"Also because that's when the story broke about Tabitha coming here, and we were figuring that out. Imay nothave been focusing on auditions as I should have. Sorry."
I knew he wasn't paying attention.
But also, what does this mean?
"So it was nothing with my abilities or talent?" I need to hear him say it.
"Not really. You would have been good as Lise." Henderson casually shrugs. "Seeing how you work, I should have cast you."
In some ways, this is worse to hear. I can't imagine telling this to my parents. My parents …
"Can you let me do one show? My parents want to come out from Ohio and see me."
Henderson nods. "Not opening or closing, but otherwise tell me what day they want and it's yours."
I stand up and turn to leave.
"Leslie?"
"Yes?"
"I'm sorry, and I do think you should use a stage name. Let me know because programs are going to the printer tomorrow morning."
Great. I'm right back to where I started.
Chapter 14: Josh
She seems different.
I'm trying not to notice, but I can't help it.
It's like she's standing a little bit taller. Maybe moving a little bit freer. Smiling a little bit more.
It's Monday.Kiss Me, Kateis officially in the books, and we're striking the set today. The crew will be feverishly building the set forShowman, and then rehearsals will start in earnest, running the entire show for the first time.
Normally we have four days until opening, but because we've added the extra show on Thursday, we're at T minus 3.
We are so not ready.
"I need help," Leslie stands up and announces to the cast and crew, who are all sluggishly slumped over the breakfast table, nursing their coffees. "I need to come up with a stage name. Like now. Or do I even bother? Is my name okay?"
"You need a stage name," Levi answers, not even looking up from his coffee. "You cannot be a ballet dancer named Moose. No one will take you seriously."
We'd talked about the name thing at camp all those years ago. She had a lot of pride in the name because her grandfather and father were famous athletes or something. But Levi's right. The name's not right for the stage.
"Are you keeping Leslie?" Braedyn asks.
I stay focused on my bowl of cereal, pretending not to listen. It's not like I have a stake in this. It's not like I care.
Yet, I care. She should keep Leslie.
"I think so?" she says hesitantly. "I want to. I was named after Leslie Caron. What do you think?"
"Toss it all. Go with something totally different," Amy suggests.
Marcelina adds, "Do you have any names from your heritage? Something that really stands out and pops?"
This should be good. Most people don't know anything about Fiji. Hell, I didn't know anything about it until I met Leslie. What I did learn is that the names are long and have a lot of vowels. I mean, I thought deChambeau had a lot of vowels, but the French have nothing on the Fijians. I'm guessing that would not be a good direction for her to go in.
