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“You know how the game works, Errin.” Theresa chuckled on the other end of the line. “It’s a big deal when they even give you feedback. It means they think you’re worthy of a response. You should be proud.”
Errin was fuming at Theresa’s chuckling voice and said, “Proud? About some asswipe calling my agent to tell her I’m an uncoordinated rhino on stage?”
Errin looked over her shoulder at some old lady standing next to her on the sidewalk, clucking her tongue at her, irritated by Errin’s loud voice.
“Don’t shoot the messenger. I’m—”
“Yeah, yeah. I know. Sorry, Therees.”
Errin stood on the edge of the street, the light October breeze warm enough for her to wear her white button-down shirt and her light blue boyfriend jeans. She crossed the street, leaving the scrutinizing old bat at the sidewalk, waiting for the light to turn green. Somewhere in the background Theresa brought up the whole ‘closing a door, opening a window’-cliché, but she didn’t respond. After a few obligatory “Hm-hmm’s.” from Errin, they hung up.
She took a right to go to her all-time favorite spot in Austin, passing the picturesque banks of Barton Springs where people picnicked on blankets in the sun with family and friends. Errin grinned at a teenage girl pushing a boy on a tube in Barton Creek before she jumped right after him into the water.
After spending some time at the outdoor theatre in Zilker Park, she took the bus back downtown. She took her time strolling on the sidewalk. She wasn’t ready to go back to her empty apartment. This Saturday was her birthday and the last day of October. She would celebrate all dressed up for the Halloween party at her sisters’ boyfriend’s Irish pub. A vibration in her jean pocket interrupted her thoughts about sexy but cute outfits to wear. A text from her brother.
CONNER: And? Can I clear out my spare room already?
Errin smiled.
ERRIN: Nope. Didn’t get the part. Not even the understudy.
CONNER: That sucks ass.
Errin didn’t respond right away. It did suck. She puffed out her cheeks.
CONNER: Sorry sis.
She let out an enormous sigh and walked over at a bench next to a small park. She crossed her feet and typed back.
ERRIN: Do you know what else sucks ass?
CONNER: That we’re still thousands of miles apart and can’t get sloshed?
No matter how down she’d felt in these past months apart, her brother still brought out a smile from her.
ERRIN: Besides the obvious.
CONNER: Okay. I’ll bite…
ERRIN: I don’t know if I even want to try again.
CONNER: stfu
Errin looked up from her phone, tilted her head back and gazed over the tall building before her. She followed some bird’s flutter in between rooftops and took a moment to let the rays of sunlight warm her face. After two deep breaths, she answered him.
ERRIN: No, I mean it, Con. I’m so over the whole going back and forth between here and New Jersey. Only to get zero call backs.
Her brother replied without missing a beat.
CONNER: Never took my youngest sis for a quitter.
She sniffed and shifted in her seat. Her fingers worked her phone vigorously as she typed.
ERRIN: I can get rejected over here anytime. Believe me. No need to get on a plane to hear from some NY schmuck that I need to work on my frame and lose 10 pounds.
The words of the casting director still baffled her. The audacity of that jerk. No, she wasn’t a teenager anymore, and keeping in shape hadn’t been as easy as years ago. But she’d danced most of her life and she was a lean but strong five foot five. She wasn’t ashamed of her body and wouldn’t let some random stranger tell her otherwise. At twenty-five, she knew exactly where he could stick hisfeedback.
CONNER: Fuck them. You know you can come back home without the whole dancing shit?
