Don't Forget Me

Chapter 3

aggie held onto the bed early in the morning feeling a little dizzy. Oh wow. She thought to herself as she gathered her energy to sit up. That’s normal. It was just a head rush. She said to herself running to the bathroom and getting ready for a long day of fundraising and music. She picked up a bright yellow and pink sleeveless dress and some lime green wedge sandals. She ran her fingers through her light brown shoulder length hair making a funny face. “It needs to be up.” She said to herself throwing a hair tie in her hair quickly hearing her phone ring. Viv “I’m leaving right now!” Maggie exclaimed grabbing her purse full of notes, a bottle of water and keys to her car. “I’ll be there in thirty minutes!”

Forty five minutes and one stop at McDonald’s later Maggie parked her car in the empty arena parking lot. She parked next to Viv, the event organizer’s bright red BMW. Shit. Maybe if I do enough engagements I can drive that. Maggie thought to herself as she closed the door of her early 2000s Camry. She took a deep breath looking across the parking lot seeing few cars and no fanfare at the arena yet. She took off her wedges opting to go without shoes running to the door.

“Maggie! Come on! We have to rehearse!” she heard Viv’s assistant, Paula, yell at her.

“I’m coming! I’m sorry!” she exclaimed.

“No you’re not. It’s a good thing we planned on you being late…like always.” Paula laughed.

“Yeah, yeah…” Maggie said stepping near the stage seeing the large theater empty and spacious. “Did it sell out?”

“Yeah. I think yesterday.” Paula answered putting a mic on Maggie.

“Holy shit.” Maggie gasped.

“You’ve done this before.” Paula answered.

“I know. It’s just…it’s my home..you know? I sold a bunch of these tickets to people I went to school with and my family is going to be here…and everyone I went through this with….oh my gosh…” she took a breath opening her mouth. “I’m Maggie and I’m a survivor….” She completed her 10 minute speech practicing seeing Viv sit down in the middle of the theater.

“It was good! There won’t be a dry eye in the audience!” VIv shouted.

“I hope so. That’s what I meant to do.” Maggie said stepping down. Paula led her backstage near some computers. “Here. Take a break.” She said.

“Where are the photos going to be taken?” Maggie asked.

“Over there…” Paula told her pointing to a bright blue screen with some small items for people to take pictures with.

“When will Bruno get here?” Maggie asked out of nowhere.

“I don’t know. It sounded like right before the show starts.” Viv came up behind her. “Isn’t he the cutest?”

“He’s doing this for his community service. It’s kind of a waste. He’s not doing it because he wants to.” Maggie shrugged.

“We got him. That’s all that matters.” Viv answered. “Go get dressed. We’ll order some Indian food and then wait around for all this to start.”