “Do you miss it though? Being here?” Having only resided in Heartsdale a couple of years she could see the appeal in setting roots. Her mother certainly loved it here. Renata supposed for her it didn’t matter all that much. “Oh, looking into the land? As for development?” That wasn’t going to go over well. Especially with the formidable Socarras.
Will: There's this woman who keeps coming in with her cat who isn't sick half the time she brings her in
Will: I think she's got it bad for this man who has his own cat who also keeps coming in when it's not sick
Will: I think I'm witnessing cat parent love unfold in the waiting room
Will: What do I do? I feel like shit that we keep charging them but also considering shutting the animal hospital down and turning it into a dating service
Ren: That's actually a very cute and sweet little love story unfolding.
Ren: I also never knew this gossip queen side of you, Will. 😉
Ren: I don't think you do anything. Just don't interrupt what's happening. Let them fall in love without your interference or meddling!
“Ah, fuck…” The words were mumbled from Jackson’s spot on the ground, a result of the person who had so graciously knocked him over on their way to wherever the hell it was they were going. “If I had beer in my hand this would’ve ended differently.” Shaking his head, he glanced up at the person passing by. “Ya gonna give me a hand, or what? I had a salad yesterday…so I’m not as heavy as I look. Bruised ass ain’t gonna feel so good tomorrow, though.”
@heartsdalestarters
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As much as she willed herself to refrain in laughing at Jackson being knocked onto his butt, Renata was unable. The blonde covered her mouth and snickered behind her hand, especially with the way he complained following the takedown. “How differently?” Ren inquired as she offered a hand to help him up. “Do you really bruise so easily? My mother failed to mention that fact and I had thought she’d come to know you so well by now.”
“That’s exactly what I was thinking! A food truck or a food tent to up the overall experience. And if I pulled in a local restaurant to provide the food it’d help them get more business, too.” No matter how they split the proceeds of food sales it’d still be that much more added to the nonprofit’s coffers. Admittance fees alone wouldn’t be much help.
CJ hadn’t thought about the actual setup or the potential for ambience, though. It sounded great— and potentially pricey. She temporarily clamped down on her lip. “Do you think there’s anywhere around town that might be willing to let us borrow that sort of thing? Or at least cut us a discount, sort of… buying in bulk price?”
Because no matter how much she loved the idea she couldn’t lose sight of her meager budget. Especially not when she could host a bingo at Sully’s practically for free.
Returning to her food, she quietly polished off her sandwich while Renata filled her in. She was still mid-swallow when one thing in particular roused a deep, whining groan. “Okay, I love that for you… but please don’t tell me you’re about to up and leave for the big city lights of the west coast.”
Not just because she was an amazing co-host on the podcast, but because they were friends. “In all seriousness and less selfishness, though, have they sent anything that’s caught your eye?”
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“I think a food tent would be a really nice touch. As great as food trucks are for convenience, I think a tent would give a more homegrown feel to the event.” In giving back directly to a community, Renata thought some intimacy and a personal touch was best. It was more comforting to walk up to a buffet of food that was lovingly made rather than the commercial feel of making an order at a truck. “Yes,” she smiled broadly and nodded her head, “exactly that. The more you involve the community, the more of a response you’ll get.”
Giving CJ’s question some thought, Ren ran through a few venues in her in head. The first that had come to mind had been Sully’s, there was lots of open space surrounding the establishment, however that didn’t exactly lend to a dreamy movie atmosphere. Then she thought of the grounds at Sugar Hill Farms, and almost shook her head at the thought. Thinking the family likely didn’t want something like that on the estate. “What about the park? I know the music event is coming up soon, but I think rates for renting out the park aren’t too bad. And you can setup near the lake.”
“I could... well, my production company could be a sponsor,” Renata offered. “And that isn’t dependent on what type of event you end up doing.” She thought of maybe filming and photographing some of it for CJ’s nonprofit.
It brought about a smile, her friend’s hope that she wasn’t ditching town anytime soon for the spotlight of Hollywood. She sucked her thumb clean of a spot of mayonnaise from handling her sandwich and shook her head at CJ’s concerns. “I’m not going anywhere. Heartsdale has become home and my body really needs the slow and easy rather than the stress the big city would induce. Plus, we’re working on things here that I love.”
Again, the blonde shook her head. “Nothing that’s captivated me yet. My thought was to maybe start off with an indie film but execs are already laying on pressure. It’s just not my style so it’s a lot to consider.”
“This is what I mean when I say Tinder is a joke and a waste of my time,” she said, pulling up a random profile. “First of all, the joker has on a shirt that looks like it came from baby Gap. Second, his profile captions reads, ‘looking for something serious, but a fuck buddy will also work.’ “I mean how cringe can one be,” she said, not even bothering to swipe to the next profile. The truth was, Jimi was too self absorbed to be trying to date anyway. She loved her autonomy way too much to be bothered. Besides that, she’d just ended a sordid affair she’d been having with the Chief of police, Rowena Burke. After that roller coaster ride of drama, Jimi was pretty sure she was never going to date again. “Anyway, I’ve been going on about pretty much nothing. How are you? You hungry? I was stress cooking again last night and made way too much gumbo…” @renatabesson
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“Well, I don’t think I’ll be saying no to some homemade gumbo.” The thought of it alone made Renata’s stomach grumble, reminding her that she hadn’t eaten since breakfast that morning. “You know,” she’d purposefully waited to comment until Jimi had put her phone down and was focused on anything other than that awful app, “I’m surprised you even gave that thing a try. Unless you were just looking to get laid, and then, I don’t know, what’s wrong with the old fashioned way?” Meaning: going to a bar and having some drinks and a chat and heading to someone’s place after if the physical chemistry was there. Renata couldn’t really get behind this modern way of dating, it felt far too impersonal and there was zero responsibility attached. Courting was a lost art for sure now. Oh, how she longed for a date. A real, actual date. “Isn’t that all the Tinder thing is for anyway? I mean, it’s what I heard.” A single shoulder shrug stated that she couldn’t entirely be trusted on that fact. “Something tells me you’re not going to find a real man on an app.” Or woman, though she wasn’t entirely sure where Jimi stood on that. “I’m good, I think I’ve had a little too much wine, but good. Aside from dating frustrations how have you been?”
“There wasn’t much of a service…that was one of her wishes. She always said she didn’t want a bunch of people mingling and kekeing over her body, so… I took her ashes home, to Mexico…sprinkled them out on the Gulf.” He paused, biting the inside of his jaw. “So, I’m going to switch up the conversation before I’m too far gone. You look amazing. What have you been doing with yourself? How’s the book coming along?” Nik asked after a sobering moment of silence, mid-conversation. He had been in the midst of updating Renata on his mother and unexpected passing when he realized he wasn’t quite ready to talk about her yet. Besides, listening to him drone on about his problems wasn’t exactly the vibe he was going for when he had asked Renata to meet up.
The scar on the underside of his chin began to itch so a hand absently smoothed over his beard as he waited to hear what had been going on in his friends life in the five years he’d been living out his life in New York. Of course, he’d made his efforts to stay in touch during that time, but it had been a good while since they last touched bases. @renatabesson
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Quite unsure how to carry on conversation following her friend feeling that swell of emotion and it catching up with him, Renata remained silent for a few moments and watched Nik carefully. Loss was likely one of the more challenging aspects of life that one had to deal with, the blonde understood that personally, and grief was something that came in a variety of ways and demanded to be felt. Renata didn’t want to brush off the moment, however, she did glean that it wasn’t the best time to speak about his loss. Extending her hand across the table, she gently placed it on his forearm. “Take your time, feel what you need to feel. Sounds like it was beautiful, the trip to Mexico. We did something similar when my father passed, taking his ashes home to Cuba.” It was apart of life, she supposed, that one day a person was going to have to bury their parents. And for her mother’s sake, she hoped that one day she’d have that opportunity for her rather than the alternative. Renata wasn’t projected to live a long, full life. The hope, though, was that her mother wouldn’t have to bury her. It would be too much and she couldn’t fathom that for her.
Pulling her hand back, Renata released a sigh through her nose. Her emerald gaze went distant, looking out the window for a moment, changing gears as requested. “The book is pretty much done. It’s difficult though, I’m one of those that is never quite sure of the closing. And I have a film to think about.” Technically she had a couple of films to think about; the feature film Hollywood was knocking on her door for and the documentary she wanted to make regarding horse racing and the Socarras family. Delicate finger brushed her back from her face, cheek warm from his compliment. “You look good too. This must be quite the change, returning to here from New York. Are you planning on staying long?”
—Open Starter @heartsdalestarters
Location: Let your mind go wild! Party, bar, farm, laundromat - wherever human beings exist! Feel free to assume connections if you want.
Asher had once been called an insensitive pig in an incident that had, bizarrely, become lodged in his brain ever since. He thought it was perhaps a tad harsh, though not entirely baseless. Sure, he didn’t shy away from stating his opinions - feelings be damned - but it wasn’t as though he went out looking for confrontation. Sometime, he even did his level best to avoid it. Like now, for instance…
“I’ve got twenty bucks and a free drink if you help me appear occupied for the next… say, twenty minutes?”
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“First I need to know why I’m helping you appear occupied for the next twenty minutes,” Renata stated, glancing over at the male. Trying her best to appear as casual as possible, she discreetly let her eyes roam around to look for what he might be attempting to avoid. “I don’t want to be pulled into a lover’s quarrel or anything like that. Last thing I need is to be caught in the crossfire if someone’s going to toss a glass of water at you or slap you.”
Seven days back, five drinks in and already, she was regretting slipping away from her welcome home party to and to Sully’s. The quietest stool in the darkest part of the bar, her wish for a couple of hours peace was threatened by an older, drunken man who slurred at her for ten minutes. “No thank you, my date is here—” His proposition to get out of there was denied with a smile, “I was reserving that seat for them, do you mind?” Hana could feel someone hovering behind, looking back with a smile, taking no notice of who it was. Fortunately, the male groaned and staggered away, but Hana kept the play up until he was gone. “Hey, he’s just leaving. What are you drinking?” The woman asked, “Save my ass for ten minutes and then I’ll get out of your hair.”
@heartsdalestarters
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It wasn’t often that Renata was the save at a bar. Actually, this was the first time that it had happened. She’d only been looking for a quieter spot to listen to the few voicemails she’d gotten while forgetting about her phone for a while so that she could decompress. As the woman spoke, the blonde turned to face the offending male and let her chin rise in defiance. If she had anything to say about it he was no longer going to try to push his way in with this woman nor was he going to keep eyeing her as though he might be up for a challenge. “We’d like a little privacy,” Renata tacked onto the other’s words and made a shooing motion with her hand. Once he grumbled away, she took the available seat thinking she could give at. least ten minutes of her time to ensure that this woman would be left alone. “Umm,” she snickered a little to herself, “the Hemingway Special.” The silliest thing to order at a tavern such as this yet Matt had been gracious in keeping the ingredients since the first time she’d ordered it nearly two years ago. “But I’ll have whatever you’re having.” Then she shook her head, adding, “You sit away from everyone and they still don’t get it.”
After the trail ride she and Lucia had taken, they parted from the barn while the caretakers took the horses to make sure they received the proper after ride care and brushing out. Renata had been reluctant to leave the big animal, she’d always loved horses and a nice afternoon stroll on the back of one was nearly perfection. “So, are you ready to talk about the possibility here yet?” A soft, warm smile was directed at the heiress. The weight on the young woman’s shoulders had to be immense, yet — Lucia carried it without even the slightest slump in her spine. “I’ve researched the farm out of interest and curiosity once moved here, and of course that had me looking even further into the horse racing and sport horse world. Would you be interested in hearing a proposal?” For whatever reason, one she wasn’t yet ready to reveal, Renata had gone to Lucia about this rather than her father. Sure, plenty of documentaries were out there on world famous horses and even the industry — Renata was looking at. doing her own take. Perhaps something from the perspective of the jockey who had turned into a world class breeder of countless champions. “I’d need some time to prepare something, but... I thought it best to see where you stand first. And also I’m interested in what kind of story you’d want told.”
Daniel had been shopping for something quick to throw together for dinner when he saw her. If he were being honest with himself, he hoped it wasn’t her when he caught a glimpse of her profile as he navigated towards where the international beer was located. He thought about saying fuck all and abandoning his steaks and the beer rather than have to face a page from his sordid past. But then he thought, even though Karma wasn’t something he wanted to fuck with at this point in his life…seemed like it was time to dance with one of many skeletons that had been rattling his closet for awhile now. “Pinot Noir or a rich Chardonnay. Which do you think goes better with steak?” He asked with an abashed ache in his tone as he pulled a bottle off a nearby shelf, slowly taking in Renata’s profile. He looked away, as if God himself would strike him down the way he deserved, if he looked to long after what’d he done. @renatabesson
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Usually Renata was not one to hold grudges. Mostly because it wasn’t her attitude nor the type of person she was, though much of it also had to do with the fact that she knew she didn’t have that long of a lifespan. The voice speaking near her took a moment for Renata to register, or to even gather that he was speaking to her. She’d looked to either side to assure that they were the only two around and that she was the only possibility. This man had nearly destroyed one of her films and his backing out and pulling all of his footage along with it completely changed the film she had intended to make. The blonde had not only been angry but deeply hurt. “Pinot noir,” she answered, as coldly and quietly as Renata was capable of. Which, wasn’t much. “Red wine for darker meats, I thought everyone knew that.” She was a little stunned and absently pulled a bottle of cheap rosé that her. hand had been hovering near. Ears were ringing and her chest was tightening a little, enough that as soon as she set the wine in her basket her hand went to her chest. Doing her best to calm herself, Ren looked over at Daniel once more. Of all places, why was he here in Heartsdale shopping like he was a local?
“You should probably take her word for it and check it out some time. I hear the head chef is real good looking and the food is half decent. What’s your favourite food? I’ve got an in and might be able to put a special request in.” A smug grin tugged at the corners of his lips. Jackson knew he was okay to look at, but it had never been something he commented about seriously. If anything, his food was what he had been most confident in. The rosy tint in her cheeks certainly wasn’t lost on him. That, partnered with the way she fidgeted had him surprised that this wasn’t nearly as awkward as he assumed it would be. After all, her mom had told them both enough about each other that it felt like he knew her without actually knowing her. “I used to come here for everything, but now I get most things from my own farm. Well technically it’s my farm, but I can’t take any credit for it ‘cause I don’t know the first thing about growin’ a tomato.” Upon the realization that he was rambling, he nodded in the direction of a man standing behind a booth at the end of the aisle. “I know he looks like he doesn’t shower often, but the spice selection is solid. What are ya makin’? And you don’t mind planning the wedding, do ya? ‘Cause if I do I don’t think you’re gonna like it.”
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“You sound like you might have a crush on this head chef. Between you and my mother I may no longer be able to avoid a visit.” Having heard such ravings from her mother over how wonderful the farm to table restaurant was and how charming the owner had been each time she’d stopped in, which was frequent, Renata avoided Farm Behind. Mostly that was due to not wanting to sit there with reddened cheeks and people making a big deal over her mother. She hadn’t lived in Heartsdale too long, just a few more years prior to when Ren had moved in with her, and she’d already made her presence in the small town well known. “As for favorite, I suppose it depends on your chef’s range. What’s he good at?” Jackson wasn’t heard to bend an ear to, her mother had been right about the charm thus far, and he was also quite good looking. Something her mother hadn’t left out, though had also been a point in why Renata hadn’t made it to Farm Behind yet. Her eyes moved from Jackson to the farmer selling spices a few booths down and another smile tucked into her lips. “He looks fine. In fact, you own a farm and claim to be a farmer — you should look like that.” Looking him up and down, sinking her teeth into her bottom lip, Renata shook her blonde head at him. “You don’t even have much of a tan.” Then she made a noise with her tongue clicking the roof of her mouth. “I think you should be more involved in the wedding planning. If you want to miss out on making the menu and the cake tasting, that’s your loss. Fricasé de Pollo is what I’m making. What are you making?”
“Sometime this summer. Or maybe this fall?” CJ replied in the vaguest possible way. “I guess it ultimately depends on which idea I went with, what kind of weather would be best if it’s outside, how long it’d take to get everything in place…” The easiest option seemed like bingo. Matt was usually on board with her using the tavern and, if she worked her magic and charm, she’d probably be able to swing food and drinks out of her boss’s generosity, too. But, on the other side of things, something like movie night could accommodate more people…
A sigh pushed its way from CJ’s lips when she flopped back in her chair. The notebook abandoned, for now at least, she settled her sights on Ren. “I can’t think about this for a few minutes. It’s too— all work, no play.” But she loved it, and proved as much when the edge of her mouth hitched in a subtle smile. “What’ve you been up to lately?”
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“Early summer or fall would be lovely for a movie night,” she suggested. The filmmaker in her couldn’t resist going for that option first, and though Renata felt a little selfish for it there was a vision in her head to offer. “Just imagine a big screen set up at the park with strewn lights and large pillows scattered about for seating. You could have a sort of concessions for people to purchase for snacks and such to enjoy while they watch the films in a dreamy atmosphere.” It actually had a romantic element to it that she hadn’t considered when the idea popped into her head, though that made her smile more since it meant couples would be drawn to the event.
Shaking her head, Ren knew they’d be back on the topic soon enough. CJ’s mind was investigative, it worked over things until there were some sort of solution or clarity. It was large in part why Renata believed people were so drawn to the podcast. “Not too much lately — I’ve been talking to an exec from one of the large studios out west, they’ve been sending me scripts. And, I’m putting the finishing touches on my book.” Those were the preferred things to talk about, as opposed to the check up visits at the hospital with her doctor and the fact that she’d had a few bad days recently. “Been to the farmer’s market and antique-ing with mama. What about you?”
Jackson had heard more about Renata than he knew about most people. Despite being on the receiving end of so much chatter, he knew to take some of her mom’s words with a grain of salt when she threw around so many grand declarations about her daughter. “She didn’t mention my three Michelin stars and James Beard awards? I figured she would since I’m talkin’ to a Hollywood film maker who’s expected to win Oscars in every category this year.” As supportive as Jackson’s parents were, he had never had them speak about him in the way that Renata’s mom spoke of her daughter. He couldn’t help but laugh at her reaction to his mention of the last thing grown adults ever wanted their parents to show someone. “I could lie to you…” A smug grin took to his lips as he glanced down at her grip on his arm before glancing back up at her. “But if we’re getting married, we should start this out with honesty. Speakin’ of honesty, I’ll let ya in on a little secret. See that booth over there? Best tomatoes in the state…only reason I come here.”
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Delicate fingers draped over Renata’s lips, an attempt to hide the smile and embarrassment of knowing what her mother had done. Over the course of her life she’d grown accustomed to her mother talking her up, not only was she an only child but also somehow made very special because of her condition. With a quiet giggle and shake of her head, the blonde had trouble meeting Jackson’s gaze. “My mother may not have mentioned your awards since she was a little too preoccupied with my very historic career,” her hand dropped away and Ren’s teeth sunk into her bottom lip, still attempting to tamp down her grin even though rosy cheeks had to have been giving her away, “she’s been speaking of your restaurant as though it’s the best place in all of Georgia.” Part of her wanted to clarify that Hollywood had only been knocking on her door and pestering her about making her first feature film, not that she had anything in the pipeline. Since, according to her mother, the film had already been made and was awaiting all of the selections. Renata released his arm with mortification taking over her entire being. Jackson’s deliberate shift said all that he wouldn’t and Ren had a new mission to find those pictures and put them in a very safe place. “You only come here for tomatoes?” The blonde glanced at the booth, then opened up the bag she was carrying to show she’d already grabbed some. “I’m on the hunt for spices. And since we’re getting married,” still, she couldn’t help but laugh, “I hope you know where all the good ones are.” Not quite the same as where she was from or where she’d visited, the farmer’s market wasn’t too shabby. Enough for her to make do.
