Katy Meets Broadway (the Miracle Unexpected Sequel)

Chapter 5.

*flashback*

16 year old Katy Hart came home from school one day the happiest she'd ever been. That particular day, she discovered something important about herself. Her passion in life had finally been realized. All it took was a week of exposure into her high school's drama club and she knew this was it. Katy was going to be an actress. She just knew she'd make it big someday. It was going to happen.

The young girl practically skipped up the hill-like driveway that led to her home one warm evening in Arkansas. She couldn't contain the grin on her face as she entered the home. Her mother Angie was busy in the kitchen getting dinner prepared.

The older woman looked up from the pot she was stirring. “What's got you in such a good mood?”

Katy took a seat at the counter, facing her mother. “I finally know what I want to do with the rest of my life. Momma, I wanna be an actress!” She blurted with pure confidence.

Her mother chuckled lightly. “Katy, honey, you can't be serious”

The smile on Katy's face fell instantly. “Of course I'm serious, momma. This is what I wanna do. I can't even describe the feeling I get when I'm on that stage. It's like my second home. I love it”

Angela Hart dropped the wooden spoon she had been stirring with onto the counter and placed her hands on her hips. “That's all well and good but you need to be more realistic. It's fine to pursue acting as a hobby but you can't possibly think this is an acceptable career choice”

“Of course it is. I -” Katy paused briefly. “You don't think I can do it, do you?”

Her mother didn't respond.

“Wow. Silly me to think my own mother would believe in me and support my dreams. I guess I was wrong” said Katy flatly.

“Katy, please. Let's just drop this discussion. You will go to college and be the first in our family with a college degree. Just like we've always talked about.” said Katy's mother.

“But what if that's not what I want to do?” challenged Katy.

“We're not discussing this any further right now. Go to your room. Supper will be ready in a few” said Angie.

With tear filled eyes, the young blonde stormed off from the kitchen and into her bedroom, slamming the door behind her.

Though her dreams now crushed by her mother's disapproval, Katy was still determined. She was going to prove her mother wrong. She was going to prove anyone who ever doubted her wrong. She just had to.

*flashback over*

Katy would be lying if she said she never thought about what possibly could have been. What if she had followed the path her parents had set out for her. What if she did get her college degree instead of dropping out after only three days?

Of course, dropping out had never been Katy's intention. She wanted to make her mother proud. But then, like always, life happened. She met her now ex Kermit her senior year of high school, ended up pregnant a year later, and life happened.

With a baby on the way, they couldn't survive on Kermit’s income alone. He worked at a Mechanics shop part time while also going to school.

So, he told Katy she'd have to quit school and get a job, which she did. Thus, the beginnings of her seemingly life long waitressing career.

Looking back on it, she realized that things happen for a reason. Everything that happened to her, the good and the bad, was all leading up to this.

“That was great, Katy. Let's do it one more time, from the top.” said musical director Diane Paulus.

Katy was currently in rehearsals were she had been since earlier that morning. Although she had always been a hard worker, Katy had admittedly never worked this hard at something in her whole life, but she knew it was worth it.

So far, she loved the cast and crew and she had even made a few friends on set. As she was leaving the set for the day, she said goodbye to one of her new friends Bryan, who was one of the sound technicians for the musical. He was the first person to ever speak to Katy on the set and make her feel welcomed, which she greatly appreciated.

Once she said her goodbyes, Katy got into her taxi cab and headed home for the day.

When she got home, she was pleased to see Shawn and Maya bonding together. The two were seated at the dining room table engaged in some sort of card game, laughing amongst themselves.

Shawn got up from table when he noticed her walk in. “Hey, welcome home” said Shawn, greeting his wife with a kiss.

Maya stayed seated at the table, simply flashing a small smile at her mother when looked over at her. “Hi Mom”, she said.

Katy could sense that this newfound tension between herself and her daughter hadn’t fully subsided. “Hey baby girl” she said with a warm smile.

The baby was napping and Maya soon went off to her room, claiming lots of homework, so Katy settled in with Shawn in the living room.

Katy was laying across Shawn's lap as she went on about her day and he filled her in on his day with the baby.

“So, Maya seemed to be in a better mood today. Until I walked in, that is” sighed Katy.

“Yeah we had a nice little talk today. She should be fine. I think she's just missing her mom” explained Shawn.

Katy could help but feel a twinge of guilt at this comment. She hated feeling this distance between the two of them, and it didn't help that Katy was gone now even more so than ever.

Working long hours to keep the lights on and food on the table is what had caused this tear in their mother daughter relationship to begin with and she refused to let it happen again.

This time was different and she made a silent vow to herself to do whatever it takes to spend as much time with Maya as possible.

Shawn saw the worry in Katy's eyes and calmly brushed his fingers through her hair and kissed her forehead. “It's fine, Katy. Don't worry yourself too much about it”

“It's not fine though. I know you've been frustrated by me too lately and I'm sorry. I really am” said Katy, looking up at Shawn.

“You don't have to apologize. I mean, yeah sure the transition’s been a little difficult but it's for the best. You're living your dream, remember?” said Shawn.

Katy nervously picked at her fingers while Shawn continued to caress her hair. “I know, but that isn't my only dream anymore. Our family comes before anything and I just want to be sure that you all are truly okay with this”

“Katy, sweetheart, we're fine. Promise” he reassured his wife.

The woman heard Shawn Jr crying in his room and went to get him. She flipped on the light in the room and held her baby boy in her arms.

Looking in his eyes and admiring every feature on his precious little face, she noticed he was beginning to look like his father more and more every day.

She cherished the way he smiled at her like she was the purest thing in the world, the light of his universe. And for right now, she was. He loved her with the purest, most unconditional love this world has to offer.

Katy wanted it to always be this way. She never wanted to let her son down like she did with her daughter countless times throughout her young life.

Shawn Jr grasped her finger with his chubby little hand. “Ma-ma! Ma-ma!” the infant cooed.

Katy kissed the top of his head, taking in that sweet baby scent, and she felt her real purpose in life being fulfilled all over again.