Page 23 of A Whim and a Prayer

Abby carried on for several pages, outlining the schedule and assignments for the various volunteers, including several of Mrs. Cullen’s friends from The Footlight Club who, because of the importance of this fundraising effort for the BCAS, had volunteered to be in charge of sound, lighting, and music.

Turning to her final page, she began to wrap things up. “Auditions for all adult roles took place last Thursday, and the auditions for the multiple children’s roles will be held at The New England Home for Little Wanderers a week from Saturday at 2:00 p.m. sharp, followed by rehearsals per the schedule in your packet. End of minutes.”

She paused. “And finally,” she said with a wiggle of brows, “the moment you’ve all been waiting for …”

The room skittered with anticipation, chairs squeaking and whispers buzzing as Abby grinned outright, making everyone wait.

“The cast will include six leads, eight supporting roles, ten cowboy and Indian ensemble members, and twelve children for a cast total of thirty-six. And now, here are the adult roles: Annie Oakley, the rough-around-the-edges, backwoods girl with an extraordinary talent for sharpshooting will be performed by … Winnie Dennehy—”

Applause instantly broke out throughout the room, punctuated by Beck’s ear-splitting whistle in the back, which made Winnie grin despite the heat in her cheeks.

“Frank Butler, the handsome and very skilled sharpshooter who’s the star marksman of the Wild West Show and Annie’s romantic interest … will be played by … Norman Guenther.”

The room went wild again, with Norman’s friends cheering and stomping their feet.

“Next, we have Buffalo Bill, the showman and producer of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show”—Abby paused again with an apologetic teeth tug of her lip—“which unfortunately is still to be determined due to the fact that the drama club’s choice, James Epcot, came down with infectious mononucleosis—”

Chuckles and rude kissing sounds interrupted since mono was known as “the kissing disease,” a disturbance that Mrs. Cullen quickly quashed with a loud clear of her throat. She nodded for Abby to continue as Winnie seared Beck with a look that only produced a shake of his head.

“Charlie Davenport, Buffalo Bill’s business partner and promoter: Eugene Fritz …”

More applause as Eugene rose and took a bow.

“Chief Sitting Bull, the leader of the Sioux tribe featured in the Wild West Show and a father figure and mentor to Annie: Michael Miller. And last, but not least”—Abby rushed on to reserve applause for the end—“Dolly Tate, Buffalo Bill’s stylish and outspoken girlfriend, who will be played by … Nancy Cavanaugh.”

Clapping wildly, Winnie shot to her feet while everyone followed suit. Grinning ear-to-ear, she marveled at how someone as sweet and shy as Nancy could transform into a dynamo on stage like Nancy always managed to do. But then drama had that effect on people, she thought with a deep draw of air, just like it had healed her of her own awful stutter.

Abby finished up with all supporting roles, the ensemble, and all understudies, and the room thundered with final applause for all the drama-club members who secured a role onstage.

Mrs. Cullen rose to applaud with all the others, doling out smiles and congratulations as she gave Abby a hug before turning to everyone. “Thank you, Abby, for those very detailed notes and the exceptional job you are doing. And now, we have my second assistant whose duties, I might add, will be curtailed considerably due to the fact she is also our female lead. Winnie?”

Winnie popped up with her satchel while Mrs. Cullen and Abby took their seats. Pulling out her notes, she delivered a bright smile, addressing the crowd comprised mainly of all of Mrs. Cullen’s drama-club members. “Congratulations to everyone who scored a part, but I want to emphasize that a truly successful play requires far more than roles on a stage, so we have plenty of opportunities for each and every one of you. From stagehands, scenery, and props … to hair and makeup, ushers, and concession sales—trust me, we’ve got a part for you to play. Especially since …”

Her sing-song tone immediately captured the attention of everyone in the room. “… this very important fundraiser will not just be a one-night event for society donors of The Children’s Aid Society, but Mrs. Cullen has agreed … that we need to also present it to the community for one additional night.”

The crowd bolted to their feet, stomping and whooping so loud, Winnie covered her ears, laughing along with everyone else. Casting a silly grin at Mrs. Cullen, she turned back to the room. “So, not only will we be able to raise additional funds for the BCAS through an extra night open to the community, but we are also going to publish a handbill that will list all of your names under cast and crew, published at no cost by Abby’s father’s printing business, McGuire and Brady Printing Company.”

Another tumultuous ovation ensued that Winnie attempted to calm with the raise of her hands. “But the best part is we are also going to list corporate and community donors at a gold, silver, and bronze level of giving. Achieved, I might add”—in true dramatic form, she halted to hold them in suspense—“with a contest that will award those of you with the most donation sales … a $100 first prize, $75 second prize, and $50 third prize plus your name listed as award-winners.”

The hoots and hollers were so thunderous, Winnie was afraid the brute of a janitor Beck had mentioned might pop in to complain. Reaching into her satchel for a clipboard and a stack of papers, she held both up with a raise of her voice. “Okay, at the end of this meeting, I will have the clipboard available for you to sign up for any of the tasks you would like to do. Abby will then provide each of you a sheet of instructions on how to go about finding, securing, and submitting donations from either businesses or other community members.”

Abby jumped up to take the stack of instructions from her cousin while Winnie let loose with another piercing whistle that immediately silenced the room. She extended her hand to point toward Beck at the back, her smile a wee bit devious. “And one more thing before I turn the podium over to Mrs. C. Back there leaning against the wall is Abby’s and my dear friend and Cathedral alumnus, Beckett Campbell, who has graciously volunteered to be the Contest, Concession, and Scenery Coordinator. So take a good look because he will be providing you with additional information at our next meeting.”

All color drained from Beck’s face as his jaw literally dropped a full two inches. Cutting loose with a giggle, Winnie lifted her hands high to clap while she shot him a wink. “Let’s thank him with a loud round of applause, shall we?”

Chapter Fifteen

“Goodness, I’ve never been here before.” Abby’s tone was hushed as she, Beck, and Winnie slowly climbed the front steps of The New England Home for Little Wanderers on South Huntington. Their gazes rose to take in all four stories of the imposing brick building with its simple colonial revival architecture.

Located in the heart of the Jamaica Plain neighborhood of Boston, the building rose as a respected monument amid a mix of factories, row houses, and multi-unit flats, all assailed by the busy blare of horns, trolleys clattering on steel rails, and the electrical buzz from overhead wires, even on a Saturday like today.

Winnie issued a quiet grunt. “And the saints be praised for that,” she muttered, grateful that her favorite cousin hadn’t been subjected to the horrific beginning that Winnie had. Nobody should be subjected to that, she thought for the umpteenth time, wondering once again why God had done that to her. She hustled up the steps, worried about being late.

Abby suddenly whirled around to stare wide-eyed at Beck, who looked like a pack mule with both Abby’s and Winnie’s satchels draped over his shoulder. “Wait—you were never here, were you, Beck?”

His smile was melancholy. “No, Abs—I was boarded out.”

“Foster care,” Winnie quickly explained when she saw the question in Abby’s eyes.