“I suppose.” Her mother sighed. “How much farther?”
“Mmm.” Jessica looked down at the printed email. “Looks like we’re only about twenty minutes from the exit. How are you guys doing back there?” She peered into the rearview mirror once again.
“We’re fine, honey. Your brother is preoccupied with his new computer tablet thingy and Andrew’s reading a history book.”
“Figures. What about you? How are you holding out?”
“I’m a little stiff from driving so long. I’ll be glad to get there.”
“Me too.” Jessica stretched. “But it’s good to talk to you. Again. What did we ever do before cell phones?”
“I can’t remember. But speaking of phones, I should probably hang up now. I need to save all the minutes I can. With you living in Dallas now. . .” Her mother’s voice seemed to break.
“It’s going to be okay, Mom,” Jessica said. “You’ll hardly have time to miss me before I’m home again. Wait and see.”
“Okay, Honey. Guess I’ll talk to you when we get there.”
“I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
As she ended the call, Jessica leaned back against the seat and yawned. She glanced at the clock. Four sixteen p.m. It felt more like midnight. Then again, her day had started pretty early. Loading the car had taken awhile. Though a furnished apartment awaited her in Dallas, Jessica still had to pack her clothes, music and personal items. As for kitchenware, her mother had pressed enough of that into her trunk to last her a lifetime.
Not that she planned to spend a lifetime away from home. The next six months would fly by. She felt sure of it. With September drawing to a close, Jessica had just a few precious weeks of fall left to prepare a team of youngsters to perform in their first Christmas opera—after tomorrow’s auditions, anyway. And what fun she would have getting them ready!
Jessica’s mind wandered. Her distraction nearly caused her to miss the appropriate exit. Thankfully, she looked up just in time. With a nervous glance in the rearview mirror, she discovered her mother had made the exit, as well.
Within minutes, she pulled her car to the front of Northgate Crossing Apartments. As she shifted the car into park, she glanced over at Nathan, who still snored loudly. Let him sleep a few more minutes. He deserves it. She climbed from the car and stretched before waving to her mother and stepfather. They gave the apartment complex an admiring look.
“Not bad,” Andrew said.
“It is nice, isn’t it?” Jessica felt a wave of contentment pass over her as she turned toward the office. “But I’d better get in there and pick up my key. I think they close at five. I’m cutting it pretty close.”
Minutes later, she turned the shiny silver key to open the door of her very first apartment. Stepping inside, she gave a whistle. “Wow.” She looked over the spacious living room, fully decked out with plush furniture and complementary decor.
“Looks like you won’t be suffering much.” Her brother Kent pushed past her with an armload of clothes. “Where do you want these, anyway?”
“In the bedroom.” She led the way into the large front bedroom. It, too, took her by surprise. She could certainly learn to adapt to her new surroundings without much trouble.
“Not bad, not bad.” Kent dropped the clothes down onto the bed then headed out to the car for more. “If this is how opera singers live, I might want to take a few voice lessons, myself.”
“Very funny.”
Nathan entered the room with a suitcase in hand. “Found a closet yet?” he asked.
“I’m guessing it’s through that door.” She pointed to her left. He stifled a yawn, then tossed the suitcase inside and turned back toward the front door.
Jessica gave the place a thorough looking over, more than pleased with her new home. Thank You, Lord. You’ve been too good to me. She could almost envision sharing this home, this beautiful home, with Nathan after their wedding. Almost. Stop thinking like that. He would never agree to move to Dallas. This is just for a season, not a lifetime.
“Knock, knock!” A chipper female voice brought Jessica back to reality. She turned to discover a young woman, blonde and extremely tanned, standing in her open doorway. “Just wanted to stop by and say ‘howdy,’” the petite beauty said with a smile. “I’m Kellie.”
“I’m Jessica.” She made her way to the door and extended her hand in the girl’s direction.
“I know.” The girl’s eyes twinkled merrily. “My sister has been talking about you for days.”
“Your sister?”
“Katie. She sings with the Dallas Metropolitan Opera,” Kellie explained. “We live right next door. She helped Colin find the apartment for you. Of course, she’d do anything for that guy. She’s head-over, if you know what I mean.”
“Oh, I see. Well, thank her for me, okay?”
“I’m sure you two will be best buds,” the blonde sighed. “But me, well. . .” She laughed. “I’m completely tone-deaf. Don’t care a thing about opera. Hope that doesn’t offend you.”
“Doesn’t offend me,” Nathan approached with another armload of clothes.
“Me either,” Jessica added. “Honestly.”
“I can brew a mean cup of coffee, though.” Kellie’s lips curled up in a cute smile. “And I’m great if you ever want to chat about boyfriends or broken hearts or stuff like that.”
“Thanks.” Jessica glanced up at Nathan, whose eyes seemed fixed on the blonde bombshell. “Um, speaking of boyfriends. This is my fiancé, Nathan.”
Nathan nearly dropped the armload of clothes as he extended his hand. Kellie shook it vigorously.
“Nice to meet you,” the perky young blonde said.
“You too.” Nathan glanced at the ground and withdrew his hand.
“So,” she said, “Is there anything I can do to help?”
At that moment, Kent passed through the open doorway with a box of pots and pans. He nearly tripped over his own feet as his gaze fell on Kellie. “Uh, Jess?”
“Yeah?”
“Could I, uh, talk to you in the bedroom?”
She trudged along behind him, leaving Nathan alone in the doorway with the blonde.
“Who is that?” her brother asked, barely above a squeak.
Jessica shrugged. “She’s just a neighbor who stopped by to say hello. Why?”
“Introduce me.”
“Good grief, Kent.”
“No, I mean it.” He spoke insistently. “Introduce me. But make me look good. Say something great about me.”
With a groan, Jessica made her way to the doorway once again, this time taking pains to carefully introduce her brother to Kellie. When the vivacious young woman offered to give the newcomers a tour of the complex Jessica declined, but Kent followed behind the boisterous blonde like an obedient puppy. Great. Now I’ve lost him completely.
Jessica continued to unload the car with some assistance from her mother and Nathan, while Andrew drove off in search of a restaurant for dinner. She could hardly keep her thoughts straight. When they finished, she plopped down onto the sofa, completely exhausted. If I sit here much longer, I’ll fall asleep.
Her mother joined her, letting out a groan as she sat. “I’m getting too old for this.”
“Mom!” Jessica shook her head in disbelief. “You’re not old.”
“I haven’t helped anyone move in years. It’s a lot of work.”
“No kidding.” Nathan dropped into a wing-backed chair across from the sofa. “And to think we have to move you back in six months. Then move again into our own place. That’s a lot of moving in one year’s time.”
Jessica shrugged. “I’m sorry. I really am.”
Andrew appeared in the doorway. “Anyone hungry?”
“Starved.” Jessica and her mother spoke in unison.
“I found a great Mexican restaurant just a couple of blocks away,” Andrew said. “Let’s grab a bite together before we head back home.”
“Good
luck finding Kent.” Jessica chuckled.
“Where is he?” Andrew glanced at his watch.
Nathan stood and stretched. “Who knows. But don’t worry. I’ll track him down. The sooner we get on the road, the better. I’ve got a lot of studying left to do before the weekend is over.” He headed outside to look for Kent.
Jessica enjoyed a few moments of quiet conversation with her mother and Andrew until her brother burst through the door.
“I’m in love!” He clutched his heart and acted as if he would faint.
“Good grief, Kent.” Jessica rolled her eyes. “Not again.”
“This time it’s the real thing. I think I’m moving to Dallas.”
“Nothing impulsive about this boy.” Andrew patted him on the back.
“Well, before you up and marry this girl, would you like to have some dinner?” his mother asked. “Mexican food.”
“I guess.” Kent sighed loud enough to alert the entire apartment building.
As they gathered up their belongings and headed to the door, Jessica realized Nathan still hadn’t returned. “Anyone seen my fiancé?” she asked.
“Oh, he’ll be here in a minute,” Kent said. “He and Kellie are talking about the stock market. Turns out, she’s a broker. Isn’t that amazing? I mean, isn’t she amazing?”
“Amazing.” Jessica smiled at her brother’s antics.
Nathan soon appeared at the door, and they headed out to the restaurant. Over a plateful of enchiladas, Jessica decided to share some things that had been weighing heavily on her heart. She chose her words carefully. “I don’t want any of you to think I’ve lost interest in planning the wedding.”
Nathan shrugged his response. “I’m not worried, Babe.”
“No need to be.” She reached to give him a hug.
“We know you better than that, Honey.”
“I know there’s still so much to think about,” Jessica continued. “We’ll need to settle on some invitations when I come home weekend after next.”
“True.” He scooped a chip full of salsa into his mouth. “Or,” he said after swallowing, “I guess could just leave that part up to you. I’ve got a lot on my plate between now and then. No pun intended.” He gestured to his half-empty plate and grinned.
“You wouldn’t mind?” She looked at him curiously.
“Nope. I’m so busy with school. Besides, anything you pick will be great. I trust your judgment.”
“Really?” That’s odd. Jessica tried not to read too much into his lack of enthusiasm.
Her mother reached out to grasp her hand. “I’ll give you as much help as you need or want.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
“And I’m only a phone call away. Promise me you won’t be a stranger, Jess.” Her mom’s eyes grew misty.
“Trust me. I won’t. I’m going to miss all of you so much.” Tears sprang to her eyes, and she brushed them away. “But I know that God has a plan for me, and I’m so excited about what He’s doing. Thank you, all of you, for being so understanding.”
Jessica’s mother reached over to give her a warm embrace. Andrew smiled his reassurance from across the table. Kent went on talking about Kellie, the love of his life.
And Nathan…
Nathan seemed to have drifted off to sleep sitting straight up.
NINE
The first two weeks in Dallas flew by. When the auditions for the much-anticipated children’s production drew to a close, Jessica finally had a moment to catch her breath. The whole process had placed her squarely in the center of a musical whirlwind. She loved every whimsical moment, and immediately grew to love the children selected for the prized roles, as well.
In her heart, Jessica knew she had been born for this very thing – to train and mentor young people in the classical vocal style. In the same way that her father had supported her musical gifts, she would encourage these budding stars. Already, Jessica could see that her input into their lives would have tremendous payoff, both vocally and psychologically. Nothing could make her feel better.
The knowledge that she would soon be singing alongside some of the best-trained voices in the country left her speechless. Jessica could hardly wait to join the chorus of Madame Butterfly. Her formal audition for the company would come next week, though her position in the chorus had already been secured by Colin, who, she had recently learned, would play one of the major roles in the production.
Her lips curled upward in an unexpected smile as she thought about Colin Phillips. More than a mentor and guide, he had already turned out to be a great friend. And his vocal ability left her speechless. When she heard him sing to the children for the first time, Jessica felt an unexplainable kinship with him. His rich baritone voice had reminded her of someone, something. . .though she couldn’t put her mind on who or what.
Jessica truly came to know herself in Dallas. Somehow life just seemed more exciting here. The city, itself, seemed to be alive with electrical energy. In spite of a few moments of loneliness for Nathan and her family, Jessica never once regretted her decision to move to this thriving metropolis. Not that she had much time to ponder the matter. In no time at all, it seemed, she was on her way back to Houston for a weekend visit.
As she drove, Jessica spent a great deal of time in thought and in prayer. Lord, You’ve been so good to me. I know I don’t deserve all of this, but thank You. And thank You for trusting these children to my care. Help me to be a good example to them. I know it’s not really a ‘Christian’ environment, but help me to shine Your light in any way I can. And help me to balance my life in Dallas with my life at home. I pray Your perfect Will is done in my life, Father. Amen.
She continued south on Interstate 45, completely lost in her thoughts. On more than one occasion, Jessica challenged herself to think on other things besides the goings-on in Dallas. So much in her life had changed, and yet she must remain focused on the task at hand. Nathan would be waiting at home. Together, they would finalize their guest list and then she would place an order for invitations. In all truthfulness, she had scarcely spent more than a moment or two thinking about the wedding, with all of the events of the past few days, but this weekend at home would help.
Home.
Somehow traveling back to Houston put things in perspective. And seeing Nathan again would be great. She could hardly wait, in fact. There were so many stories to share; so much news to relay. He would be thrilled to hear it all.
Then again, he hadn’t had much time to call or send emails over the past two weeks. Between his work schedule and college classes, he seemed to be almost as swamped as she. Never mind that. We’ll have the whole weekend together. It will be great.
Jessica arrived home late that Friday night, breathlessly anticipating all that lay ahead. Her mother greeted her at the door with a kiss on each cheek and excited squeals. “I’ve missed you so much!”
Jessica felt tears in her eyes as she melted in her mother’s arms. “I’ve missed you too, Mom.” It felt wonderful to be home once again, and she could hardly wait to catch up on all that had happened.
“Well, look who’s here.” Andrew appeared in the doorway. “The lost sheep returns home at last.”
“I wasn’t lost,” Jessica said with a smile. In fact, she pondered, I feel like I’ve finally found myself.
“Well, come on in, stranger.” Andrew grabbed her suitcase and ushered her into the living room.
Kent joined them and everyone promptly began to ask question after question.
“What do you think about—?”
“Have you had a chance to—?”
“I can hardly wait to tell you—”
On and on they went. After a few moments of talking over one another, the conversation finally fell into some semblance of order and Jessica was able to share her heart. She told them about the children. She told them about the magnificent theater and its intricate design. She shared some funny stories of things her boisterous neighbors, Katie and Kellie, had done to
welcome her to the neighborhood. In short, she finally had a chance to put a voice to all of the Lord’s goodness in her life over the past two weeks.
Andrew and her mother laughed at each antic and added their own stories of all that had transpired since her absence. They had missed her terribly, but had managed to take advantage of the spare bedroom by purchasing a new computer and desk to replace her missing furniture. Kent admitted, with reddened cheeks, that he had emailed Kellie on a number of occasions, but had yet to hear back from her. He claimed her computer must be broken, though Jessica certainly knew better.
“Tell me about the church,” she urged everyone. “How are the kids? How is Mrs. Witherspoon?”
“Oh, you’ve missed so much, already!” Her mother lit up with excitement. “The children are going to be performing a Christmas musical. Something with an angel theme. Believe it or not, Mrs. Witherspoon has already held auditions. Rehearsals start next Sunday afternoon.”
“You’re kidding.”
“No, I’m not.”
Andrew mother laughed. “She’s really in her element, but who would have guessed it?
“No kidding.” Jessica couldn’t be more surprised. Funny, she also felt a tad bit of jealousy creep up at the news.
“She’s always been such a ‘behind the scenes’ sort of gal, letting you take charge of everything,” her mother continued. “But you should have heard her talking to Pastor Meeks about set design and costumes. She’s amazing.”
“Wow. That’s great.” Though startled, Jessica breathed a huge sigh of relief, recognizing that this, another piece to the puzzle, had been orchestrated by the Lord.
They tumbled back into lively conversation and time flew by. Jessica stayed up well past midnight, filling her family’s ears with every wonderful detail of the past two weeks. When at last it came time to rest, she could hardly keep her eyes open. She fell asleep on the sofa, too tired to argue with the lumpy pillow or the itchy cushions. She awoke on Saturday morning with a stiff neck. However, her heart seemed to be dancing.
Jessica could hardly wait to see Nathan. After a brief phone call, they arranged to meet at a local pancake house. He met her at the door of the restaurant thirty minutes later and swept her into his arms.
Love at Center Stage: Three Theatrical Love Stories Page 22