Acting Up

by Kristin Wallace

  A long pause hung in the air, as if Seth was contemplating how to respond. “I suppose.”

  “And now he’s the principal of the high school, where Addison is working,” Julia continued. “What an amazing coincidence.”

  Seth gave her a warning glance and shook his head. “Don’t.”

  Julia’s eyes widened in a show of innocence. “Don’t what?”

  “You know what.”

  Feeling the flush creeping up her cheeks, Addison grabbed her purse and scooted out of the booth. “I should get going. Seth, it was nice meeting you.”

  Julia grinned. “Catch you later, Addison.”

  New rule. No more accepting coffee invitations from strangers.

  ****

  “I love Jonah because he teaches us so much about what happens when we try to follow our own path instead of the one God planned for us.”

  Addison couldn’t help smiling. So much for thinking her aunt would be all by herself at the rehab facility. Aunt Ruth sat in the middle of a group of other patients. Most of them had varying shades of white hair, not to mention all manner of walkers, canes, and wheelchairs. There were a few younger ones, however, including a teenage girl with her leg in a cast.

  Addison didn’t remember much from her long ago Sunday school lessons, but she did know the story of Jonah. Since it seemed she’d arrived during a Bible lesson, she found an empty seat in the back and settled down to wait.

  Aunt Ruth continued with her lesson. “Jonah didn’t want to follow God’s request. He ran. Isn’t that what we all do?” she asked, her eyes suddenly locking on Addison like laser beams. “But like Jonah, we usually end up running into trouble. It only leads to pain and disappointment.”

  Addison squirmed. Clearly, this message was partly directed at her. Aunt Ruth talked about following God’s plan, but Addison couldn’t figure out what His plan could be. Or even if there was one at all. Of course, Aunt Ruth was the second person today who had brought up the subject of running away from God, so maybe Addison needed to pay more attention.

  “So, if we don’t want to wind up rotting in some smelly old fish, we’d better follow God’s will, right?” the teenage girl said.

  The comment broke the stalemate.

  “Something like that,” Aunt Ruth said with a robust laugh.

  The laughter seemed to be a signal for the Bible lesson to end, because the group began to break up. Those who were ambulatory headed back to their rooms. The rehab center staff assisted the rest. Finally, they all dispersed, and Addison went to greet her aunt.

  “I hear there’s a teenage boy living in my house,” Aunt Ruth said.

  Addison laughed as she sank into the empty chair. “I keep forgetting about the incredible communication system you have in this town.”

  “Hmm. My neighbor, Mary Alice Walker, called on Friday to let me know a young hooligan had moved in. His presence was confirmed by Elsa Greer, who lives across the street, and Fred Brinks, my postman. When you didn’t come by over the weekend, I figured their eyesight wasn’t playing tricks on them.”

  “Sorry about not visiting,” Addison said with a twinge of guilt. “I’d planned to come as soon as they moved you over here. Things came up, however.”

  “So, there is a young man?”

  “Yes. He’s not precisely a hooligan. He’s Merrick’s son.”

  “Aaron?”

  “Yeah, there was a big blowup with Merrick, so Aaron came looking for me out of the blue. I should have asked you first if he could stay, but I didn’t know what else to do. I couldn’t send him back when he was so upset.”

  Aunt Ruth waved a hand. “I don’t mind. My old house has been too quiet anyway.”

  “I still can’t believe Aaron sought me out,” Addison said, leaning back in her chair.

  “He must have felt some connection to you.”

  “I don’t know why. I only saw him a couple times a year. He just said I looked at him when we spoke.”

  “You cared.”

  “Of course. He’s Merrick’s son, but I never expected I’d turn out to be a refuge. Or have to play mommy to a moody teenager. I’m terrified I’ll scar him for life by making him go to public school and feeding him store-bought microwave meals.”

  “I remember the feeling.”

  “Yeah right, you were born maternal.”

  “Then I must have done a good job of faking it,” Aunt Ruth said in a dry tone. “You scared the life out of me with your haunted eyes and broken spirit. You wouldn’t even speak for the first two weeks.”

  “I don’t remember,” Addison said. Everything about that time was a bit foggy.

  “I lived in fear you’d never speak again and some social worker would come and take you away.”

  “Aaron doesn’t have that problem,” Addison said, wryly. “He’s pretty vocal about things he finds lame and uncool. Both of which I seem to be.”

  “Sounds like you’ve got your hands full.”

  “Do you think this is some sort of punishment for the grief I put you through?”

  “Perhaps he’s here because you need Aaron as much as he needs you.”

  Addison’s eyes widened. “Why would I need a surly kid?”

  “Perhaps to give you something to focus on other than your grief.”

  A reluctant grin escaped. “I guess irritation is better than grief. I only hope we don’t kill each other.”

  “You’ll do fine, I’m sure. I hope you’re getting out of the house, other than rehearsals. I worry about you being on your own... and don’t tell me you have Aaron.”

  “It’s sweet of you to worry, but I can take care of myself. I’ll have you know I met two new people today. Your minister and his fiancée.”

  “You did?”

  “I went for a walk through town and ran into Julia. We went for coffee, and Seth showed up, too. She’s not exactly the kind of woman I pictured as a minister’s girlfriend.”

  “No, but I think she’s perfect for Pastor Graham. We’re all thrilled to see him happy again. He suffered so, having to watch his wife waste away a little every day.”

  “I can’t even imagine,” Addison said as a shudder worked its way down her spine. “He looks over the moon now, though.”

  A pensive expression flashed across Aunt Ruth’s face. “I only wish Ethan Thomas could be so fortunate.”

  The comment caused Addison’s pulse to jump. “Ethan?”

  “He lost his wife only a couple months after Seth Graham. Such a tragedy. Ethan didn’t even get to say goodbye.”

  Addison plucked at an imaginary thread on her blouse. “What if he never gets over his wife? Some people don’t. You never recovered from losing your fiancé.”

  “Don’t use me as an example. I think Ethan will be able to let go of Jenny when the right woman comes along,” her aunt countered. “And she will be able to embrace the memory of his first love and be thankful Jenny helped him learn how to be a good husband and father.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  “Why can’t you take me home before your rehearsal?”

  There was one reason to be grateful for Aaron’s presence in her life. It kept her from thinking about Ethan.

  Addison paused with her hand on the door of the auditorium. “What would you do at home?”

  His shrug-of-many-meanings came right on cue.

  “That’s why,” she said. “I don’t want you lying around watching TV or playing video games. I talked to Mr. Olsen, the shop teacher, and you’ll be working with him on the sets. As I already explained at least a dozen times.”

  Aaron pulled his shoulders back. “I don’t even know how to use a hammer.”

  “I’m not sure you should brag about being useless with tools.”

  He scowled. “This is so—”

  “I know, I know. Lame.” Addison put up a hand to forestall the familiar lament. “Get over it.”

  “Whatever.”

  At this rate, Addison’s eyes might stay in a permanent roll-back-in
-her-head state. “Please do me one other favor.”

  “What?”

  “These are nice kids, so don’t act like a little jerk.”

  Aaron’s mouth dropped open. “Did you just call me a jerk?”

  “No, I said you can choose to act like one, or you can choose to act like a decent human being. Maybe even make some new friends while you’re here. It’s up to you, of course, but I’d try for nice.”

  Leaving him to follow or not, Addison opened the door.

  “Um… your nice kids look like they’re in the middle of a bar fight,” Aaron said, pointing toward the stage.

  Spinning around, Addison saw Luke Mitchell had Brad Connors wrapped in a headlock. The rest of the cast was standing around them with varying degrees of horror and fascination. A couple of the boys were even throwing out tips to the combatants.

  “Hey!” Addison called out.

  Her cry alerted most of the witnesses, but Luke and Brad were too involved to hear her. Addison raced down the aisle just as Marjorie hurried out from the wings and threw herself between the boys.

  “That’s enough!” Marjorie cried.

  Addison could hear Luke and Brad’s labored breathing as she finally reached the stage. “What in the world is going on?”

  The two boys eyed each other with menacing glares, but otherwise said nothing.

  “Someone better start talking,” Addison said, looking from one to the other.

  Still nothing.

  Addison scanned the faces of the observers, but they managed to avoid looking her in the eye. She searched out Robin Bradley, the stage manager. The resident town crier would know the cause of this blowup.

  “Robin, come here please.”

  With a little squeak of alarm, the girl shuffled over. “Yes, Ms. Covington?”

  “Do you know anything about this?”

  Robin nodded.

  “Care to share?” Addison prompted.

  “They’re fighting over Susan Davidson.”

  Addison still had no clue. “Who is she?”

  Robin took in a big breath. “Susan’s on the cheerleading squad. Luke and Brad both asked her to the Spring Fling, but didn’t know it. Anyway, Tracy Bannister told me Susan likes Luke, and she was going to go with him. She heard it from Nancy Vitnor, who heard it from Vicki Patterson, who heard it directly from Lisa after she ate lunch with Susan. But Mark Nichols heard from Karla Jones that Brittney Williams said Lisa told her Susan likes Brad, and that she was going to dance with him, and not Luke. By fifth period it was all over school.”

  Addison felt sure her head would explode and turned to Marjorie for an explanation. “What did she just say?”

  “They were fighting over a girl,” Marjorie said.

  What else would boys fight over? “Right.”

  “She’s like the most popular girl in school,” Robin said.

  “Of course she is,” Addison said, with a deep sigh. “Lisa, come here please.”

  Unlike Robin, Lisa Turney approached without a trace of timidity. “Yes, Ms. Covington?”

  “You seem to be the source of all these rumors. Care to tell me how this happened?”

  “I don’t know,” Lisa said, wide-eyed with innocence. “I did eat lunch with Susan. She was crowing about being asked to the dance by two guys. I asked her who she was going with, and she said she liked them both and hadn’t decided yet. I may have mentioned something about it to Brittany and Vicki, but I don’t know how it turned into this.”

  “It’s the nature of gossip,” Addison said. “It spreads like fungus and turns into something completely different than when it started. Next time, don’t be so eager to spread tales.”

  “I won’t. I’m sorry.”

  Addison eyed Luke and Brad, who were now contemplating their shoelaces. She cleared her throat, and the boys eyed her with defiance and shame.

  “I will not tolerate fighting,” Addison said. “I should kick both of you out of the play.”

  Luke’s shoulders fell, and all the color drained from Brad’s face.

  She let the threat sink in for moment. “However, I’m going to give you another chance. I understand how things can spin out of control when emotions are involved. You were hurt and took out your anger on each other. What makes me sad is you guys are friends. Or at least you used to be.”

  The two boys glanced at each other for a moment, before looking back at the floor.

  “Go on home for today,” Addison said. “Cool off and come back tomorrow when you’re ready to apologize and work. Then you’re going to have to find a way to settle this. The rest of you get in your places for Scene Three. We need to finish the blocking. Robin, please remind everyone where they’re supposed to be.”

  Brad shuffled past her without a word, but Luke paused. “I’m sorry, Ms. Covington,” he mumbled. “I love doing the play. I… don’t even know… I’m sorry.”

  Addison pursed her lips. “I know. Everyone’s always sorry afterward.”

  Luke mumbled another sorry and hurried away. Addison turned to grab her director’s book and nearly ran into Aaron who’d come up on stage at some point.

  “This might turn out to be an interesting place after all,” he said.

  Scowling, she turned him back toward the other way. “Go take a seat. Mr. Olsen should be here in a few minutes.”

  Aaron stalked away, but she didn’t have time to worry about him right now. Addison headed for the storage room in the wings to gather the props they needed for the scene. With the drama over, she could only shake her head and chuckle. It almost felt like being back on the set of House of Fashion.

  She flipped on the light and let out a shriek when she realized the closet was already occupied. Michelle Cerillo huddled on a stool in the corner, crying. The girl gasped and wiped her eyes.

  “Michelle? What on earth?” Addison asked in alarm. “Are you hurt?”

  “No,” she said on a shuddering breath.

  “Did your parents make you quit again?”

  She shook her head.

  Not another round of Twenty Questions. “You’re going to have to give me a clue then. You’re obviously upset.”

  “It’s nothing.”

  “Nothing has you hiding out in the prop room crying your eyes out? Somehow, I don’t believe you.”

  Reminded of her tears, Michelle tried to wipe them away with the sleeve of her shirt. “You wouldn’t understand.”

  “Try me.”

  “I’m just tired of him not knowing I’m alive, okay?”

  With another sigh, Addison leaned back against wall. “So it’s boy trouble. Who is he? Are you sure he doesn’t like you?”

  “I’m sure.”

  “Maybe he’s shy.”

  “It’s Luke Mitchell.”

  Addison couldn’t contain a wince. “Oh...”

  “Uh-huh.” Michelle laughed, but the sound came out garbled and watery. “How crazy do I have to be to imagine Luke could love someone like me, right?”

  “It’s not crazy,” Addison said in a rush. “I can see why you like him.”

  “It’s not because he’s hot. He’s nice, you know? Not like some of the other jocks.”

  “I know. He’s—”

  “He’s perfect, and perfect, popular boys date perfect, popular girls like Susan Davidson and Lisa Turney.”

  Addison couldn’t deny the assessment. “Look, he’s a teenage boy, and they tend not to look past the surface of pretty to see if there’s anything more.”

  Adult boys didn’t always look past pretty either.

  “I know. They don’t go for the fat, ugly girls.”

  “Michelle Cerillo, you are not fat,” Addison said, her tone sharper. “And you’re not ugly. You have a very pretty face, and amazing eyes, if you’d ever lift your head up so people could actually see them. Not to mention the kind of talent most people would kill to have.”

  “You’re only being nice,” Michelle said, scrunching her nose.

  Addison hunc
hed down so she could look the girl in the eye. “No, I’m not. When you sing something magical happens. You have a special gift and it’s rare.”

  The expression on Michelle’s face was akin to wonder. “Really?”

  “Yes. If you get nothing else out of this experience, I hope you’ll start to believe in yourself.”

  For a moment, Michelle’s face lit with pleasure. Then the brief happiness faded. “That doesn’t mean Luke will ever notice me.”

  Hard truths could be a real pain in the… neck. “Michelle, I can’t promise Luke will wake up tomorrow and decide he loves you, but someday you will meet someone who will recognize how wonderful you are. I know that probably doesn’t do much to cheer you up right now, but it’s all I’ve got.”