Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 75983 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 380(@200wpm)___ 304(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75983 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 380(@200wpm)___ 304(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
And then the audience erupted into applause, piercing that wall of darkness, confirming we had, in fact, triumphed. As we prepared for curtain calls, I glanced at Victoria, a curious pride filling my chest. First Rudy, now her. I wasn’t used to carrying so much concern for others’ successes, but my eyes burned and my throat was tight. Victoria’s magnificent performance was a testament not only to her talent but to her sheer force of will to beat those nerves into submission.
She shone so brightly now that few would guess the toll the day had taken on her.
“I want to bottle this moment up,” she said breathlessly as we walked back out for our bows.
“I know, but trust me, you’ll have plenty of other curtain calls.” My tone was both fond and confident. We’d all witnessed the birth of a star, and she deserved every round of applause and cheer, to the point that Tavio sent her back out a second time when the audience stayed loud.
As always, the second the curtain fell for good and the production wrapped for the evening, I flopped onto my dressing room chair, all the adrenaline replaced by bone-deep exhaustion, the sort where even peeling off my costume required more energy than I had. I took my time getting changed, and many of the performers and crew had already departed when Rudy poked his head in the dressing room door.
“Whoa. You look like one of those giant candy set pieces slammed into you.”
“I’m so tired.” I could be pitiful with him in a way I couldn’t with many. “Everything hurts. And somehow I have to do it all again tomorrow for the final matinee.”
“I know.” Rudy came into the room to lay a hand on my shoulder, a surprisingly firm grip. “I came to see if you needed ice or if you were hungry? How can I help?”
He already was, simply by being here, and his gentle shoulder massage was going to be my undoing.
“No ice, but I’m starving. However, if I have to make even one more decision, I might expire from the effort.”
“I understand.” His tone was comforting beyond measure. “Let me take care of you?”
“Yes,” I said simply, possibly the most foolhardy syllable I’d ever uttered. More time alone, especially with me in this unguarded state, was dangerous, yet I was powerless to do anything other than nod weakly. “Thank you.”
Eighteen
Effacé: a position where the legs appear open to the perspective of the audience.
Rudy
After some muttering about the three flights of stairs to my apartment, Alexander consented to letting me drive him home in the most Alexander way possible, with a hand wave and weary “if you must.” He did, however, insist I drive the car he’d been borrowing from his parents, so we’d draw less attention at their house. Adding to the secrecy of our mission to make it to the Dasher’s pool house undetected, he directed me to pull around to the rear drive and park near the back with the pool and small house rather than approach from the front.
“I feel very much sixteen again and sneaking someone in, but I’m in no way up to dealing with my family.” Alexander slowly untangled himself from the seatbelt, moving as if he’d aged thirty years over the course of the day.
“I get it. I’d rather not face either of our mothers, to be honest.” My rationale was more selfish in that I wanted to be the one taking care of Alexander. If his mother spotted us, she’d likely insist on taking over, and my plans to revisit that backstage kiss would disappear in a cloud of expensive perfume and motherly concern. My own mother had been easy enough to dodge leaving the theater, but she would’ve also had questions I’d rather not answer.
“You’re quite possibly the only one I can tolerate tonight.” Alexander offered me something approaching a smile as I led him into the pool house.
The Dashers always referred to the building in an offhand manner as one might a garden shed or detached garage, but the small rectangular structure was actually more of a one-bedroom cottage that happened to face the pool and gardens. Elaine had originally renovated the space for her aging mother-in-law, then turned it into a guest house after her passing.
The quaint pale-blue living room was dominated by a tan couch with a matching ottoman, soft lighting, and a kitchenette along one wall with a fridge, microwave, and single-burner stovetop. I’d already decided to order food delivery from one of the few places in town that stayed open late, and a quick glance in Alexander’s nearly-bare fridge confirmed that choice.
Alexander stood behind me as if waiting for some sort of direction. Sending him to the couch would be the logical answer, but then my gaze landed on the door to the large L-shaped bathroom, which I’d used a time or two while swimming. Not only did it feature a door to the pool area and a separate shower and changing area for swimmers, but it also contained a good-size soaking tub perfect for spoiling guests and Alexander alike.