“It's awesome. The top is a pillbox hat and she made fake macaroni and ketchup to put on the bottom tier. You’re gonna love it.”
“I can’t wait. I actually enjoy cooking too. I’m not a great baker but maybe you can show me some of your tricks sometime.”
After that she seemed drawn back into the conversation. When we finally decided to call this evening to a close, I felt like the four of us were all in a great place. It felt like all the tension and paranoia had disappeared. We paid the bill and walked out together after gathering our coats. “This was a great night. I’m glad we did this,” I said.
“I agree, I think we were all a little nervous about the play and this helped. What do you think Sweet Pea?” Thomas asked Cassandra. Her eyes went wide, she looked uncomfortable, but finally smiled. I could tell that it was very forced.
“Yes. I think the show is going to be great and you two are going to shine up there,” she told us, but her words felt rehearsed. I thanked her and gave her one last hug before we turned to our separate vehicles. Once we were alone, I asked Mark how he thought the night went.
“I thought it went good. She hates you, you know,” he told me, clearly amused. I sighed.
“Yeah, I know.”
* * *
The next day despite having rehearsed for weeks and this not being my first time on stage, I was wracked with nerves. I got ready way too early, so was left twiddling my thumbs for hours. Mark was amused, but he had work so he couldn’t entertain me.
“We are only doing a half day. I promise I’ll be showered, dressed, and in the front row right on time,” he promised as he walked out the door.
After an hour of wandering around the house I finally decided to just go to the theatre and see if anyone needed help with any last-minute things. I called Stacie and Erin on the way and they were already there.
When I stepped inside, they put me right to work helping them bake cookies for intermission.
“Thomas is on his way with the cake his girlfriend made and we sent Gabby for coffee and juice. Come get this chocolate chip dough made,” Erin directed.
I lost track of time as we baked and drank beer. We were having a blast. It reminded me so much of my younger years. I wanted to do this more often. A few hours later there was a knock on the kitchen door. Stacie went to open it and found Thomas on the other side. He glanced behind her at the rest of us. I noticed that he avoided looking at me.
“We have the cake. It’s going to take both of us to get it in here, so we need someone to keep the door and fridge open.” Stacie was already there, so she kept it open for them to get the cake in.
I gasped when I saw the cake. She really was good at baking. It looked awesome. They only paused for a moment to let us look at it before placing it in the refrigerator. It was a three-tiered cake, with a pillbox hat as the top layer. The second layer was covered in pearls like the ones I’d be wearing, and the bottom cake was pink and covered in the fake macaroni and ketchup, just like my costume. She had also made some cookies that she placed around the cake that were so detailed they looked professionally done. There was a gun, a few wine glasses with red wine in them, and some candles.
Everyone showered her with compliments, but she was very curt and left quickly. Thomas gave us all a tight smile and followed her out. Stacie, being the gossip queen quickly left the kitchen to go find a window. Gabby and Erin followed, but I hesitated and ultimately decided against snooping.
“They’re fighting! Right in the parking lot!” Stacie called out to me.
“Stop watching then!” I called back, but they ignored me. I went back to putting frosting on the sugar cookies. Five minutes later the three of them came running back into the kitchen with guilty looks on their faces. I was just about to ask when there was a loud banging on the door. Stacie went to it and took a deep breath before opening it. Thomas came storming in.
He stalked past all of us and went somewhere into the theatre. All of us girls looked at each other, waiting for someone to talk, but no one said a word. I continued frosting my cookies and they went back to their various baking duties. Once I was done, I left to go find him.
I found him smoking a cigarette in the dressing room. He didn’t look my way when I came into the room.
“Hey, are you okay?” I stepped further into the room, closing the door.
“I’ll be alright. Just had a long night.”
“She still has a problem with the show?” He scoffed.
“Yeah, something like that. I told her she can either come to the show or not. But if she doesn’t come, then she doesn’t need to call me ever again.” He finished his cigarette and put it out in a small glass I hadn’t noticed before sitting next to him. He stood up and gave me a smile.
“You guys need any help in the kitchen?”
I looked at the clock on the wall. “Well we have an hour before the rest of the crew and ushers get here, so we can probably get the lobby prepped.” I was right, Joyce and Bill, the guy playing Anthony were already setting up tables. I reached for the tablecloths and Thomas went to see if the ticket box was ready.
Once the ushers and the stage crew showed up the five of us actors excused ourselves to get dressed and ready for the show. I took the opportunity to call Mark and he assured me that he and everyone else were ready and about to leave.
“We’re going to be the first ones in line, I swear. Break a leg, I love you.”
Hearing his voice helped me relax a little.
