“Thanks,” Marika said. “Just set them on the table there.” She continued powdering me.
The other girls in the room stared at the flowers. Every female in the cast was in there, and two other makeup artists. Marika glanced at the cards on the flowers. “They’re for you,” she said.
I stared into the mirror, and everyone else stared at me.
When my hair and makeup were finished, I smelled the rose and then read the cards. The rose was from Roy, and the card said You are a star, don’t ever forget it. I twirled the rose around in my fingers and inhaled its scent. The bouquet was from the parents, and the card read Break a leg tonight, T. Break both legs! We’re so proud of you!
Even though every girl in the room was glaring at me like she wanted to scratch out my eyeballs, I couldn’t help grinning like a proper fool.
“Places! Places, everyone!” Ms. Jane used her stage whisper.
I couldn’t see a damn thing, only the green glow tape marking the stage exits, but I could hear the excited buzz of the audience, the hammering of my heart and a dull hum inside my head. Ms. Jane went out front and made an enthusiastic welcome speech. There was wild applause and then absolute silence. The curtain went up. I squinted past the blinding lights into the audience. Every seat in the house was full. And there, front row and center, sat the three people I loved. I knew, too, that when the curtain came down, my sisters, wherever they were, would be giving me a standing ovation.
acknowledgments
THANK YOU:
Staff and students of Dr. E.P. Scarlett High School, 1999-2001, especially Margie Johnson and Jane Pilkey; Lynn Coady for suggesting my short story “Dr. Lung” should grow into this novel; John Gould and Nancy Holmes; Kelda Larson and David Floody for reading an early draft; Sarah Harvey for fine editing; my family for their unflagging enthusiasm and support; Mom and Dad, the best parents a kid could ask for; and Warren, who makes everything possible.
Ashley Little attended high school in Calgary. She has worked at a pie shop, a fast-food chicken restaurant and a convenience store/gas station. She completed a BFA in creative writing at the University of Victoria. Ashley teaches yoga and writes fiction in Alberta’s badlands. For more information, please visit www.ashleylittle.com.
The New Normal Page 16