I Can't Let You Go

Canceled

Weeks after their day together the first performance of The Seagull followed by amazingly loud applause. Everyone loved and cheered the performance of the actors. Emilia was happy. She was happy because that play was important to her, and she was happy because she could be on that stage, that she loved so much. She looked around, again and again, she hoped she'll find his face somewhere in the audience but of course he was not there. He couldn't be there. That would have been too obvious. Probably Rose was in the city, and he did not want to risk that, and that was smart and understandable. And it went that way all week long. They talked every night on the videophone, and he never said he is going to be there at the play, but she always wished him to be there. The news about that new virus did not make it easier either. The news was worrisome, and that new thing, that they called Covid-19 started to spread in the UK too. Especially in London. It sounded so dangerous, and more people caught it day by day. There were gossips about the government is going to take some serious actions, but nothing official released until that day. 

She arrived at the theatre and she immediately knew there is something wrong. Jamie looked worried, and he was talking on the phone.  Everyone was sitting in the rehearsal room in silence. 
"Any news?" Emilia frowned and put her bag on the chair. 
"Jamie just trying to find out," India answered and Emilia sat next to her. "I heard they want to close the theatres and cinemas, but ..." she shook her head.
"That would be horrible." Emilia frowned and raised her eyes at Jamie. He was still arguing with someone, articulating so vehemently. 
"Well, that would be understandable." Danny shrugged. 
"No. I don't agree." Indira shook her head. "People need entertainment. Not to mention we need our job." she leaned over to the table. 
"Health is more important." Danny hissed.
"I did not say it not, I just said..." Indira started to answer.
"Guys, if we fight it doesn't help." Emilia placed her hand on Indira's arm. "We can't do anything against it anyway." she sighed. "And we shouldn't worry before nothing happened. Those gossips were spreading at least for a week now." she tried to be positive and smiled at the others.
"I am afraid those are not gossips anymore." Jamie finally stepped to them and threw his phone to the table. "It is over."
"What?" Emilia frowned.
"The play. We can do the last one tonight, and then it is over. All theatres, cinemas, community places... are going to close." he sighed and sat to a chair, leaned back, and massaging his forehead. "If the ... situation does not improve probably they are going to do a full lockdown. At least in the big cities." 
"What does that mean?" Indira asked him.
"I don't know." Jamie shook his head. "But... we have to do the last play tonight." he looked around. "We have to focus on that and maybe it is just for weeks. No longer. So we... maybe we can extend the period of the play, or we can come back after the next one." he spread his arms. "But now ... " he looked around "We have to focus tonight. Can you do it?" 

Everyone was frustrated by the news. They did the show. They did it to the best of their knowledge, but deep in their hearts, they were suffering so much. It was some unique thing, and they loved it. They loved to work on it, they loved to stand on stage. Even the audience was different that night. The lucky ones... the last ones who could watch that. After they finished, no matter how much they wanted to greet them, the staff of the theatre did not allow them to meet with the fans. It was not safe. Emilia got into a car, that took her straight home. She did not say a word to the driver. Before that night, she always kept talking about the night, and how she enjoyed it. 
"Take care of yourself, Miss Clarke. And do not worry. It ends soon." The driver told her when they arrived at her house and they exchanged a smile. 
"Thank you. Have a good night." she sighed and nodded, then walked inside her house. Ted immediately jumped to her legs and greeted her. She grabbed the tiny puppy and sat on the couch with him. Ted continuously licked her face, her hands. She giggled a bit, but she was sad. Deep from her heart. She felt how a tear rolled down on her cheek. She remained strong the whole night long, but that was too much. Everything went the wrong way. Everything fucked up in her life. At least she had that play, but now it was over, and if that is true she is going to be locked in her house. She was caressing Ted in her lap and more and more tears filled her eyes. She did not have to be strong. Not anymore. No one was there with her. She did not have to act. She let it out. Long minutes passed this way, in silence. Her phone started to vibrate. It was Kit. She took a deep breath and wiped her tears away