Meet Me on the Metro {No Longer Available}

Chapter 6

"And I knew it from the start, so my arms are open wide. Your head is on my stomach, and we're, we're trying so hard not to fall asleep. But here we are on this 18th floor balcony, we're both flying away." 18th Floor Balcony Blue October

“Five minutes until show time, guys!” I was making the final adjustments to my costume. My hair curled light ringlets perfectly. The show was set in the 40s. I was wearing a brown tweed skirt, black tights, a white blouse, and a light brown cardigan to go on top of it. I was in character shoes as well. A technician came over as I waited in the wings to adjust my mic. I closed my eyes and breathed in deep. The stage manager came over to me. “You can take your place, curtains are down and so are lights.”

“Alright,” I gave a thumbs up to Lane who was waiting in the wings with the other people. I walked on the stage. The lights were down to where I could see just enough to get to the chair at the kitchen table of the set. The curtains were down. I saw Mark waiting in the direct wind for his cue at the very beginning. And then they announced our play and as the curtains moved the lights turned up, and then it was time. Like I had done the past few weeks, I picked up the fake bill on the table and sighed. At that moment Mark’s character came in. The play started.

“What’s that?”

“More bills.”

“Oh, how bad is it?” We completed our blocking as told.

“We are in way over our heads. I don’t see a wedding anytime soon.”

“A wedding?”

“Yes a wedding.”

“Oh well it will all come with time dear, it will all come with time.”

“That’s what you always say. Don’t forget we have Barbara and Henry’s party tonight.”

“How could I.”

“Anyways I am going to get dressed, and you better be ready in an hour.”

“Fine,” I walked offstage and I ran to the technician who helped me with my costume change into a black 40s evening gown. I had to unbutton my blouse and take it off (I had a tank top and shorts underneath my clothes), but I threw it on over my skirt. After Mark was done with his monologue he ran off and changed shirts. We walked on when the lights came up and Lane and James were already in their place. It was flawless.

“Good evening Martha, I am so glad you could make it.”

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world Barbara, and thanks for having us Henry.”

“It was our pleasure.” There were other lines from minor characters. “We have an announcement everyone. Barbara and I are expecting our first child.”

“How wonderful!” The guys left the stage and I stood up front with Lane. “I wish I could be as lucky as you are someday.”

“You have Jim, though. You guys are engaged remember.”

“Yeah, but he seems to want nothing to do with a wedding. It seems like he doesn’t even want to have one. I value the simple things like a hug or a kiss, that’s what keeps me going. He hasn’t hugged me or kissed me in a long time. I’m afraid.”

“Pre wedding jitters, I promise.”

“I hope you’re right, because I do love him.”

“I know, and he loves you.”

“I sure hope so.” The lights dimmed and we did a scene change, this was the big scene of the play. When the lights came up I went to the table, and sat down. I was looking a magazine. Mark came on with a suitcase. I stood up alarmed. “Where are you going? Is there a business trip you didn’t tell me about?”