a heart's end

Thirty Nine

Monty

The curtain fell as the enormous crowd on the other side of the fourth wall ruptured into applause. The last two and a half hours of my life have been the best moments of my life. A concoction of a million different emotions coursed through every fiber of my being. But now the only emotion I'm feeling is triumph.

I could easily see myself acting again in the future. After these next couple months I wanted to do more plays. I was excited for them.

   The curtains open back up and everybody on stage linked hands to take a bow. We applaud below us to the orchestra. We applaud above us for the lighting. And we exit the stage to meet our loved ones in the lobby.

    My mother was crying with emotion just like I knew she would be. "Monty you did amazing!" She wrapped me in an embarrassing hug, but I didn't care. I love my mother, I do. But she wasn't the first woman I wanted to see. She let me go and I see Anaelle across the room walking towards me. Her hair is short and curly and that dress... damn. She was the person I wanted to see, she was the person I wanted to see forever. Once she reached me, she pulled me into a hug and told me I did great and that she loved me. My heart couldn't get more full.

   "I love you too, Anaelle!" I exclaimed as she let go. I kissed her lips. I felt Mathis' hand on my back and I turned to him. He was right about finding something nice yesterday, or nice for Mathis. His hair was slicked back and he actually had a blazer on.

"Wow, Mathis. You look like a new person." I laughed and he smiled. "Cool it with the jokes, man. I think I look nice."

   "Monty there is one surprise I wanted to show you." My father patted me on the back and I beamed. I felt like a kid on Christmas.

   "Yeah, Dad?"

     "Well, your Mother and I have been thinking of what a smart, kind, amazing young man we've raised. And we just wanted to say thank you for being so great." He presented me with a small black box. I knew it couldn't be what I think it is. When I opened the lid my mouth dropped. "Are these..."

   "Keys!" My mom finished. "To your new car!" She squealed and I literally gripped my dad into the biggest hug. I was so happy I could explode. This night couldn't get any better, I swear. I had my girl, my folks, my new car, and my friends all in one place.

   I love my life.

   The after party was at this hotel, Chess Hills. Somehow Daisy knew people who knew people, and we got one of the main rooms to ourselves. Decorated like a fine class restaurant with a dance floor, I was ready to party.

  Anaelle looked so carefree, so beautiful as we held hands and entered the room. We were both gripped with worry at the thought of Donte coming back. Even though I had Mathis as a lookout, I think back to last time Donte and I had an altercation and shuddered.

  After more hellos and congrats on the show and a whole lot of dancing, everybody seemed wore out. It was almost midnight.

   Suddenly I heard a crash, like glass falling on the floor. Mathis came up to me. "I think there's this guy outside looking for you." I started for the door to see who it was until Mathis stopped me. "I... I think it's Donte."

   Blood immediately left my face as I called for Anaelle. Me and Mathis looked for five minutes. She was nowhere to be found. I finally figured out why she wasn't inside, however. She was outside with Donte. I started for the door and Monty gripped my shoulder.

"I have to help her, Mathis. What if he hurts her!" I turned to face him. I couldn't imagine my Anaelle getting hurt by anyone, and giving the fact of what she's going to tell him tonight the stakes are pretty high.