by Doug Solter
“Well, I won’t do it for Laura.” Grandma combed her finger thorough Emma’s hair. “But…I’ll do it for you. And only you.” Grandma’s face hardened. “If these girls live under my roof, then they’ll have to follow my rules. Even if Laura disagrees with them.”
“I think it’s safe to say that Grandma Laura already anticipated your terms and will reluctantly accept them.”
***
The school’s auditorium stage was bathed in colors. White for the actors. Orange for the wooden set representing the faraway pyramids of Egypt. Blue to emphasize the painted sky backdrop above it all. It was the Sunday matinee and the last school performance of The Spy Who Loathed Me.
Emma stood on stage in her floor-length dress. Once again, she played Olga Tetrovich the Russian spy. And once again, M16 spy George Bond hid behind a fake tree, waiting for Olga to show him the location of the microfilm.
Emma picked up the clay model of the pyramids from a souvenir stand, smashed it against the table once again. Held up the microfilm for the audience to see. But this time Emma sneaked a peek at them.
Grandma’s white hair with two ponytails was easy to pick out. But there were three other girls with her…Olivia, Nadia, and Miyuki. Their eyes captivated by what happened on stage, like they were totally into it. That’s what fascinated Emma about live theater. The hold an actor can have on an audience. It was powerful. And so wonderful.
As Emma turned to face Bond, she noted a tall man standing in back of the auditorium. He was quiet and hovered near an older woman gripping a cane. Emma smiled to herself and went on with the scene without a second-thought.
That afternoon’s matinee performance went off without much of a hitch. Even Lewis pushed himself and turned in an awesome performance that earned him a few extra claps at the end. After their curtain call, Emma and the rest of the cast came out to the lobby to greet the audience, a custom their drama teacher encouraged.
Emma received a lot attention, especially from the old ladies who would hold her hand and say she had talent. Emma finally was able to break away from all the strangers and join Grandma and her friends. There was no sign of Mrs. B or Aardvark, perhaps she had to leave early to plan some future operation.
“Please quench my curiosity,” Grandma said. “Is this play based on the James Bond movie or the Ian Flemming novel?”
“It’s based on all the spy movies,” Emma said. “The playwright mashed together scenes from the movies and created a storyline to match. It’s more of a loving tribute to James Bond. That’s why Bond is named George. It was a big hit on Broadway a couple years ago.”
“I see. Well, you elevated the material up to a point where it was entertaining.”
“What’s your co-star’s name again, love?” Olivia asked.
“Lewis. He was good tonight, wasn’t he?”
“He’s easy on the eyes.”
Miyuki clapped her hands together. “You have a crush!”
“Just said the bloke was handsome. That’s all.”
Nadia poked Olivia’s shoulder. “Tell him how much you liked his performance.”
Olivia cocked her head and checked out the boy standing on the other side of the lobby…alone. “Maybe I will.”
Olivia stuffed her hands in her jean pockets and nonchalantly moved in the boy’s general direction. Lewis made eye contact with her and smiled. This caused Olivia to veer away from him and pretended to get a drink at the water fountain.
The girls all laughed.
“Emma?” It was Mrs. Tuttle, her drama teacher. She held a bouquet of twenty-four roses. “These were just delivered with your name on them.”
“Thank you.” Emma took the bouquet and marveled how beautiful and fresh the roses were, from a first-class florist for sure. She found a gold envelope and popped open the seal. Inside was a fancy card with crisp edges. Emma slipped it out. There was a note handwritten in ink…
Congratulations. You were so beautiful on stage that I couldn’t keep my eyes off of you. Glad I spared your life. Heading off to Egypt myself to see the real pyramids. I’ll send you a picture.
Unless you’d like to join me?
Ryan
THE END
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TOMORROW ALWAYS LIES
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BOOKS BY DOUG SOLTER
The Season of Speed Series
Young adult contemporary sports romance set in the world of Formula One auto racing.
Season of Speed
Season of Fail
Season of Legends
Season of Champions
The Gems Spy Series
Young adult spy thriller series centered on four extraordinary teen girls who save the world and still must be home by curfew.
Spies Like Me
Tomorrow Always Lies
Thunderdog
Dr. Yes (A prequel novel)
About The Author
Doug Solter began writing screenplays in 1998, then made the switch to writing young adult fiction in 2008. Doug has worked in television for over twenty years. He has also directed rap music videos and short films. Doug lives in Oklahoma.
So far in his life, Doug has enjoyed wine on the streets of Barcelona. Hiked the mountains. Loved a cat. Rang up vanilla lattes at Starbucks. Enjoyed a Primanti's sandwich in Pittsburgh. And one summer he baked pizzas and crazy bread for money when Michael Keaton was Batman.
Doug is also a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.
Connect with Doug on…
Booksprout App * Facebook * Bookbub * Instagram * Goodreads
www.dougsolter.com
Acknowledgments
Beta readers are critical in helping shape a novel. Without their feedback this novel wouldn’t be half as good. Huge thanks to my key beta readers Kate Tilton and Laura Benedict. A big thanks to new beta reader Jorie from Jorie Loves a Story Book Blog. Jorie challenged me on many things in the book which I’m glad for since it made the manuscript clearer and stronger. Thanks, Jorie!
Travis Miles, for designing book covers like a Greek god. (If the ancient Greek gods actually designed book covers) I was scared how this cover was going to turn out, but as you can see I had nothing to worry about.
My editor Pauline Nolet, for working with me when I missed my deadline. She provided exceptional proofreading and editing as always.
Max Adams, for her writing classes and constant support of her students. I highly recommend her screenwriting classes.
For their constant support: Jerry Bennett, Renee Bilyeau, H.M. Clarke, Joe Kinkade, Trevor and Talon Lane, Jennifer Latham, Valarie Lawson, Barbara Lowell, Erin McHenry, Anna Myers, James Morgan and his family, Helen Newton, Cheryl Rainfield, Shelby and Marlee, Courtney Summers, and Amy Tipton. All my friends at the Oklahoma chapter of SCBWI. All my screenwriting friends through Max Adams’ AFW program. I appreciate you all!
Thank you to all my friends and family.
And another thank you to Dad for supporting my life.