My Life Would Suck Without You

by Krystal George

  ~*~

  They didn’t have long to wait. Jake dropped the bombshell at the start of the next rehearsal.

  He stood in front of the group. “I want to apologize for my behavior last week. I have some news.” He shrugged, “It could be good or bad, depending on how you look at it.”

  Jillian wanted to shake it out of him, but Jake continued in his lackadaisical manner.

  “I’m going to be moving--”

  Everyone started talking at once, but he held up his hand to stop them.

  “Look, I’ll answer all your questions. Just let me finish. Okay?” He looked around as his friends nodded. “Thanks. As you all know, I love New York City. When I went a few months ago with Jillian, I knew then that I had to make a change. I contacted a few agencies to find me a small apartment. I have no idea how soon it will happen, but I’d like to continue with the rehearsals until I hear something.”

  “What about money?” Jillian asked.

  “I have a line on a job with a company from here that has an office in the City.”

  She wanted more information, but chewed on her lip instead.

  After he answered everyone’s questions, it was back to business. The rehearsal went on, but it lacked some of its initial zeal.

  After dropping Sam at her home, Jillian followed Jake to the diner.

  Over coffee, he apologized to her. “I’m sorry about last week. It was just that I needed to make a decision that’s been eating at me for a long time.”

  “Jake, I know I’m a newbie, but why did Sam know and not me?”

  “You’re not a newbie, Jillian.” He sipped his coffee. “Sam knew?”

  Jillian nodded. “She doesn’t miss much.” Seeing the expression on his face, she added, “You mean you didn’t tell her?”

  “Nope. But you’re right. Sam is very intuitive. Now I have a question for you.”

  Jillian felt her stomach churn. “What?” she asked slowly.

  “You said you loved New York City, right?”

  “I do. But Jake, if you’re asking me to move to New York, I can’t.”

  He sighed. “Well then, there’s no reason to spell out my plans. I didn’t think you would want to move, but I sort of hoped you’d hear me out.”

  “That I can do.”

  The next hour, Jake mesmerized Jillian with his big plans.

  “As soon as I get word about an apartment, I’ll contact the company here about a job. Then when I get settled, I’ll look for an agent and start going to auditions. Everyone in the City does that. Jillian, I always wanted to be on Broadway.” He shook his head, “If I don’t go now…”

  “Jake, if you want my blessings, you have them. I think I’m a little jealous though, that you can just pick up and go.” She shrugged. “But I can’t. As much as I love New York and writing and the theater and all the razzle-dazzle, I have to think about my future. I owe you big time. You opened up my eyes to what I can do. You encouraged my writing.” She took a deep breath. “I have an announcement, too. I applied to college. I start in the fall.”

  “Awesome, Jillian. Since we’re sharing secrets, I have another one for you. College? I’ve always been afraid to do that.”

  “You’re kidding? You have a raw talent. Do you have any idea how far you could go with a formal education?” Her hand flew and covered her mouth. “Oops. I didn’t mean that. I meant—“

  Jake chuckled. “I understand. I am a ‘fly by the seat of your pants’ kind of guy. But…” He shook his head. “I did well enough in high school, but I hated it. I detested school. I couldn’t wait to graduate. I admire people with the guts to go to college.”

  She sat back. “Wow. I would have never guessed.”

  Jake leaned forward. “So I guess until I hear something from the agencies, it’ll be business as usual for us.”

  True to his word, it was.

  The rehearsal schedule ended, the set built, and tickets sold. Even though she wasn’t in the play, Jillian was just as nervous as the cast. Before the dress rehearsal, Jake gathered everyone together.

  “I am so proud of all of you. All the skits and all the songs we’ve done over the years were just a prelude to this play. This will be our shining moment. And we have Jillian’s great talent to thank. As we go through our final dress rehearsal today, I just want to say, break-a-leg.”

  Everyone took their places. The lights dimmed; the curtain parted. The small audience previewing the performance leaned forward, hanging onto every word. Jillian sat in the back following the action, making notes on a pad.

  Two hours later, the curtain closed and the lights came up. The curtain re-opened and the cast took their bows. The place exploded with applause. Then the spotlight turned onto Jillian. Everyone in the room turned to her and clapped. She turned red, but nodded her appreciation.

  It didn’t take long for the cast to change clothes and head out front. After everyone left, Jillian called the cast together for a final prep talk.

  “You all did a fantastic job tonight. I made a few notes for you--just a couple of things I thought could improve the play.” She handed them out. “I am so proud of you. Make sure you get a good night’s sleep.”

  The next evening, half an hour before the play was scheduled to start, Jillian peeked through the curtain. She was shocked. There’s not an empty seat in the house. There are even people standing in the back. We’ve never had this many people at any of our shows. She stepped back, letting the curtain drift close.

  After a few final words, she took her place in the audience and the curtain opened. There wasn’t a peep. Everyone was engrossed in the action. When the lights came up at the end of Act I, no one moved. They were glued to their seats. Halfway through the second act, she glanced around. They were leaning forward caught up in the play again.

  They like it. She permitted herself to smile.

  And then it was over.

  The lights came up. People jumped to their feet and thunderous applause filled the makeshift theater. They waved and whistled and the cast drank it in. Then someone chanted “Jillian… Jillian.” In a minute, the entire audience echoed, “Jillian… Jillian.”

  Jake went down the steps and pulled Jillian to the stage.

  She faced the audience as they gave her a standing ovation. Blushing, she bowed, feeling a warm glow encircle her. She turned as someone tapped her on her shoulder. The cast gathered around as Jake handed her a bouquet of yellow roses. After another bow, they headed to change clothes, leaving Jillian alone on the stage.

  She hugged the yellow roses, her favorite flower in the world, then looked out at the emptying room. This feels so right. I can see me doing this full time.

  Clutching her flowers, she slowly walked down the three steps to floor level. Members of the audience surrounded her, offering her congratulations. One by one, they left. Then, an older man sporting a bowtie, approached her.

  “Ms. DeRosa, my name is Doctor James Stevens. I understand you’ll be attending our college in the fall.”

  “You’re head of the theater department, aren’t you?” she asked, unable to hide the surprise in her voice.

  “That’s correct. I received a personal invitation to see your play. I must say I was quite impressed. If this is an indication of your work, I expect you’ll be quite an asset to our department as you seek your education.”

  “I’m flattered you attended. Thank you for your kind words.”

  “I look forward to having you in my class.” He nodded once and left her alone as members of the cast joined her.

  After locking up the building for the night, the group headed to the local diner for their cast party. Over a meal of pasta, salad and garlic bread, with cake for dessert, they chatted about their unforgettable evening. Jillian, though, noticed Jake was a little preoccupied.

  Then it hit her. He got word about an apartment. He’s leaving. I bet he’ll tell us tonight.

  Again, she was right. By the end of the week, Jake would be gone.


  Tuesday’s rehearsal was somber. After the party, Jake officially passed the group to Jillian, but she knew her time would be limited. She had to break the news to her friends that she was disbanding the group. There was no way she could keep the group running alone.

  Unfortunately, the news did not go over well. She was met with protests. Her friends begged and pleaded, but she couldn’t give in.

  “Please understand. I don’t know how much of my free time college will take up. I want to keep this going, but I need to put it on hold for at least a semester or two.”