Almost Love (first draft)
We were destined to be together forever – soul mates, our hearts
beating as one. We completed each other I was soon to propose. The only
problem was that she had no idea that I even existed. I don’t usually
fall madly in love with movie stars, but after see her magical performance
again and again in “Almost Famous” that is exactly what I found myself
doing with Kate Hudson.
I didn’t just admire Katie’s golden, luscious hair, ocean blue
eyes, or that smile that made my heart skip a beat each time I saw it, I
loved them. I dreamt about our future together, vacationing in Hawaii
during a hiatus from our busy filming schedules or simply spoon feeding
each other strawberry ice cream while watching TV in our Malibu home.
Alas, time was not on my side and I was unable to woo Katie, steal
her heart, or even meet her before she found another love. Revealing
herself to be a harlot fond of coquetry, she had been seeing a rock star,
with whom she has subsequently married and produced an heir to her throne
of love. Gone were the visions of family dinners with Goldie and Kurt,
our very own E True Hollywood Story, and evenings spent on the red
carpet.
My scorned heart no long saw her films as the flawless pieces of
work that they once were. It was as if over night she had gone from my
beloved, Golden Globe winning Katie, to Kate Hudson, star of “Raising
Helen” and “The Skeleton Key”. Perhaps I never loved Katie at all really,
but maybe Penny Lane, her alter ego in “Almost Famous”. No other
character has ever lived up to her charisma, beauty, and mystery. At
least I still have Penny Lane, whereas Katie is gone forever (at least
until the divorce which is due any time now according to Hollywood
standards).




Almost Love (second draft)
I had never before discussed marriage with my parents, but as the
thought invaded my mind I surrendered to the urge to inform them of my
decision.
“What would you guys think about having Goldie Hawn and Kurt
Russell as in-laws?”
Turning their attention from the television they were
understandably confused by my of-the-wall inquiry. I tried to explain
myself.
“I’m in love with Kate Hudson, Goldie’s daughter. She was
in “Almost Famous” and I just know we’re destined to be together.”
Their looks of confusion slowly changed into looks of amusement,
so I went along with them, although I was being semi-serious; I did love
Katie. She was not only a beautiful and talented actress, but from what I
had read about her, she was also a loving, devoted, and free – spirited
person, and only a few years older than me. I rationalized how she, an
Oscar nominated actress, and I, then a freshman in college, could be
together forever.
I often day dreamed of our love story. We were to meet on the red
carpet at an awards ceremony or behind the scenes at a charity function.
I would have recently made my feature film debut to critical acclaim (“The
best actor since Brando,” they would say) and she would be the first to
congratulate me. We would hit it off instantly and begin our courtship.
Our passion would be too much to sustain such a frivolous relationship, so
we would become engaged within a year and be married by the next
Christmas, which we would spend in Ireland. It was completely plausible.

“Hudson to marry rocker!”
My heart dropped when I read the headline aloud to myself in the line at
the supermarket. I became feverish, lightheaded, and forgot where I was
for a moment. Maybe I was being a bit dramatic, but I was really shocked,
and hurt.
“How could she do this to me?” I protested to my friends as they
did whatever else they were doing, not really listening to what I was
saying.
“Like she was ever going to marry you.”
That was the response I was given most of the time. They were
right and I had known it all along. Why would Kate Hudson, my dear,
beloved Katie, ever marry someone like me? I’m not rich, famous, nor am I
a rock star. It had only been a dream, one that I indulged myself in
relentlessly and somewhat believed could some day come true. The real
truth, that which slapped me in the face in the supermarket, was not as
easy to accept, nor as much fun. Although Katie was never present or
aware of it, our love was a good love – entertaining, deep, and rich.
While I can’t have the real Kate, I can have her movies (I only really
want “Almost Famous”). While she spends nights with her new family, I’ll
warm myself with memories of our love and with time spent with my old
friend Penny Lane.