“If I did do this—and I’m not saying I am—I would feel better if I knew what your plan is while I’m gone.”
"Okay, well, we'll go to breakfast with my family tomorrow and brainstorm, but we'll be fine. CJ and I will come to visit you on the road and call you every day."
"Okay. If I'm satisfied that you two will be okay without me, I'll go."
“Good. Tell me about the show.”
"Well," she began. "It's called The Birthday Card. It's about a woman who receives a mysterious card every year on her birthday. I play her cousin and best friend, Sonia, and I have two songs in the show. One is a solo, and one is a duet."
“Who are the cards from?”
“I’m not gonna tell you because I want you to have an excuse to come see it.”
"I don't need an excuse to come see it. You'll be in it. That's all I need. Now, I'm taking you upstairs, and you're gonna tell me who is sending those cards, or else." I scooped her into my arms and kissed her.
“Or else what?” She narrowed her eyes at me as I took the steps two at a time.
“I have ways of making you talk.”
lisa
twenty-six
It was official.
I was a principal in the Northeast tour of a Broadway show. They ended up giving the part I originally auditioned for to a more established Broadway star and the role on the tour, initially, to someone with more experience. Apparently, my audition was so memorable that my name came up when a replacement was needed.
Breakfast with Cole's family was bittersweet. They were so happy for me and full of words of encouragement. They were also delighted to pitch in to help Cole with CJ while I was gone. Kimberly pulled some strings to get CJ into a daycare close to Hollander and Cameron that previously didn't have any openings. It was pricey, but since it was only for three months and he didn't have to pay me, Cole said it would be fine. He would have probably told me whatever I wanted to hear to make me feel better about leaving.
Cole's parents also volunteered to watch CJ during the week when Cole needed a break, and Kimberly said that she and Adam would help out on weekends when they could. They assured me that everything would be fine, and I believed them. I couldn't believe how close I'd already felt to the Simmonses and it gave me another thing to miss while on tour.
Sunday,we spent the entire day doting on CJ, and I may have overindulged in the hugs and kisses, but was there such a thing? After we put him to bed, we had our double feature. Both movies were sad because, in less than twelve hours, I would be in New Jersey for a week of rehearsals, then on the road for eleven weeks. I would miss Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, and CJ's birthday. I also wouldn't be there for the adoption hearing.
Cole and I were huddled on the couch under a blanket watching Steve Martin ride a big toy train at a carnival and fall in love with Bernadette Peters.
“Cole, what about the hearing? Are you sure you don’t need me to testify?” If I did something to jeopardize his chances of getting custody of CJ, I’d never forgive myself.
"I've been thinking a lot about the hearing. I don't want my life with CJ to be built on a lie. My birth mother had a lot of secrets, and CJ was one of them. I love him, and he's my entire life. I would wrestle a bear for that kid. If Judge Tomlinson doesn't see that, fuck him. My parents kicked his ass in court before, and I will, too, if I have to. I'm definitely not gonna let you sacrifice any more than you already have for us. Also, an intelligent person once said thatmy little scheme was a slap in the face to single men and single parents who are dying to adopt children. So maybe standing up to Tomlinson could help other people." He shrugged. "Either way, when I'm parading you around as my fiancée, it's gonna be for real."
“When?” I asked, feeling my face spread in a smile.
“That’s what I said.” He squeezed me into him.
“Are you proposing?” I asked.
“I will if you want me to. I have an engagement ring in a specimen cup, ready to go.” He kissed me and made to stand up.
"Stop." I laughed and tugged him back onto the couch and pulled him on top of me, wrapping my legs around his waist. "I don't need you to propose right now, but it's nice to know you want to."
“Whenever you’re ready, neighbor.”
“I’m gonna miss you so much.” I giggled.
“Me too, beautiful.”
Rehearsals went by fast,and it's incredible how quickly your body and brain could activate skills and muscles that you haven't used in years. I talked to Cole at night, but rehearsals ran so late that I missed CJ every time. The disappointment made my heart clench, and I remembered Cole's face every time he came home from work to find CJ asleep.
The rest of the cast and crew were what I expected. Most of them were nice, some were not. Everyone was focused. My roommate, Michelle, was a tall, white brunette with freckles and a dancer’s body who always seemed to be stretching or performing first aid on her feet. She had a great sense of humor, loved to gossip about the show, and she didn’t mind my CPAP machine.
