Yours for Christmas

by Sue Lyndon

  Henry remembered how she looked on stage the previous night. Her long brown hair curled almost to her waist and the dark blue of her velvet dress accentuated the color of her eyes. She waited, poised in the center of the stage. The orchestra hit the first note of her song and then… heaven.

  During past performances, Henry watched the audience. Old. Young. They felt like he did. Enchanted when they heard her sing.

  Now, this holiday season, he was getting the chance to share the stage with her. As part of tonight’s performance, after the final number, she’d kiss him. Not too many facelifts Robert. Not Rick/Dick the ex. Him. It would only be a stage kiss. But one could dream.

  Henry knew he could hold his own on the stage. The classical voice training as a child landed him a full music scholarship to Julliard in the states. All of this happened just after his mum died. He wished she could be here tonight, but he always sensed she was, watching him from the balcony somewhere. When the lights hit him and he could only see the first few rows of faces, she was out there. Just beyond the light. Listening.

  There was nothing holding him to England any longer, so his home for the past eight years had been New York. He couldn’t really call it a home, but at least his apartment on the upper west side for him and six of his closest actor buddies. No one he knew had an apartment of their own in New York. Rent was much too high.

  Henry stood and moved out into the hall behind Kevin. They both dodged to the side and pinned themselves against the wall to let two of the kids from the chorus run by. One was chasing the other with a giant plastic candy cane. They were having fun so no one scolded them.

  Both men paused in front of Carol’s dressing room. Her name was etched across a brass plate with a star. Henry looked at Kevin and then back at the closed door.

  “You’re supposed to be nervous about getting up in front of almost a thousand people in one of New York’s most prestigious musical theaters, not Carol,” Kevin said in a whisper.

  “Do you have anything better to do than make my life hell? Get out of here.” Henry took a deep breath and wrapped his knuckles on the wood.

  Chapter 2

  “Come in,” Carol called as she glanced at the antique gold clock on her dressing table. There were only a few hours until the show and no time for chatty visitors.

  The door opened and she saw the reflection in the mirror. “Henry! Hey, come in.” She spun and crossed her legs. He was the last person she expected to see. “What brings you around?”

  He cleared his throat as she tossed some newspapers off a chair onto the floor to make room for him to sit.

  “If you’re asking me why I’m here, then I guess you haven’t heard.”

  “Oh, no. They’re not closing the show are they?”

  He grinned. “Are you kidding?” then added, “no, it’s sold out through New Years. No worries. Robert had a gallbladder attack and they will do surgery.”

  “Ah… Robert. That’s… too bad.” She leaned forward, looked in the mirror again and applied powder to her nose, then set the brush on the mirrored tray. “That means you’ll be taking his place?” Oh please… oh please… oh please…

  “I’ll be in the lead tonight,” he confirmed.

  She was sure the sigh she let out was much more audible than she planned. “That’s good”, she tried to sound nonchalant as she brushed her hair.

  “If you have a few minutes, Mr. Brackmen wants us to go over a few of the key numbers before curtain time.” He tipped a shoulder. “I think he’s worried I’m rusty. Everyone that buys a ticket is there to hear you and Robert.”

  “After tonight they’ll come to hear you.”

  He looked at her for a long moment before asking, “How would you know? It’s been a long time since you’ve heard me sing.”

  “I heard you last night. While Robert’s on stage, out in the alley you sing all his numbers.”

  “In the alley, not on stage.”

  Carol turned, took Henry’s hands and squeezed them. His were warm and strong as he squeezed hers back. “Everyone starts somewhere. I used to sing at the bingo hall while they called the numbers. For the longest time I thought people were supposed to yell out B-10-BINGO, instead of clap when I finished a song.”

  He laughed. It was deep, rich and sincere. Not rehearsed like Robert’s always was.

  “Come on, let’s get on stage. It’s a big night for both of us.”

  “Why for you?” he asked as he took her hand and pulled her to her feet.

  “I don’t have to kiss fish lips tonight.”

  They both laughed as they headed down the narrow hall and out on the stage.

  ****

  The complete orchestra hadn’t arrived but Bill, the pianist, was early as usual. Mr. Brackmen waved his hand and told Bill which song to play. The first notes sounded and Carol and Henry’s voices blended together. By the second song, the bugs had been smoothed over.

  Henry’s voice was richer, fuller, and much deeper than Roberts. If she did say so herself, they sounded good together. He had to be a full head taller than her.

  The Christmas props were set on a side table for the evening performance. Henry’s friend Kevin was off to the side, and as they broke into the big finale of ‘I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus,’ Kevin shook the prop bag releasing fake show over them. Carol reached over to the table, grabbed the Santa hat, and as rehearsed for the final number put it on Henry’s head.

  He smiled down and something in her stomach did a little flip. He was so darn cute. Why hadn’t she ever noticed before this moment? He’d been backstage for the last year. As they both hit the last big notes and finished, she held her breath in anticipation.

  It was just rehearsal. It wasn’t the real show. He didn’t have to kiss her when the song ended.

  The lights went to red, she heard Mr. Brackmen call out, “Great! I have to say you both are fabulous together. That was great, Henry! I was a little apprehensive about your ability to move into Robert’s…”

  As the piano hit the last note, she didn’t hear the rest of what Mr. Brackmen said, or even the piano. Henry cupped his hand around the back of her neck, dropped his head, and kissed her. Just like he was supposed to for the final scene.

  A jolt raced through her body from her head to her toes and a tiny moan escaped her lips. She’d been through hundreds of performances with Robert. There was a reason she called him fish lips. Literally. On most days he tasted like sardines or some days tuna. Henry’s mouth was warm and soft against hers and he tasted like the green tea and honey he probably had drank back stage to ease his throat.

  A few seconds passed and he took command of the kiss. Not sticking his tongue down her throat, just angling his head to take it deeper. Sweeter. She curled her hands in the front of his shirt and explored the hard planes of his back and shoulders with her fingertips. His warm mouth sucked and nipped, sending shivers up her spine and tingles to her core.

  Images flashed in her head of Henry in a Santa hat lying on her bed naked. Would dark hair cover his chest and trail down to an impressive… good God. She needed to get herself back in the game. She was a professional actor.

  Just when she thought she would die if he didn’t stop… or die if he did, he broke the kiss and stepped back. Carol pressed the back of her hand to her mouth and tried to catch her breath.

  Mr. Brackmen came up the stage steps. “Bravo you two,” Brackmen cried. “Now, do that again tonight and we’ll have them breaking down the door for tickets.”

  Henry tipped his head her direction. His dark eyes sparkled. “It would be my honor to be on stage tonight with Miss Liston. Thank you, sir, for this chance.”

  Again. Tonight. Heaven help her. This man could sing… and kiss. Two of her favorite things. If he kissed her like that during the
real performance her knees might just give way and she’d fall face down on the stage.

  Carol looked around. The rest of the orchestra and actors were arriving at the theater. Funny. A moment ago, she hadn’t noticed anyone but Henry.

  Chapter 3

  Henry cleared his throat and summoned his nerve. “I was hoping after the show tonight, if you aren’t busy, I’d love to take you out for a late dinner.” He hesitated. “You know, as friends.”

  Carol’s eyes darkened to a deep cerulean blue. “Friends? I know you are a very good actor, but with all my years of training, friends don’t kiss like you kissed me on stage.” She stopped outside her dressing room and turned.

  “I’ll settle for friends… as a second choice.” He braced his hand against the wall over her head. From his advantage in height he could see the dark beauty mark she had on the inside curve of her left breast. He had to stop kidding himself. He was a man. He wanted her to be his. Henry swung his gaze up and settled on her lips. The chemistry was electric. “What I would really like do is kiss you again.”

  She got out a half a nod before his lips settled against hers. He tugged her closer and kissed her deeply, passionately, with everything he’d been fantasizing about over the past months.

  Carol kissed him back, the sweet silk of her tongue mating with his. His erection stirred. Her hand crept up to grasp his neck and his mind cleared of everything but the taste of her.

  When at last he pulled back, her breath stuttered and then came out in a rush.

  They were both breathing heavy. He leaned close and murmured against her lips, “We had better get into our costumes and makeup. We don’t have much time before curtain call.”

  “Right,” she agreed. “See you onstage.” She used her finger to wipe a bit of her lipstick from his lower lip. Then she stepped inside her dressing room and closed the door.

  Henry rested his head against the cool dark wood. More than make-up, he needed a cold shower. He couldn’t remember the last time a woman affected him like this.

  He whistled a Christmas tune as he headed back to the dressing room. The door didn’t have his name on it but maybe it would someday. He turned the knob and cheap aftershave assaulted his nose like a prizefighter’s blow.

  Henry’s heart hit the floor. “Robert?”

  “Hello?” Robert said. “Shut the door, there’s a draft in the hall and I have to watch my health. You’re… Harry… right? My understudy? Well, good news. My doctor said it was only a bad case of gas, and that I can go on tonight. He said just don’t bend over too quickly, it could be quite a scene!” He laughed and swept his hand toward the wall. “I don’t want to disappoint my fans, you know, gas or no gas.”

  Henry stood stock still, his feet cemented to the floor. He stared at Robert’s reflection in the dressing mirror in disbelief.

  “Is this your tea?” Robert asked. He sniffed the cup and made a face. “Would you go to the kitchen and get me a cola?”

  “Warm drinks are better for your throat and your voice.”

  “Are you trying to tell me what to drink?” Robert glared at him and shoved the cup his way. “Your tea’s cold anyway.” He turned his back, obviously done with the conversation. “And, I think there’s a half a tuna sandwich in the refrigerator. Bring that, with the jar of garlic pickles on the bottom shelf.”

  Henry finally forced his feet to move, he opened the door and stepped out. Mr. Brackmen looked glum as he placed a hand on Henry’s arm. “I was looking forward to seeing you on stage with Carol tonight, but you know…”

  “I do know… its okay.” Henry smiled. Really, what else could he do? “It was great to have the opportunity to be on stage, even if it was for a few minutes. Thanks for that. You’re a cracker of a director.”

  With a sad smile, Brackmen turned and left Henry to stand alone. Actors bustled up and down the hall yelling for this missing costume piece and that moved prop.

  It could be worse. He was one of the lucky actors in New York who didn’t have to moonlight as a waiter. He got paid if he was on stage or not. He sighed and went to sit on his favorite stool backstage. He swore there was a worn indent in the top from his butt.

  Carol stuck her head out of her dressing room and looked from side to side. Spotting him, she hurried out when the ‘five minute’ call from the stage manager was announced.

  “I’m not going to say ‘sorry’, I know it’s not what you want to hear.” She bit her lip. “I was really looking forward to singing with you tonight. But, I guess all I have to look forward to now will be our date.”

  “You still want to go out with me?”

  “Are you kidding? As long as we don’t have tuna, I’m all in.” She looked at him through long dark lashes. “How about a kiss for good luck?”

  “I thought I was to say ‘break a leg’.” Henry slid a thumb over her petal-soft cheek and kissed her gently. Pressed against him, she was able to play his body making his nerves scream for attention. His jeans-covered erection pressed into the hot vee of her thighs. He tried to have better control around her, but the woman drove him mad with desire. Things could definitely be worse.

  “You’ll meet me here?” she asked.

  “Sure. Right here. You know where to find me.”

  Carol gave him a cheerless smile over her shoulder and hurried off to take her place on the stage. The orchestra began, the crowd roared and another night of ‘I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Clause’ was off to become history.

  ****

  Henry stepped out the side stage door and into the frigid New York night. The smells of a hotdog vender who served sauerkraut mixed with the fresh fragrance of the laundromat from the corner. He strode down the alley and stopped ten feet from the sidewalk.

  He could hear the orchestra though the old brick wall. Wait. Wait. He heard Carol begin to sing, and he let the first notes of what should have been his songs tonight leave his mouth. He imagined the lights warming his face, but most of all, his mum was there. Six rows back. Just where the lights faded. She was smiling.

  Henry closed his eyes and sang. He sang to the stars in the sky. He sang for the cats at the end of the alley. He realized it didn’t really matter what happened, he was happy.

  “Do you know where the will-call window is?” A voice pulled him out of his daydream.

  “It’s around the corner. It’s a little confusing. Look for the red overhang, the window’s under that. Would you like me to show you?”

  “No that’s okay, I’ve been here before, but must have forgotten.” The man in a long black coat stopped, giving him an appraising look. “You’re good.”

  “Thanks.”

  “You always stand out here in the alley and sing?”

  “As a matter of fact, I do. Great acoustics.” Henry smiled. “I’m the understudy for the lead and keeping in practice.”

  “What’s your name?”

  “Henry.”

  “Thanks for the help, Henry. You keep singing, and maybe I’ll see you again.”

  “Hope you enjoy the show, sir.” Henry watched the man disappear around the corner. He looked familiar for some reason, but he’d met a lot of people over the years.

  He waited as the next song began. What was the expression on Carol’s face? He didn’t need to be inside the hall, he knew her face by heart to have it etched in his memory. He learned against the cold bricks and listened to her sing.

  Henry wondered if tonight she sang for him.

  Carol quickly changed into a comfy pair of jeans and an oversized sweater. Henry hadn’t said where they were going after the show, but he didn’t seem like the uptown, fancy restaurant kind of guy. She guessed he liked low end, late diners sporting the best food in town. The kind of place she liked too.

  She was giddy with excitement as she wiped the thic
k stage makeup off her face she re-applied a little blush and a pale shade of lipstick. She still didn’t know Henry well, but he seemed to be genuine and good humored. He was someone she wouldn’t mind spending the night… week… year with. She smiled at her reflection in the mirror knowing she was getting ahead of herself. It was just a date.

  She grabbed her backpack, flipped off the dressing table lights and headed out to their arranged meeting place. She spotted Henry at the end of the hall having a conversation with Mr. Brackmen and someone she thought she recognized. Henry saw her and motioned her over. When she joined the men, Henry took her arm.

  “Carol, this is Mr. Weinstein.”

  That’s where she knew the face. Oh… my… gosh…

  Henry continued, “He and Mr. Brackmen have produced quite a few musical shows together.”

  “Yes, I know your work, sir.”

  “He came to hear you tonight,” Henry added and squeezed her arm.

  “I’d like both of you to come in and audition for a new show I have opening this spring. I haven’t heard the two of you together on stage, but after all these years, I have a good ear for what works in my shows.” Weinstein looked at Henry and then at Carol for a long moment before saying, “Yes… good… Tuesday, eleven in the morning at the Rineholt Theater. Do you need directions?”

  In unison, they both shook their heads no.

  “I’ll look forward to seeing you at the theater.” He reached in his pocket to remove a silver case and took out a business card. “This is my office number. I want to make sure both of you are there.” He grasped Henry’s hand. “And, thanks for earlier when you offered to show me the ticket booth. There aren’t enough helpful people in the world these days. It reflects on the man.”