Page 14 of Welcome Home to Ivy Falls

‘Sure. That works.’

She smiled and said, ‘Will we hear the music too?’

‘No. Right now we’ll focus on your lines.’

‘When will we get to the music?’ Dex asked.

‘If we can get through the script in the next day or two, music will come after.’

Dex looked around the room. ‘How will we hear it? I don’t see a sound board.’

I arched an eyebrow. ‘Why didn’t you raise your hand when I asked about who’d done a show before?’

Dex shrugged. ‘I haven’t acted. A friend’s older brother is part of the theater tech team at Ivy Falls High.’

‘I’ll accompany you all on the piano first. When we get farther into rehearsals, we’ll work with an instrumental recording that will be used during the actual performance.’

‘You play the piano? Cool,’ Dex said.

Maybe this kid was not going to be a problem after all.

Before we started with the script, we played an introduction game. By the time we were done, the kids were smiling and laughing.

Okay. This isn’t so bad.

We started from the top and the kids read their lines. Autumn, who was a bit older than most of the other actors, took to Mary Poppins’ motherly role quickly. Dex wobbled a bit with some of Bert’s lines. More than once, I caught him staring at Autumn.

Oh no, preteen hormones. I was going to have to keep an eye on that.

By the time we got through the first act, the kids were begging for a break. I agreed and let them know where the bathrooms were. Miss Cheri appeared from the wings and set out a few snacks for the kids. It didn’t take long for them to swarm the table, stuffing their mouths with pretzels, granola bars and gummy bears.

She rushed up to me wearing a wide grin. ‘I was watching from the wings. You’re a natural with them.’

‘I’m not sure about that.’

‘Well, you’re certainly better than Ferris Johnson. He may be a great handyman, but he was a disaster at being the co-director of last year’s production.’ She rolled her big blue eyes. ‘That man could not carry a tune, even if you put it in his wheelbarrow and encouraged him to push it across stage.’

As the kids continued to chatter and eat, her stare narrowed on Dex. I didn’t like the quick look of concern.

‘Problem?’ I said.

‘Uh, remember what I said yesterday about the kids being a handful?’

‘Yes.’ I waited for her to go on.

‘Dex can be a bit of a wild one. His mom, Rachel, recently took a full-time job working for Maisey’s husband over at his law office on Silverlake Street. She signed him up for this, hoping it would keep him, well, occupied.’

I couldn’t help but think about him and his skateboard at the P&P.

‘Should I expect trouble?’

Her eyes pinched at the corners. ‘His parents’ divorce was final earlier this year. He’s been struggling with it.’

Dex stood a few feet away telling a story to all the kids. Judging by their rapt attention, it was clear he was a natural performer. I noticed more than Miss Cheri would understand. The posturing. The commanding voice. The way he held himself up like he was confident. It was all an act. A crippling need to belong. Fear that if people could see inside his head all they’d notice was his worry and fierce desperation to fit in.

‘That’s good information to know. I’ll keep an eye on him.’

She gave a hesitant nod. ‘I’m gonna head back to the office. Let me know if you need anything.’