Double Fated (Book One)

by C.K. Mullinax

  Chapter Twenty Three

  Tray channeled to make sure my teachers wouldn’t count me as being absent. I would worry about getting notes and making up my work, later. All of us were taking the day off to spend together. The hours flew by too fast. Much too soon, it was time to leave and get ready for the theater.

  Tonight’s performance was a sold-out show, but somehow my family managed to get tickets. I didn’t have any way to wiggle out of this responsibility. And, they were thrilled to have time off to come and watch me. My royal grandparents would also be attending. So, my nerves were completely frazzled.

  Dinah Lynn was still listed in the program as the star of the show, although the marquee had my name up in lights.

  Waiting for my curtain call, I looked through the glossy pages of the program. Dinah Lynn’s smiling face stared back at me. I wonder where she is…what happened to her? Why did she quit so abruptly?

  That led me to another worry…Audrey.

  Her cousin is still skulking around campus. I discovered this because I had to swing by my house to pick up an appropriate change of clothes for after the musical.

  Becca had been peeking out the window when I came into the living room.

  “Ooooo, who are we spying on??” I had asked, quizzically.

  “This beat up truck with mudslinging tires, keeps hanging around. The driver looks like a creepiety-creeper. I’m gonna call campus security, again…” she had told me.

  Lester and one of his friends had been stalking the area. They had evidently been driving by so frequently that it had put my worrisome sister on high alert.

  “Hey Becca, do you know if Dark Matter’s playing anytime soon?” I had asked, while Audrey’s cousin circled around our block for the third time.

  “Yeah, they’re having a sneak preview show Monday night…why? Are we going??” Francie had squealed.

  They didn’t bother waiting for me to answer. My sisters were planning our club outing, by the time I left.

  I had dinner arrangements with my family for Monday evening. The Warming would be over. And, we would need to assess the damages and successes to see where we stand. It would also be the last time we would be able to have dinner together, privately until both the wedding and the boys’ vacation are over.

  Although it meant leaving my family dinner early, I had scheduled to go see Dante’s band on Monday with my sisters.

  I feel compelled to check on Audrey. Something seems off about that situation. Lester hasn’t kidnapped her. He evidently doesn’t know where she’s at either. I had to force the visions of her unpacked boxes and unmade bed out of my mind when I stepped on stage.

  The lights blind us to the crowd, except for the first two rows. I didn’t see my family, but that was what I expected. Tray is ultra-aware of his surroundings. I assumed he selected seats in the back where he would be in a better position to guard my family.

  My brothers also know that I will not be performing any dangerous stunts on stage. So, the strangers in the audience would be their primary focus.

  Sadly enough, I never considered the fact that no one in my family knew I could sing. They have all seen me do gymnastics, twirl a baton and dance – from ballet to country line and everything in between. And, much to my brothers’ dismay and terror, they have watched me run a makeshift, Parkour course around a city block. I even shimmied up the side of a building during that obstacle-run while they looked on in abject horror. But, I never had an occasion to sing for any of them.

  I didn’t technically know I had an ability to carry a tune until my freshman year in college. My sorority sisters dragged me, and all the other pledges, to a Karaoke bar during rush week. My face was glowing from embarrassment because they managed to pick out the one song in the whole book that I had never heard before. I had to figure it out as I went along. But, g-mom had taught me to give my all because a spectacular failure makes a more interesting tale for later. So, although I started out singing tentatively, I ended strong.

  Half-drunken patrons gave me a standing ovation and my sisters demanded an encore. I didn’t think much of my hidden talent that night. But, then I took my first drama class and Professor Marcus favors musicals. So, on a few occasions I have been asked to reveal my inner singer – never as a soloist, though.

  Dinah Lynn’s voice rivals any professional I have ever heard. Compared to her, my singing is shower-quality. She earned this lead and deserves this spotlight. But, her vanishing act a few short days before opening night had shoved me right into it. I kept praying that I wouldn’t miss too many notes or forget too many lines.

  Interestingly, I didn’t give my performance quality a second thought on Tuesday, although I had millionaires, politicians and famous people watching me that night. But, my family is here for this show. And, they brought my royal grandparents with them. My theatrical performance will reflect on my Momma-G and her mothering abilities. Theater skills are considered a refined and dignified pastime for young, royal gypsy ladies. So, I sang my heart out and delivered my lines like my life hinged on the outcome.

  Our troop took the stage five times as the crowd continued to cheer and wouldn’t stop shouting. When my niece delivered two dozen roses to me on stage, the fans, once again called for an encore.

  It didn’t take me long to figure out that Tray is responsible for this over the top theater fan-fest that was occurring. But, I couldn’t get too angry with him for stirring a commotion. Haven twirled around and bowed with me. She was thrilled by the applause and was giggling in the spotlight.

  I still couldn’t see Tray, but I gave him the subtle motion to cut it out so I could leave. The crowd didn’t wind down even when the curtain was drawn for the evening.

  “That was fun! Let’s do it all over again, now that I know the song words’! I can sing them with you. Please, my Aunt Krista, whatda ya’ say??” Haven announced and pleaded.

  “The expression is, “…the words to the songs.” And, it’s dinner time, baby…” I exhaustedly explained, trying to distract her.

  “Mommy brought snacks if you’re hungry. I’ll get you one…

  “Can you please sing and act it, again – just once, but all the way through. Fun stuff goes super-fast.

  “Papa-Tray, Uncle Reid and daddy said they could persuade everyone to start from the top…just like it’s time for that curtain to fly open. They said, it’s a nice safe thing and they love the chill-waxing. They want you to do this all the time instead of hoppin’ around on Jarron and lettin’ him catch you like a flyin’-Frisbee. That’s what they were whispering about anyway. Isn’t that excitin’?? They’re gonna help you sing and dance all the time!

  “So, pleazzzeeeeee…Aunt Krista…can you make us all happy??” my niece asked and assumed the begging position.

  She even had her hands clasped in front of her chest, as she jumped around excitedly.

  Creator, help me!!!!

  “The stage is only reserved for one time tonight, sorry. But, we do have another show time scheduled for a do over. So maybe they can bring you and that way you can see it, again.

  “Right now, I need to have a chitty-chat with your Papa-Tray, Uncle Reid and daddy. Where are they?” I questioned her.

  Satisfied that she could convince someone to bring her to my next performance, she led me to my family. My brothers were hiding their amusement. They knew how much trouble they were in. They ducked behind our royal grandparents. It would provide them a short stay of execution from my sisterly wrath.

  They turned Haven into a cheerleading-opposing weapon. I’m sure she asked for a do-over at my game last night, too. But, she didn’t mention it and they certainly didn’t suggest it. That’s playing dirty! And, I would tell them so…as soon as our royal grandparents’ aren’t watching.