“I don’t know what to say,” Bill said. “You deserve to be happy.”
“So does that little girl,” she moaned.
“I agree, but we shouldn’t assume she isn’t being well taken care of. She may be in a good home.”
“I know,” she repeated herself, “I know. I do know that. I also know that whoever is in that home is a complete stranger. I’m at least, a little less of a stranger. I know it seems odd that I feel responsible for her and so deeply connected to all of this.”
“No,” Bill said, “I don’t find it odd. I know you well enough to know that it makes perfect sense. It’s what I love about you. It’s why I love you.”
It was silent for a moment. Anna Marie loved Bill too. She knew it. She knew it with every fiber of her being. The query was more about when and if she would ever know how to love again.
“Thank you,” she said. It was all she currently had. She let the silence fall on him.
“I didn’t say that for any other reason than to throw you my support. If I were in the room with you, my arms would be around you. When you hurt, I hurt.”
“Bill, I—”
He stopped her, “You don’t have to say anything. I just want you to know that I’m here for you with understanding and love. You’re good woman, Anna. I’ll call you later.”
18
Bill pushed his cell phone back in his pocket and walked back toward the theatre. Stepping out into the parking lot every time he wanted to use his cell phone was aggravating. The board had actually laughed when he proposed that they hire a technology engineer to upgrade the building with cell service and Wi-Fi. One of the eldest members argued that they’d have cell phones going off during performances. He knew he had a huge battle ahead of him. He considered his ridiculous predicament. He was fighting the older generation with their resistance to new technology and the younger generation thought the building was haunted.
He was sure that the most of the problems were tied to damage from the lightning strike that had caused the recent power outage. It was time for a re-haul of the entire electrical system in the old building. He made the decision to call on a former student who was working as a master electrician. He was tired of making parking lot calls and hearing about Kevin’s ghost every time the lights flickered.
When he reached his office, Diane was waiting for him. She looked up from her notes as he stepped into the room. “Gary and Liz are on the way. Did Gary tell you about the bulb that exploded on stage today?”
“Yes, he did,” Bill said.
“I can accept that the bulb blew. Sometimes they get touched by accident, but there is no excuse for that frame falling. Gary is going to have to check all the lamps before our next rehearsal.” Gary and Liz walked in as she finished speaking.
“Yes, I will. I’m sorry about that Diane,” Gary said. “I’ll talk to the crew as well. I’m just glad you weren’t standing directly under it.”
“Those foil frames are not that heavy, and it isn’t like we all haven’t seen a bulb pop when it heats up. It’s the carelessness that concerns me. It makes me worry whether all the other safety precautions are being attended to. Make sure you check each and every safety chain while you're up there as well!”
“Of course,” Gary said.
Liz had been listening to the conversation from the doorway. She stepped into the room and took her usual seat next to the desk. “What bothers me is how the frame fell first and then the bulb exploded,” she said.
“What are you suggesting, Liz?” Diane asked.
Liz knew better than to fall into the trap. They all knew that Bill didn’t like any talk of ghosts. “Nothing, really. It just seemed odd because they’re two unrelated problems.”
Gary stepped in for her. “The cast and crew are all wound up. They are saying that Kevin is haunting the theatre.”
“Gary—!” Bill started.
“Hey, I didn’t say it. I’m just telling you what I’m hearing.”
“I’m hearing it too,” Liz said sheepishly.
“I thought I put a stop to that!” Bill said, “I don’t want to hear any of that starting up!”
“It’s all I hear,” Gary said. “Every time any odd little thing happens everyone is blaming Kevin’s angry ghost.”
“This cast needs to settle down!” Bill said.
“It’s not just the cast. The crew is worked up too. Right after the bulb popped the lights went out in the shop and Joey said that Eddie ran out of there so fast it looked like he had wings on his shoes,” Liz said.
“He could hardly breathe and he had to have been whiter than a ghost himself when he showed upon stage!” Gary grinned. “Damion leaped off the stage and almost ran out of the building.”
Bill shifted his position at the desk and fell into the humor of the situation as Liz and Gary continued.
“You have to admit it was a lot of coincidences in row,”
Liz said.
“I don’t suppose it helped that the flat fell in the loft at the same time,” Bill chuckled lightly.
“I don’t think that putting that ghost light out on the stage every night has helped either,” Diane added without looking up from her work.
Bill’s shoulders dropped and they were all silent. “Okay,” he drew in a deep breath. He was leaning on the desk and Diane was sitting behind it. She continued with her eyes on the script in her lap, but Gary and Liz’s eyes were locked on Bill. He stood up straight. “The ghost light is a completely different thing.”
“Is it?” Diane asked with a brief glance.
“Almost every theatre has traditional ghost light. Its origin is for safety, not ghosts.”
“Yes, but from what I have heard, you put it up the day after he died.”
“I did.”
“Well, I’m just saying that could suggest that you are encouraging this whole ghost thing.”
Bill stared at her blankly. She dropped her eyes back to her papers. “I think we are done here today. At least I am. Please shut and lock the door behind you.” He left abruptly.
Diane remained quiet until Bill was out of sight, “Was it something I said?” she asked. “I meant no disrespect.”
“Ms. Diane,” Liz said, “there might not be a ghost haunting us, but the whole situation is still haunting us. Bill is dealing with some tough things.”
“I see,” Diane said.
“I don’t think he puts the ghost light out because he thinks Kevin is haunting us. It is a tradition he is honoring out of respect.”
“Well, I certainly didn’t mean to offend anyone,” she said. “I was merely making an observation.”
“Even though he didn’t work here, he was a big part of this theatre,” Gary went on. “He was Anna Marie’s husband and we all love her. It was a big deal. The whole feel of this place has changed dramatically since he died.”
“I understand,” she said. Gary and Liz were not convinced. “You two can help settle the cast and crew down about the whole ghost thing. Bill is right. It needs to stop before it gets any further out of control.”
“We’ll try,” Gary said politely.
“I’m counting on it,” she said. “I’m tired of the disruptions! I had several things I wanted to address today. I suppose I can put them out in an email tonight.” She picked up her purse. The lights in the office flickered quickly. It gave her pause. “I think Bill and I better address the board again about the electrical problem. It’s getting worse by the hour. Would you two mind locking up the office? I’m going to try to catch Bill on his way out. I suppose I owe him an apology.”
They listened for her heels to click down the empty hall.
“Holy crap!” Gary said. “How are we supposed to put a stop to it? What does she think we are, ghost busters? This stuff is getting a little to real!”
“Right?” Liz said. “Let’s get out of here!”
“Mark said he is heading to Shorty’s. He asked me if we wanted to meet him there.”
“Is anybody else going?” Liz asked as she pulled the office door shut and locked it.
“I’m not sure,” Gary answered. “He wanted me to go. He said to make sure you were coming.”
Liz stopped, “He did?”
Gary kept walking, “Yeah, why?”
She caught up to him. “Mark told you that he wanted you to make sure that I was coming?”
“Yes, something like that. Why, don’t you want to go? I mean, we don’t have to. We could do something else.”
“No,” she said, “let’s go. I’ll meet you there after I pick up my grandma and drop her off at home.”
19
Mary was waiting in front of the hospital when Liz pulled up.
“Hi, Gammy,” Liz said as her grandmother opened the car door. “How’s Clifford?”
“He’ll be just fine, if this hospital doesn’t kill him; again!”
“What do you mean?” Liz asked as she pulled away from the curb.
“They have him jacked up on all kinds of medications. I don’t like that stuff!” Mary complained.
“I’m sure they know what they are doing.”
“Something isn’t right. They’re giving him too much. He is talking all about his trip to Jesus, and he sees Kevin.”
“What do you mean he sees Kevin?”
“He says he can see Kevin there in the room with him.”
“Really?” Liz said.
“Yes. He’s doped up.”
“And Jesus? He sees Jesus?”
“Yes,” Mary said, “he says he had a visit with him when he died and went to heaven.”
“Maybe he did see Jesus. They said he was pronounced dead. That is kind of cool.”
“It would only be cool if he wasn’t all jacked up on medications.”
“What does he say about Kevin?”
“He says he’s hanging around because he has unfinished business.”
“Well I know a lot of people at the theatre would believe that! Everyone is starting to think he’s haunting the place.”
“I don’t know when he would have time to do that,” Mary said. “Apparently he’s spending most of his time with Clifford!”
“I don’t know Grandma, I think it is possible. I feel mom with me a lot.”
“I know you do, Baby. She is with you! I don’t doubt that for a minute.”
“Then why don’t you believe that Kevin is with Clifford? Or, that he saw Jesus? Maybe he did. That’s really interesting! I believe in that stuff!”
“It’s not that I don’t believe it is possible,” she said. She thought for a moment and added, “The problem is, he is tapping into the other world—without clarity. Cliff might be seeing things on the other side, but he is experiencing it like a drunk. That’s very dangerous. Being doped up leaves him vulnerable and it frightens me. What he sees may be fascinating but cannot be trusted. He is seeing it in an unnatural state. It could ultimately mess his mental well-being.”
“Wow, when you put it that way, it totally makes sense.”
“I don’t like it one bit. The bottom line is that he is over medicated. They won’t listen to me. Well anyhow, I was going to make a nice chicken casserole so I could bring him something decent for later. They are feeding him garbage. With all that medicine in him, he needs to eat some hearty food that will stick to his stomach. Would you like to have some chicken casserole tonight with Verde and I?”
“Verde is getting a night away from Joey?” Liz asked.
“It’s game night. She says if she continues to stick around while Joey’s watching the game it’s going to lead to a divorce. She hates football, and she knows she never shuts up. He gets mad because she talks through the whole game. He gets all excited and yells at the TV! She thinks he’s yelling at her and they start fighting over nothing. I do my part in helping with their marriage by inviting her over during the games,” she laughed, “Why don’t you join us?”
“Thanks Gammy, but I already promised Gary I would head over to Shorty’s after I drop you off.”
“Okay,” she said. “Oh hey, how was your breakfast?”
“Good,” she said. “Very good, but bad! Very bad. I’m going to have to work out more. I haven’t even had time to get to the gym today. I have time now but going to Shorty’s with Mark sounds like a lot more fun.”
“You’re going there with Mark?” Mary asked.
“No, Gary. I’m going with Gary.”
“You said, Mark.”
“No, I’m going to Shorty’s with Gary.”
“I’m pretty sure you said, ‘going to Shorty’s with Mark would be more fun’.”
“I don’t think so,” Liz said. “I didn’t mean to. Mark is going to be there, but I meant to say I’m meeting Gary there.”
“Ok,” her grandmother said in a slow and careful tone.
“Have fun with Verde,” Liz said as she pulled into the driveway.
“Have fun with Mark!” her grandmother replied as she stepped out of the car.
“Grandma!”
“What? Did I say, Mark?” Mary teased. “I meant Gary, have fun with Gary.”
A text chimed on Liz’s phone just before she pulled up to Shorty’s. She pushed her car into park and checked it.
Sorry Liz, I just got a call from Diane. She wants me to build a props list and plot sheet before rehearsal tomorrow. I can’t come. Call me.
She picked up the phone. “Bummer!” she said as soon as Gary answered. “It’s kind of early for a prop plot!”
“Yeah, sorry. I don’t get it. She’s all about making sure I’m organized and have everything down on paper weeks ahead of schedule, but she won’t even create a rehearsal calendar. Did you see her email?”
“Not yet,” Liz answered.
“She asked for a light plot and painting schedule from Bill. I don’t think that is going to go over very well.”
“That’s weird,” Liz said.
“I know, especially when she isn’t giving us anything to go off of.”
“Oh boy,” Liz said.
“Are you at Shorty’s?”
“I just pulled up,” she said. “I guess I’ll go back to my grandma’s. She invited me for dinner.”
“No! Go in,” Gary insisted. “I just got off the phone with Mark. He’s already there. He has a table.”
“No, I might as well go home.”
“No, go eat. Diane already spoiled my night. There’s no need for her to spoil everybody else’s too!”
“I was only going for you,” Liz said.
“I told Mark you were on your way. You might as well go enjoy yourself!”
“Is Mark—” she stopped.
“Is Mark what?” he asked.
“Is anyone else coming?”
“He said a bunch of people told him they were going. Go on in; have a beer for me.”
“I’m just going to go home,” she whined.
“I’m not hanging up until you promise me you are going in. Go on. Open the car door.” He waited. “Is it open?”
Liz rolled her eyes and opened the door. “Yes,” she said, “the door is open.”
“Put your feet on the ground,” he paused. “Are your feet on the ground?
“Yes, my feet are on the ground.”
“Stand up, shut the car door and start walking.” She did as he said.
“Standing up, shutting the door and walking.”
“Are you walking up to the building?” he asked.
“I’m walking up to the building.”
“Are you walking in?” he continued.
Liz looked up to see Mark sitting at a table all by himself.
“Walking in,” she said as she hung up. Walking right in to another man’s heart, she thought.
She scolded her own thoughts and kept moving forward. Mark stood up when he saw her. He grinned. His dimples melted her; it never failed.
“Hey,” she said as she scooted into to the booth. “Is anyone else coming?”
“Shayla was supp
osed to come with Marianne. When Gary told me he wasn’t coming, I told them it was pretty much off. Shayla said Marianne was going to teach her some of the choreography she missed when she was sick last week. So, it looks like it’s just us.”
“Just us?” Liz repeated.
“Sorry about that,” Mark said.
“No, you’re not,” Liz replied.
“No, I’m not,” he admitted. “I’ve been hoping to have a chance to talk to you. I feel bad about how things kind of fell apart for us. I just want you to know that I’m sorry.”
“Sorry?” Liz asked.
“Yes, sorry,” he said. “I really care about you, Liz.” He touched her hand and pulled it back to his menu as the waitress walked up.
“Are you ready to order?”
“Do you know what you want?” Mark asked.
She watched him study the menu. Do I know what I want? She’d been struggling with what she wanted since the first time she met him. “I think I’ll have a salad,” she said.
“A salad? Really?”
“I have to eat as healthy as I can when my grandmother isn’t feeding me. You go ahead.”
Mark ordered chicken wings and Liz ordered a salad with light dressing and a glass of wine.
“You are being good,” Mark said. “I hope you haven’t stopped eating ice cream?”
Liz grinned. Mark had taken her out for an ice cream one evening after she said it had been months since she had any. He also kissed her for the first and only time that night. She studied his lips. It was a good kiss.
“Would you believe me if I told you I had ice cream for breakfast this morning?” she grinned.
“Oh my, you are doing much better than the last time I asked! You make me proud,” he said.
“I’m disgusting. I had cherry pie with it,” she laughed.
He studied her hard. “You must be happy.”
She found herself feeling defensive. “I am.”
“Liz,” he said calculatingly, “I hope I didn’t hurt your feelings.”
“What do you mean?” she asked pretending not to know.
“I’m kind of ashamed that I asked you out a few times and slowed things down sort of abruptly. I saw Gary had an interest in you, and I just let you go. That’s just what I do. I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings.”
The False Exit Page 8