In Your Arms Tonight

Rejection (Rose)

The red curtain closed before me and I sighed with relief. Weeks of hard work of memorizing lines, getting costumes fitted, learning all the movements on stage had finally paid off. 

"Rose, you were marvelous!" Charlie said, giving me a tight hug. 

"As were you," I answered. "We make a pretty good team." 

"Yes, yes we do," Charlie laughed. "Well it's pretty late and it's been a long day. I'll let you get to your dressing room so that you can get changed and I'll head on over there when I'm done changing myself so that I can give you a ride home." 

"Alright, see you in a bit then." I began walking down the long hallway that led to the dressing rooms until I reached my own. 

I sat down in front of the large, golden mirror in the middle of the room and began brushing my tangled hair out. The door opened and Caroline came in with a radiant smile. 

"Rose, you did such an amazing job!" she exclaimed. "You looked so beautiful up there."

"Caroline, you are too kind," I said. 

"Really it was marvelous, Rose." 

"Well, it's thanks to you too. You help me so much I don't know what I would do without you, Caroline," I said. 

"Oh, Rose," she blushed. "Anyway, I'm going to prepare you a tea as you get undressed. It's rather cold out tonight."

"Thank you, Caroline." I returned to brushing my stubborn curls, wincing as I tugged on the tangled strands of hair. 

I loosened the tight corset of the elegant gown I had on. I exhaled deeply, feeling my lungs expand.

"Another day, another dollar," I sighed. I slipped into a light pink dress and large brown coat. Caroline was right, it was very cold tonight. I looked out the window of my dressing room and saw tiny snowflakes make their way down from the dark sky above. A few minutes later, I heard a soft knock on the door. 

"Come in," I called out as I began turning slowly in my chair towards the door. I gasped with surprise. 

"Hello there."

"Oh my," I gasped. "Charlie, you changed quite fast." Charlie, who was leaning casually against the frame of the door, laughed lightly at how surprised I was. 

"Well, I did not have a complicated dress to take off like you did," he chuckled. Caroline came behind Charlie, holding a small teacup. 

"I have your tea, Rose," she said, ducking under Charlie to get into the room. 

"Thank you, Caroline. I'll take this with me because I really must get home." 

"Yes, of course," Caroline said. "It is quite late and you should get your rest. Do you want me to ask William or Robert to drive you home?"

"No, thank you, that won't be necessary. Charlie offered to take me home," I explained. 

"Oh, okay. Very well, I guess I will see you tomorrow then?" 

"I will not be coming in tomorrow, I'm taking the day to rest and relax," I laughed. 

"That's great," said Caroline. "You deserve a break."

"Well, I'll see you, Caroline. Take care." I stepped out of the dressing room and Charlie followed behind me. 

"So do you have anything planned to do tomorrow?" Charlie asked. 

"Not really, I was just planning on sleeping in a couple of hours. Why do you ask?"

"Oh, nothing, I was just thinking about inviting you out to lunch or something," he said. I sighed and looked down at the floor.

"Charlie I-" 

"I know," he interjected. Charlie lifted up my chin and looked straight into my eyes as he continued, "I know you are scared of opening up your heart again. I love you, Rose. And I know it probably is not the best moment to tell you since you just found out that Jack is alive, but he has probably moved on. And you have to move on too. It's time."

I stood there silently, angry tears rolling down my cheek from the words Charlie had just spoken, as he continued to search my eyes with his. 

"I should go," I said. 

"Rose, please give me a chance," Charlie insisted. 

"I should go," I repeated as I pushed his hand away from my chin and walked off and out of the theater.