Chapter Forty: Second Chance
After weeks of rain, the sun appeared for our company’s outdoor concert on campus.There were three music acts before us, then a stand-up comic afterward.There was a good vibe in the air.I was tuned-in like I hadn’t been for a long time.We had one of our best performances.Nice turnout too, but it was the kind of day where it’s fine if you’re standing around but sweltering if you’re really moving, and I was dripping by the end of our number, so once we were off the stage, I made a beeline for the dressing room.Royce and I usually fought for the first shower, but he stopped on the way to talk to a fan, so I beat him there.
It wasn’t like I hogged the shower.I knew there were six of us, but I’d barely rinsed the sweat off when someone banged on the bathroom door.
“Okay, okay,” I said.
I wrapped a towel around myself and came out.
“Guy wants to talk to you,” said Royce, as he shouldered past me into the bathroom.
“Guy” was a man wearing a vest that read “Security.”
Shit, what have I done?
“Eddie McCreevy wants to speak with you,” he said.
I blanked for a second, like he’d told me there was an elephant outside, and did I want to ride it.
“Do you want to see him or not?”said the security guy.
My brain finally caught up to what he’d said.
“Sure, I’ll see him,” I said.
I realized I was standing there wearing a towel, with my hair dripping.As soon as the security guy left, I dropped the towel and rushed to put clothes on.I had time to pull my warm-up jacket and pants on, but I was naked underneath.My hair was still wet, but I didn’t have time to deal with it because the next second, the officer was knocking on the door, and I opened it.
And there he was, standing in the hallway.
“Eddie,” I said.That was as articulate as I could manage.
It was really him.As seen on TV.As in, he was really blond, and his body looked different in a way I couldn’t put my finger on.
“I saw your show,” he said.“You were great.”
I knew something had felt different while I was performing.I hadn’t seen him in the crowd, but I must have sensed him.
“Yeah,” I said.“Hey, peeps!”The company were all staring at me.Guess I’d made a spectacle of myself getting dressed.“This is Eddie.Eddie, this is Annie, Stasia, Donie, and Craig.”I pointed to each of them.
“Great show,” he said.He looked cool and relaxed.
Then, Royce came out of the bathroom and did a double-take.“Hey, you’re Fin fromThe Heart You’re Dealt.”
I felt awkward then, like I’d lied to my company by not telling them Eddie’s last name.
