“I know it’s last minute, but I have a pair of tickets waiting for you at the box office tonight.” Kirk started to say something, but I waved him off, saying, “You don’t need to commit. And I don’t know what Carissra and your plans are. I know this close to Christmas…it’s entirely possible you already have a busy night ahead.”
“We’ll—“
“I’m freaked out enough about tonight,” I started. It took me a second to realize I’d interrupted him. “Sorry about that. I didn’t mean to cut you off. I’m a bit of a flake right now. And I don’t want you to feel the need to commit one way or the other. I’d be ecstatic if you were there, and I’ll completely understand if you have plans and can’t be there. If you can’t come tonight, I’ll be happy to get you tickets for any show.” I heard my cell phone go off playing the ringtone I use for my mother from across the room. “What now?” I groused. “Sorry, my family is in town. That’s my mother calling. Give me a second.” I stood and walked over to the charger next to the couch and lifted the phone. “Hey, Mom, now’s not a great—“
“Your sisters somehow made it out to Staten Island and do not know how to get back.”
“You’ve got to be kidding,” I let out a quick huff. “Give me a second.” I turned to Kirk and told him the situation. “I’m so sorry,” I told him.
“No worries. I totally get family.” He stood up from the table and came closer. “As for tonight—“
“They hopped on a train,” my mother said into my ear, “but they’re not sure where it’s taking them. No, wait. They’re on a bus now. Your father’s talking to them on his cell.” I could hear my father in the background. “Okay, I’ll tell her. The bus is supposed to take them to Penn Station where they can catch the Ronkonkoma…what kind of word is that?”
“That’s the Long Island Railroad!”
Kirk grimaced when he heard my side of the conversation. “I’ll let you deal with this. About tonight—“
“So, they want to take the railroad?” Mom asked.
“No!” I said emphatically. “When they get back to Penn Station, they’ll be in Manhattan. Have them go outside and get a cab back to the Marriott Marquis.”
Kirk smiled and mouthed, “Good luck,” as he motioned to the apartment’s front door.
I mouthed back, “thanks.” I was about to say something else when Mom cut me off again. Kirk left the apartment while I handled the crisis.
“How the heck did they end up on Staten Island?” I finally said. “It’s not like it’s that easy to absently end up there.”
“Don’t get all snippy with me. I’m not the one who needs a chaperone. I swear…I can’t take your sisters anywhere.”
I looked down at my watch and thought to myself,I don’t have time to deal with all this drama today.
Chapter 28
Bymiracleofmiracles,we got my sisters back to the hotel before I had to leave for the theater. To say that I had opening night jitters was an understatement of magnanimous proportions. Part of me was like,it’s just another opening. You’ve got this. Another part of me was like,it’s the most critical opening of your career. Don’t elf it up!I got to the theater two hours early to give myself a respite from all the craziness. It also gave me an excuse to turn off my cell phone and let the chips fall where they would fall when it came to my family. They’re adults. I had to trust they’d somehow get to the theater on time.
At six-thirty, there was a knock on my dressing room door. I got up and walked over and found the delivery woman with my dress. I thanked and tipped her before hanging it behind the door. To make sure everything was in there, I took a quick peek inside the garment bag. My dress was as amazing as it had been when I’d picked it out.
I threw down my yoga mat in my dressing room and ran through a quick sequence to get my body limbered up and to help center myself for the rest of the evening. I finished my last pose when there was another knock on my door.
“Come in,” I said as I stood up.
Gladys walked into the room. “Just letting you know I’m here. Need anything?”
“Not now. Give me about twenty minutes, and I’ll be ready to put my costume on. I need to apply makeup first.”
“Sounds good. I’ll be back in twenty. When I see Carlos, I’ll let him know.”
“Thanks.”
After taking a quick shower, I applied my stage makeup. I’d finished the last touches when Gladys knocked on the door and entered with Carlos. They helped me get into my costume.
“The house is open,” Serafina’s voice said over the speaker system in my dressing room. “That’s thirty minutes to the top of Act One.”
Carlos helped me fix the microphone on the top of my head before placing the wig and ensuring it was secure.
“Fifteen minutes. This is your fifteen-minute call,” Serafina said over the intercom.
“You’ve got this,” Gladys said. “Break a leg.”
