“Crap.” I stare at the message from Pat like I can decipher the meaning.
“What is it?” Hunter says as we take seats on a flat rock and open up our little backpack containing two peanut butter sandwiches. It’s a sunny day, but that’s not why I suddenly feel heated.
“My manager tried to reach me this morning. He wants me to call him ASAP.”
The relaxed expression on Hunter’s face diminishes. “You should call him then.”
I nod and walk about ten feet away for some privacy before pressing Pat’s number.
He answers on the first ring. “Where the heck have you been?”
“I’m on a nature walk,” I say. “What’s going on?”
“We got a quicker answer than I expected,” he says cryptically.
“And…” I say.
“And you got the part, sweetheart! Congratulations.”
Time slows down. The creek in front of me keeps flowing, and the pines sway gently in the breeze, but time almost seems to stop. I stare across the water at the utter lack of people. It’s a strange dichotomy that I’m here in the middle of nowhere when I get the news I’m about to be on stage in front of countless audiences.
I wait for the burst of excitement I always get when I’m cast in something. Whether it’s winning a small part or filling in for the lead, I always gave myself a mental fist bump whenever I got good news. But right now, I feel more numb than anything else. And I’m not sure why.
But I can’t tell my manager that. He worked hard for me to have this opportunity, and I don’t want to sound ungrateful. “Thank you,” I say to Pat. “That’s unbelievable to hear.”
“There’s also been a change in plans—it’s going to be a limited run show. I didn’t get the details on exactly how long the run will be, but I did learn that you’ll need to return to NYC right away. Day after tomorrow at the latest.”
My heart plummets.
“What? Why? I thought it wouldn’t be for a few months.”
“The director changed his mind. He wants to rotate the new cast in next month, so all of you will need to be in town, learning your lines and your marks.”
“Pat…” I bang the back of my hand into my forehead. “I don’t know if I can do that.”
“Of course you can,” he says, misunderstanding me. “You’re strong enough now. I can hear it in your voice. You sound better than you have in years, frankly.”
“Because I’m home,” I say. “Once I leave New Orleans, who knows what will happen?”
“Sweetheart, you don’t have a choice in this one. If you want the part, and I know you do,thisis your moment. Make or break.”
I take a deep breath. “Okay. I’ll see what I can do for flights and text you later.”
When I return to Hunter’s side, he raises his eyebrows. “Good news?”
I take my seat next to him on the rock and tell him I got the part.
He wraps me up in a warm hug, and I melt into his arms. “That’s great,” he says as he pulls back to look at me.
He’s genuinely supportive, but his voice sounds off.
“You don’t sound excited,” I say.
“I am excited,” he says. “As long as you’re following your heart.”
“Of course I am,” I say sharply.
His eyes roam my face. “You just seem…I don’t know—stressed? Like maybe Pat’s more excited than you are about this.”
