I’m so proud of you and know you’ll do amazing tonight.
I have something I want to tell you, but you might want to
wait til after the show to read it if you’re getting in the zone.
I’m going to draw a picture below and if you don’t want
to read it, just look at the picture instead.
I snorted out a laugh. The picture was of a Kitty Bird, some comically weird hybrid of a cat and a bird. It looked absolutely ridiculous. And well, I was curious, so I read on.
When you were on your last tour, I wanted to be there so bad.
I didn’t think we were ready. I bought a front row ticket to
every show, and dared myself to go. I even stood outside the
theater in Miami, but couldn’t bring myself to go in. I didn’t want
to distract you, but I wanted to be there for you in spirit.
I always want you to shine, Kitty.
If you’ve ever wondered why there was always an empty
seat in the front row, it was my way of being there for you.
Tonight, I’ll really be in my seat. I can’t wait to see you shine
and cheer you on.
Love always,
Guy
I grabbed a tissue off the counter to try and keep my makeup from running. Maybe I should have waited to read it, but it was also a beautiful confidence boost. Guy had been supporting me through everything, even from the shadows. He never stopped being there for me. I’d tried to support him, too. But buying a hat is not the same as buying a seat to every single show. He was truly my funny fan, for all of my life.
It was overwhelming, the way he loved me so fiercely. We’d been through a lot together, going through seasons where one of us was maybe better than the other. But none of that mattered anymore. More than anything, I wanted to try with him again.
* * *
I’d reached the point of my set where I stopped noticing the heat of the lights. The point where it was just plain fun.
“So, I don’t know how many of you saw, but a friend and I have kind of been in the news lately.”
A loud whoop and applause came from the crowd.
“Bring him up!” someone shouted.
“We love you, Stelle!” another yelled.
I searched the front row for Guy, and there he was, grinning up at me. “They’re talking about you, buddy.
“So this isn’t the first time my love life has been on display for the masses,” I started. “And that’s fine. I’m flattered y’all care. However!”
I turned from where I was pacing. “I saw some comments that said he was funnier than me? He, whose first language is not English. No shade to that. He, who did not finish college. No shade on that, either. I’m very proud of his athletic achievements. But he, who is not a student of the comedic arts, is funnier than ME? Ladies, men taking credit for a woman’s achievements, right?”
Girly cheers erupted from the audience. “Because I teed him up for every one of those jokes. Did I not, Guy?”
