Third Half by P. R. Garlick Page B

Lima.  A producer had seen her there, and offered her a chance to try for a part in a motion picture he was taping right there in the city.  But at the same time, Paul had made her another offer. 
                  "I chose to become a bride, rather than a star," the woman pushed a long ebony strand of hair behind her ear and smiled, as golden lights entered her dark brown eyes.  "I've never regretted the choice.  Though I do often wonder what it would have been like becoming an actress."
                  "It takes a lot of hard work," Liane said remembering her struggles in the theater.  "You give up much of your personal life."
                  "You speak as though you have first hand experience," Carla said with surprise.  "Could it be that you did some acting before you joined the Order."
                  "Ah . . .it's my sister who's the actress." Liane felt her cheeks grow warm as she quickly covered her slip.  "There were three of us.  Triplets.  My sister Liane, my brother Jack, and me.  We were orphaned in our early teens and raised in a Catholic children's home.  When we grew up, I chose what I wanted to do with my life, and Liane chose acting for her career.  I think everyone always knew we'd do something as different as night and day."
                  "And your brother?"
                  Liane bit her lip, her expression somber, remembering why she was here. "Jack was in the middle.  He used to jokingly refer to himself as the third half.  For a long time he studied for the Priesthood.  Later, he gave that up for a career in show business."
                  "Is that what Luke meant when he said that tomorrow evening he is going to take you to see your brother?  Is your brother in Lima?"
                  "I hope so," Liane replied, hesitating a moment before going on.  This woman was very nice, but she wasn't certain she should reveal too much to anyone.  "We seem to have lost contact.  Since he's scheduled to do his nightclub act down here at a place called the Conquistador . I thought I would look him up and surprise him."
                  "It is quite a coincidence that you come all the way down here to work in the mission school, and he also should be here."
                  "Not entirely.  You see it was some of what my brother told me – about the need for teachers in the outer regions –   that made me think about coming here."  She repeated the true story of Mary Catherine's reason for wanting to come to Peru.  "I inquired about what our church was doing, and found out about the school."
                  The woman's dark eyes showed her surprise.  "Has your brother been there?  Or near there?"
                  "I suppose he could have been, but I don't know for sure. Why?"
                  "It seems . . .as you Americans say, a bit far off the beaten trail.  I didn't think a busy entertainer would be visiting there.  I could see possibly tourist attractions like Machu Picchu, or any of the other, more well known, ruins.  We have much to see in our country."
                  "So I've heard.  Then again, I've heard there's much to see in Lima alone.  Luke has plans of showing me quite a bit of it tomorrow."
                  "Then, I shouldn't be keeping you from getting your rest."
                  "And you should be going to bed also," Liane was contrite.  "I had a nap on the plane.  I hope you and your husband didn't stay awake waiting for us."
                  Carla smiled.  "We're night owls, as Paul calls us.  But we did sleep a little earlier.  Paul is on holiday, so we can always have a siesta tomorrow.  It won't be so easy for you.  I'm sure Luke will be wanting to get an early start in the morning."
                  "He did say something to about