“Sì, Laura. Take your time. The bambina and I will take care of dinner.”
“Thanks!” Laura called over her shoulder as she headed down the hall.
“Those two, Annie. They think I don’t know what’s going on. I remember what it was like to be young and in love. They’ll enjoy their shower.”
Annie clapped her hands. Everything was okay with her.
Chapter 29
Taylor’s inauspicious beginning to his class quickly turned into a blessing. His students were comfortable with him right away and he felt at ease with them as well. They soon formed a working partnership that involved mutual respect—and copious amounts of laughter. He found that he loved teaching.
Laura was having a harder time adjusting. There was no doubt that she loved being home in Albuquerque again. Annie was all she could have ever wished for in a baby. The problem was that there wasn’t enough to fill her time.
One night when Taylor came home from the University, Laura was waiting for him.
“Taylor, we need to talk.”
“Aren’t husbands supposed to cringe in terror at that phrase?”
“There’s a reason for that.”
“So, tell me. I can take it!”
“It’s not funny, Taylor!”
He sat beside her on the sofa. “I’m sorry, darling. What is it?”
“It’s not enough—my life right now. I know I have time for my writing and for Annie but there’s something missing. I wasn’t cut out to be a stay-at-home-mom. I need to do something more.”
“That’s understandable. I’d wondered when you’d realize you needed more.”
“You knew?”
“Not for sure, but you’ve been very restless lately.”
“Henry’s offered me my old job back at the Herald. Part-time this time. I can pretty much set my own hours. Annie won’t be neglected.”
“There’s not much chance of her being neglected while she has Rosina around. That’s why Rosina stayed with us. She’s Annie’s caregiver. We always planned that.”
“I know that, Taylor. I just feel so guilty…”
“There’s no reason to. Between Rosina and your mother, your Dad, Matteo, and even me, she’s never going to be with strangers. She needs a mother who’s happy—and taking this job will obviously make you happy.”
“Then you think I should take it?”
“As long as it leaves time for an occasional trip to the zoo with your husband and daughter—and an occasional escape with your dashing husband,” Taylor said with a leer, “I don’t see any problem with it.”
“I should have known you would understand. There’s just one thing—when do I get to meet the guy who’s going to be my dashing husband?”
Taylor shook his head at her. “Maybe I should show you instead of telling you?”
“I think I could live with that. But it will have to be later. I hear noises in the nursery. Your daughter is awake.”
Taylor kissed her soundly then stood to go to Annie. “This child has a lot to learn about timing,” he muttered. “As for you, wench, prepare to be taught a lesson about dashing husbands later tonight.”
Laura laughed softly as he stalked out of the room. “Wonder if swashbuckling is part of the package,” she murmured as she picked up the phone to call Henry and tell him she was accepting the job.
Chapter 30
“Now that the drop/add date for classes is past, we’re going to get down to some serious business,” Taylor said to his class. “We’ve had some time to get acquainted and I have an idea where all of you are in your theatre expertise. But all that expertise is going nowhere if we don’t have a place to practice it. It’s time to decide on a musical.”
Various suggestions were called out until Taylor raised one hand for silence. “Not that easy. I have the librettos for three shows. I’m going to hand them out randomly—no fair exchanging with someone else. What you get is what you’re going to read. You have one week to read it and come up with the pros and cons of doing that show. What are the problems and plusses? Great costuming but difficult sets? Archaic language? Next Tuesday you’ll form into groups and compare notes with the others who have read the same libretto. You’ll elect a leader or leaders to present your case for or against. All three groups will have half-an-hour to present their case. Then you’ve got a couple of days to think about it. You can trade show librettos at that time. On Thursday we’ll discuss it all again as a group and then we’ll vote. Majority will rule. No arguments. If there is a tie, I get to break it, but I’d rather it be your decision entirely.
“After that the work begins. First item of business will be auditions. These are mandatory—everyone will audition even if your interest is in tech. You’ll need to prepare a song and provide sheet music to me and to the accompanist. We’ll also work on a brief dance routine which you’ll learn as a class but will perform solo at auditions.”
After the groans and grumbles had died down, Taylor continued, “You need to know all about theatre production, not just the stage glamour or the secret tech societies. A show is put together by a group. Even a one-man show needs a director and stage crew. You’ll need to have an acquaintance with everyone’s job. You could be needed somewhere unexpectedly.
“Start working on your audition resume now. We’ll be polishing them over the next few weeks. This is a professional resume, people. That means headshots, too. Those don’t have to be professional. Get a friend to take some pictures on their phone then have the best ones printed and enlarged. Normally, a director will want black and white as well as color but I will allow you to submit only color this time.
“List every acting and tech credit you have. If you were Vitamin C in your kindergarten nutrition class, list it. If you made the paper crowns for Sleeping Beauty, list it. Your resume is not the time to be shy. Nor is it a time to pad. The theatre world is pretty small and insular. Lie on your resume and you’ll be caught out.
“I’m increasing my office hours starting today. I am available by appointment to work with you on your audition or your resume. Any weekday except Friday—that’s my day with my family, at least until we start rehearsals. There are sign-up sheets on my door.”
Taylor looked around the room. Some faces were stunned. Some were smiling. All were apprehensive. “It sounds harder than it really is, honest. If you go on to New York after this, you’ll stand out in the crowd because you’ll know what you’re doing.”
“Read those scripts. And be prepared to participate in the discussions. Part of your grade will depend on it. See you on Thursday.”
As the class gathered up their stuff to leave, a few hung back waiting to talk to Taylor. He offered what reassurance he could. This was a senior level seminar and highly specialized. The work had to be completed to pass the program. Taylor had already received inquiries from New York theatre friends about new talent he might send their way.
Last in line was a slim blonde. Allison had probably the best soprano voice in the class and she could dance beautifully. What she seemed to lack, surprisingly, was self-confidence.
“Taylor? I don’t know if I can do that audition thing. It frightens me. What if I blow it?”
“Better here than someday in New York, don’t you think? This is a necessary part of the training.”
“I know but…”
“You’d like my help?”
Her blue eyes opened wide. “Would you, Taylor? I’d be ever so grateful.”
“Let’s go look on that schedule and see if your fellow students have left any room. I’ll wager that you’re not the only one signed up.”
Allison gathered her books and followed Taylor down the hall. She was betting there was another way to pass this course and get that recommendation for New York. And Taylor wouldn’t be such a hardship, she thought, as she observed the rear view of him in tight jeans. No, not a hardship at all.
Chapter 31
Annie was six months old in October. She still ran her par
ents’ world, but with a cheery smile and ready laugh. On the day of the class decision about what show they would do, he found himself suddenly responsible for Annie. There was no other choice but to take her to class with him.
As he wheeled her stroller into the mural-decorated class- room, several hearts—female and male—skipped a beat. This was a whole new Taylor they hadn’t included in their fantasies.
“As you can see, we have a guest this morning. She will take Broadway by storm someday.” He leaned down and picked her up then turned to face the class. “With this smile, how can she miss?” Right on cue, Annie gave her best smile to the class. “This, ladies and gentlemen, is Annie Collins Morgan—she’s one of the women who runs my life.”
Annie regarded them solemnly until she spotted a bright toy key chain attached to one of the backpacks. Then she smiled and the owner stepped forward, “Let me take her, Taylor.”
“Would you mind?”
“Not at all! She’s adorable.”
“Thanks. She takes after her mother, obviously.”
After answering a few more questions about the baby, Taylor turned to the discussion at hand.
He wandered the room, listening to the arguments, stepping in only when they began to become a little too heated. When Annie began to fuss, he picked her up, and continued his pacing as Annie snuggled into his shoulder and fell asleep.
“Class is almost over. Are we ready to vote?” There were a few minor grumbles but the voting began. In the end, Llewellyn’s Lorna won out.
“I’m very pleased with your choice, since Llewellyn gave me special permission to use it. But if you think that you’re going to get off any easier with one of my shows, you’re mistaken. From here on out, the work is yours. I just supervise. So, that’s it then. We won’t have class next week but I’ll add that time to my office hours to help with auditions. Tuesday after next, auditions will begin. It will probably take two class sessions and Kris Straub will be sitting in. Have a pleasant weekend.”
Carefully, he placed the sleeping Annie in her stroller. Immediately after class he had a session with Allison. Having listened to her father’s vocalizing all her life, Annie was never disturbed by music.
“So, Allison, what music have you settled on?”
“I haven’t. I don’t know what to choose. What would impress a New York director?”
“He doesn’t care what you sing. He needs a feeling for your range and delivery. You could sing the ABC song but it has to work to sell you.”
“I was hoping you’d choose for me,” she said with her best pout.
“Allison, my job is to teach you to do—not to do for you. Either get serious about this or drop out of the class. Come prepared on Tuesday.”
Taylor picked up his briefcase and guided the stroller out the door without a backwards glance. He had most of an hour left before his next appointment so he went to his office.
He couldn’t understand how someone with talent like Allison wasn’t willing to work for the payoff. He supposed she might have gotten along on her looks so far, but she had to have had decent grades to get into this seminar.
He realized that she reminded him of Elodie. El had just sailed along on her looks and when that wasn’t enough, she dropped out. He had a suspicion that Allison was going the same way.
* * *
Allison fumed all the way back to her apartment. How dare Mr. High-and-Mighty-God’s-Gift-to-the-Theatre shut her down that way? She needed that recommendation! It was her only hope of escaping her parents and starting a new life in someplace other than backwards Albuquerque. Fine! If playing the sweet helpless thing didn’t work, she’d try for super student. But she was also determined to get him into bed before the year was over. Let him see what he’d be missing when she dropped him and moved on.
* * *
Laura came into the house quietly. It was Annie’s naptime. Taylor had promised to bring her home in time and she’d promised to come take over for him. Poor Rosina had the flu and Laura’s mother was teaching. No one had been available and Laura had an important interview that wasn’t going to work if she had the baby along. It had been easier when Annie was still tiny but she was much too active and alert now.
Taylor was in his study, the baby monitor turned quiet on his desk.
“Hey, Prof, what does a girl have to do to get an A in this class?”
“Funny you should ask. I think I just had that same conversation with a student.”
“Really?”
“I’m not sure. It was weird.”
“Be careful, Taylor. It would be a good idea to not work with her without someone else there. It’s so easy to charge ‘sexual harassment’ without any grounds. The burden of proof would be on you.”
“I see living this close to the law school is rubbing off on you.”
“No, just dealing with daily reality. Be careful, love.”
“I will. It wouldn’t work anyway. Why would I be interested in a young, pretty blonde when I can have you?”
“Uh-huh. Sure, Taylor. Just remember, if you succumb, you’d better hope the police lock you up before I get to you.”
He reached out and caught her wrist, pulling her into his lap where he kissed her. “Never happen, Laura. I’m hooked on a redhead.”
“See that you stay that way, Professor,” she murmured as she settled into his arms.
Chapter 32
When Annie began to stir, her parents lay cuddled in bed. “I’m so glad your appointment cancelled.”
“Mmm—me too.” Taylor ran his hand down Laura’s side and rested it on her hip. “Want me to go get Annie?”
“I’ll do it. But you should get up. Without Rosina, one of us is going to have to go get dinner.”
“Beautiful, but can’t cook. So close to perfect.”
“Well, you can’t cook either so we’re even. Decide what you want while I get the Princess.”
I have everything I want, Taylor thought as Laura left the room. My life is as close to perfect as anyone’s can get. He reached out and knocked on the wood of the bedside table. No sense in tempting fate.
* * *
As they ate pizza later, Taylor said, “Something else happened today—something good I think.”
Laura wiped strained pears from Annie’s face. “Something good? What?”
“The symphony would like me to do a Christmas concert with them. The soloist they had scheduled had to cancel so I’m second choice.”
“Hardly! They must be thrilled to get you.”
“They seemed pleased.”
“Will you have time?”
“I should. The rehearsals for Lorna won’t start ‘til next semester. It’s only October and the music the symphony’s been rehearsing should be fine with just a couple of changes. I insisted they add “Ave Maria” for your mother.”
“That’s sweet, Taylor. She’ll be pleased.”
“It’s mine if I want it.”
“You haven’t accepted?”
“It will take me away from you and Annie for more evenings. I’ve gotten used to this domestic bliss.”
“It’s your decision but I think you should do it. Annie and I will survive.”
“I think I should, too. I’ll call the symphony manager later to confirm.”
“What about the fan club?”
“It’s going to be on the fifteenth. That’s a little close to the holidays isn’t it?”
“True, but they’d leave their families on Christmas morning to come hear you sing.”
“Which is exactly what I don’t want.”
“Ask the manager if he can set aside a block of tickets, maybe 150? I’ll get in touch with Lisa and have her see what kind of response we get. They’ll be thrilled, Taylor.”
“What about Lisa? This will take a big bite out of her holiday time.”
“I’ll ask her. Don’t forget, I can do a lot of the advance work here for her.”
“Let me talk to the symphony first.”
/> “Don’t forget to stipulate I get front row seats.”
“Always, my love.”
Chapter 33
The rest of the semester passed in a blur. As he had expected, the concert rehearsals had really cut into his home time. They were lucky if they managed the weekend together. If it wasn’t his schedule, it was Laura’s calling her out to cover some event.
Despite the butterflies and hesitations, all of his students did well on their auditions. Some were obviously destined for a backstage career but they all braved through the audition ordeal. He and Kris Straub had announced the cast at the end of November but, for now and until the end of the semester, the whole class was involved in pre-production details. Rehearsals, set building, and all the other myriad details would be covered in the second semester and culminate in a week of shows.
Betta would be home from Italy in time for the symphony concert and Megan would arrive a few days later. They’d have almost a month together before he and the girls had to return to their respective classrooms.
Laura and Lisa had done a terrific job of arranging the fan tickets and a party after the concert. Taylor had promised to show up and talk with them for a while. Besides the fan club, he’d arranged tickets for his students as well—nosebleed seats but the best he could do for a subscription event. They were invited to the party as well. Their class was being dismissed a week earlier than other UNM classes since there was no final to take. They’d still be around for the finals in their other classes and were looking forward to the concert.
Especially Allison. She still saw Taylor as her ticket out of Albuquerque. She’d been frustrated when he insisted on having an accompanist around when they worked on her audition number. If she showed up unscheduled in his office, he suddenly had another appointment. If she was meeting with him, it was strictly open door policy.
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