I walk around the house I'm renting. It's older than anything I've ever lived in. There's an attached house made out of stone, and there’s a carriage house too. It's tons of space. I could bring an entourage out for the summer and we'd all be comfortable.
There are dark hardwood floors that match the molding and built-in bookshelves. There are so many rooms. On the first floor alone, there is a dining room, a library, a kitchen, a small powder room, a living room, and an additional room the real estate agent called a parlor. It's like they've never heard of open concept.
How am I supposed to see what Paisley is doing if I'm in another room?
On the other hand, I sort of want to put on a regency style dress and lounge in the parlor like one of the Bridgertons. The house gives me that sort of vibe.
I should totally have a party here.
I have to forget about Henderson and focus on this.
Instead, I pick up my phone and call Mandy. She answers without saying hello.
"Tabitha, you know I love you dearly, but for the love of God, can you please remember about the time difference? It's after eleven here."
"It's after eleven here too. My body just doesn't realize that."
I have to pull the phone away as Mandy shrieks. "You're here!"
I laugh. "I am and I already got fired." I tell her about the role change.
"Yeah, but ‘Never Enough’ is the best song. I mean, there are so many great songs, but that song gives me chills. I love to sing it."
And I bet Mandy would be better at it than me. I almost say that to her, but instead ask, "Do you have a vocal coach you work with? I might need some help with some of the belts. I don't want to kill my voice."
"Oh my God, yes. I can't believe Chester never had anyone in to work with us. I'm surprised we didn't hurt ourselves more than we did."
"I'm not sure which suffered more, my vocal cords or my liver."
Mandy laughs. "Isn't that the truth! I have someone I work with. I can get in contact with him in the morning. Do you have any idea what your schedule is going to be like?"
"Um, I know there's a lot of rehearsals, like every day, but I don't really know the times yet." I pause for a moment before saying, "Though Jenny Lind is a much smaller role, so maybe I won't have to be there as much."
My words hang in the air for a minute before Mandy responds. "Are you okay with that?"
Suddenly, I'm not. I'm pissed off. They drag me all the way out here and then do a bait and switch on me? I bet this was Henderson. He's probably been regretting casting me ever since I texted him, but didn't know how to get out of it.
Okay, well I know it was Grayson's idea, but did Henderson subliminally plant the seed to make them demote me? Could he even be that devious?
Even though the conversation I heard definitely sounded like it was Grayson's idea. Still, I bet Henderson somehow manipulated the situation.
"You know, it's kind of insulting, actually. Who do they think they are?"
"I mean, Tabby, I'm sure they think this is for the best. You were sort of made for that part."
Even though I usually trust Mandy to be a sane, sage source of advice and guidance, this time, I don't buy what she's saying. "You know, I'm gonna go back up there and give him a piece of my mind, once and for all. Who does he think he is?"
I run upstairs and check that Paisley is sleeping soundly in her temporary room. Maria's in the next room, monitor on. I motion to her that I'm going out, still while ranting to Mandy.
"You know, this is why I never look for more than a quick fling with someone. You can't put expectations on people. It makes you hope, and hope makes you hurt."
"I thought you two just had a quick fling."
"Yeah, because I live in California and he lives in New York. But now I'mhere, because of him."
"Oh Tabby, you didn't come just for him, did you?"
Her words halt my feet in their tracks mid-step. "No, of course not. I need to do something with my life. Let's face it, it's not like anyone out on the West Coast is banging on my door. I figured this would be a good way to get my feet wet again. Plus, Henderson would be here. And now I look like a fool. Nobody makes me look like a fool." I run down the stairs and to the front door. "I'm going to go and give Henderson a piece of my—"
